The only thing that could drag me outside after a night of drinking with co-workers and other debauch activities involving nipple biting and kitchen dancing is nachos.
I like to think I’m a connoisseur of nachos. They’re the perfect food: greasy, delicious and they cover just about every food group. The ultimate hangover cure.
But so many restaurants just do it wrong. They fail to layer the toppings properly, so all the nachos at the bottom get ignored. There’s never enough cheese. The nachos are soggy. And won’t someone PLEASE think of the sauce?
I’ve tried them all, folks. But nothing rivals Mustang Sally’s Flaming Skillet nachos. And fortunately (unfortunate for my arse) they’re just a five minute walk away on George Street, the perfect location for post-clubbing drunkards.
Just look at them. I mean really look at them. They have pickles. And corn. And sometimes, when I’m feeling truly adventurous, I’ll add red cabbage. CABBAGE.
Their cheese to nacho ratio is outstanding, absolutely brilliant. In fact, sometimes there’s too much topping and not even nachos. I know, I’m speechless too.
The nachos are prepared and served up right in front of you, so you get to pick any topping you like. I do mean any topping, you can throw some beans on that shit if you’d like. Then you pick a sauce, the best one (in my opinion) being Sally’s Secret Sauce. I have no idea what’s in this mysterious sauce, but if I had to guess it’d be fairy dust and rainbow glitter.
Their key move is to put down a layer of nachos, toppings, and then more nachos and more toppings. Voila, the most colourful, perfectly distributed platter of nachos you will ever see in your life for just $14.
Where have you found excellent nachos?
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Look good. Did you order them to go, or did they send your drunk arse homeward?
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:40 am
Oh no, I ordered them post-drinking! One time I fell down in the line-up and dragged a chip rack on top of me. Then the servers refused to feed me. Epic.
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Nachos – one of my favorite meals/snacks/treats/rewards/necessisities too. Do you have the Chili’s chain of restaurants up there? They have the best nachos ever, in my opinion.
(and the nachos in that photo look spectacular)
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:41 am
Nope, I’ve never been to Chili’s! But that sounds like a challenge to me.
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Pickles on nachos? Hmm…. I could do that.
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:41 am
AND the cabbage.
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Nachos are awesome just awesome. Now you can’t add corn, cabbage and is that olives eww to your nachos. You need beans and bacon and beautiful capsicum sauce. Dammit I so want nachos right now….
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:42 am
Don’t knock it ’til you try it!! If you make it here, I’ll take you.
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Now you are making me hungry! LOL!
We have found it almost impossible to find any decent Mexican food on our open ended, family world tour. OK, we did find an amazing & authentic (but expensive as everything had to be imported) Mex restaurant in Santorini of all places (with killer caldera views to boot), but mostly we have to make our own.
Luckily we get as many free avocados that we want just out side our door in the “campo” while wintering in Spain, so that helps.
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:44 am
Are the Spanish into nachos at all? Y’know, I don’t think I’ve ever tried real Spanish food…and btw, Santorini is one of my dream destinations!
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Simone Reply:
February 4th, 2010 at 6:53 am
You GOTTA try real Spanish food. The best thing about it is that it’s endless — they just keep bringing out small plates of delicious god knows what.
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Candice Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Oh geeeez, heaven!
Lol only you could pull off an entire post on nachos! Talk about finesse! Seriously though, I know what it’s like to get a shit plate of nachos. You feel violated, and you just know the nacho chips feel the same way, they had the potential to come out beautiful, instead some cook or recipe ruined them. It’s not right.
I’ll be sure to look these up though when I make it to the Newf, that picture makes me moist all over. Must be that fairy dust and rainbow glitter. haha
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:45 am
Hahahaha, thanks! You must definitely try these babies. I hate when restaurant owners get all cheap with the cheese and stuff. Wtf?
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Damn that looks good. Nachos were a main staple of my diet back in college, but none ever looked this good. They’re the ultimate hangover-preventer too.
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:47 am
YES! One time, after the bar, I placed my nachos on the table and went to use the bathroom. When I came back…they were face down on the floor. I ate them anyway. They were that good.
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that cheese to nacho ratio is stellar. but corn, pickles, and CABBAGE? that worries me.
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:48 am
I can pretty much guarantee you that the cabbage is a fantastic touch.
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Layering and cheese are the most important parts of nacho making. When, oh when, will this become apparent to the nacho makers?
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:48 am
SERIOUSLY! Cheap is not the way to go, people!
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Oh baby
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:48 am
Oh yeah!
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I haven’t tried them yet, but across the street from my hotel Whitch’s Rock Surf Camp has a restaurant that serves Nachos As Big As Your Ass. I can see the sign from where I’m sitting now….
Image courtesy the Goog:
http://www.lindsayfincher.com/gallery/d/17394-1/costa_rica_wrsc_17.JPG
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:49 am
OMFG. That is AMAZING. Can I steal this pic?
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Mark Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:30 am
I got it from google image search… I can take one of my own and send it to you when I get a chance.
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Forgot to mention, that’s in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
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dear lord those look yummy. i need to move downtown. there is no form of hangover food a 5 minute walk from my house. unless i count marie’s.
i have a vague recollection of having had very good nachos in ottawa, but i can’t recall where… Never found any in guelph that didn’t have a dissapointing amount of toppings/cheese-less chips
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:49 am
Oh man, you really don’t live in a good hangover spot, sad. Isn’t there a fish n’ chips place nearby?
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maggie Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:28 pm
if there is, i am unaware of it’s existence
the mall is about a 15 minute walk… i’ve been in desperate enough need to do that in the summer, but not when it’s so cold
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mmm, I can’t remember the last time I had mustangs nachos…now I’m fiending for them some fierce. damn you !! next weekend, me + you+ drunkeness= hangover nacho date. deals ?
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:49 am
TOTAL deals!
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OMG, no more food talk, seriously! LOL
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 am
This is just the beginning, muahaha.
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Who knew you could miss nachos so much?? I almost didn’t want to look at your picture there, all that’s missing on that picture is some HOT salsa and guacamole!!!
That brings back memories from my best nacho plate EVER, on a local pub by the open fire in Hanmer Springs.. I would swap a 3-course gourmet meal any day for that nacho-plate…
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 am
Y’know, they don’t serve guacamole at Mustang’s…I’m feeling a little…deceived.
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Oh how I would kill for some good nachos here in SK.
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 am
Hahaha, I guess they’re impossible to find?
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Best Nachos… some hole in the wall place on Duval Street in Key West, after a long night. I am sure its on a bank statement somewhere! Those look amazing.
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Candice Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 am
Nachos really are perfect after a long night, eh? Now I’m hungry.
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If only cheese didn’t hurt my little Asian tummy.
I can’t eat loads of cheese, but a few nachos over light beer, I can do. Especially in the summertime. Heavenly.
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Candice Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Ugh, that image just sent me swooning…sigh!
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Candice, darling – you know I LOVE you and agree with you on almost everything … but PICKLES? ON NACHOS? I … I don’t know, honey.
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Candice Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I LOVE that you overlooked the red cabbage and attacked the pickles, TRY IT!!
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the sallys secret sauce is a mixture of ranch and bbq, i found this out one night when i was drunken slur flirting with one of the grill masters!.. damn i love that place.
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Candice Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
DAMMIT! The mystery is over. Remember fur-coat lady?
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I love nachos, but 100% agree with you – they have to be made exactly right. For me, normally it’s the mom-and-pop shops that do them right. The big chains are too worried about mass production…
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Candice Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Seems to be the case! Everyone skimping on the ingredients. Tsk tsk.
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There is a place just down the street from me in Buenos Aires that has nachos and when I describe them, they will sound disgusting, but they are delicious. They use a wine sauce. White wine. Like a fondue. Buenos Aires has some atrocious nachos – the ones at the movies might as well just be served with hot milk on the side. But the fake Mexican nachos on the corner – well you’ve probably never had anything like them, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. And if you’re willing to go for the cabbage (hmmmm…..) you might need to try some Mexi-French fondue nachos one day.
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Candice Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Hahahaha, “Mexi-French fondue nachos.” I’m totally not opposed to wine-covered nachos, sounds like an infusion of my two favorite things, yes?
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pickles and corn on nachos? no thanks.
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Candice Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I will buy you a plate, and you shall love it.
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Very funny!
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Candice Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Thanks!
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Delicious! I love how you can write a whole post about nachos.
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Candice Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Oh man, I could rant about nachos for hours. Don’t get me started!
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Those nachos do look pretty good, Candice. I totally agree about how most places do it wrong. They tend to just pile it all together with out concern for the cohesion. Then, when the recipient tries to mix up the ingredients, it turns into a tablewide disaster often ending in broken dreams and friendships.
Don’t fuck with bad nachos.
b / TBD
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Candice Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
FINALLY, someone who gets me!!
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Those look SO good. And you’re right – there is never ever ever EVER enough cheese!!
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Candice Reply:
February 19th, 2010 at 7:08 am
Seriously!! What is so hard to understand about the concept?!
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Don’t get into fights, why don’t you guys just have Doritos with melten cheese? it’s better, DUH!
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