Local's guide to the best nachos in Chicago
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Nachos from Taqueria el 5 de Mayo without the recommended carne asada because … we forgot. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
We recently threw down our favorite local nachos and asked for yours.
Monica's pick: Not every dish translates deliciously to a vegan analog, but the nachos from Upton's Breakroom do ($13).
- Crisp but sturdy tortilla chips get blanketed with creamy vegan cheese sauce, black beans, pickled jalapeños, tomatoes, salsa verde, cilantro, crema and super meat-like seitan chorizo.
Justin's pick: The Pot Roast Nachos at Ditka's ($16–$19).
- They start with mouth-watering pot roast. The best. Next comes a mixture of cheddar-jack, pickled jalapeño, sour cream, tomato and scallions.
👏 As always, our readers delivered some excellent recommendations.
Alison L.: "The carne asada nachos at Taqueria el 5 de Mayo" in Lincoln Square.
- We ordered and forgot the carne asada part, but the veggie version was also super tasty.
Joe C.: "Buen Apetito in the French Market."
Sue W.: "For the best nachos guaranteed, go to NachoRita in downtown Lombard. Nachos in a pizza box. Lots of veg and low-carb options. Margaritas to go. Yum!"
Maggie B.: "It's not fancy, but the super nachos at Tuxpan are great — the steamed-beef super nachos at Simón Tacos are also very good!"
Liz B.: "The Reveler on Roscoe at Damen has sheet-pan nachos. We got them for takeout and they came in a pizza box. Every crispy chip has nacho stuff on it — they were really good!"
Tati A.: "Pulled-meat nachos at Smoke Daddy are the bomb. You choose the meat."
- "Another interesting take (and a great discovery for my keto lifestyle) are chicharron nachos at Bad Apple."
Bob T.: "The mango-braised beef nachos at Pilsen Yards are the best around!"
Tony B.: "A bar in Uptown called My Buddy's features 'totchos,' a heaping bowl of tater tots tricked out like loaded nachos — steak, guac, cheese, etc. Waaay more satisfying. If you eat them with any regularity you'll have to wash yourself with a rag on a stick, but just amazing."
Denise P.: "BBQ’d Productions in Grayslake and Lake Zurich!!"
Samantha A.: "Jack and Ginger's in Bucktown makes buffalo chicken nachos, and I haven’t been able to replicate them."
Julian H.: "There's a fantastic 'nacho' that my wife Summer and I just tried on the tasting menu at Moody Tongue Brewing Company."
Amanda B.: "The nachos at Pizza Parlor are supreme!!"