Torito's - 3 year Anniversary of the Nacho Blog Party

For the 3 year Anniversary of the Nacho Blog we decided to go to Torito's in Market City.  We were also celebrating the birthdays of two lovely nacho friends, Traci and Amy.  Turnout was super small since that same night there was a show at the Republik and the Lakers were playing at Stan Sheriff. A few of us arrived early and got a huge table, they were kind enough to move a bunch together for us.  Torito's is BYOB and is conveniently located next door to a Foodland. They have 6 varieties of nachos available including cheese, beans, pork, beef (shredded and ground), and chicken. It was freezing as we were sitting in there sipping on iced margaritas and waiting for everyone to show up.  Traffic was a bitch because of the Lakers.  After Tom brought us in towels to wear as shawls to try and stay warm, they turned off the AC that was blowing down on us.  The night manager, Rico, came to our table to find out what we were all doing there.  When we told him we write a nacho blog, he told us about his "fancy nachos" he makes, unlike the lazy way the nachos on the menu are made.  They sounded so fantastic, we ordered one for the table to share.  They were epic to say the least.  Each chip had the perfect portion of beans, cheese, and a jalapeno on top.  We were in nacho heaven.  We all ordered regular nachos off the menu too.  I think the chili ones were my favorite, although the pork were pretty tasty too.  The toppings were abundant on every plate and everyone was very happy.  They brought us out some hot sauce that was off the charts hot.  Almost everyone at the table over did it on their first bite and then suffered the wrath of their mouths being on fire for quite some time after.  I loved it and couldn't get enough of it.  Spicy food endorphins are my favorite, the hotter the better I say.  I prefer that to a cup of coffee any day.  The staff at Torito's took amazing care of us throughout the evening, splitting our checks without hassle and filling our waters when they were empty (especially during the crucial time of the fire salsa). 

Wowzers!  Look at all that cheese!

We have zero fun at nacho nights...zero.

Giving love to the birthday girl.  Nachos!

Not to leave the birthday girl's man out, he got some love too.

Piggy (3.5 cheese; 4.5 "not lazy") – PRESENTATION: Warm plate, nice real cheese melty. SOMETHING RAD: Warm plate!  Homemade hot sauce very firey.  Chips are cripsy all the way.  Melty real cheese! SOMETHING LAME: Need more sourness from pico de gallo.  I think I am always a big fan on full flavors.  Maybe skipping the meat makes it less flavorful. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Very good ratio, on point!  I ordered cheese only.  Wish there is more seasoning, more olives and green onions.  Very cold in here…so cold.  They later nicely turned the A/C off for us, which is nice.

Nacho Libra (5!! So ono!!) – PRESENTATION: Giant, heaping plate! Can't see an empty chip at all! SOMETHING RAD: COVERED in real, super-melty cheese!  The special individually topped nachos were fantastic!! I would order those all the time - SO MUCH CHEESE!! SOMETHING LAME: I got full too quickly. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5, completely covered in toppings!  Love that it has meat, beans, and lots of veggies as well as sour cream and guac.  Not lacking anything.  Started out FREEZING! But, they turned down the A/C for us.  Service was excellent!  BYOB with Foodland next door was very convenient.

These were the "not lazy" nachos that Rico made for us.  Holy fucking delicious.

Jan (MOM) (4.5) – PRESENTATION: Generous and pretty. SOMETHING RAD: Nice crispiness.  One order for two is plenty. SOMETHING LAME: (not really) Needs jalapenos so we got them pickled and finely chopped fresh.  Sooooo good and hot. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5, pork and cheese lasted to the end.  Always room for improvement.  The jalapenos should really come on them without asking.  Helpful staff, turned off A/C, brought jalapenos, the "not lazy" nachos made by night manager/owner's son were great. 

Shananigans (4.8) – PRESENTATION: Huge!  Lots of real cheese.  How the fuck am I going to eat this…I should have partnered up with someone.  You can feed a small village with this huge pile of cheesy awesomeness.  Oooh I see black olives.  SOMETHING RAD: They made a big table for us (even though half the RSVP did not show up).  The cheese is over abundantly gooey.  The guac is fresh and flavorful.  I love the black olives and the chili.   SOMETHING LAME: Lacked spice until they brought out the homemade fire sauce that fixed instantly.  It was way too cold when we first got there.  So cold we wore towels as shawls.  Thankfully they turned it off for us.  The chili makes the chips soggy, but you can't really prevent that.   TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.8, so many toppings and so delicioso.  Definitely on my Top 10 for Oahu Nachos.  The service was amazing with multiple staff members making sure we were always okay.  Rico told us about his "not lazy" nachos and we could not resist ordering some.  They were amazing with each individual chip awesomely layered and a party in my mouth. 

NACHOS:  They offer Cheese for $9.50, Super (Beans) for $11 and Chicken, Shredded Beef, Ground Beef, Pork, or Chili for $13 - A heaping of crispy tortilla chips topped with refried beans, your choice of meat, cheese, tomatoes, chives, olives, sour cream and guacamole.

Amy (5!) – PRESENTATION: A!MAZE!ING! SOMETHING RAD: The chili is ridiculous! SOMETHING LAME: Nothing, okay maybe that they don't have club soda! TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5!, tons of cheese, chili, sour cream, guac, everything!  Super nice server.  Love the atmosphere.  Feels like Mexico.

Tango Tango (4.9) – PRESENTATION: Generous portions, toppings, and pornstar-beautiful melted real cheese. SOMETHING RAD: Free chips and salsa!  Manager showed and shared his special presentation nachos with jalapenos.  So good! The type of nacho you want to eat until you cannot eat anymore.  Homemade hell-fire sauces.   SOMETHING LAME: Meat locker A/C…FREEZING.  But they turned that off and fixed it for us.  Literally so cold I went out to car to get towels for warmth.  I ate these draped in a beach towel.  My nose is running from this glorious spiciness. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.95, almost perfect but a little too much grease on under layer.  Tasty slow-cooked pork so big and delicious.  In my time in the Church of Nacho, this is the closest I have felt to what God intended as nachos.  Can feed 3 people per order, crispy to the very last.  Be sure to BYOB (Foodland next door).  Order nachos "not the lazy way" and live forever!

 

Nacho Pun (5) – PRESENTATION: Lots and lots of nachos.  looks like so much. I am sure we can finish it! SOMETHING RAD: So much toppings.  I am full and can't believe how much nachos there are.  SOMETHING LAME: I couldn't finish the plate. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5, so much toppings!  I love it!  Staff was great.  They even made us a special "not lazy" nacho plate. 

Rashelle (5) – PRESENTATION: Delicious, very cheesey, yum. SOMETHING RAD: CHEESE. SOMETHING LAME: Nothing. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Lots of toppings…black olives, guac, beans, chili,…yes!  Fun and good service.

Get them in my belly!

Like mother, like son

Carefully making the perfect nacho...