You can call it txuleta (in Basque), chuleta (in Spanish) or Txuletón / chuletón (T-bone steak) depending on its size, but the really important thing is not the name but the liturgy that accompanies it and the pleasure we get from eating one in good company.
Over the centuries the Basques have been masters in the art of grilling and eating steaks, and the people of Biscay are known in many places for their Villagodios or Bilbao-style steaks.
In Biscay, therefore, we should not speak of gastronomy without referring to the txuleta, not any old one but ‘Un txuletón como Dios manda’ (the ultimate T-bone steak): quality meat, of a good size, cooked as it should be with its three colours and characteristic layers: one fine and golden on the outside, another pink and thick middle layer, and finally a red and hot – but not raw- layer inside. Your mouth starts watering just thinking about it!
Nevertheless, the txuleta is not only one of the star dishes of our cuisine, going out to eat a txuletón is something like a ritual, involving meeting friends, having a good time, and maybe even claiming to have found the best steak in Biscay province!
Like anything else, when it comes to choosing a txuleta there is a wide range of opinions: the type and origin of the meat, the way it is cured, the way it is cooked and served, if you want to eat one in one of the towns of villages of Biscay province or in one of the ‘temples’ of the txuleta in Bilbao, so you don’t have to worry about driving…
So that you can try them all and choose your favourite, we have selected the best restaurants to eat a txuleta in Biscay (including restaurants that serve good ones without leaving Bilbao).
We also give you this list on Spotify so you can enjoy our selection from your palate:
Establishments
Barrio Portuondo, s/n (Ctra. Gernika-Bermeo km.47) (Mundaka)
Restaurants
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