Spring break is the best single week that a middle school teacher lives. The stretch between the end of Christmas break through the arrival of Spring Break is brutal. Students completely lose interest in learning about geometric figures, and all the while temperatures increase, the softball season accelerates into an incomprehensible emotional intensity, and the pressure of standardized testing approaching looms in the back of every math and language arts teacher’s mind. It’s basically a recipe for a mental breakdown - unless there’s a recipe worth looking forward to. This year - my recipe was coming in the form of a huge pizza platter covered in nacho love.
The nachos at Graffiti Junktion in downtown Orlando have been previously touted as the “Best Nachos I’ve Ever Eaten.” Having made it to spring break at the beginning of April, you can imagine the anticipation that had been building for these bad boys. I would literally wake up thinking about the multicolored chips for a week before our flight.
When we arrived in Orlando the first week of April, we spent no time with hesitation, and we traveled directly to Graffiti Junktion. Judy and I were with our friend Allison, and we met friends Rachel and Jason there (who were also visiting Orlando for the week). We ended up ordering two massive platters of nachos (which have increased in price from $10 to $13).
It is surely no surprise how excited I was for these.
When I ordered, I consciously asked for a side of EXTRA sour cream, because in the past - this has been the special finishing touch to the dish. However, instead of bringing us a bowl for additional dipping - they just piled on extra sour cream on top of the nachos. This was negative for two reasons - 1) it still wasn’t enough, and 2) it contributed to eventual sogginess. Sick. I don’t DO soggy nachos. I suppose I should also add 3) that the additional aggro crag of sour cream COMPLETELY hid the pico de gallo and lettuce (which are necessary nacho treasures).
Can you sense the frustration here?
Regardless of the situation we were dealt - I walked away full - so there was a slight sense of satisfaction. I hid the fact that I was dissatisfied with my WIDELY PROCLAIMED favorite nachos of LIFE until later - when Judy admitted the same thing. *relief*
If there IS something they will probably always have going for them though - it’s the presentation of the nachos. They’re absolutely beautiful.
pamo asked: Have you tried The Raleigh Times BBQ pork nachos? They're delish.
I have not had those yet - but I will add them to my list!
A week ago on Friday - again because of the Lenten season - we had to have a meatless dinner. Because I have a one-track mind, I suggested shrimp nachos. They are SO good - I cannot explain. Honestly - the more and more I think about eventually opening a nacho only restaurant - the more I’m sure it will be a success. The nachos we make on our own are the best.
Shrimp nachos right after they were pulled out of the oven.
Dressed up shrimp nachos…
And lastly, a close up:
By the way… there are 3 days until I get to eat the best nachos I’ve ever eaten.
Friday night we took our middle school softball team to see a game at the high school. They wore their jerseys and spent TONS of money at the concession stand. Because it was yet another Friday of Lent, I could not have a hot dog, but Judy came back from the concession stand with these beauties. Lame or not, I’m always excited about ballpark nachos. They’re always the same, too - round tortilla chips in a plastic tray with a nice little compartment for the nacho cheese.
These weren’t the best ballpark nachos. The cheese had no spice - it was basically just melted cheddar - but the spirit of the nachos at the ballpark was what mattered the most. The spirit of the softball team while they all came back with nachos in hand was also uplifting. Spring is an incredible time of year!
Last weekend was a very Mexican weekend. We had coupons for Q’doba on Friday night, and then after a long St. Patrick’s Day Saturday Morning in the sun in downtown Raleigh, I needed some Taco Bell.
For any of you who do not know, Taco Bell has been a staple in my life since I can remember. When my mom would get paid every other Friday when I was growing up, we’d get Taco Bell for dinner. The nacho cheese is some of the best tasting nacho cheese that exists. I realize that individuals have negative opinions about Taco Bell, and to each his own - but in my world, it’s in its own category: awesome.
It should also be known that Mild Sauce Packets are a staple in my home. I have had a steady flow of the sassy packets since my college years. Tragically, these packets ran out last week. Therefore, I decided to make it my prerogative to not only get Taco Bell last Saturday but to also replenish my sauce packet stash.
I love the tacos at taco bell, so I had to get a couple. I also got a cheesy gordita crunch. I didn’t forget about my dearest nacho friends, though. Thanks to the value menu - I got one order of cheesy nachos. In a picture - they seem may bland - but because of the irreplaceable taste of the Taco Bell nacho cheese, they are wonderful!
Never underestimate Taco Bell.
Oh sauce packets, it’s great to have you back!
The Ultimate Nachos from Buffalo Wild Wings are almost always a necessity when we eat there. How is it possible to go wrong with nachos and wings? It’s not. We went with some friends (Mitch, Alyson, and Dani) to their church last night, and afterwards went to B-Dubs for our favorite grub. The trick to ordering the Ultimate Nachos is making sure to ask for sour cream - and extra sour cream on top of that. By asking for it once, you might get two little cups - but by emphasizing the importance of sour cream while ordering - you’ll end up with at least four little cups of it - which will be sufficient and satisfying.
These nachos are Judy’s favorite in the Raleigh area (so far) - and while they don’t ALWAYS hit the spot for me - last night they were ON TIME. Every bite was perfect. I’m not sure what it was, maybe it was that the queso was great. The jalapeño to lettuce to tomato ratio was phenomenal. It might have been because I was REALLY hungry - but even the freshness of the chips was satisfying.
The ultimate nachos were accompanied by Jammin’ Jalapeño and Asian Zing boneless wings last night - and with some blue cheese - THEY were great as well. I perfected my meal with a Coke Zero with lime. Overall - lovely evening.
So what’s next? Well - while we enjoyed our dinner last night, we got into a discussion about the importance of nachos in life - and we decided we need to have a nacho party where we will bring our favorite nacho toppings - and I will make some famous guac. What could be better than a Nacho Party? Not-CHYO Party!
Until then…
On Friday the 7th grade team went on a field trip to Carolina Beach to visit Fort Fisher and the North Carolina Aquarium. As part of my sack lunch - and mostly because I didn’t feel like bringing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a motor coach - I splurged on a $2.39 Nachos Lunchable.
Let me tell you what I know for sure. I know that this particular kind of Lunchable debuted when I was in 6th grade - so circa 1996/97. At the height of the popularity for Lunchables, the nachos had to share some of the limelight with a Tacos Lunchable. I must interject here that the taco Lunchable no longer exists… so clearly the nachos have some serious longevity.
What else do I know for sure? These nachos are just as outstanding as I remember. They taste the SAME (although I believe they are healthier now that they have whole grain “bite size” chips). My mouth felt like it was 12 years old again. LOVE IT!
Sure, it’s just a pile of nickel-sized chips that can be dipped into a semi-spicy, processed Kraft nacho cheese. And the salsa? I guess you can call it that. But no matter the consistency, the size, or the temperature of the meal - this lunch has one thing that makes it the best - and that is that it is loaded with memories.
One memory in particular (as I was not often the student in Washington Elementary’s lunch room who was fortunate enough to have a Lunchable - I was more of the sandwich/granola bar/orange-you-need-to-peel-yourself kid), was when friends Jamie and Derek got into some kind of food fight at lunch, and they ended up with the Lunchable Nacho Salsa all over them. As a teacher now, I’m not sure how neither of them ended up in trouble - but as a 6th grader, it was hilarious, entertaining, and clearly memorable.
So do I recommend the Lunchables brand of Nachos? Sure I do. If you’re looking for something to fill you up, spice up your life and satisfy all of your nacho-craving taste buds - they are not for you. However if you’re the kind of person who can reminisce over bite sized goodness and elementary school lunch room love - these will surely take you back.
Last night, we went with friends to Chow in Raleigh right off of 540 on Creedmoor.
The menu was promising - very sarcastic with everything to offer as nacho toppings. Their detail was explicit - going as far to tell us that “nacho stuff” would be on the nachos. LOVED IT.
We clarified quickly that the chips would be topped with Chicken and White Chili, queso, scallions, tomatoes and jalapeños. Clearly not enough - so we chose to add lettuce.
When these bad boys hit the table I was excited. Why? Because the chips weren’t straight out of a Tostitos bag. I’m almost sure they made them themselves. Impressive, Chow… Impressive indeed.
I’m glad I was hungry, because I devoured my half of these nachos. Judy wasn’t quite a fan - she was actually pretty picky about it - BUT, she was a champ and ate her portion anyway.
Chow is a really great place, though. I would definitely go back - probably for a burger. They looked super impressive. The onion rings were pretty bangin’ too!
We went to the Village Draft House in JUNE for a friend’s birthday.
We chose to order the nachos, and our waitress was kind enough to split the order.
Basically, they weren’t very good at all. I’m not sure what it was, but the flavor was very bland.
The chili was pretty gross, and I did not enjoy the lack of lettuce. I need a legitimate fresh crunch on top of my nachos. Anyway… if/when we return, we won’t be ordering the nachos, but I’m sure they have better food options to offer!
