Missed out on National Nacho Day yesterday? No problem! Any day can be Nacho Day when the craving hits! Here’s where to find Sonoma County's top spots for this cheesy favorite.
The perfect dish for sharing, the ultimate Super Bowl snack, the pub fare you can’t get enough of — nachos are the quintessential cheesy treat.
We have Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya García to thank for this simple yet glorious dish. As the story goes, in 1943 in the city of Piedras Negras, Mexico, a group of U.S. military wives arrived at the restaurant Club Victoria where García worked. With no chefs nearby to feed the hungry crew, García improvised a dish. He grated cheese onto a plate of tostados, broiled it for a few minutes until the cheese was perfectly melted and then topped it with sliced jalapeño. Thus was born Nachos especiales (Nacho’s special) and the world has been indebted to his cheesy genius ever since.
While we can honor García any day by stuffing our face with his namesake snack, it seems all the more fitting to do it on National Nacho Day, Nov. 6. So get in the nacho spirit and check out where to get the best plate of nachos in Sonoma County.
Maya Restaurant
The name says it all: Maya Restaurant’s “Really Good Nachos” — topped with savory cheddar and jack cheese, spicy salsa roja, black beans and fresh pico de gallo — are, well, really good. 101 East Napa St., Sonoma, 707-935-3500, mayarestaurant.com
El Dorado Cantina
Also known as EDK Cantina, El Dorado Hotel’s take-out-only cantina offers nachos with black beans, chihuahua cheese, pickled carrots, jalapeños, pico de gallo and crema. Add-ons include chicken, al pastor and short rib birria. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com/edk-cantina
Sonoma Eats
The small nachos is a great appetizer for two to share and the large nachos with generous amounts of gooey cheese and other fixings is excellent for big groups (or have it all to yourself; we won’t judge). 18133 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-343-1141, sonoma-eats.com
Juanita Juanita
This hidden gem outside the town of Sonoma is a locals favorite. Nachos here come in meaty or meatless variations, with chips, beans, cheese, guacamole, Cotija cheese, jalapeños, salsa and sour cream. 19114 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com
Gallina D’Oro
Formerly El Farolito, the local Diaz family restaurateurs continue a long Healdsburg tradition of farm-to-table Mexican cuisine. The nachos still excel, with housemade corn tortillas topped with melted cheese, frijoles fritos, guacamole, salsa and sour cream. 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-433-2807, gallinadoro.com
El Gallo Negro
Known for its authentic Oaxacan cuisine, El Gallo Negro (also run by the Diaz brothers) serves up masterfully decorated nachos on a bed of toasted housemade corn tortilla chips with all the usual fixings. 8465 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-838-9511, elgallonegro.net
Los Arcos
A nacho favorite among Yelp reviewers, Los Arcos’ Super Nachos with tender al pastor or carne asada — along with beans, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and a dollop of sour cream — come highly recommended. 1791 Marlow Road, Suite 6, Santa Rosa, 707-545-5858, losarcosrestaurantsr.com
Taqueria Molcajetes
The locally and nationally famous (thanks to the excellent food, and Guy Fieri) Taqueria Molcajetes offers a heaping plate of spicy, meaty Super Nachos fit for a king — or a hungry crowd of college kids. 1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280
Los Molcajetes Bar & Grill
Now with a new third location in Sonoma, Los Molcajetes offers a loaded Birria Nachos dish topped with jack cheese, guacamole, salsa verde, grilled corn, black beans, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, sour cream and cilantro. 1950 Piner Road, Suite 130, Santa Rosa, 707-843-4716; 6599 Montecito Blvd., Suite 110, Santa Rosa; 19101 Sonoma Hwy., Sonoma, 707-935-3287, losmolcajetesbarandgrill.com
Tacos Tijuana
In 2021, rival chefs Miguel Canseco and José Rodriguez joined forces to launch Tacos Tijuana, a hybrid food truck and tiny kitchen in Santa Rosa. That’s very good news for fans of Mexican food, including nachos. The ChoriVegan Nachos come with corn chips, black beans, soy chorizo, vegan mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, avocado, vegan sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, cilantro and green salsa swirled with avocado. 3320 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-295-7775, instagram.com/tacostijuana707
El Rancho Taqueria
There’s something for everyone at El Rancho Taqueria, and the Super Nachos are no exception. Whether you’re going for a killer meaty plate or the fresh vegetarian version, these flavor-packed nachos won’t disappoint. 1451 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-795-8537
Don Julio’s Rincon Latin Grill and Pupusas
While Don Julio’s specializes in pupusas, its Locos Nachos are just as mouthwatering. Crispy corn tortilla chips are topped with the works, including refried beans, jack cheese, guacamole and your choice of tender marinated meat. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
El Roy’s Mexican Grill
Nacho connoisseurs flock to El Roy’s, where the generously sized Super Nachos are lavishly adorned with melted cheese, tender meat, fresh pico de gallo and guacamole, a light drizzle of sour cream and a healthy sprinkling of spicy jalapeño peppers. 210 Edith St., Petaluma, 707-774-3738, elroys.com
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Enter the best shareable dish to pair with an IPA: Lagunitas’ Brewhouse Nachos with IPA beer cheese, black bean puree, pickled jalapeño, tomato, sour cream and green onion. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-778-8776, lagunitas.com/taproom/petaluma
The Wild Poppy
This Sebastopol cafe and market’s modest brunch menu includes “Cosmic Nachos,” made with corn tortilla chips, black bean puree, “cosmic” queso, cashew crema, coleslaw and scallion pepita chimichurri. 9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol, 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com
Viva Mexicana
Vegans and vegetarians can rest easy knowing Viva Mexicana serves up delicious Mexican food with plenty of options for them. The Vegan Nachos made with Daiya vegan cheese are as scrumptious as any dairy or meat-filled version of the dish. The vegetarian version of the Super Duper Nachos is topped with your choice of a garlic, eggplant and bell pepper sauté; or housemade potato and yam hash browns. 841 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol, 707-823-5555, vivamexicana.com
Guerneville Taco Truck
The family-owned local favorite Guerneville Taco Truck offers consistently satisfying Mexican cuisine, and a reliably loaded, saucy plate of Nachos Supreme for your noshing pleasure. 16405 Highway 116, Guerneville, guernevilletacotruck.com
Ginochio’s Kitchen
If you’re craving smoked meat topped with melted cheese and mild chipotle sauce, it’s time to get Alicia’s Crackling Nachos at Ginochio’s Kitchen, with your choice of juicy pulled pork, tri-tip or beef brisket. 1410 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4359, ginochioskitchen.com
