The Day of the Nacho is coming up on October 21, 2022. Do you know where you’ll be?
If you’re an Orange County native or if you’ve been here awhile, chances are you can rattle off several places within a stone’s throw with great options for Mexican food. Not that we need an excuse, but take this as your sign to try something new and treat yourself to a scrumptious and decadent plate of nachos. From classic melts to flavorful fusion creations, I’ve gathered 10 of the best places to order nachos in Orange County on October 21st, or any other day.
Hearty, salty, and completely over-the-top, nachos are a favorite appetizer that can be an entire meal. Whether you’re craving a traditional melted-cheese-over-chips dish or looking to try something a little out of the box (like with poke or Kahlua pork), there’s something here for everyone. No matter what you’re craving, Orange County can provide it. Check out these 10 places to get the best nachos in Orange County.
[These are in no particular order]
Sancho’s Tacos: Huntington Beach
IG: @sanchostacos
Description: Fresh produce and crunchy tortilla chips with a hefty portion of meat (tri-tip is the fan-favorite!) comes with beans, onions, melted cheddar jack, sour cream, cilantro, and your choice of salsa.
Vibes: hole-in-the-wall in a prime location, bustling for a reason!
Price: With meat: $10.25, just cheese: $7.99
Shareable: yes, if you’re ordering as an appetizer with more food coming
Pair it with a 4 or 8-piece churro…to share or not to share!
Avila’s El Ranchito: Multiple Locations
Description: large plate with shredded beef or chicken with guacamole (generous portion!) and sour cream.
Vibes: tried-and-true tasty dishes, you won’t leave hungry!
Price: $15.50
Shareable: yes, but also not weird if you kept them for yourself
Pair it with- a Cadillac Margarita-never misses! $15.50
Hapa J’s: San Clemente
IG: @hapajs
Description: Hapa J’s “Happa Nachos” are made with house-made tortilla chips, cheddar jack cheese, drizzled with avocado sour cream, chipotle aioli, and black bean salsa with the option to add kalua pig (fan-favorite), chicken or beef.
Vibes: traditional island dishes with a modern twist
Price: $15.99
Shareable: yes, think “mountain of meat!”
Pair it with: a “New School Mai Tai,” a blend of two rums with house passionfruit mix and topped with dark rum, $10.99
Olamendi’s: Dana Point
IG: @olamendis_oc
Description: tortilla chips topped with beans, melted cheese, fresh guacamole, tomatoes, sour cream, and jalapeños with the option to add beef, chicken, or steak.
Vibes: Local treasure with a small-town feel, excellent service
Price: $15 + $3 for meat
Shareable: yes
Pair it with: a hibiscus margarita-the perfect blend of sweet and spicy!
Wild Taco: Newport Beach
IG: @wildtaco__
Description: if you’re looking for something a little different, try the poke nachos, tortilla chips topped with ahi tuna, green onions, and Tommy sauce
Vibes: Baja-inspired laid back Cantina focused on wild-caught fish
Price: $16
Shareable: not unless you’re loading up on other menu items
Pair it with a spicy watermelon house margarita (or two or three), $12.50
Great Mex: Newport Beach
IG: @greatmexgrill
Description: Bean and Cheese Nachos with Meat, served with pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole with a choice of chicken, carnitas, Asada, al pastor, or ground beef.
Vibes: casual, yet quintessential Mexican classics on Balboa
Price: $13
Shareable: yes
Pair it with a Modelo, $6.30
Lamplight Lounge: Anaheim (Inside California Adventure)
IG: @lamplightlounge
I know this one is slightly unfair but if you happen to find yourself at the happiest place on earth on the day of the nacho (or any other day, really), you have to make it over to Lamplight Lounge to try their lobster nachos.
Description: warm lobster with black beans, aged cheddar-Oaxaca cheese sauce, pico de gallo, and chipotle crema.
Vibes: themed drinks and specialty food items right on Pixar Pier at DCA
Price: $21
Shareable: yes, but could also be a meal for one
Pair it with Final with a Fix-a margarita with raspberry liqueur, Cointreau, and a splash of mezcal- this is my absolute favorite! $14.25
El Adobe de Capistrano: San Juan Capistrano
Description: Nachos Supreme are topped with a choice of shredded chicken or shredded beef, refried beans, red sauce, melted cheese, olives, green onion, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Vibes: longtime Mexican staple-as in, Nixon has his own menu item
Price: $14
Shareable: yes
Pair it with a tamarindo margarita, $13
El Camino Real: Fullerton
Description: “Super Nachos” – cheese, beans, beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream with the option to add chicken or ground beef.
Vibes: hole-in-the-wall, must try because Kobe said so
Price: $6.99
Shareable: yes
Pair it with a Presidente margarita, enough said! $28.99
Asada Tacos + Beer: Laguna Beach
Description: short rib nachos with jack cheese, pico de gallo, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, and jalapeño cheese sauce over warm tortilla chips
Vibes: open-concept kitchen whips up Mexican favorites
Price: $15.95
Shareable: could go either way!
Pair it with a Skinny Chick-skinny margarita with Casamigos silver, $12.99
Did I mention your favorite place to grab nachos in Orange County? What would you add? Let me know where you’ll be crunching down on 10/21. Maybe I’ll see you there!
