Toki Ona — Restaurant in Elko

This is by far the worst food I have ever had. Everything tastes and looks like it came from a can or the freezer section at the local 7-11. You know those hot dogs that sit on rollers all day at gas stations? This was worse; by a large margin. I could write a balanced review if I didn't have to say anything about the food. The service was lovely and the restaurant is on Elko's main road, but I do have to address the food. I feel violated.

We sat down and a bowl of soup and white bread were immediately delivered. I thought the soup was a nice touch, until I realized it came from a can. After a few bites, we opened our menus and were shocked to see 5-star prices in the Denny's-like dining room.

Our suspicions aroused, we wisely ordered the less expensive baked half chicken (it's actually baked then deep fried).

First to arrive was our “salad”, which was actually wilted iceberg lettuce slathered in greasy dressing. This is where things took a turn for the much worse.

Our main dishes came out soon after, followed by confusion. The chickens had a canned red pepper unceremoniously plastered on top, which was not enough to mask the sawdust-like mouth feel of the twice-overcooked bird. The sizes consisted of freezer-burned French fries, slimy overcooked pasta, mushy scalloped potatoes, and soggy green bean pieces. We were too scared to try the rice.

Although the owner didn't care enough to come speak with us, he did lower the price of our bill by about a third. We are now aggressively downing Altoids in an attempt to eradicate the gag-inducing flavors still lingering in our mouths.

Avoid at all costs; go with that bouncy gas station hot...

My first time being here. The restaurant portion was very full, so I went to the bar.

Service: the server/bartender was great! Very attentive and visited the table often.

Food: I ordered the stuffed shrimp and then the Chicken Marsala. I saw the entree page mentioned that a bunch of sides came with the entrees, but I did not see it for the Marsala, so imagine my surprise when soup, Sala, bread and butter, spaghetti and green beans came out. All of it was very good, except that Marsala. It was very sour and the chicken meat had an off flavor to it. I have never had a Marsala that tasted like that. The Stuffed Shrimp were AMAZING!!!

Drink: ai REALLY wanted a non-alcoholic beer and they had none available. This is the first time I have visited a bar in Elko that did not have a non-alcoholic beer option.

The Atmosphere: The big TV at the bar looks as if it is about to die. Every few seconds there is a dark blur that shows on the screen. The bar gad a large ice machine which had a very loud buzzing noise when it would kick on. The servers from the restaurant side would walk to the bar entry and shout their orders to the bartender, which was disturbing me while I was trying to relax. All of the locals at the bar were very friendly, but we're talking extremely loud. The bar had no music or sports chatter from the TV, so there was an awkward silence when nobody was saying a word. The wall scones were nice, but the rest of the bar area could use a declutter and maybe a fresh coat of paint.

Overall I liked it, and the bartender combined with those stuffed shrimp will be the reason I will head back in to give it...

Stepping into Toki Ona, I felt like I had wandered into an age-old Basque boarding house, where every guest is treated like family and every plate is prepared with the kind of care that speaks to tradition.

For our first visit, my husband dove into a dish that could’ve fed a whole cuadrilla: tender pork chops paired with a colorful spread of pasta salad, rice with peas, carrots, and corn, and a generous helping of green beans that would make any amuma (grandmother) proud.

As a bariatric vegetarian, I was more limited in my options but still found warmth in the classic comfort of a grilled cheese and the cozy companion that was the Ana potato—fluffy, savory, and soul-soothing. Before we even got to the main course, we were welcomed with fresh-baked Basque bread (a hug in loaf form) and a zesty salad topped with a dressing that whispered garlic, embraced mayo, and kissed olive oil.

We passed on dessert this time—only because our bellies waved the white flag—but I’ve already got my eyes set on the tiramisu for our next round. If the starters are any indication, dessert will be just as soul-satisfying.

In true Basque spirit, the portions are generous, the flavors comforting, and the hospitality unassuming yet warm. Toki Ona may translate to “the good place,” but I’d add “the right place”—especially when you’re hungry for...