What a gem in Boise! Well curated menu, fresh ingredients and authentic recipes and a very friendly and warm staff! Talk about the aged Jamon, chorizos, chimichuri and perfect use of fresh Idaho potatoes. The drink menu is also fun. The ambience is chill and welcoming with indoor and outdoor options and dog friendly staff. Would highly recommend and love to go back. read more

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I was really hoping for a 5-star experience, but not there. Co-worker said they were nominated for a James Beard award, so I had to go. Turns out it was for service. I don't doubt that if you're doing dine-in service. We saw a lot of personal attention by family members spent on some of the larger tables. Ambiance was pretty cool, with a lot of Basque cultural pictures and spread over a couple seating areas with inside a larger mini-mall setup. It was a tad loud though. So we went tapas style, ordering 5 dishes and 2 desserts. Mains -Basque meatballs had great flavor within the meatball, but the gravy seemed a bit flat like a powder mix base. -Cod in Salsa Verde was a disappointment. The clams had no significant meat and the sauce was a tad bland. -Really enjoyed the Txistorra In a Blanket. The chorizo had a really nice flavorful punch and wrapped light filo. The coupled sauce had a balanced flavor with spicy kiss. -Really enjoyed the calamari strips. Not chewy with a light breading. Very fresh taste and the sauce was very good. -The Pan con Tomate with Manchego cheese were very nice. The jamon had a great cure and texture with a nice foccacia and cheese base. The tomatoes gave it a nice acidic punch. Dessert -The burnt cheesecake was a crowd pleaser. The cheesecake really let the cream cheese come through without a ton of sugar. -Tarta De Manzana was great. Firm, thinly slice green apples with an amazing crust with great body and featuring caramelized granulated sugar on the bottom. I just wish they would have put more orange marmalade on the base to bump up the aromatics. It really would have made it flavor explode. read more

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Our favorite meal from our visit to Boise! Such a great surprise stumbling across this place as I am coincidentally Basque! It was one of the few restaurants open on NYE for lunch, so it felt like it was meant to be. We ordered: Jamón croquetas Pan con tomate Gildas Latx Bocadillo Café bombon Everything was beyond excellent. Vibes were casual but trendy, staff was friendly. Ive already recommended it to a friend who frequent the area, and we will FOR SURE return to eat here if we are ever back in Boise! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Café bombon - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I really love that place. Really good Meatball, calamari and bread for the lunch. Best way for perfect for two. I sure Love rose wine. I really Like the owner Dan. makes me laughing . I will be back. I want try Paella . The host is really sweetheart. read more

A unique dining experience! Recommend the patatas bravas and meatballs and Albariño wine. Also had bocadillos and croquetas. All delicious! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Patatas bravas, meatballs - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I've been wanting to visit Ansots for a while now, but their open hours didn't always make it easy whenever I was visiting Boise. It finally happened one Saturday morning on my last trip there. The staff were young but professional and very friendly. It was still early enough for breakfast/brunch so I ordered the Eggs in Purgatory and my SO got the Belt bocadillo. I wish I had tried the chorizo, so perhaps next time. Everything tasted delicious and the portions were just right to finish and not feel hungry. I ordered a slice of Basque cheesecake to go. It was pretty good with an interesting burnt top that wasn't overwhelming or off-putting, but not something I feel like I need to go out of my way to get again. I'm glad I checked this off my list. Definitely a very Boise place that folks from out of town should check out! You can enjoy walking around downtown afterwards as well. read more

How to describe this place is difficult. It is absolutely a must stop for food lovers. I was visiting family in Boise, and my Lyft driver could not stop talking about this restaurant. The food was phenomenal along with the service. We even had a chance to chat with the owner, which was fun. read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

First time in Boise, came straight in from the airport for lunch based on ChatGPT high recommendations. Love it! Ambiance was nice and warm, great seating and lighting Service was very friendly from Brie, personal and great recommendations Food was delicious! All the sausages, breads, sandwiches, hams, cheeses were exceptional. The Protos Vino Tinto was a great complement also. Prices are reasonable too. Would come back again, great 1st meal at Boise! read more

This gem was part of a food tour and it was the highlight! Ellie, the owner, runs this tiny restaurant as if you are a guest at a dinner party at her house. Effervescent Ellie and her staff - we had the lovely Bri taking care of us- are so welcoming. We tasted the clams and chorizo dish with this amazing brothy sauce you mop up with some crusty bread. The clams were juicy and the chorizo was flavorful. We learned Ellie's father makes the chorizo from a recipe handed down from his grandparents who immigrated from the Basque region. Wonderful Bri slipped us some extra crusty bread when she saw our forlorn faces when the bread was gone but there was brothy sauce left. If you are reading this Ellie - no she didn't. I guess she didn't want us slurping the ambrosia directly from the dish. Bri also introduced us to a trio of croquettes - Salted Cod which is more delicious than it sounds, Veggie and it was incredible plus the Jamon which is so creamy with chunks of Jamon. The Basque cheesecake is not to be missed! It is custardy and creamy with just the right amount of sweet. Did we get two pieces to take back to the hotel to enjoy? You bet we did! What a treat to eat here with Ellie and Bri as our hosts!! You need to try this restaurant but it's only open from 10-3 so make sure you check the hours. read more

Stopped by with a group of three. We decided to get plates to share. The chorizo plate, croquetas, clams and piquillo peppers with sardines were all delicious. The team, including owners are all super helpful and friendly. The environment is really nice, not too loud and really casual. We finished our visit sharing some basque cheesecake. Wow! What an end to a great meal. Highly recommend Ansots for all aspects of their service. read more

It is not often that I am able to get over to this Boise staple, but I'm so glad that I took the time and set aside a bit of money to visit this past weekend. I love Basque food so much and it had been way too long since I visited Dan and crew at Ansots! I started out with a nice cold glass of bubbly and it hit the spot perfect! It was a very hot day so that was a must! I ordered the clams with cod in salsa verde and also the gilda pintxo. Both were absolutely fantastic! I love the salty , crunchy and Umami flavor of the gilda and the light, smooth viscosity of the sauce with the clams and the cod. I am so glad I stopped in and I'll have to go back more often. Every time I have visited I've been greeted with big smiles, and absolutely incredible service too! It is a great environment that feels like you're with family. I'm so happy they're there and I will surely be back of course! They might actually get sick of me! Hahaha read more

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Ansots is AMAZING! The food is absolutely delicious. They make one of the best kouign amann pastries I've ever had in my life. It's a darling family-owned business with an incredibly charming atmosphere in a great location. It's perfect for breakfast pastries, brunch, lunch, or to cater your next party. Thank you so much to Dan, Tamara, Ellie & family, and the rest of the wonderful staff. I HIGHLY recommend Ansots! read more

Wow. Amazing food in a unique historic building. Hospitality and service are especially notable. We especially love that they serve our favorite times of day - brunch and lunch. A very popular place - plan a late lunch to avoid the biggest crowds. Ansots is on our short list of Best Boise Restaurants. read more

Unique, delicious, friendly! We love the space and the servers as well as owner. Parking is convenient if you are in the paid lot right outside their door. read more

Wow. If you are in Boise, you must come to Ansots. We walked in without a reservation, and had to wait a bit -- but we were attended to promptly and with care. We ordered a handful of items as half orders so we could taste as much of the menu as possible: croquetas, patatas bravas, cod & clams, meatballs, and the chorizo plate. Everything was absolutely amazing. Ellie was so fun to talk with and gave us great suggestions. I'll be thinking about this meal for a long time!! read more

Amazing! Everything! Family-ran operation with smiling servers and traditional Basque lunch selections. We had the croquettes which came to us piping hot and fresh (good portion size too). Then we enjoyed the pork belly sandwich and the anchovy + pepper sandwich that came with some funky blue cheese on the side (funky = good)! The vibes are cozy and nothing too fancy. Chorizos hanging in the back, along with a nice selection of goods to buy and take home. We were impressed with our first experience there and will be back for Basque cravings soon! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Anchovy and pepper bocadillo with blue cheese, chips, and a padrón pepper on the side. Delicious! - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Wow this place is phenomenal. We had been to Spain last fall and fell in love with the food. This place equals or exceeds the real deal. We had delicious bacalao ( Spanish cod cakes) they melted in your mouth. We had jamon wrapped asparagus that were so fresh and cooked to perfection. So much good food. We will definitely go back next time we are near Boise. read more

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Dan and his team catered my wedding reception dinner and went above and beyond. He worked with me to make a menu that fit our budget that had something for everyone, including dietary restrictions. The food was a huge hit with everyone, and the level of professionalism and service was unmatched. I would not hesitate to recommend Ansots for your next event, or as a nice meal in their restaurant. He is a pillar of the community and a great chef whose passion and commitment shines through. read more

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Ansots is locally relevant and revered, and bluntly that is not enough. While Ansots might be located in a non-descript downtown space behind a more prominently displayed pizza place, it's absolutely deserving of the 4.9/5.0 rating it currently boasts as of this writing. If anything, that rating is .1 too low. Why exactly do I have such an incredibly high opinion of Ansots? Well, Basque cuisine is underrepresented in the United States, and what you generally receive isn't truly indicative of the tastes you experience in the Basque region of Spain (ex. if you are looking for an experience identical to a place like Jaleo in DC, you won't get it). Here, the food has a homestyle feel to it assuming of course your kitchen happened to be stocked with the absolute best local ingredients. Specifically, you'll find items like the steak and eggs sourced from places like Snake River farms. The homestyle feels comes from simple ingredients cooked perfectly like soft caramelized onions, beautifully fragrant fried garlic, and sweet piquillo peppers. How is the chorizo? Better than what I've had anywhere else in the world. Seriously. Better than Spain, better than Mexico, better than anywhere in Texas or California. To say that this humble dish exceeded expectations significantly underplays the gravity of the moment. I ordered a smoky version paired with those aforementioned caramelized onions and piquillo peppers. Everyone who worked here was incredibly nice and added yet another layer to the experience. Prices were absurdly cheap given the quality of the meal. This is seriously one of the best meals I've ever had for the price. As I noted to the staff, if this restaurant were moved to a place like Austin, Texas, there would be a 2 hour wait for a table. It really is that epic of an experience. If you are within a 2 hour radius of this restaurant, you should go. It's that good. read more

This unique, tucked away basque lunch spot is so appropriate for the area. The service was friendly . So many choices on the menu it was difficult to choose. Went for the classic option. The chorizo plate was amazing. It had a spicy cheddar an original, and then a garlic rosemary chorizo served with warm bread, grilled onions and pepper. The Jamon croquettes were delicious. Had nice chunks on jamon and were very cheesy. The shrimp and chorizo dish was good but would have preferred the original chorizo in it. They also have some of their products for sale. Would definitely recommend and will return. read more

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Favorite family-owned restaurant in Boise for seriously great Basque comfort food! Reliably excellent food and even better, friendly service. Just love dining here in its casual and comfortable, always crowded, fan favorite restaurant!! Highly recommend it -- not a menu item we would not hesitate to recommend!! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Dining for our birthdays while videoconferencing with the grandkids!! Family friendly environment!! - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Stopped into Ansots for a quick bite. The staff was extremely friendly and helped us right away. The shop is small, but it's inviting and has a cozy environment that makes you want to hang out for a bit. Our server, Pressley, was awesome; super nice, and she explained the menu really well. The food coming out of the kitchen looked incredible. I only had dessert since I had a flight to catch, but it was excellent. Definitely recommend stopping in if you're in town. read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Best Basque meal we've had since our trip to Spain! Great service and great space in downtown Boise.

Eggs in purgatory, clams with chorizo are to die for. I can't stop thinking about how incredible the food is, after my first time there, I was telling anyone who would listen that Ansots is THE place. I love tapas and sharing plates so it's right up my alley. The meat is so so high quality and good, literally melts in my mouth. Chorizo is sooo yummy, especially with the steamed clams. 10/10 recommend read more

I've dined at many restaurants claiming to offer an authentic Basque experience, but nothing could have prepared me for just how special this place truly is. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this was not just a meal -- it was an occasion. We were seated on the terrace, which is an absolute gem in itself. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between relaxed and refined, with just enough warmth in the air and charm in the surroundings to make you forget about everything else. But what truly elevated the entire evening was the woman who attended to us throughout our time there. I wish I could put into words just how rare it is to encounter someone in hospitality who makes you feel so genuinely welcomed. She was attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being showy, and warm in a way that felt entirely natural -- never rehearsed. She guided us through the menu with passion and real pride in the cuisine, offering recommendations that turned out to be spot-on every single time. When she described the dishes, you could tell she wasn't just reciting a script -- she actually loves this food and this place, and that enthusiasm is completely contagious. The food was also incredibly tasty, specially the chorizo. I will definitely come back again !!! read more

Yum. What a fun gem. The perfect spot to grab some lunch. I have the chorizo and clams with a cup of potato leek soup! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Yum!! Chorizo and clams, with potato leek soup - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Damn this is great Basque food from amazing chef and cultural icon Dan Ansotegui, his wife and daughter, and excellent staff. My wife and I have been Dan fans since the 90s when we were dating and one of our favorites spots was Guernika when Dan was in there. (It's still an icon!). Long live Ansots! read more

Two of us in our group had ordered takeout at the same time. We realized our mistake and were able to cancel one order. They were so thoughtful once they realized that the orders was not exactly the same they wanted to clarify. When we came to pick it up we were asked the clarifying questions and assisted to sit while we waited for the order to be made. Thanks for staying open for us and for being thoughtful in your service. Appreciated the great food! Spot on for our craving of tapas! read more

Delicious chorizo with clams with fresh basque bread to dip in the sauce! My husband had the pork belly sandwich with a fried egg added and it was so delicious! For brunch or lunch! We highly recommend Ansot's! We will be back! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Clams with chorizo and fresh basque bread! They'd pork belly and added fried egg bocadillo - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

This brought my back to my days studying abroad in San Sebastián. My husband and I sat in a corner booth, watching the staff immerse themselves onto each guest that walked in. My husband and I started with a traditional Basque cider and glass of txakoli. Both were incredible. Then came the croquettes, spicy chorizo with warm bread, the tortilla de patata -- all were served with a smile that felt like a big hug. You come for the food, but return for the people. read more

A few days after we visited Basque restaurant Ansots, owner Dan Ansotegui was nominated for a James Beard award. It was no surprise. A year earlier, Ansotegui, a former Boise teacher who founded Bar Gernika and The Basque Market, was a Beard award semifinalist. I rave about the chorizos made by the Quinn River Mercy, a small mom-and-pop grocery store in McDermitt, Nevada. Their chorizos are far superior to the mass-produced ones from Gem Meat Packing Co. in Garden City. We pick up 10 pounds or more whenever we're in Reno. We just might quit stopping there, however, after tasting the three varieties of chorizo made by Dan and his family. They produce the traditional variety, one loaded with a half-ton of garlic and a spicy version. All three were excellent and they offer takeout service on them, pork solomo, Basque bacon and other items. We had solomo and pork belly sandwiches. They were both really good. We were served by Dan's daughter Ellie and her dad came through the dining room and spoke with customers. Ansots is only open for lunch, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. While there's a fair amount of seating in the space in the Old Boise Building a block east of Boise City Hall, tables fill up pretty quickly on Saturdays. read more

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What a charming restaurant this was. It's in a terrific location in downtown Boise with the most attentive staff I have ever had. I had the chorizo and clams with a hearty bread to dip into the wonderful broth. And croquettes all of which were terrific although I did find the ham to be my favorite. So Rich and light and crispy ,is probably my new favorite appetizer. read more

Amazing delicious food! Will come back EVERY time we visit Boise! The staff was friendly and helpful, they made everything from scratch! The croquettes were phenomenal!! I am picky b/c I lived in Barcelona for a short time and ate them often, let me say they did not disappoint! The BELT sandwich and the meat plate were our main entrees we loved those as well! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Chorizo plate and BELT sandwich - delicious - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I really had no idea that chorizo could be this good! Growing up in California, we have Mexican chorizo at every corner. I was never the biggest fan because they all taste the same and are ground finely. This basque chorizo on the other hand was VERY unique to everything I've tried. I tried all the chorizos they have and you really can't go wrong with any of them. What makes this special is the texture. The sausage is roughly chopped so you get whole chunks of meat inside. The flavors and salinity were on point. It's not as spiced as heavily as Mexican chorizo, but you really taste the elements in each sausage. I liked the chorizo so much that I ordered 5 trays to-go. They were kind enough to freeze them for me so I can bring them on the plane. I also tried the chorizo meatballs which weren't bad. The texture is on the softer side and the sauce had that punch. The croquetas were so addicting. They were creamy and crispy. Not sure if it's traditional, but I think it would've been perfect if paired with some sort of acidic sauce with romesco or chimichurri -esque ingredients to balance the richness. The cheesecake was also so damn good. It was perfect to my liking where it wasn't too sweet and wasn't as dense as regular American cheesecake. The service was 10000/10! Everyone there was so friendly, patient, and welcoming. I wouldn't shut up about basque cuisine since this experience. I'll definitely be coming back if I come back to Boise! read more

We had the pleasure of having Dan and his lovely daughter Ellie cater our Paella party at our home last night. To say they made our night is an understatement! They are a delight and the paella was outstanding along with the salad and delicious bread! They arrived with plenty of time to prepare dinner to be served at the exact time planned. The entire evening was flawless! We so recommend Ansots for your events! Thanks Dan and Ellie for making our 70th birthday celebration so amazing and special. I believe this will become a yearly event! read more

Great and friendly service. The food was incredible and very satisfying. Shareable dishes are a great way to enjoy the variety of food.

Wonderful place with delicious food. The croquettes were amazing, the stuffed peppers were phenomenal. The meatballs were good and the potatoes were also very good. Glad we found this place. read more

Chorizo is quintessentially Basque, and if you're gonna be in an area populated by people of Basque decent? You best find some to enjoy, and Ansot's is the place in Boise to go! This one is gonna be a two partner because I both ate here and bought fresh chorizo to prepare at home. I'll start with the dine in experience because it was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing afternoons I've had in a while. Was that the incredibly friendly staff? Was it the delightful Basque white wine? Was it the shaded urban patio? Or was it the fact I was out as an adult, solo, without my kids? I'll just say it was all of the above and you should definitely stop here if you're in the area. As a first timer, I had A LOT of questions, and the staff was all too eager to answer them. They had incredible knowledge of everything they served and they spoke about it with passion and enthusiasm that had me very excited. Initially I came to buy the chorizo to take home, but after talking to them about everything, I had to take a seat. I ordered up some croquettes, a rich, creamy bechamel base mixed with bacalao (salt cod), veggies, or Spanish jamon, breaded in a light Pablo style coating and fried. Cuban croquettes are the closest comparison, but those are much more dense and heavy You'll find these in every Basque menu around the area, many of which are similar to the Cuban version, but Ansot's are the creamiest croquettes you'll try anywhere, and they're perfect with wine or beer! PRO-TIP: Don't choose between the three recipes. Ask for a combo! I also ordered a Glida, Spanish queen olives skewered with Basque pickled peppers and anchovies. Just a simple salty bite of deliciousness! I asked what beverage I should have with my meal, and the txacoli (spelled totally wrong) was suggested. Txacoli is a basque white wine that's crisp and dry with a slight fruit sweetness that cuts through a lot of the richness that's part of many Basque dishes. My time was limited, so that was my time here. The menu was filled with other interesting items including their famous chorizo, clams and chorizo, bocadillos (sandwiches) and even an interesting cut of pork that I wish I'd tried. Alas, I was all on my own because this business is only open until 3 because they do so much catering! Get in here! read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Croquettes - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Pro-tip: You can do half orders on the appetizers! The food is really basque-centered, so if you're not into basque food, this might not be the place for you. Highlights: The restaurant is really cute and the servers are very nice. The bread that comes with nearly every dish is really good with a nice crust and chewy center. The dessert menu was really intriguing and I would go back to try other desserts. Lowlights: I will say I'm not into chorizo at all, so I tried ordering the clams and chorizo motzak for minimal chorizo, but it was so oily from the chorizo that I really couldn't enjoy it. read more

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering - Clams & Chorizo Motzak (left) and Basque Meatballs (right) - Basque Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Came in for a busy lunch on a Wednesday. Was about a 20 minute wait, but it's in a cool building with a gift shop, wine shop, haunted bathrooms, and other things to explore. Once we were seated, service was quick and food was excellent. We had a couple sandwiches, the BELT and the Latx, both tasty. I even got lucky with a spicy shishito. Good ambiance, nice spot for a lunch date. Next time imma try the wine and cola read more