Hard Rock Cafe with Special Guests: TJ and Pandora

TJ was back on island visiting and wanted to do another nacho blog so we scheduled one at Hard Rock Cafe.  I had previously eaten the nachos several times but the Nacho Friends had yet to enjoy them as a group.  I was very excited because they were one of my favorites on the island.  The service was amazing in reserving a table.  They gave us the super long table in the bar area.  Our server Erick was extremely helpful, patient, and quick to get us drinks before happy hour ended.  Half the group got stuck in deadlock traffic and then parking issues so they were about 30 minutes late to arrive.  This made those that were on time super hungry and it felt like we had to wait an eternity for our nachos to arrive.  Our server had put the order in at the same time so everyone would get them at the same time.  We should have communicated that it would have been okay to put them in as they were ordered since some people were starving and it would be easier on the kitchen not having to make 20 orders of nachos all at once.  Once the food came out, the hangry died down and everyone was stuffing their faces.  The open air restaurant was incredibly humid because of the record breaking horribly humid weather we have been having lately.  Not much you can do about that except complain to Mother Nature.  I have been carrying a hand fan on me, just for occasions like this.  The nachos were yummy as I remember, but they just didn't look as good as what I had been boasting to the group as some of the best nachos on the island.  The cheese was not all melted and they looked rushed, probably because the kitchen staff was overwhelmed when inundated with the orders all at once.  They still tasted the same though.  Overall we had a great time and enjoyed the night incredibly.  I would still recommend Hard Rock nachos as some of the best on the island, but only if you add the grilled pineapple.  It is a game changer!  Mahalo friends!  And much mahalo to Hard Rock for a great evening! 

Guest of honor, TJ

Shananigans (3) – PRESENTATION: Not as big as I remember my two previous experiences devouring these nachos… RAD: Grilled pineapple.  It adds something so magical and wonderful.  It should be on all nachos as a staple.  LAME: My plate was not layered well.  Empty chips underneath the first lovely layer. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3.5, could have been a lot better.  Erick was very attentive and kept our drinks full.  He was also very patient with our guests arriving late due to some traffic and parking issues.  Not to mention how picky some of them are.  He took every order without a problem and made everyone super happy.

Hard Rock Nachos: Tortilla chips piled high and layered with 3 bean mix, Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and green onions.  Garnished with sour cream.  Add southwest chicken or fajita beef for a little extra.  $12.95 +$5 chicken +$6 for steak

Charming (3) – PRESENTATION: Wow!  It's a mountain of cheesy amazingness.  Tastes as good as it looks. RAD: The jalapenos were a great add!  Really kicked it up a notch.  LAME: The glacial pace of the service was less than impressive.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Lots of toppings!  Perfecto.  No AC…so maybe not worth it.

Prince Moist (Solid 2, not the worst but far from the best) – PRESENTATION: Looks plain…even for my high maintenance self. RAD: Drinks are good.  Atmosphere is super fun! LAME: Pretty much everything… but nachos are like sex… even when they are bad, they are still good.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 1.5 Whatever the opposite of moist is, these nachos have reached it.  So dry, yeasty even!  Feel like I am in the Sahara Desert hoping for a mirage.

Tango Tango (3.75) – PRESENTATION: Looks average. RAD: We got the giant, extra-long table.  Steak toppings are great!  Tasty! LAME: Slow to provide nachos (1hr).  All orders arrived at once which caused a maximum confusion and delay.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4, tried all three.  Need more cheese.  Delicious otherwise.  Great guac.  Shot for greatness and fell a little short.  Honest effort though.  $5 happy hour drinks were excellent (especially the margaritas)!

Angel and Will (4) – PRESENTATION: Awesome!  Yumminess! RAD: The steak meat on was the best!  LAME: Took a while to get.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4, mostly on point.  Just too delicious to waste.  I love the atmosphere!  Great music and lighting.

Piggy (3.5) – PRESENTATION: Normal nachos, there is a little flag on the nachos, which is interesting. RAD: Hmmm…they use steak style beef.  Yum!  Really good texture of the meat. LAME: Hmmm…I think the chip was not fresh crispy by the time I joined.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Ah, too many toppings and not enough chips.  Ours would be better with green onions and cilantro.  Good atmosphere at Hard Rock Café.

Honey (3) – PRESENTATION: Slightly overheated, chips were burned. RAD: The guac is good. LAME: Beef should be shredded. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Use cheese sauce, not shredded.  Layer the nachos.  Service could be better.

Miss Stupendous (3.761 for choices) – PRESENTATION: Chicken: Looks loaded and you can see plenty of pineapple on the top.  Plain: looks a little lacking in toppings.  Beef: loaded in the middle, outside nachos lacking in flavor.  RAD: The pineapple is the best thing since guacamole. LAME: Not enough cheese to hold the toppings on the chips. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Chicken-4, Plain-2, Beef-3.  Enjoyed the many choices and Erick did a good job.  Great music!

TJ (2.5) – PRESENTATION: Chicken, pineapple, steak, tomato, cheese. RAD: Smoky flavor. LAME: Too many untopped chips at the bottom. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3.  Atmosphere was rad, as always.  Service rocked the high levels…thanks Erick!

Amandi (4.5) – PRESENTATION: Beautiful presentation, first impressions, hugs all around. RAD: Toppings, mahalo! LAME: X. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4, no avocado.  Beautiful, thank you!

Pandora (3) – PRESENTATION: I've seen bigger! RAD: Grilled pineapple. LAME: Cheese wasn't all the way melted.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.  Good atmosphere, good company.

Nacho Libra (4, good size and delicious!) – PRESENTATION: They are large!  Can easily feed 2 people.  Definitely needs the side of guac. RAD: The chicken and the steak have good flavor.  Chips are nice and salty.  The green sauce with the chicken is way yummy are there are lots of toppings layered in.  LAME: Unmelted cheese, some of it is lukewarm. after a 30+ minute wait.  The middle is still hot at least! TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.5, should have come with the guac and meat, but I enjoyed them.  Happy hour!!  Fun music an videos.  The staff was all super friend and quick with service.  Minus one star for having to pay extra for meat and guac but the flavor was great!

Plain nachos with no extra toppings

Fifi (4) – PRESENTATION: Beautiful. RAD: Full of Goodies. LAME: Flags. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5.

Cheese was not very melted...

Nacho Pun (4) – PRESENTATION: Great display, looks light lots of toppings and they got delivered just as ordered.  RAD: Nice and spicy!  Lots of toppings!  LAME: Not all of the cheese was melted and some soft chips at the end.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5, literally ever chip had toppings and almost nothing at the end of the dish.  Bar is a little warm, but it's hard to control the weather.  Service was friendly and accommodated everyone's special orders.

The grilled pineapple seriously makes these nachos unique and AMAZING!

Bailey (4) – PRESENTATION: Fire #fleeky RAD: Looks authentic.  LAME: Looks dry. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3, spread/melt cheese evenly throughout.  Good music and good people.

Mister Mystery Man (3) – PRESENTATION: They looked like nachos with beef. RAD: I liked the flag.   The portion size was great. LAME: My order was not served at the same time as my others in my party.  I was told they were coming but showed up late. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: It was okay.  The taste was okay but nothing really super good.  Happy hour should be expanded and laws should be changed to allow more than one drink a person can have at a time.  It is too bad when there is not enough air conditioning on and you have to personally fan each other with a hand held fan.  Water was needed but not regularly checked.

SO MUCH HANGRY GOING ON!