Asador Bastian

White oak charcoal, on a custom live-fire grill upstairs.

OpenNot yet visited · facts from 11 sourcesNo paid rankings

By Silas Brand · Steakpedia editorial voice · Who writes

Why go01

This is a Basque asador in River North. The charcoal is white oak, as in the hills of San Sebastián. Steaks and whole fish both go over it. The txuletón leads: a Basque-style bone-in ribeye. Much of it comes from older cows, past 30 months. Co-owner Doug Psaltis buys them for more beef flavour and better ageing, he says. The lists follow. No. 1 in North America in the World's Best Steak Restaurants 2025, announced in December 2025. No. 15 in the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants 2026. No. 3 on Time Out's Chicago steakhouse list.

What to order02

Vintage Galiciana txuletón
Flannery Holstein txuletón
Lot 29 Ranch Charolais

Aged21–45 days, dry

Firecharcoal

BreedHolstein, Rubia Gallega, Charolais, Tajima (Wagyu), Simmental

Gradenot stated

Pricenot stated

Opened2023

02What to order

Vintage Galiciana txuletónMature grass-fed cow from Queensland. US$96 a pound.
Flannery Holstein txuletónFrom California, aged 21 days. US$83 a pound.
Lot 29 Ranch CharolaisFrom Idaho, aged 45 days by Brunson Meat. US$145.
Peacock Cattle Company TajimaFrom Pennsylvania, aged 28 days in house. US$150; the menu does not state the unit.
The San MiguelBone-in, under a pound, for one or two. US$73.
Basque burnt cheesecakeHsing Chen's, a Time Out pick to close.

03The beef

The menu rotates breeds from small producers. Rubia gallega. Wagyu from Japan and Australia. Dry-aged Holstein. French Simmental. Many animals are past 35 months and aged in house. Not every txuletón is dairy cow: the current list also carries Charolais and Tajima. Ageing runs 21 to 45 days, by cut. Beyond beef: turbot al pil-pil at US$86 a pound, milk-fed lamb and Segovian suckling pig at US$125 each. Fish and shellfish fly in from the markets of Barcelona. At the bar there is a txuletón burger, US$22.

04The fire

The grill is custom-built. Live fire, on the upper floor. The fuel is white oak charcoal. Steaks and whole fish cook on it. A ten-seat chef's table in the kitchen faces the flames of the asador.

05The story

Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen own it, through Eat Well Hospitality. Chen runs pastry. At opening, executive chef and partner Christian Eckmann led the kitchen. He had worked at Arzak in San Sebastián. It opened in spring 2023; Resy called it Chicago's newest steakhouse that May. The building is the Flair House, a two-storey brownstone from 1883. It is one of the last in River North's Gallery District. The group also runs Andros Taverna and Mano. In 2025 Thomas Kakalios of the house was a James Beard semifinalist for beverage service.

06The practical

214 W Erie St. Dining room Sunday to Wednesday, 4 to 10 pm. Thursday to Saturday, 4 to 10:30 pm. The Bar Room runs daily, 4 pm to midnight. The upstairs dining room, under 1930s Murano glass chandeliers, is by reservation only. The Bar Room takes walk-ins for the full menu. Reservations open 30 days ahead, on SevenRooms. Order the txuletón.

Address: 214 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: +1 312-800-8935
Website: asadorbastian.com
Directions: Google Maps ↗

What is a txuletón at Asador Bastian?

A Basque-style bone-in ribeye, much of it from older dairy cows past 30 months, cooked over white oak charcoal. The current menu also lists Charolais and Tajima.

Is Asador Bastian on the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list?

Yes: no. 15 in 2026 and no. 13 in 2025. In December 2025 it was named no. 1 in North America.

Can you walk in at Asador Bastian?

The downstairs Bar Room takes walk-ins for the full menu. The upstairs dining room is by reservation, which opens 30 days ahead on SevenRooms.

What does a txuletón cost at Asador Bastian?

On the current menu, from US$83 a pound (Flannery Holstein, 21 days) to US$96 a pound (Vintage Galiciana).

07In Chicago’s selections

the longest-aged beef45 days →steak over charcoalcharcoal →wagyuUnited States (California, Idaho, Pennsylvania), Australia (Queensland) →something newest. 2023 →

08Sources

asadorbastian.com · abc7chicago.com · timeout.com · blog.resy.com · nbcchicago.com · asadorbastian.com · asadorbastian.com · robbreport.com.my · asadorbastian.com · asadorbastian.com · timeout.com
Last verified 25 Oct 2026.