by Leigh Green
Nachos: the ultimate casual fare and widely beloved snack. In West Chester, you’ll find them in many fantastic forms. Originally a relatively simple Tex-Mex dish of chips, cheese and jalapenos, standard nachos today are typically “loaded” mountainous feasts, often made with experimental twists. The nacho experience is a social one, with priority given to taste over nutrition, ease over cutlery, fun over fanciness. Here are the best nachos the buzzing borough of West Chester has to offer:
Ram’s Head Bar & Grill: Nachos # and Asian Pork Nachos
Arguably the king of the West Chester nacho scene, the casually cool Ram’s Head Bar & Grill has hit near perfection with its simply named Nachos #. Reliably crispy chips, well-seasoned and salty, are piled high with all of the right elements: cumin-coated black beans, three melted cheeses, fresh jalapenos, salsa, sour cream and plenty of guacamole. Add chicken, roasted pork or seasoned chopped beef to bring it home. Hopefully a mainstay of the Ram’s Head menu, these nachos are gold.
Ram’s Head also has a natural way of combining international elements in fun and, more importantly, delicious ways. Case in point: the Asian Pork Nachos. The restaurant subs out traditional corn tortillas for crispy fried wontons to start, then adds pork that’s been glazed in a ginger-soy sauce as the primary protein. Melted mozzarella mellows things out, while house-roasted peppers and green onion provide depth and a little fresh kick. 40 E. Market St., (484) 631-0241
Doña Linda: Nachos Doña Linda
Authentic Mexican cuisine at the east edge of the borough, Doña Linda offers a nacho plate to be reckoned with. Densely layered with refried beans, ground chorizo and seasoned chicken, it’s an appetizer more formidable than many of the restaurant’s entrees. Covered with plenty of chopped lettuce, sour cream, cotija and avocados, it contains about every flavor and texture a nacho lover could imagine. Wholly enticing by its own measure is the Doña Linda sauce bar, with flavors so exquisite they tend to become the focal point. Originally a Wawa, Doña Linda is both a casual, quirky place to dine-in and a fantastic nacho takeout source. 611 W. Strasburg Rd., (610) 431-3214
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: Nachos al Pastor
The combination of pork and pineapple is one for the ages, and it does not disappoint on this delectable nacho plate. A 2016 addition to the Iron Hill West Chester menu, the Nachos al Pastor all but steal the spotlight from Iron Hill’s other famed nacho options. On a bed of freshly fried corn chips lay healthy portions of chipotle barbecue glazed pork, pickled red onions and sweet pineapple. Queso fresco adds perfect salty tang alongside melted jack and cheddar cheeses, tied together with a Mexican crema sauce and greens in the form of fresh jalapenos, guacamole and cilantro. What better way to enjoy them than with one of Iron Hill’s delicious micro-brew selections? 3 W. Gay St., (610) 738-9600
La Mamba BYOB: Nachos a la Mamba
A little bit of everything, the Nachos a la Mamba (formerly a la Bamba) are well-rounded and scrumptious. Crunchy fried tortilla chips are covered in melted cheese with plenty of ground beef, chopped chicken and refried beans. Enjoy them inside in the incredibly festive, family-friendly restaurant with vibrant decor or outdoors on the little terrace in the very heart of the borough. 39 W. Gay St., (610) 344-7784
Landmark Americana Tap & Grill: Landmark Nachos
With views of large-screen televisions from nearly every nook of the comfortable, curved booths and bar, Landmark Americana provides quite a nacho-friendly ambience. The nachos are certainly an indulgence, with tri-colored chips smothered in a cilantro cheddar cheese sauce, drizzled in sour cream and topped with pickled jalapenos and black beans. The protein options take the dish in a number of directions, with the four choices including short rib chili, pulled pork, spiced tofu and chicken thighs. Neither high-end nor boring, these nachos hit the mark. 158 W. Gay St., (610) 701-9900
- Ram's Head photo: Ram's Head Bar & Grill
- Doña Linda photo: Leigh Green
- Landmark Americana photo: Nick Cipollone, Center Stage Entertainment
- Iron Hill photo: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
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