Get your crunch on: 10 places for National Nachos Day, Nov. 6
The crowd-pleasing starter we call nachos consists of a bed of tortilla chips topped with cheese, olives, tomatoes, beans, peppers and onions. But the concept is a blank canvas ripe for interpretation. Here are 10 Valley restaurants to find the traditional or original, meaty or vegan, mild or spicy. Pick your favorite version in time for National Nachos Day, Nov. 6.
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Culinary Dropout
Bring a healthy appetite and at least a couple of friends for the BBQ Pork Belly Nachos ($12). A huge pile of crunchy tortilla chips is generously layered with pork and black beans. Guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo are the final touches.
Details: The Yard, 5632 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-680-4040. Other locations at culinarydropout.com.
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Pita Jungle
Get the vegetarian Blue Corn Nachos ($8.69) with blue corn chips topped with zingy lemon-cilantro mixed beans, melted cheese and pico de gallo, and drizzled with seasoned yogurt sauce.
Details: 1001 N. Third Ave., Phoenix. 602-258-7482. Other locations at pitajungle.com.
Octane Raceway
The ¼ Mile Nachos ($12) is one of the headliners on the Brickyard Grill's new menu. A stack of tortilla chips sits beneath pinto beans, pico de gallo, melted Jack and Cheddar cheeses, sour cream and guacamole. For a boost of protein, add chicken or ground beef for $3.
Details: The Pavilions at Talking Stick, 9119 E. Talking Stick Way, Salt River Reservation. 602-302-7223, octaneraceway.com.
Macayo’s Mexican Table
The Nachos Supreme ($10.75) dares diners to go big with an avalanche of accouterments: mixed cheese, sour cream, guacamole, refried beans, tomatoes and your choice of beef or chicken. Ask for jalapeños if you can take the heat.
Details: 7829 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 623-873-0313. Other locations at macayo.com.
Four Peaks Brewing Company
The 5 Layer Nacho Dip ($9.50) stands up to pint after pint. A colossal platter flaunts a mound of colorful chips dripping with gooey cheese, and the toppings come on the side so you can customize each bite. Mix and match with slices of jalapeño, tomatoes, black beans, sour cream and salsa. Add chicken ($4), spicy beef with jalapeño and onion ($4) or blackened chicken ($4.50).
Details: 15745 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. 480-991-1795. Also, 1340 E. Eighth St., Tempe. 480-303-9967, fourpeaks.com.
24 Carrots
Shaped like a volcano, the vegan Topopo Nachos ($10.50) feature a mound of organic tortilla chips as the base. Black bean chili, vegan cheese, cashew cream, hot sauce, fresh veggies, salsa and aioli combine for a colorful display.
Details: 1701 E. Guadalupe Road, Tempe. 480-753-4411, 24carrotsjuice.com.
El Palacio Restaurant and Cantina
Those on a low-carb kick don’t have to miss out. The newly added Cauliflower Nachos ($10) replace traditional chips with flash-fried cauliflower chips, topped with melted Cheddar, jalapeños, fresh tomatoes, guacamole and sour cream.
Details: 2950 E. Germann Road, Chandler. 480-802-5770, epfamilyrestaurants.com.
Pedal Haus Brewery
Fresh from a remodel, the brewery also has a revamped menu with Pretty Decent Nachos ($10), featuring a combo of chili chicken verde, grilled corn, black beans, beer cheese, pickled Fresno peppers, a dollop of lime crema and a sprinkling of cilantro. Add the house guacamole for $3.
Details: 730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. 480-314-2337, pedalhausbrewery.com.
Gordon Biersch Restaurant & Brewery
Airy and delicate wonton chips provide the crunch in two nacho dishes. The Southwest Wonton Nachos ($9.99, add chicken for $1.99) are loaded with black beans, Cheddar and pepper Jack cheeses, pico de gallo, red onions, cilantro, smoked paprika and a drizzle of jalapeño ranch. The Ahi Wonton Nachos ($10.99) feature diced tuna tossed in teriyaki sauce, grilled pineapple, pickled ginger, green onions and toasted sesame seeds, with a drizzle of cucumber wasabi sauce and Sriracha cream.
Details: Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-877-4300. Other locations at gordonbiersch.com.
Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery
The Irish Nachos ($8.50) replace the usual tortilla chips with crispy potato chips and smothers them with beer cheese, seasoned ground beef and tomatoes. Ask for them "spicy" with a zesty-hot ground sausage blend.
Details: 16840 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. 623-486-5458. Other locations at tiltedkilt.com.
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