10 non-traditional nachos that are worth traveling for
Though Mexican by birth, nachos are a beloved American classic.
Salty, savory, cheesy, crunchy -- the Monday Night Football staple has everything we want in a guilty pleasure.
Thanks to the rise of gastropubs and fusion cuisine, chefs around the country are putting new spins on the requisite beef-bean-cheese nacho trinity.
In honor of National Nachos Day (Nov. 6), keep scrolling to check out 10 non-traditional nachos that are worth traveling for.
Barbecue nachos at Twisted Spoke (Chicago, IL)
A post shared by Kailley Lindman Federighi (@kailleyskitchen) on Jul 30, 2015 at 2:08pm PDT
Twisted Spoke is a "family biker bar" that specializes in gluttonous American favorites. Chief among them is this massive plate of nachos, made with freshly fried chips, pulled pork, homemade barbecue sauce, smoked gouda, and fried onions.
Click here for more on Twisted Spoke >>
Crispy pork nachos at Cantina Leña (Seattle, WA)
Potato Chip Nachos from Swine in the West Village #NYC -- #noBSfood @swinenyc
A post shared by Food 'n' Festivities. No BS. (@foodnfest) on May 26, 2015 at 5:42pm PDT
Three-time James Beard award-winning chef Tom Douglas opened Cantina Leña in late 2014. Devoted to the "rustic cooking of Mexico," the restaurant house-grinds its masa with volcanic stones. For his nachos, Douglas replaces the usual chili con carne with crispy pork carnitas, complemented by green chiles, pickled onions, and silky queso fundido.
Click here for more on Cantina Leña >>
Live nachos at Blossoming Lotus (Portland, OR)
Sometimes you just have to start your day with #raw #living #nachos #blossominglotuspdx
A post shared by Dano Cano (@canodan) on Aug 2, 2015 at 10:17am PDT
We know what you're thinking, Raw nachos from an organic vegan restaurant? But how great would it be to eat a big plate of nachos and not feel like a bloated dead animal afterward? You could eat two orders of these "rawchos" and still feel light as a feather. The seed- and nut-based chips are topped with raw vegan "cheese" sauce, pecan chorizo, cashew sour cream, avocado, red onion, tomato, scallion, cilantro, and a squirt of lime.
Click here for more on Blossoming Lotus >>
Potato chip nachos at Swine (New York, NY)
Potato Chip Nachos from Swine in the West Village #NYC -- #noBSfood @swinenyc
A post shared by Food 'n' Festivities. No BS. (@foodnfest) on May 26, 2015 at 5:42pm PDT
Avert your eyes, vegans. This restaurant-cum-pork-shrine loads its potato chip nachos with crispy pork belly, five-cheese fondue, and fresh jalepeños. It's the perfect appetizer to the unctuous bone marrow and brisket burger, which is packed with more gooey cheese.
Click here for more on Swine >>
Smoked brisket nachos at Bourbon Steak (Washington, DC)
A post shared by Fannézha (@fannezha) on Sep 24, 2015 at 7:13pm PDT
You have to sit in Bourbon Steak's lounge to order these upscale nachos. In the Michael Mina kitchen known for its incredible selection of wagyu steaks, chefs assemble these white tablecloth nachos with smoky brisket, piles of cool guacamole, fresh salsa, scattered cilantro, and whipped cheddar.
Click here for more on Bourbon Steak DC >>
Lobster nachos at El Coraloense (Los Angeles, CA)
A post shared by El Coraloense Restaurant (@elcoraloense) on Aug 19, 2015 at 11:08am PDT
Los Angeles magazine dubbed this heap of lobster and cheese a "glorious mess," and we couldn't agree more. Run by a trio of siblings who studied at Le Cordon Bleu, El Coraloense tops its chips with white cheese sauce, pico de gallo, black olives, pickled jalepeños, and garlicy stewed lobster, with mounds of sour cream and guacamole on the side.
Click here for more on El Coraloense >>
Lava nachos at Sushirrito (San Francisco, CA)
My first #Sushirito experience; #LavaNachos with #Tuna! 🐟
A post shared by Peter Karpa...Greek Name (@grapesgetsweetashoney) on Sep 17, 2015 at 5:14pm PDT
In the birthplace of the sushi burrito you can also order a questionable yet enticing tray of sushi nachos. It all sounds well and good at first -- brown rice chips, spicy tuna, ginger guacamole, nori strips, green onions -- but then you spot "melted pepper jack cheese" in the description. Whether or not the oddball pairing actually works is a mystery we can't help but want to solve.
Click here for more on Sushirrito >>
Spinach nachos at Tavern at Phipps (Atlanta, GA)
Thrillist Atlanta describes this hot spot as a place "where the beautiful people come to have a nip or two." Beyond the pretty faces, the menu at Phipps touts eight gut-busting varieties of nachos. The decadent creamed spinach nachos are the fairest of all, in our opinion. Like with all good nachos, the chips are made fresh in house.
Click here for more on Tavern at Phipps >>
Machos nachos at Little Goat (Chicago, IL)
"Top Chef" alumni Stephanie Izard is a fancy chef, but she likes her nachos messy. Underneath all that sour cream and cheese are layers of house masa chips, tender barbecue pork, and earthy beans. Pickled onions and guacamole camp out on the summit.
Click here for more on Little Goat >>
Chilaquiles at Minero (Charleston, SC)
Chilaquiles are actually a breakfast food in Mexico. (You hear that? You can have nachos for breakfast.) At James Beard award-winning chef Sean Brock's casual Mexican restaurant, fresh Mexican corn tortilla chips are soaked in heirloom beans and pork and topped with queso fresco, crema, salsa, avocado, and a sunny side up fried egg.
Click here for more on Minero >>
More from Business Insider:
Check out the £30 million super yacht that's like a mansion on the sea
The 10 biggest mistakes you can make in a Wall Street job interview
This is what it's like to be an intern at JPMorgan
