The perfect dish for sharing, the ultimate Super Bowl snack, the pub favorite you can’t resist — nachos are the quintessential cheesy treat.
We have Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya García to thank for this simple yet glorious dish.
According to the commonly told origin story, in 1943, a group of U.S. military wives arrived at Club Victoria in Piedras Negras, Mexico, where García worked. With no chefs available to prepare a meal, he improvised: he topped tortilla chips with grated cheese, broiled them until melted and finished the dish with sliced jalapeños.
He called his creation “Nachos especiales,” or Nacho’s special. The world has been indebted to his genius ever since.
Sonoma
El Dorado Cantina
Also known as EDK Cantina, this takeout-only spot at the Eldorado Hotel serves nachos with black beans, Chihuahua cheese, pickled carrots, jalapeños, pico de gallo and crema. Add chicken, al pastor, carnitas or short rib birria. 405 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com/edk-cantina
Juanita Juanita
This hidden gem outside downtown Sonoma is a locals’ favorite. Nachos come in meaty or meatless versions, with chips, beans, cheese, guacamole, cotija cheese, jalapeños, salsa and sour cream. 19114 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com, instagram.com/juanitajuanita2
Sonoma Eats
Reopened this year in the former La Hacienda space, Sonoma Eats serves loaded nachos topped with beans, cheese, onion, salsa, crema, guacamole and cilantro. Add chorizo, chicken, carne asada, birria or mushrooms. 561 Fifth St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-1783, instagram.com/meetme_sonomaeats
Petaluma
Lagunitas Brewing Company
A natural pairing for an IPA, the Brewhouse Nachos feature housemade IPA beer cheese, black beans, pickled jalapeños, olives, salsa and sour cream. 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-778-8776, lagunitas.com/en-us/taproom
Rohnert Park
Don Julio’s Rincon Latin Grill & Pupusas
Although pupusas are a specialty, the restaurant’s Locos Nachos are just as delicious. Crispy corn tortilla chips are topped with refried beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and a choice of tender marinated meat. A vegetarian version is also available. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
El Rancho Taqueria
A popular stop for students from nearby Rancho Cotate High School and Sonoma State University, this unassuming strip-mall restaurant serves crispy super nachos piled with melted cheese, beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream and choice of meat. A vegetarian version is also available. 1451 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-795-8537
Santa Rosa
El Roy’s Mexican Grill
Nacho connoisseurs flock to El Roy’s for generously portioned super nachos layered with melted cheese, refried beans, tender meat, fresh pico de gallo, jalapeños, sour cream and guacamole. Available only at the Santa Rosa restaurant and drive-thru. 602 Elsa Drive, Santa Rosa; elroys.com
Gio y Los Magos
This Roseland food truck serves Magic Nachos perfect for sharing — birria tortilla chips piled high with cheese, guacamole, sour cream, carnitas, diced onions, jalapeños and cilantro. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, instagram.com/gioylosmagos
La Rosa Tequileria
A downtown destination for margaritas and Mexican comfort food, La Rosa serves nachos layered with melted cheeses, crema, guacamole, refried beans, salsa and jalapeños atop crisp corn tortilla chips. Add carnitas, pollo asado, carne asada and beef birria. 500 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-3663, larosasantarosa.com
Los Arcos
These super nachos are a meat lover’s dream. Tortilla chips are buried under a mountain of meat (carne asada is recommended), along with beans, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and a dollop of sour cream. You may need utensils for this one. 1791 Marlow Road, Suite 6, Santa Rosa, 707-545-5858, losarcosrestaurantsr.com
Parkside Eats
The sister restaurant to Sonoma Eats opened in April with a menu of American and Mexican comfort food. Its ahi tuna poke nachos are a chef favorite, with quality tuna, pickled onions, cucumber and avocado atop wonton chips, finished with Sriracha aioli. 4323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-800-7466, parkside-eats.com
Taqueria Molcajetes
Known locally and nationally famous for its food and appearance on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Taqueria Molcajetes serves heaping plates of super nachos topped with cheese, beans, jalapeños, guacamole, sour cream and a choice of meat. 1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280
Sebastopol
Salt & Sea
Opened last year by Sushi Kosho chef Jake Rand at The Barlow, this fast-casual restaurant specializes in poke bowls, Japanese sandwiches and acai bowls. Its spicy tuna nachos feature fresh ahi tuna, tobiko, pineapple, crema and avocado atop fried wontons. 6760 McKinley St., Suite 130, Sebastopol, saltandseapoke.com
The Wild Poppy
This Sebastopol cafe and market has two locations, including one at The Barlow. Both serve “Cosmic Nachos,” made with fresh corn tortilla chips, black bean puree, “cosmic” queso, cashew crema, coleslaw, scallion and pepita chimichurri. The dish is vegan, but diners can add a poached egg or grilled chicken. 6780 McKinley St., Suite 160, and 9890 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol; 707-503-6332, thewildpoppycafe.com
Viva Mexicana
Vegans and vegetarians have plenty of options at Viva Mexicana. The vegan nachos are made with Daiya vegan cheese, refried beans, jalapeños, guacamole and pico de gallo. The vegetarian version of the Super Duper Nachos come topped with housemade potato and yam hash browns. 841 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-823-5555, vivamexicana.com
West County and Sonoma Coast
Guerneville Taco Truck
The family-owned local favorite offers consistently satisfying Mexican food and a reliably loaded plate of Nachos Supreme for your noshing pleasure. 16405 Highway 116, Guerneville, guernevilletacotruck.com
Ginochio’s Kitchen
Alicia’s Crackling Nachos combine barbecue and Mexican flavors, with a choice of pulled pork, tri-tip or beef brisket, plus melted cheese, mild chipotle sauce, avocado and sour cream. 1410 Bay Flat Road, Bodega Bay, 707-377-4359, ginochioskitchen.com
Multiple locations
El Gallo Negro
Known for its Oaxacan cuisine, El Gallo Negro serves nachos on a bed of housemade corn tortilla chips with beans, jack cheese, guacamole and sour cream. 8465 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor; 128 Plaza St., Healdsburg; 707-838-9511, elgallonegro.net
Fogbelt Brewing Company
Both locations feature elote nachos on the pub menu. Housemade tortilla chips are topped with chorizo, sweet corn, green onions, cotija cheese, cilantro, lime crema and jalapeño queso sauce. 1305 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-978-3400; 410 Hudson St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8532; fogbeltbrewing.com
Los Molcajetes Bar & Grill
The birria nachos are loaded 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, 707-791-7571; 19101 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-935-3287; losmolcajetesbarandgrill.com
Craving the perfect plate of nachos? Sonoma County offers plenty of delicious options, from traditional Mexican-style nachos loaded with beans, cheese, guacamole and your favorite meats to creative versions featuring barbecue, birria, fresh ahi tuna and even vegan queso. Whether you’re planning a casual night out, meeting friends for a bite or exploring the local food scene, these nacho spots are worth adding to your list.
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