Jeremy Malanka feeds his need for cheese
THERE are two food combinations I will eat until the day I die: nachos and cheese and peanut butter and jelly. These foods are so simple, I can’t get enough. Especially nachos. Spicy, gooey, cheesy, and crunchy gets me every time. Fortunately, West Chester has a slew of places where I can get my fix.
My quest for the best nachos in West Chester started right in the middle of town at Iron Hill, where the nachos come in varying quantities, but always with the same components: fresh tomato, black beans, jalapeños, green onions, melted Monterey and Cheddar, all topped with sour cream. I got the small plate and a Hopzilla to wash it down.
The plan was to hit everywhere in one night, but Rams Head’s nachos didn’t leave room for that. These, the densest, cheesiest nachos in town, are loaded with fresh jalapeños, chicken or pork, plus scoops of fresh guacamole and sour cream. I couldn’t finish them by myself, so I invited a friend to dive in as I ordered a Yards Pale Ale, the perfect complement to nacho nirvana. Fighting a buzz and incipient food coma, I made it back to my bed. After all, I had a date with High Street Caffé the next day.
Coffee in hand, I headed to High Street and ordered an extra-spicy Bloody Mary. Nachos and bloodys are hangover cures. It’s a fact – look it up. The nachos at the caffé include sautéed filet and Andouille sausage with peppers and onions, seasoned with High Street’s special blend of spices, topped with sour cream and blended with chips, Cheddar and salsa. High Street’s are the most decadent nachos ever.
I left the caffé and wandered, contemplating my next move. I knew that Landmark’s nachos are big and tasty, and Kildare’s makes their own chips (from potatoes – it is an Irish bar), but my journey was cut short after a reminder from a friend that too much cheese isn’t great on the digestive tract. I halted my nacho binge for the day.
The next morning I began the final leg of the nacho tour: breakfast. I headed to the place where the waitresses know the only beverages I need with breakfast are coffee and water: Market Street Grill. From Eggs Benedict to breakfast burritos that only Spicoli could dream up, this diner has it all. Market Street Grill prepares authentic Mexican nachos called Camacho’s Nachos. Nested in grilled corn tortillas was an abundance of spicy, seasoned chicken, sausage, tomato, black beans and corn, topped with eggs and Cheddar, and drizzled with cilantro sour cream.
After eating only eating nachos for three days, I couldn’t be happier. Still, maybe I’ll hold off on the cheese for a while… at least until dinner.
