After a weekend of chasing waterfalls, hanging out with lava, and BBQing with the Big Island Berners, I spent my last day on the island meeting friends at Lucy's Taqueria for a special Big Island Edition of the nacho blog. I had already been recommended Lucy's by my brother Tom so when McLean suggested the same it was decided. The place was packed when we walked in about 1:30pm with not a table available in the large room. There were, however, 4 seats available at the small bar top. Yes please! Our bartender, Misty, greeted us instantly with spunk and love. There were so many choices of margaritas, I wanted them all. We started out with the traditional lime but eventually also tried the prickly pear, blood orange, lilikoi with lihing, and coconut. Served in a pint glass, they were deliciously made with fresh ingredients and love.
While we waited for Kellan and Grimm to join us, the owner (Sassy) came behind the bar and we started talking about the nacho blog. She is the sweetest thing in all the land. We found out that she also has a sister restaurant in Seattle called Gorditos run by her son whose name just happens to be Shannon. He must be a super rad dude. When I told her I would be visiting Seattle in October for a cross-country train trip, she told me I would have to try the prawn fajita nachos. Ummm, what exactly is that? Did you say PRAWN FAJITA NACHOS? Then when she found out that we were there at Lucy's to actually do a nacho blog right then and there, she decided that the prawn fajita nachos were not going to wait until October. She graciously ordered us those along with some homemade (yes, her husband makes it in house) chorizo nachos. I explained the guidelines of the score cards to the nacho blog virgins and we dove in.
The flavors were all over the place, the chips were fresh, the cheese was ooey gooey and stringy, and the toppings were overflowing. We ate, we rated, we drank, we laughed. Intrigued by something they call a Sassy Shot, I decided we had to try it. In all my years in all the bars both behind the bar and as a customer, I have never heard of eating M&Ms with a shot of tequila, and I have seen some pretty crazy shit. It was weird but not so weird that it was not good. Maybe that was the 3 margaritas speaking. Basically you got a shot of Sauza Hornitos and a little shotglass of M&Ms. You put some M&Ms in your mouth and chewed them up. You added tequila and continued to chew before swallowing. The first time I just swallowed everything and missed the desired effect. I tried it a few times and it actually grew on me. You never know until you try!
I love Lucy's Taqueria. The food is delicious and the people that work there are bursting with aloha. I could have spent all day there but they probably would not have let me on my plane with that many margaritas in me. Super stoked that McLean, Kellan, and Grimm, 3 of my Big Island besties, were there to partake in the fun with me. Mahalo for putting up with me and filling out the scorecards.
Nom nom nom nom nom nom
Nacho friends with Lucy and Sassy
Prawn fajita nachos (No idea cost since Sassy got them for us. Menu states nachos at $5.80-$8.95 depending on toppings)
Chorizo nachos
Nom nom nom nom nom
Kellan and Grimm (4.5) - PRESENTATION: 1) Fresh lettuce. 2) Nice melty cheese. RAD: The black beans. LAME: Prawns (only because I do not eat seafood, the chorizo was yummy). TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5, lettuce tomato, sour cream guacamole, chorizo, black beans. LOVE THIS PLACE!
The Magical McLean (4.5) - PRESENTATION: Looks cheesy! In a good way! Lettuce and tomato, looks awesome. Brown edges...love 'em! Black beans!! RAD: Plenty o' the good stuff! Excellent ingredient distribution. LAME: Some soggy chips in here, basket on the side makes it better. Chorizo spread is top notch! TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.2. Love 'em always! Misty n Sassy Ma Haaaa Lo!
Shananigans (4.5) - PRESENTATION: Chips are super fresh and obviously homemade. I see my favorite (salsa verde) on top. Plenty of toppings and real cheese. They look like they are going to be messy with a plethora of wet toppings. RAD: The chorizo is homemade by Sassy's husband and super delicious. The prawns have great flavor and not something I have ever had on nachos before. The guac is super yummy and fresh. LAME: The chips are a little oily and get soggy right away because of all the moist (I put this word in just for you Andy) toppings. Although, with the salsa verde, when the chips do become soggy, they remind me of onolicious chilequiles. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.5, almost too many toppings so you need a side basket of untainted chips to scoop up the nacho awesomeness with. Our bartender Misty was amazing. She was slammed making drinks for the entire taqueria and still took the time to take videos for us and engage. We look forward to hosting Misty at the Chateau when she comes over for some island hopping adventures. Mucho mahalos to Sassy for treating us to the nachos, your kindness is very appreciated. If I lived closer, I would be in here all the time!
What are you doing Grimm???
Pure happiness on Kellan's face
The lovely ladies putting together the perfect chip
So cheesy!!!!!
I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to take a flattering picture while eating nachos so I just embrace my chins and enjoy the cheesy goodness
Nacho BFFs
Bonus order of Mexican style corn with mayo and queso fresca...we just pretended it was not mayo as we are not friends.
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