During my train trip across the country, McLean's mom was gracious enough to pick me and my friend Tom up to take us to see a waterfall and the beautiful Columbia Gorge. We had such a beautiful and magical day adventuring in the PNW. When I found out she was coming to the Big Island for a month, I asked if I could come over for a weekend to spend some more time with her and McLean. Even though they are very healthy eaters, I was able to get them to join me for a nacho blog on my last day in town. I searched for nachos in Hilo and found a burger place that not only boasted nachos on their menu but also a nacho burger. This would be a first! We got a cool booth by the front window and I ordered the bartender's special made with fresh lilikoi. It was refreshingly tart and delicious. The nachos came out quickly, followed by the burger. They were smothered in so much liquid cheese that you could easily see was barely a step up from gas station nacho cheese. Less fake cheese, more fresh toppings and they could be so much better. Regardless of the quality, we pushed through tasting and taking notes in the pursuit of all that is the Nacho Blog. Super grateful for this special time with these special people. Sometimes the nachos suck, but the people never do.
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| BBQ Pork Nachos $12 - Blue corn tortilla chips covered in cheddar cheese sauce, black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, black olives, topped with sour cream, served with pineapple salsa |
Nacho Grammie (3.5) - PRESENTATION: Love to see the greens, jalapenos, blue chips, the pork looks promising. RAD: Surprise sweetness in the pork. LAME: Too much soupy cheese. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 3. Comfortable pub atmosphere, pleasant service, not enough beans.
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| I hate to even say this, but these nachos had too much cheese. It was like they were floating on a giant fake nacho cheese lake. You could eat them with a spoon. |
The Magical McLean (3.5) - PRESENTATION: Well presented, ingredient distribution appears to be stellar! Queso looking more like plastic with each passing minute. Better dig in! Cheese cavern stayed hot. RAD: I liked the sweet of the BBQ pork with jalapeno. Pulled pork + fake cheese = creamy salty fantastic. LAME: Fake cheese. I hate to love it. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: Pretty Darn good... Friendly Haleiwa!!
Shananigans (3) - PRESENTATION: Curious about the nacho burger...sounds messy. Blue corn chips...yum! Cheese looks like it came from 7/11. Lettuce!!! This must be a Hilo thing. Every place I have had nachos so far in Hilo has put lettuce on them. Interesting. RAD: Black beans, jalapenos, BBQ has a sweet flavor to it, fresh onions. RADDEST: Nacho blog time with McLean and his mom. LAME: Lettuce is sacrilege. Liquid queso. Too much cheese...a first for me! More fresh toppings and less fake queso could make these way better. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.7, ingredients are distributed well and spread evenly on the chips. These could be so much better with some fresh cheese and more fresh ingredients. Super friendly waitress from Haleiwa. I tried the bartender's specialty cocktail and it was super super yummy! Definitely the best thing on the menu.
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| Bernie Sanders is Magical |
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| "What do you call a burger that does not belong to you?" NACHO BURGER!!! $13.50 - Smothered in nacho cheese sauce, jalapenos, black beans, tortilla chips and sour cream w/side salsa |
Shananigans (3) - PRESENTATION: Is it upside down? Looks messy AF. RAD: Loved the crunch of the chips on the burger and the spice of the jalapenos. Local beef! LAME: Basically messy nachos in a bun. Chips get soggy really fast. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4, everything is smothered together. Nothing really stood out with this burger. I think I prefer my nachos on a chip, but love the creativity.
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| Get your fry outta my face McLean! |
The Magical McLean: Burgah! Well cooked, good crunch with those chips. Love the Big Island beef. Hot fries! Burger got mush. Fake cheese....diabolically delicious. My tummy is starting to hurt.
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