Top 3 Favorite Nachos in Austin

I’m willing to be honest with myself. It’s important. With that said, the degree to which I am into nachos and the frequency at which I order them is astonishingly atrocious.

However, after two weeks of nutritionally preparing for this article (that’s a nice way of saying I’ve eaten nachos pretty much every night during this time period), I can tell you that nachos are best enjoyed in moderation.

My will was tested; my heart was burned. But I made it, and I’m here to showcase my top three favorite nacho platters that Austin has to offer. Keep in mind that, though I tried, I was unable to sample every nacho dish throughout the city. This is only the beginning.

I encourage you to comment below with suggestions, as I’d like this list to continue to grow over time. Additionally, please know I will do my absolute best to get through this article without using any cheesy “nacho” puns (okay, starting now).

Rules for Eating Nachos

In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, I consider myself a true professional when it comes to consuming mini-mountains of chips and cheese. Before we get into where to eat them, we need to go over a few ground rules on how to eat them. I see too many rookie mistakes out there, and I feel the need to address these head-on.

1. Never order nachos to-go.
   • This includes delivery and taking leftovers home. Nonsensical. The integrity of both the chips and the cheese are at the mercy of time. There exists a sensitive window of opportunity within which nachos must be enjoyed. Once the window is closed, there’s no going back. It’s science.
2. Put the silverware down.
   • Do you eat pizza with a fork and a knife? No! Nachos are essentially little tiny pizza slices in a big pile. The same rules apply. What’s that? You don’t want to get your hands messy? Worry not, young apprentice. Prepare to have your mind blown.
3. The Anchor Chip
   • It was a sad existence for those poor, forgotten chips that lay untouched at the bottom of the pile – until now. These are your anchors. What they lack in cheese, they make up for in durability. When eating nachos, always have an anchor in your non-eating hand. This is your fork. Use an anchor to distribute toppings, to sort through the pile in search of “the good ones,” and as a platform for the chips that have no clean corners. Perform this method correctly, and you won’t even need a napkin.
4. Half-shell nachos don’t count
   • I’ve been in a two-week debate over this with a couple co-workers of mine. Honestly, I’m torn. At the end of the day, I do think “tostada-style” nachos should count. But, for the purposes of this article and the scoring system I’m using below, I can’t allow them to be part of this discussion. Plus, sharing them requires math and that’s not cool.

Scoring System

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into where to go for some of the best nachos in town. To help me properly score and rate what I’ve tried, I’ve created a simple scoring system using a standard 0-5 scale for each of the following categories:

• Cheese/chip ratio
• Topping variety
• Chip quality
• Presentation
• Overall flavor

My Top Three Favorite Nachos in Austin

#3 Slab BBQ: BBQ Brisket Nachos

• Cheese/chip ratio – 5
• Topping variety – 4
• Chip quality – 3
• Presentation – 4
• Overall flavor – 5 

Score: 4.2

Slab BBQ is not afraid to pile it on when it comes to their menu items, and their nachos are no exception. BBQ and nachos are an underutilized combination in my opinion, especially in Austin. Slab gets it right, however, adding a tasty Texas twist to an otherwise simple presentation. I chose to add brisket to mine, though I’m sure any of their meats would suffice atop this gigantic heap of cheesy goodness.

The chips do tend to get soggy rather quickly, as is the case with any queso-based nacho platter. However, the BBQ flavor brings it all together nicely, and the diced pickles are a surprisingly nice touch. Use one of their signature hot sauces for an added kick.

Pair with: A good, old-fashioned Coca-Cola (don’t worry, I get fancier later).

9012 Research Blvd C4 – Website

#2 Manuel’s: Blue Crab Nachos

• Cheese/chip ratio – 5
• Topping variety – 5
• Chip quality – 4
• Presentation – 5
• Overall flavor – 4

Score: 4.6

Trust me, I thought the same thing. How can something seem so wrong, but taste so right? A fancier take on the traditional style, the crab nachos at Manuel’s are astonishing. The crabmeat is of superior quality, which helps pull off what otherwise seems an impossible feat. The meal is prepared with care and thoughtfulness, as the toppings are distributed in a manner of “equal opportunity” for all chips.

I chose to attribute the flavor with a score of four, simply because the crab does take a couple bites to get used to. I can see how it might not be in everyone’s wheelhouse. If you can get past the unique blend of flavor, however, you’ll fully understand why this belongs on the list. You might even say this is “nacho” average spread.

Pair with: White wine, particularly their Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc.

310 Congress Avenue or 10201 Jollyville Road – Website

And the winner is…

#1 Turf N’ Surf Po Boy: Buffalo Chicken Nachos

• Cheese/chip ratio – 5
• Topping variety – 4
• Chip quality – 5
• Presentation – 5
• Overall flavor – 5

Score: 4.8

I don’t want to hype these up too much, but my entire outlook on life has changed since experiencing the miracle that is Turf N’ Surf Buffalo Chicken Nachos. Inappropriately located in the “Snacks” section of the menu, this well organized platter offers the perfect balance of meat, cheese and toppings. You can choose other meat options besides buffalo chicken, but just don’t.

You’ll find that the chips are impressively sturdy, offering up truly reliable anchor chips. The pickled jalapeño spears are a nice touch, as well.

Turf N’ Surf can be ordered from a to-go window. But since we all know the rules of nacho-ordering, do yourself a favor and head into the welcoming Lacava Street Bar next door. You’ll find an ordering window inside, and a friendly bar staff to boot.

Pair with: “The One They Call Zoe,” a local pale lager.

407 Lavaca St – Website

There you have it. Those are my top three favorite nachos in Austin thus far. While I may take a short break to let my body/dignity recover, I realize it’s still early in my quest to find the greatest nachos in Austin. Turf N’ Surf holds the crown right now, but I’d love to hear your suggestions!

 

@andychuckchase wants to know:

Where have you had some delicious nachos in Austin?