FOOD AND DRINK

What should I eat and drink during Jaialdi?

Come hungry! No trip to Jaialdi is complete without sampling the rich flavors of Basque-American cuisine. At the heart of the festival, you’ll find food booths on the Basque Block and at Expo Idaho serving beloved classics like chorizos, solomo (marinated pork loin) sandwiches with pimientos, and croquetas– golden, bite-sized fritters filled with a creamy béchamel and finely chopped ham, fish, or chicken.

Of course, you’ll need something to wash it all down and stay cool in the July Boise heat, and Jaialdi is also a great place to experience Basque beverages. The ultimate crowd favorite is the kalimotxo, a refreshing mix of red wine and cola that sounds unlikely but wins over skeptics with its sweet, fizzy twist. 

FOOD & BEVERAGE VENDORS AT JAIALDI

Jaialdi food and beveragr booths will be serving up chorizos, solomo sandwiches, and croquetas to help you get your Basque food fix. We will also be offering soda and water, pouring beers and making refreshing kalimotxos for attendees to enjoy.

Food & Beverage Vendors at Basque Block

In addition to the Jaialdi food and drink booths, the following food trucks will be on Grove Street in the Basque Block area during Jaialdi:

 

  • Basque Market Sangria
  • Basquenese
  • Bocho Bochi
  • Creekside Events
  • Dippin Dots Ice Cream
  • KB Burritos
  • Summer Snow Shaved Ice

Food & Beverage Vendors at Expo Idaho

In addition to the Jaialdi food and drink booths, the following vendors will be at Expo Idaho on Saturday and Sunday, August 2 & 3:

 

  • B’s Lemonade
  • Basque Kitchen
  • Buffalo Grill
  • Basque Market
  • Darjeeling momo
  • Freedom Pop Kettle Corn
  • Hokey Pokey LLC
  • Kona Ice of Treasure Valley
  • Sweet Things

Still hungry? More Basque food awaits in Boise

Aside from the Jaialdi food booths, Boise’s Basque Block restaurants Bar Gernika, The Basque Market, and Leku Ona will also be open throughout the week, serving everything from Basque pub fare to pintxos and paella to fine dining entrées. Just 2 blocks away on Main Street, Ansot’s offers house-made Basque chorizos and small plates in their café, or chorizos by the pound to take home. And if you’re up for a short drive and can snag a reservation, Epi’s in Meridian is a must-visit for a sit-down Basque meal rooted in family tradition. 

At the nearby Basque restaurants mentioned above, you’ll also find sagardoa, a traditional Basque-style cider that’s dry, tart, and perfect to offset rich Basque food. And for those looking to try a true Basque-American classic, Leku Ona serves a Picon Punch cocktail that delivers a bold, bittersweet kick thanks to its mix of Amaro, grenadine, brandy and lemon.