Loco Cantina in Las Vegas, NV - MAINLAND EDITION

On my last day of vacation I got to have nachos with two of my favorite people: 

Heidi I met in 1996 when we both worked at Taco Bell.  We had the most fun ever at work and especially outside of work.  We used to wear our hair in matching Princess Leia buns and make up songs about building tacos and burritos.  I cannot count the number of parties we went to on Thursday nights at the house on Kimmerling. I was still in high school at the time but I think Heidi had already graduated.  We loved listening to the Violent Femmes and dancing all night long.  My most favorite memory is the day that I got to go to school with Heidi at her neighboring county high school.  I have no idea how we got permission to do so, but somehow we did.  I went to her classes with her for the day as a guest instead of my own.  There is no way this would happen in this day and age.  No matter how long it’s been since we have seen each other, it’s like we were never apart when we are together again.  Heidi is one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met with a contagious laugh like no other.  I look forward to our next 20+ years of friendship.  

James and I both can’t really remember when we met but it was somewhere around 2000 because he was shipping off to the air force and I was either not quite 21 or just barely.  We met at Red’s Old 395 back when it used to be a hip dance club.  You remember those days Carson City?  When there was a DJ and we would party all night long?  LOL.  Anyway, we met through friends and I was sad to meet someone so rad that was leaving like the next day to join the military. This was before the days of myspace, facebook, etc. so we exchanged email address and kept in contact with emails from time to time.  Fast forward to 2007 and I am driving cross-country and just so happened to be going through his then home of Tucson.  I stayed with him for a week along with a military buddy of his.  I have never partied as hard as I did this week with those military boys.  Oh the Stroh! This week in Tucson forged an everlasting bond of good times, karaoke, and fun. He introduced me to the Yacht Rock video series on Youtube which still to this day I enjoy with my friends and they influence our parties. All these years later, James and his parents are dear friends of mine, my Nevada ohana.

So here I am on my last day of vacation and I have plans to meet Heidi for lunch.  Let me just point out that this is also after a night out in Vegas with James that began at a house party watching the McGregor fight where there were 12 beers on tap and we shared a bottle of tequila.  I was seriously hung over and beyond tired.  Vegas is so damn hot when you are hungover and tired.  How do people survive in that heat?  We met Heidi for lunch and enjoyed some nachos that were perfectly cheesy to soak up the booze that was still sloshing in my belly. I tried to enjoy a margarita as some hair of the dog but it was rough…so rough.  My only saving grace was the opportunity for a nap before he dropped me at the airport later that day, and then the nap I would get on the plane.  Basically I wanted to nap the remainder of the day.  It killed me that I felt so horrible during the short time I had to spend with my Heidi.  We hung out until her next appointment came up and it was time to part.  I need more time with my princess Heidi!  See you next time lovely!

Nachos $8 - chips, black beans, Monterrey, cheddar, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos
chicken $2, steak $4

 

Heidi (3.8) – PRESENTATION: Deluxe, ooey-gooey, great steak chunks, tons of queso!! RAD: Thick chips!! Seem homemade. LAME: Need more guac!  Need more choices of toppings and meat. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4, pretty good.  More queso would have been a 5.  Ok, but place just opened and staff was not ready to open.  I love Shannon.

  

 

James (4) – PRESENTATION: Presented over a small cast iron skillet. A bed of white corn tortilla chips covered with a heap of toppings consisting of cubes of seasoned steak, black beans, diced tomato, guacamole, and white queso. RAD: Good chip-topping ratio. Great flavor. LAME: I wish it was served warmer. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4, There are enough chips to grab the toppings with. Great flavor, but chips turned soggy after awhile. Cruncher chips and a warmer serving would bump this up to a 5. While I don't think I would buy these, I'll definitely eat them again if placed in front of my face.Clean, trendy. Waitress is great about ensuring our needs are met.

Jeremiah (5) – PRESENTATION: A gully loaded nacho extravaganza. RAD: The sharp cheese cheese queso is great contrast to the steak and avocado toppings. LAME: I can't eat more of these. TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 5, they aren't stingy with the cheese, steak or guac.

 

Shananigans (4.5) – PRESENTATION: Piled high with lots of cheese, big pieces of steak.  RAD: So much queso, and it's creamy.  LAME: Chips get soggy fast, not enough queso.  TOPPING TO CHIP RATIO: 4.75, Lots of toppings piled high, empty chips on bottom but they are still crunchy. Empty chips on the bottom.