Let’s face it: This summer has blown about as much as Pamela Anderson. After Mother Nature’s five-month long temper tantrum, we were in dire need of some vitamin D-rich days to eradicate our seasonal affective disorder (yes… we were SAD). But few came, and it seems as though fall may have already arrived.
But, not all is lost. At least not when it comes to our favourite summertime eats, like a good ol’ plate of nachos. We can always rely on a calorie-laden tray of tortilla chips topped with the “kitchen sink” and a pint of whatever cheap beer is on special to pull us out of our seasonal funk. But instead of just having your typical mash-up of crispy chips, diced peppers, tomatoes, and black beans, etc., why not opt for one of Toronto’s more inventive takes on the Tex-Mex classic? These unique twists are some of the best nachos in Toronto, so shout a bellowing “F*ck you!” at Ms. Nature and indulge in these dishes whether the weather agrees or not!
Habits Gastropub’s Spicy Shareable
Our fave gastopub in the west end, Habits’ nachos are comfort food 2.0. La Tortilleria chips (a.k.a. crunchiest mo-fos ever), succulent strips of house-braised beef, heat-inducing jalapenos, chopped roma tomatoes, house-smoked cheddar cheese, cooling shredded iceberg lettuce, and a healthy drizzling of basil-lime creme fraiche make these nachos more of an haute dinner than a down n’ dirty post-shitfaced slummin’ supper.
The Chase Fish & Oysters’ Oceanic Oeuvre
The Big Eye Tuna “Nachos” at The Chase Fish & Oyster are what one might call “insane in the membrane.” Uber-fresh tuna is diced tartare-style and set atop crispy taro root chips with a hot mustard saffron emulsion and shoyu dressing. Divine!
The Drake Hotel’s High-Class Crunch
Quite possibly the most expensive nacho dish in Toronto, the $24 price of The Drake’s dish is totally worth it. Nova Scotia lobster is coated in a mornay sauce and served with classic accoutrements like guacamole, cilantro, and pickled jalapenos. It’s also one of the easiest for sharing… with yourself.
The Dog & Bear’s Ode to Americana
We love us some Philly cheesesteak, even if we deny ourselves the indulgence more often than not. That’s why we love to pop into Dog & Bear to order up a perfect plate of cheesesteak nachos. The dish has everything needed to totally satisfy our cravings: steak, American cheese, mushrooms, tons of caramelized onions, tangy pickled hot peppers, and, instead of sour cream, some mayo to complete the gluttonous experience.
