Re-launch July 2013

***July 2013***

Get your elastic pants on! Good Nacho is re-launching July 2013!

Well we think it's a re-launch seeings we only got as far as a front page last time... Whatever amigo, Let's get ready to eat!!!!!!!!!!!!

The U.S.A. Tour

It's 11.43pm and I am sitting in the Maui Airpot baggage claim area with no accomodation and preparing myself for a night of sleep on a curbside bench before our early morning flight to Kaua'i tomorrow.

So what better time to introduce my special segment on Nachos Abroad - The U.S.A. Tour. As I am taking time off from my busy nacho schedule back home in Melbourne, I find myself in the land of the free. Or better known as, the land of the food. 

Got a normal size portioned meal? Well double it. 

Have a healthy snack? Ad some cheese.

Got some fruit? Cover it in in caramel and peanuts. 

Or if all else fails. Deep fry it. That's the American way. And I can't say I don't not like it. But my waste line is definitely paying for it. And my understanding as to why America is the most obese country in the world is also becoming much more clear.

In this brief section before the Melbourne examination begins, I'm going to review a few of the best nacho dishes I have had in this crazy country and make your taste buds salivate. So strap yourself in and get yourself ready for Good Nachos USA review.

The U.S.A.Tour - Smoke Daddy's / Chicago

For a city known for their deep dish pizza, they sure can make a mean nachos. Oh did I say mean nachos? I'm sorry, I meant a deliciously, BBQ'd, porked up, yumbo, double delicious nachos.

It was a pity that I had already eaten a giant sized American dish for lunch, so my stomachs need for a hearty meal wasn't at its usual high.

Coming in at under $10, the slow cooked pulled pork nachos is a dish that will make any heart content. 

As the waitress trudged to our table she seemed to be holding with 2 sturdy hands, something that looked alarmingly heavy. Yes, it was indeed heavy. And yes, it was my nachos. 

The slow cooked pulled pork was a meal in itself. But then, as Americans do best, they added more.

My eyes watered knowing that I hugely unprepared for this meal. Why did I have such a big lunch!? The things I could have done to that dish if my stomach was on empty. But nonetheless I did what I could. Teamed up with a hard crisp cider, this nachos went down a treat. Size, quality, ingredients, price. All the right factors to go down as a top notch nachos. 

Move over deep dish, Smoke Daddy's Pulled Pork Nachos is here to stay!

The U.S.A. Tour - Big Daddy and Sons / Venice Beach

Venice Beach California. A circus in itself. Body builders, rappers with discmans trying to get you to listen to their tracks, medical marijuana green doctors, dogs in lingerie... Yep, that's Venice Beach. A comical location, but definitely worth the visit if you're in Cali. And something to entice you even more to make you want to take a stroll down this strip, Steak Fries Nachos.

Ok, ok, not technically you're everyday nacho, but how could I go past this? Meat, potato chips, cheese, tomatoes, jalepenos and sour cream. Some would also refer to this as a heart attack in a bowl. But as nachos are my business, I did it. I ordered a Steak Fries Nachos.

As the lady passed it through the window to me, I nearly mistook it for her passing me a large sized baby. It was incredibly heavy. Solid. I readied myself with the prospects of gaining 16kg after eating this dish, and I started.

The meat pulled away with every lift of the chip and a large oily string of cheese followed close behind it. The cubes of fresh tomato were the only things to warrant it having any health benefits whatsoever. But that thought was quickly erased as I came nearer to the bottom and saw the orange tinged oil/fat wading on the base. Despite the worry of my health, my stomach kept telling me that this concoction was pretty dam good. Not something I would recommend to everyone, in fear of them falling victim to a serious heart disease, but delicious for what it's worth. The fries were a good size and added a different texture from your usual crunch of a corn chip. Meat was a treat and all the ingredients combined for a scrumptious yet unhealthy meal.

If you happen to find yourself strolling down this circus strip, go ahead and treat yourself to a steak fries nachos. Hey, at least it's not the most unhealthiest dish on the menu as this place also sells deep fried pizza.

The U.S.A. Tour - Rancho Bravo / Seattle

As we entered the hostel in Seattle, lumbered with our heavy bags upon our backs, strain permeated my legs with each step up the carpeted stairs. Morale was down and I was riddled with fatigue. My stomach was hungry and let out a barbarous growl as we reached the lobby where my eyes drifted across the room to focus on a laminated piece of paper blu tacked to the front counter. 'Seattle Food Tour', it read in bold letters. Suddenly my energy levels rose. I lifted my head and read what the tour entails, then, just as I thought all my food dreams had come true, I saw we had missed the tour by a day! Energy levels decreased back down. However, never to be defeated, I continued reading where it listed the locations of the tour stops. 'Rancho Bravo - 2nd best tacos in North America'. Ding! My energy levels back up again. If they have the 2nd best tacos in North America, that means there can be no logical reason as to why their nachos can't be just as good! Right? 

Come Saturday we walked the hills of Seattle in search of Rancho Bravo. I urged myself along with the anticipation of nachos at the peak. My legs powered on.

I could see my happy nacho rainbow forming as we approached 1001 Pine St. I was very excited. Standing out front, it was a definite, don't judge a book by its cover moment, with it's 1990's Burger King facade, tiled floor and plastic bench seating. 

"One horchata and one nachos with carnitas please". Nervously I waited, and out came what seemed to be a little chunk of gold in a grey cardboard bowl.

The first thing I noticed was its colouration. The cheese that covered the top was not an artificial bright orange colour that had adorned so many of my American nachos in the past. Could they be using a cheese with a lower fat content than if I ate a block of butter? An American first. The cheese coverage was near perfect, and the melt and grill factor made the hills of cheese acquire a golden glow. Diced tomatoes and onions were esconed amongst the crispy chips with sliced jalepenos scattered around the dish. A large dollop of sour cream and a side of guacamole topped it off, and when I thought all was near perfect, I tasted the the perfectly cooked carnitas. The most glorious meat to complement this dish. 

So does Rancho Bravo warrant the title of 2nd best and the popularity that comes with it? Hek yes! Look, I'll say it. Best Nachos I have eaten in America! Oh yes I did... Now that's a title they may want to replace their '2nd best' with.

So in conclusion I say, bravo Rancho Bravo for fulfilling my American golden nacho dreams. Bravo.

**Breaking News** - Jay Z and Beyonce like Nachos