The Basques are the inhabitants of the Pyrenees region of northern Spain and southern France. Reno and other Nevada cities such as Winnemucca and Elko have large Basque populations. The Center for Basque Studies is at the University of Nevada in Reno. Basque immigrants came to Nevada to work as ranches tending sheep, and Basque hotels offered these immigrants a familiar environment, food, and people who spoke their language. Many of the rooms were above restaurants, where immigrants gathered to eat family-style. That tradition is carried on in many of Reno’s Basque restaurants.
The menu of a Basque restaurant can include any combination of typical Basque dishes, such as lamb stew, roast lamb, paella, Basque beans, prawns, rabbit, steak, lamb and pork chops, skewers, tripe and sweetbreads. As you might expect, some of these dishes are an acquired taste. A hallmark of Basque restaurants is Picon punch, a combination of grenadine, soda, brandy and Amer Picon and garnished with a lemon wedge. Both restaurants claim that theirs is the best.
01
of 02
The Basque corner of Louis
Louis Erreguible emigrated from Mauleon, Basses Pyrenees, France, to Reno and worked as a chef in local restaurants before he and his wife, Lorraine, opened Louis ‘Basque Corner in 1967. Louis’ Basque Corner is east of downtown Reno in Fourth Street and Evans Avenue on the ground floor of the old Hotel Vasco. In the tradition of the Basque restaurant, food is served family style, with seating on benches at long tables. If there is room, another party could end up sharing your table and helping pass the food. All the servers are dressed in authentic Basque clothing. Louis’ Basque Corner has been honored as the best Basque restaurant in Nevada and calls itself “the home of the world famous Picon punch.”
02
of 02
Hotel Santa Fe
The old Santa Fe Hotel is in the shadow of the new downtown Reno hotels, making it within walking distance of almost all of them. It is a family business that has existed since the middle of the 20th century. The Santa Fe hotel serves a family style and is known for its excellent Picon punch.
