What’s not to love about nachos? They’re one of the most customizable snacks ever.
They’re shareable, filling, and full of incredible flavors that all seem to balance perfectly. I could go on and on about the brilliance of combining all of these foods into one dish, but I doubt anyone’s interested in hearing my 45-minute-long diatribe about my love for nachos.
Instead, I think you’re here for a few suggestions, from one nacho lover to another, about where you can find the best versions of this iconic appetizer around the city. From authentic Mexican restaurants to local taverns, here are the best places to get nachos in Columbus.
Atlas Tavern
Topped with melted cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, housemade avocado chimichurri, and your choice of beefy chili or salsa, the nachos at Atlas Tavern are criminally underrated. In an effort to get them the love they deserve, I’ll also add in that the menu lists them at $13.99, and for $6 more you can pile on buffalo chicken, buffalo cauliflower, or pulled pork.
Website: Atlas Tavern
Location: 8944 Lyra Dr, Columbus
El Vaquero
El Vaquero’s menu carries seven kinds of nachos, and the chain has locations all over the city. Bean nachos are $10.49, and the beef, chicken, carnitas, or chorizo versions are $12.99. The Nachos Supreme at $15.89 puts chicken, beef, beans, lettuce, sour cream, and tomato on cheese nachos, and the fajita nachos start at $15.79 with grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
Website: El Vaquero
Location: Various Locations
Ethyl and Tank
The Ethyl Nachos at Ethyl and Tank, on 13th Avenue by Ohio State since 2014, are a mountain of corn tortilla chips for $10, or $15 supersized. The chips come topped with refried beans, a corn and black bean blend, pico, jalapeños, beer cheese, cheddar-jack, and guacamole. Meat is extra, from $4 for pulled chicken or carnitas up to $8 for birria, with steak at $6 in between. Buffalo Chicken Nachos and Fajita Nachos are $12 each, and Thursdays bring $2 Tank Nachos.
Website: Ethyl and Tank
Location: 19 E 13th Ave, Columbus
Local Cantina
One nacho is all Local Cantina carries, and the menu calls it exactly that. The One Nacho is $14, with ground beef, queso, seasoned chips, pico, crema, pickled jalapeños, queso fresco, and scallions. Locations run from Grove City to Dublin.
Website: Local Cantina
Address: Various locations
Olde Towne Tavern
If you’re just looking for some one-on-one time with your nachos, Olde Towne Tavern sells a half order, starting at $9.50 for the veggie version. The Oak Street bar in Olde Towne East builds every order on house-made queso, cheddar jack, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo, then lets you pick the topping, from vegetarian chili to pulled chicken, pulled pork, beef, or salmon. Half orders run $13 for chicken or pork, $15.50 for beef, and $19 for salmon. Full orders are $12 for veggie, $15.50 for chicken or pork, $17.50 for beef, and $21 for salmon.
Website: Olde Towne Tavern
Location: 889 Oak St, Columbus
Chile Verde
Hatch chile queso blanco goes on the Loaded Nachos at Chile Verde, the New Mexican spot up by Polaris, along with shredded cheese, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and black olives, with sour cream and guacamole on the side. They’re $15, and beans or a meat cost extra.
Website: Chile Verde
Address: 1522 Gemini Pl, Columbus
Casa Hacienda Grill
Casa Hacienda is sort of like nacho heaven. The Nachos Hacienda cover a plate of chips with melted cheese, beans, guacamole, sour cream, and jalapeños, and the portions are definitely meant to share. The restaurant is on North Hamilton Road now, not Dublin-Granville Road.
Website: Casa Hacienda Grill
Location: 1356 N Hamilton Rd, Columbus
The Walrus
Half or full is the first question with the nachos at The Walrus, on the corner of Main and 4th downtown, where the kitchen runs until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. House-made chips come under queso, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo, with vegetarian chili or pulled chicken and black beans on top. The veggie chili version is $14.50 for a half and $18.50 for a full, and the chicken and black bean version is $16.50 or $20.50.
Website: The Walrus
Location: 143 E Main St, Columbus
Short North Pint House
Short North Pint House’s menu calls the Short Rib Nachos its all-time best seller. They’re $19, with beer cheese, black bean corn salsa, tomatoes, jalapeño, green onion, and sour cream on the chips with the short rib. It’s open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Website: Short North Pint House
Location: 780 N High St, Columbus
High Bank Distillery
Feta and smashed avocado top the nachos at High Bank Distillery in Grandview, over queso, pico de gallo, and sour cream on crispy tortilla chips. They’re $15, chicken tinga or chorizo adds $5, and barbacoa adds $7. The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew filmed here, and brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Website: High Bank Distillery
Location: 1051 Goodale Blvd, Columbus
