This is a Basque Restaurant. The Basques are a people who live in a small region (about the size of Rhode Island) that straddles the border of Spain and France from the sea in the west into the Pyrenees in the east. The Basques that came to America were primarily shepards.
The following link lists those Basque restaurants still operating.
Buber's Basque Restaurant Page
I have eaten in 12 of those listed and two in Stockton that have been long ago closed. The Star Hotel ranks high on my list. Almost all of the restaurants serve steak, chicken, chops and maybe fish. The only ones that I know of that still serve traditional Basque Cuisine are the very
upscale Piperade in San Francisco and the Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco {bad cooks here though}.
Scott Ygoa. He and his wife Tricia are the current owners.
The bar at 5:05 when I walked in.
The bar at 6:10 when I was leaving.
This is between the bar and the Dining Room. Coat racks and tables for waiting.
This is a separate Meeting Room.
Picture 1 of 2 of the Dining Room.
Picture 2 of 2 of the Dining Room.
The Dinner Menu. Also there are daily specials. The next day the special was paella. I wish I got there a day later.
Soup and bread.
Most of the Basque places serve this simple iceberg lettuce salad with a distinctive white dressing.
My meal a half fried chicken. Beans, green beans and French fries. Spaghetti is also included but that is not a Basque filler. It became popular as a filler when Basque's were not the primary customers. The Wool Growers in Los Banos still serves lamb stew or chicken and rice and on Tuesdays - pigs feet.
My table mates took this photo as I was finishing dinner.
One of my table mate's dinner entree, the bacon wrapped filet.
My table mates. The younger couple live in Elko and their friends from Colorado will eat at least once at the Star every time they visit.
