Basque Norte image

Basque Norte

Restaurant Cafe Steak house

Rustic, long-running Spanish eatery offering steaks, tapas & cocktails, plus Mediterranean items. People often mention beans, good, service, steak, great, amazing, green, experience, style, salad,


Address

3355 Esplanade, Chico, CA 95973

Website

www.basquenorte.com

Contact

(530) 891-5204

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (589 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 5 to 8 PM
  • Saturday: 5 to 8 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 5 to 8 PM
  • Thursday: 5 to 8 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: beans (13) good (12) service (11) steak (9) great (8) amazing (8) green (7) experience (6) style (6) salad (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Christopher W. 1 year ago on Google
    Our friends who live in Chico brought us to dinner at their favorite place. We immediately noticed that the people here were different. While the food was absolutely great, the people here worked together as a seamless team and their personalities lit the place more than any lighting could. They engaged with every customer in the restaurant more than we've ever seen. They made this an experience rather than just a dinner. The owners have built an amazing team that is a testament to the staying power of this neat place. So glad we were able to have this experience.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Garth M. 1 year ago on Google
    The steak was great but the service was mediocre. The staff was constantly rushing us to finish and move on so that they could seat the next reservation. Poor planning on their part which made it feel like an olive garden. I definitely didn't get my moneys worth. I think its gone downhill for having such a historically upscale reputation.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 James S. 1 year ago on Google
    The food, and dining experience as a whole, was amazing. The only downside is that their menu has been reduced in size, so they don't offer fish or quail anymore. Very friendly service though. I would still highly recommend going there.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mr. E. 8 months ago on Google
    We came in as party of 3 with a reservation. We were seated right away, and server took our drink order. We all got basque style dinner with Sauteed Shrimp, Calamari, and Chicken Breast. Course comes with excellent soup, salad, baked beans, green beans, garlic pasta, potatoes, and ice cream. Was little salty but very rich, very good food. All the sides can be ordered more for free! Sauteed Shrimp was fantastic. Great wine, garlic and butter flavor with succlent shrimps. Chicken breast was way over seasoned and well done. Was dry. Pilaf rice on the bottom was good. Calamari was what you would expect. Lightly battered, seasoned well. Pilaf on the bottom as well. Our server was amazing, we asked lots of questions and she was more than happy to answer with a big smile. Attentive as well. $100 for the 3 of us with great quality food and service.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Eric W. 1 year ago on Google
    The reputation of this place is undeserved. Being open only 5 to 8, I expected something superb. They make a marinade that's pretty good and can be bought separately that I cook my tri-tip with. However going there, the place was a bit busy, the service was okay, there's plenty of food, but at $50 a steak or more, it's just not worth it. I've had $20 steaks that were better. It's really lackluster. We waited for an hour to get our steak. During the wait, we had salad, bread, beans, spaghetti, so that part was okay, but everything seems to be bathed in oil and butter. Some of the alcohol was priced at $18 a glass. For spending well over $100 for two people, I was hoping for a much better experience instead of walking away with the conclusion that it just wasn't worth it. I won't be going back, I can get a far better experience for far less money somewhere else.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Zury L. 1 year ago on Google
    I had high hopes for this place since I heard it was an oldie but a goodie, we payed $60 bucks and charred steak. Potatoes and shrimp was good, im assuming it was because it was dowsed in butter. The owners were super nice, so nothing personal on them, its just the steak that night was not good, after we said it was burned to our sever, they didnt apologize or do/say anything to correct it, after that whole experience, Im good, I wont be going back.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 DaddyGator 11 months ago on Google
    This place is not for the faint of heart. Come here with a group because the food is never ending. They just keep bringing dish after dish of sides to go along with your entree. The food reminds me of going to a family reunion or a really good pot luck. Nothing is fancy, but everything is so well executed you just can't get enough. The sides are really simple foods, bread, beans, salad, potatoes, soup, etc. The entrees are simple as well, but again, so well executed. Everyone in our group was impressed. Very well done, Basque Norte
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anthony E. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic food, not true basque culinary, but one of the best steaks I have had in recent memory.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 dayna b. 4 months ago on Google
    Had a wonderful night celebrating 2 birthdays! Food was amazing as always, and the service and atmosphere were exemplary! 🥳❤️❤️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dannie E. 6 months ago on Google
    The food here was amazing we had the New York and the Porterhouse! Definitely recommend going in hungry they feed you alot.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeremiah M. 10 months ago on Google
    Great food with a great atmosphere. We have always had great experiences here and I would definitely recommend them to anyone in the Chico area looking for a good family style meal.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Richard D. 1 year ago on Google
    One of our favorite restaurants, the food is always amazing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John H. 11 months ago on Google
    My friends have asked me, "Why haven't you reviewed Basque Norte?" I tell them the same thing... "Why continue to detail perfection?" It's now time. After suffering through 2 bouts of COVID19, I NEEDED an outstanding meal to get my taste buds back on track. Date night and reservations for 2. My wife started off with a Sangria, and I ordered an Old Fashioned (best in town) then made our way to the menu to choose our entree. 1st course was the Tomato & Garlic Bisque, which was sheer perfection and full of tomato puree and garlic chunks. 2nd course was the salad, pasta, and beans... ALL perfectly prepared and full of flavor, especially the beans which included spicy sausage. The pasta had plenty of butter and seasoning to ensure nothing went home. 3rd course consisted of the seasoned green beans and potatoes. We did ask for a second round of the green beans, as they were THAT GOOD. Main Course was next. My wife ordered the Ribeye (rare), and I ordered the Lamb Chops (rare). To even speak ill of the preparation/seasonings/ and cooking would be blasphemy. Fresh garlic butter was piled on my chops, and Her steak was prepared better than just about ANY steakhouse in Chico can provide. This is THE place to take a date, your spouse, or a party just for the Tapas. Pricey... but SO worth it!! There's not enough high praise to give this restaurant, the servers, bartenders, or owner. Just eat here once for the truth!! Did I forget the free small bowl of ice cream? Enjoy... and believe!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ashlee B. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious food, huge portions, great service! My steak was dine to perfection and the Sangria was amazing!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 John P. 2 years ago on Google
    Pretty good food and I would recommend a try.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jennifer H. 10 months ago on Google
    Haven't been to Basque Norte for years. My parents came to town and suggested it and we said absolutely. Had a wonderful meal. For those who may not know, your meal is served family style and you select your entrée. I had the beer battered shrimp which were huge and delicious. I didn't need to eat them all but I couldn't stop. Dad got the steak, mom got the veal and the hubs got the fish. Our waitress was wonderful and the owner stopped at our table to check on things. Neither the hubs or I brought our readers but we were both shocked to see there was nothing under $50 for an entrée. Or at least from what we could tell.

  • 5/5 Cindy L. 1 year ago on Google
    Enjoyed the food, love getting so many choices at dinner time. The soup was delicious.

  • 3/5 Vicki B. 1 year ago on Google
    My meal was not good, so left my leftovers on my plate. Service was fine, but my entree was extremely dry and flavorless. Was celebrating with a large party, so lucky I wasn't there for the meal. Still an enjoyable evening because of the company I was with.

  • 2/5 Justin G. 1 year ago on Google
    Basque Notre's marinade (which can be found in basically any grocery store) is decent and is what they are known for. I discovered they were a local chico restaurant and have wanted to try them for many years. Finally got around to doing so. I like the concept of service style and the service staff was friendly and helpful. Each person orders their own entree. Steaks are decent and were cooked fine. All sides are served family style, which is great. I enjoy a good family style service. The sides however, were very disappointing. You start with the most acidic "tomato soup", which has no other flavor than tomato puree. As well as a very basic romain lettuce salad with house dressing. You can have it refilled as much as you want from what I recall. But the initial bowl is basically a 1 or 2 person side salad size. The beans they make are extremely bland and the potatoes are also devoid of flavor and if I remember correctly, they are steamed. The green beans they serve are classic cut frozen green beans. Nothing wrong with frozen green beans and steamed potatoes. I just don't expect them on a $40-50 plate. How about some hericot verts green beans at least. The one positive I can say, was the bartender did make great drinks. So keep that guy going. Over all this place was disappointing. Food is very overpriced for what you are getting. Very under seasoned. I expected much higher quality ingredients for the plate cost charged. Go to 5th Street if you want a good steak. Much better quality with a similar price point.

  • 5/5 William Michael D. 10 months ago on Google
    Great service, generous portions, amazing flavor. Really loved the Lamb!

  • 5/5 Ann L. 1 year ago on Google
    We stopped in for drinks/tapas in the bar. Nice, intimate setting. Drinks are reasonably priced, tapas are delicious! Good service too. Highly recommended.


Call (530) 891-5204 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Happy hour food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery

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