This article was translated by John R. Bopp

USA Today’s 10Best website compiles for its readers “things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.”  This October, they’ve published a great article on one of the oldest Basque restaurants in the US: Louis’ Basque Corner in Reno, Nevada.

This restaurant opened its doors 50 years ago, in 1957, and was run by Lorraine and Louis Erreguible for over four decades.  In 2011, it was taken over by Chris Shanks and Brian Elcano, as we blogged at the time.

This year has been one of many ups and downs for this corner of Basque history in the US, as it is seeing the 50th anniversary, but also the passing of its founder and namesake.

Christina Nellemann penned the article about this restaurant for 10Best, and explains quite well the main characteristics of this place, which was opened to serve Basque shepherds working out west, and then turned into a true family restaurant, without losing any of its original style or character.  It’s still full of the spirit of the Basques who traveled to the US seeking new opportunities.

The article details how Basque cuisine is neither French nor Spanish, but that of a people who inhabit the Atlantic coast of the Pyrenees.  We can barely contain our desire to sit down at one of those long tables and enjoy the always abundant dishes they serve, which were what the Basque shepherds used to eat.  To round off the meal, they serve the very Basque drink Picon Punch, which only exists in the US, but which is becoming truly emblematic of Idaho.

As we said a while back, even university studies about American traditions have ended up defining Basque cuisine of the area as the “authentic regional cuisine between the Rockies and the Sierras”.  Throughout Nevada, we can find a broad range of American-style Basque cuisine taken there by the expat shepherds.  It’s gotten to such a level that even Texans have reason enough to travel to the Silver State.

Basque food can do that.

10best – 1/10/2017 – USA

Louis’ Basque Corner: Sweetbreads, Picon Punch and Family-Style Dining

While the classic Basque restaurant Louis’ Basque Corner has been in the Reno area since 1967, the historic place is attracting new crowds these days. As a popular meeting location for the city’s movers and shakers, Louis’ is also a hipster hangout, a place for families and a visitor must-stop on their way through “The Biggest Little City.”

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Last Updated on Dec 20, 2020 by About Basque Country


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