Star Hotel

We have been enjoying the Star since 1963.(Lots of changes since then). Always the best Basque dinner anywhere in the western USA. We came all the way down from North Idaho to celebrate our 60^th Anniversary, (June 30, 1956). The food, drinks (Picons of course) and service is so far above anywhere else, we cannot describe it. For us, the 600 mile trip to have a Star Basque dinner is well worth the trip. Thanks Tina, for the special things you did for us. Scott, sorry we missed you again (this is at least 5-​times). We will be back in September for a small family reunion. Hope to see you then. We were happy to see Bob’s picture still in the bar.. Cliff & Bonnie, Benewah County, Idaho…

Just enjoyed a meal the star. Been here on several occasions but must say the lamb chops we’re really tough. They must’ve changed providers. Great place overall but was really disappointed in the lamb. Because of that they get a 3.

I bet the food is great! But we waited at the bar for over an hour to be seated only to be told they’d called our name (who could hear?). Even then, Blondie didn’t seat us for 15 min so we left. On the upside, the bartender was excellent.

We eat here often, usually for lunch. It’s always perfect, and always busy! The world-​famous steak sandwiches are the best, and my other fav is the crab sandwich — amazing! And of course, that Basque salad is also the BEST!

So, I don’t think I can tell you anything new about this place.
Ambiance — oh yeah, just what you hope a Basque restaurant will be. There are the long, group, family-​style tables. But there are also some 2 and 4 tops, if you don’t feel like a group meal.
Bar — yep, friendly bartenders, the Picon punch and Kalimotxo along with a full bar of beer, wine and cocktails. AND baskets of those amazing house made croutons to munch on. Who knew crunchy bread could be so amazingly addictive.
Food — darned good (especially for someone who hasn’t had good Basque food in a while). BIG menu.
Food Details — Cabbage soup — very good, not the best I’ve had and the bread was not the most wonderful (that happens after they convert it into croutons). That was OK because I have a tendency to over fill myself on soup and bread!
Salad was perfection — crunchy icebergy stuff with great dressing (and croutons). Couldn’t miss a bite of this.
Fries — go away McDonald’s and learn to cook fries the «Star way» — so good I brought my leftovers home!
I had the «small» steak which I ordered rare — (after being in Utah/​Nevada for a while, all my meat had been so overcooked that I wanted to be sure I didn’t get leather). Well — they cooked it exactly as I ordered — rare. Next time I will order it medium rare because I know it will be done just as I ask.
My husband had the baked lamb. OH MY GOSH. Very excellent. Fall off the bone tender, the juices… I can’t say enough about the wonders of this dish. I did bring the little that was left home and used it as the basis of a bean soup (boy was I glad I had an ice chest and dry ice!!).
So — if you haven’t gone here — why not? So good.

Great food. Expect long waits to be seated for dinner. The food is worth the wait if you have the time.
Note that their Web site and Unilocal list the wrong time they open for dinner. They don’t start seating until 5 pm.

Had a wonderful dinner and a nice glass of wine with friends. Best steaks around. Very pleasant Girls afternoon.

This place is all about quantity over quality. You get heaping portions of side dishes along with a gigantic main course. The soup was very tasty and well seasoned. It was the best part of the meal. The salad was bland. The bread was borderline stale. The fries were soggy. The beans and spaghetti were really over cooked. My baked lamb was mainly fat and bone. My husbands sirloin was pretty good and smothered in garlic and onions. The service was very good and prompt, and we had some nice local beers. But I don’t think I would come here again.

Not a lot to say, specially because I didn’t wind up eating here. Arrived at the place and realized the loud noise right away, really loud music and people talking really loudly. No one received me, so I was about to enter the saloon to find a table and these two ladies were starring at me, until I asked for a table. They said they had a waiting list, even though I saw empty tables in the place, maybe because I was alone. So they put my name on the list, and I sit aside to work on some emails. When I tried to connect to Wi-​Fi, I got a message that it had reached the maximum amount of people connected, and that I needed to wait for a spot. So I decided to leave and take my business elsewhere.

I am sad to report that my 5 star review of this establishment, has now dropped to 1 stars. The experience I had at this restaurant was a complete 180 from the last experience I had here. My last experience was wonderful. The service was fantastic, the food was flavorful and the quality was fantastic. This new experience, was such a let down! It was so frustrating because this was my favorite place in town! Within the last 3 weeks, I have eaten here 8x (@$ 60/visit.that’s $ 480 in a 3 week period). When we first arrived (around 5 pm) the restaurant was not busy. There were 2 other tables besides ours and maybe 2 people in the bar, so no wait time.
We ordered:
Steak sandwich with fries: We decided to split the steak sandwich (we weren’t hungry enough to order 2 Like we normally do). The sandwich was ordered medium rare. After we ordered, the server brought out a few side items that are served with every meal. The sides were soup, salad, bread, beans, spaghetti and fries. The soup, bread and fries are always the best sides. The others are normally lacking in flavor and cold. When the sandwich arrived at our table, it was well done. We pointed the temperature mistake out to our server (tina) and she offered to remake the sandwich (she said this happens occasionally). We agreed and chose to wait for a remake. When she brought out the second sandwich, it was almost all fat!!! We took 4 bites and every bite had to be spit out! (I included pictures as reference). We showed the waitress and she agreed that it was bad! She apologized profusely and took it back. About 5 min after she took the sandwich back, the owner (scott?) showed up at our table. He acted extremely aggravated and defensive. He told us how wrong we were for sending it back and was very rude to us. This was new for me. I have never had an owner treat me as though I was at fault for a mistake that the kitchen made. He told us that he «never has food sent back» and «he can’t believe we sent it back.» Wow… hmmm. Well, when a customer has a complaint (especially a warranted complaint) you fix the problem and apologize for the inconvenience. The way he acted, was very surprising. His lack of customer service and common courtesy was appalling. If you look to the photos for reference, it shows exactly how bad the steak turned out. You can see the fat riddled through it.
After we asked for our check (we didn’t even eat the sandwich) the waitress brought us our ticket. Now, the sandwich is $ 22.00. So our check, including tax, should have been around 25.00. Our check was $ 45!!! We immediately called our waitress over and told her that there had to be a mistake! She told us that they charged us $ 14 to split the sandwich! 14! Wow. For 8 more dollars… we could have had an entire other steak sandwich! We told our server that she hadn’t informed us of that fee and how aggravated we were. She said «sorry» and shrugged her shoulders! What the actual heck… $ 45 for an uneaten, overcooked and fat riddled half a sandwich… we paid our tab and left. I will never recommend this place to locals or passing travelers! Save your money! The owner, very obviously doesn’t care about his customers. He very easily could have solved the problem with class and understanding! What a bummer. I really liked this place.
Fin’

Amazing food every single time! Lobster is the best you’ll ever have in your life and so is the filet mignon! All of the sides are amazing but add some of the salad dressing they have and you’ll see that it’s good on every one of them!

We LOVED this place! Traveling across Nevada is never a really fun experience, but stopping at the Star Hotel will certainly improve anyone’s road trip.
It’s a great old building. When you enter it looks like you are going straight into a bar, but you are in the right place. Don’t go too far down the street or you’ll end up in some of the raunchier businesses! The waitresses could have been friendlier, but hey, at least the food was great.
Our family ordered two of the lamb chop with garlic dinners and one cheeseburger. We started off with the cabbage soup, and I can’t say enough good things about it. If you love brothy soup, you will love this.
The salad was just like we used to have back 40 years ago, except we knew how to give it a little more salt, pepper, and garlic. It was a little too wilted, but I would’ve enjoyed it if it was fresh.
The lamb chops were superb. The garlic was incredibly mild. Skip the green mint jelly.
Everything is family style so bring your appetite!

It’s a indeed a Star here in Elko. Been around forever. When I said I was coming the first time, I had friends from around the country share their experiences over the last 30 years. Initially, I was coming for the Picon Punch. You just don’t find it many places, not do you find Amer Picon alcohol in liquor stores in small towns, except in places like Elko and Wendover. Better exist, but not when you add in where you’re at. We and a great time at the bar and visiting with locals and the bar staff. It doesn’t get much better. I’ve know about the Basque heritage and history in Northern Nevada, but this place really brings it into focus.
The food is far more than anyone can eat. Much of it is like the cafeteria food I got a school as a kid. On the other hand, some of it was very good. The entrees were first rate. The prime rib better than expected and how can you ruin King Crab too badly? The fries are to die for. I love the water pitchers, I grew up with them in the midwest. The communal dining works. The place is a gem pulled out of history, in a good way.

I was in Elko on business and this place came as a recommendation. Flatly, it exceeded anything I could have thought of. We had a business dinner and we couldn’t believe how great the food and the service was. This place is a reminder of days gone by and of simpler times. The Basque hospitality and traditions that came to the area in the days of the railroad have been preserved in this beautiful establishment. I posted a picture of the giant filet they served me and the jealousy of those not in attendance was more than I expected. I can’t wait to come back!

The baked lamb is the best! My second choice is the grilled cod. I eat hear twice a month at least. They never fail to bring their «A game». The service rocks and Scotty is by far the most generous host.
If you’ve driven a while to get here, have a Picon and enjoy your meal.

I saw a newspaper article in the lobby of this place– the headline was «Timeless Classic». I agree! When you step into the Star, you get the distinct sense you’ve stepped back in time. It is family style, Basque dining at its best! Your entrees come with soup, salad, beans, veggies, pasta and fries so come hungry. Of these, the Basque beans and salad with garlic dressing are the winners. We also loved the cabbage soup-​yummy on a cold night. The only reason I can’t do 5 stars is the wait. This place is clearly quite popular. We arrived at 5 and still waited 45 minutes for a table. If you are passing through Elko, the Star is not to be missed!

I love this place. Service is very good and friendly. The Star is known for large amounts of food and no one leaves hungry. The soup, spaghetti and beans ALL need more flavor.
I had the lamb chops at dinner which were delicious, fresh cut fries always good. I personally would like the soup to have more flavor and more seasoning. The salad dressing could have been more garlicky for me.
I went back for lunch and had lamb. This time it was not so good. The chops were skinny and over cooked.

Amazing! All the meats were to die for, but the T-​bone takes the grand prize as best possible purchase. Ever part from the fatty edges to the perfectly cooked center. Start with a knife and fork, but no one will judge if you decide to pick it up and gnaw straight off the bone!
Don’t make the mistake of filling up on the scrumptious soup or delicious salad, because when the meat finally arrives you will sorry if you are too full.
We ordered the petite filet, lamb chops, baked lamb, and that oh so delicious T-​bone. Please go here keep them in business for another 100 years.

I’ve been here twice… the first time I was here was probably 6 or 7 years ago. I was in town for work for just a few nights. I had been upsold on the Star so much by my coworker that it just didn’t meet my expectations… my taste buds were all aflutter for another Basque restaurant in the Northern part of the state.
This time I was on my own. Nobody to tell me what to get and nobody to tell me what I should like. Was it good? Yep. Was it great? Yep? Was it down right amazing? Definitely. Funny thing that may have swayed my opinion was a «Reno Foodies» discussion as I was eating my meal. They were talking about a casual meal. $ 6 – 9 for drink, 10 – 15 for app, and $ 25 for the main. I read that while I stared at my table full of food. On this night I had…
Soup
Bread
Salad
Basque Beans
Chick Peas
Spaghetti
Green Beans
Fries
20oz Sirloin (roughly)
Check out my pics of the table. You will see this was an amazing spread of food. Then check out my picture of my check. Yep. This food wasn’t only affordable… but it was also very good in quality and flavor. I ate it all up the next day. So did they bounce my favorite from the top of the list? Nah… I just think that I need two more Basque Restaurants to fill out my Mt. Rushmore of great basque places.
A few more notes. They do seat you «family style» so come and enjoy the company of friendly strangers… and don’t expect to sit at the bar and eat… they ain’t havin’ none of that.
But DO sit at the bar… when I have been both times the Picons were great and the tenders were very friendly.

First, I have to get this off my chest:
To the food snobs: American Basque cuisine is not the same as Spanish food. You are not coming to Elko to eat at Arzak. When you eat Basque food in Northern Nevada (or Bakersfield), you are eating Boarding House food. Here, educate yourself:
. If this doesn’t sound good to you, DON’T COME TO THE STAR.
Because I have to say, I may have to crown The Star best Basque restaurant in Nevada. We took a weekend trip to Elko JUST to eat there, and it was worth it. What a great time! Luckily we had reservations, because it was Saturday night, and the miners were all in town to party, as were the ranchers, AND it was prom night! Needless to say, the place was packed. I was amazed at the whirlwind of ball gowns, trucker hats, flannel shirts, ruffles, Quigley hats, and even skinny jeans! Everybody loves The Star! So tip back a few kalimotxos, relax, and get ready to stuff yourself full of garlic-​infused, meaty goodness.
I had the Baked Lamb, and it was so, so good. But I’m surprised I had room for it after all the food I ate before. I couldn’t let a dish go by without piling on more food. Even the green beans that so many reviewers complain about were crisp, fresh, and delicious. The bread was so gorgeous I had to take its picture. I seem to be the only one who likes the spaghetti, but dammit, I DO like the spaghetti! Just so much hearty food, enhanced by the best seasoning – friends and alcohol. If you can take it, a pitcher of Picon is always a good time.
A good time… that’s pretty much the experience you should go for here. It may not be the fanciest food in the world, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s the food you use to fill up on after weeks in the high country and that soaks up the copious amounts of alcohol you’re pouring down your throat. So come here and have a good time… they do it right at The Star.