Epi's A Basque Restaurant

Had the chance to go to Epi's recently for the first time. The food was excellent and the service was on point. The menu had many great choices. The calamari was cooked perfectly. The mashed potatoes had the perfect texture. The waiter was quite friendly and attentive. The atmosphere inside was crowded and quite loud. The prices for the main courses seemed high for some of the portions.

Had the chance to go to Epi's recently for the first time. The food was excellent and the service was on point. The menu had many great choices. The calamari was cooked perfectly. The mashed potatoes had the perfect texture. The waiter was quite friendly and attentive. The atmosphere inside was crowded and quite loud. The prices for the main courses seemed high for some of the portions.

Had a wonderful meal at Epi’s tonight. Steak was cooked perfectly. Mushroom soup & bean soup was excellent. Someday I hope to try the appetizers and dessert. But tonight I was just too full to manage any more. I love that they don’t rush you thru your meal and allow you to enjoy & savor the meal. Such a gem to have in the valley. (We had reservations -which is highly recommended.)

Had a wonderful meal at Epi’s tonight. Steak was cooked perfectly. Mushroom soup & bean soup was excellent. Someday I hope to try the appetizers and dessert. But tonight I was just too full to manage any more. I love that they don’t rush you thru your meal and allow you to enjoy & savor the meal. Such a gem to have in the valley. (We had reservations -which is highly recommended.)

Where do I start? Epi’s checks all the boxes with its homey interior and fantastic food. This place is more akin to dining at an uncles house nearby (an uncle who is an amazing cook!) than an actual restaurant. They treat you like family and the whole restaurant has an excellent ambiance. If you live in Meridian and have never gone, you must give them a visit!

Where do I start? Epi’s checks all the boxes with its homey interior and fantastic food. This place is more akin to dining at an uncles house nearby (an uncle who is an amazing cook!) than an actual restaurant. They treat you like family and the whole restaurant has an excellent ambiance. If you live in Meridian and have never gone, you must give them a visit!

I had long wanted to go to Epi's based on its reputation and so I chose it to celebrate my birthday. Restaurant was full for early seating around 5 pm (reservations are clearly a must) and we were seated upon arrival. Ambience was homey and friendly. Starting with the highlights: + their calamari appetizer was the best that we have eaten in a long time--maybe ever! We both truly enjoyed it! + the mushroom soup was superb! My wife and I would have been very satisfied with a meal consisting solely of that delicious dish! It was simply to die for! + the lamb stew was great! Broth was flavorful, plenty of lamb that was cooked very nicely, and tasty tomatoes. I loved it! + leg of lamb was good and I would give it 4 stars. Meanwhile, my wife liked it better than I did -- whereas I preferred the stewed lamb. Given the forgoing, I would have awarded 5 stars and ended this review. However... - the salad was so-so with romaine lettuce, 1 cherry tomato, and a few carrot slivers. The dressing was rather bland. - the side dishes were roasted green peppers and a rice pilaf with veggies which included green peppers. I was disappointed with the lack of flavor in both sides. Portion sizes were good and we didn't save room for dessert. Service was prompt and personable. Water and bread were refilled efficiently. Perhaps my expectations were too high; after all, Epi's is rated the top restaurant in Meridian. Given the prices charged, I think a 4 star rating is merited based on the overall experience.

I had long wanted to go to Epi's based on its reputation and so I chose it to celebrate my birthday. Restaurant was full for early seating around 5 pm (reservations are clearly a must) and we were seated upon arrival. Ambience was homey and friendly. Starting with the highlights: + their calamari appetizer was the best that we have eaten in a long time--maybe ever! We both truly enjoyed it! + the mushroom soup was superb! My wife and I would have been very satisfied with a meal consisting solely of that delicious dish! It was simply to die for! + the lamb stew was great! Broth was flavorful, plenty of lamb that was cooked very nicely, and tasty tomatoes. I loved it! + leg of lamb was good and I would give it 4 stars. Meanwhile, my wife liked it better than I did -- whereas I preferred the stewed lamb. Given the forgoing, I would have awarded 5 stars and ended this review. However... - the salad was so-so with romaine lettuce, 1 cherry tomato, and a few carrot slivers. The dressing was rather bland. - the side dishes were roasted green peppers and a rice pilaf with veggies which included green peppers. I was disappointed with the lack of flavor in both sides. Portion sizes were good and we didn't save room for dessert. Service was prompt and personable. Water and bread were refilled efficiently. Perhaps my expectations were too high; after all, Epi's is rated the top restaurant in Meridian. Given the prices charged, I think a 4 star rating is merited based on the overall experience.

Just went here for the first time last night and was so glad that we did. We love the atmosphere and Homie feeling inside. The service was top-notch, and our drinks never got less than half empty before being refilled. The food was amazing! All four of us had different dishes, and they were all fantastic. Best dish we had was the filet medallions. Will go back again.

Just went here for the first time last night and was so glad that we did. We love the atmosphere and Homie feeling inside. The service was top-notch, and our drinks never got less than half empty before being refilled. The food was amazing! All four of us had different dishes, and they were all fantastic. Best dish we had was the filet medallions. Will go back again.

Five years after the shocking news that Epi's Basque Restaurant owners Chris Ansotegui and Gina Ansotegui Urquidi planned to retire and that the outstanding Meridian restaurant might close, I'm happy to report that seemingly little has changed from the restaurant named after the women's grandmother, who ran a Basque boarding house in Hailey. Sure, Chris is no longer there to cheerfully greet guests and give them a hug coming and going. Likewise, sister Gina and longtime server Bridget Murphy have also retired. But the current staff is just as good and the food is still wonderful. Erik McFarland, Chris and Gina's nephew -- and Epi's great-grandson, now owns the restaurant and is head chef. He had already worked at the restaurant for 20 years when he bought it and is a graduate of Boise State's culinary program. Friends of ours from Reno drove to Boise over the weekend and after treating them to the Greek Festival on Friday, we decided to take them to Epi's A Basque Restaurant the following night. Early Saturday morning I texted their phone number and asked if they had a table available for that evening. The restaurant doesn't take online reservations, but you can call or text. Within a few minutes I received a reply back listing their open slots and I was able to confirm our reservation. Upon arrival, Erik greeted us and from memory he knew they had a table for four for us. We ordered a calamari appetizer along with one ai don't remember from past visits, Brussels sprouts in a sauce with chorizo. They were both excellent. I ordered the pork chops with pimento for an entree. My companions chose the leg of lamb, beef medallions and roasted garlic chicken. Dinners come with sliced baguettes (my only complaint is the bread isn't served warm), soup (cream of mushroom and red bean were the choices that night) and salad. The mushroom soup is one of my favorites and it was just as rich and tasty as ever. The entrees come with two side dishes that change nightly. Each of us received a serving of a yellow rice with chorizo along with a shared plate of homemade French fries. While restaurants of different cuisines offer a flavored rice dish, many times it's a throwaway dish lacking a depth of flavor. Epi's rice is really good. I love Epi's lamb chops, so it's always tough choosing between them, the leg of lamb and the pork chops. I usually switch off and sometimes order one of their fish specials. The pork chops are flavorful and come with a small laye4 of fat along the edge. So much of the pork chops available in grocery stores have the fat bred out, leaving them dry and tasteless. When I buy pork chops to cook at home, I get them from Boise's Carniceria Coalcoman. They buy whole hogs from a local farmer and butcher them themselves. The chops are like those available in stores 30 years ago. Everything we ate that night at Epi's was excellent. Pro tip: If you order the medallions, ask for extra brandy peppercorn cream sauce on the side. It's addicting. I might ask for some next time with the lamb chops or pork chops.

Five years after the shocking news that Epi's Basque Restaurant owners Chris Ansotegui and Gina Ansotegui Urquidi planned to retire and that the outstanding Meridian restaurant might close, I'm happy to report that seemingly little has changed from the restaurant named after the women's grandmother, who ran a Basque boarding house in Hailey. Sure, Chris is no longer there to cheerfully greet guests and give them a hug coming and going. Likewise, sister Gina and longtime server Bridget Murphy have also retired. But the current staff is just as good and the food is still wonderful. Erik McFarland, Chris and Gina's nephew -- and Epi's great-grandson, now owns the restaurant and is head chef. He had already worked at the restaurant for 20 years when he bought it and is a graduate of Boise State's culinary program. Friends of ours from Reno drove to Boise over the weekend and after treating them to the Greek Festival on Friday, we decided to take them to Epi's A Basque Restaurant the following night. Early Saturday morning I texted their phone number and asked if they had a table available for that evening. The restaurant doesn't take online reservations, but you can call or text. Within a few minutes I received a reply back listing their open slots and I was able to confirm our reservation. Upon arrival, Erik greeted us and from memory he knew they had a table for four for us. We ordered a calamari appetizer along with one ai don't remember from past visits, Brussels sprouts in a sauce with chorizo. They were both excellent. I ordered the pork chops with pimento for an entree. My companions chose the leg of lamb, beef medallions and roasted garlic chicken. Dinners come with sliced baguettes (my only complaint is the bread isn't served warm), soup (cream of mushroom and red bean were the choices that night) and salad. The mushroom soup is one of my favorites and it was just as rich and tasty as ever. The entrees come with two side dishes that change nightly. Each of us received a serving of a yellow rice with chorizo along with a shared plate of homemade French fries. While restaurants of different cuisines offer a flavored rice dish, many times it's a throwaway dish lacking a depth of flavor. Epi's rice is really good. I love Epi's lamb chops, so it's always tough choosing between them, the leg of lamb and the pork chops. I usually switch off and sometimes order one of their fish specials. The pork chops are flavorful and come with a small laye4 of fat along the edge. So much of the pork chops available in grocery stores have the fat bred out, leaving them dry and tasteless. When I buy pork chops to cook at home, I get them from Boise's Carniceria Coalcoman. They buy whole hogs from a local farmer and butcher them themselves. The chops are like those available in stores 30 years ago. Everything we ate that night at Epi's was excellent. Pro tip: If you order the medallions, ask for extra brandy peppercorn cream sauce on the side. It's addicting. I might ask for some next time with the lamb chops or pork chops.

When I found out Boise had such a large basque population I wanted to find authentic food. Based on Epi’s reviews we decided to eat here. It DID NOT disappoint! Dinner was so flavorful and delicious! You get a soup, salad, house vegetable and fries to share. It was just fantastic! I’d highly recommend - but get a reservation to guarantee you can get in! Our server, Riley was awesome!

When I found out Boise had such a large basque population I wanted to find authentic food. Based on Epi’s reviews we decided to eat here. It DID NOT disappoint! Dinner was so flavorful and delicious! You get a soup, salad, house vegetable and fries to share. It was just fantastic! I’d highly recommend - but get a reservation to guarantee you can get in! Our server, Riley was awesome!