My 12-year old child and I have a playful argument over what “nachos” really means.

She says she loves to eat "nachos", but her idea of the perfect plate of nachos includes only TWO ingredients: cheese and tortilla chips. I tell her that is called “chips & cheese”!

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I love actual nachos: We're talking tortilla chips and cheese covered with other vegetable ingredients like onions, black olives, guacamole, sour cream, some kind of meat (like ground beef, shredded chicken, or pulled pork), and diced tomatoes. Bonus points for some spicy salsa!

Battle of the Nachos

A recent survey from Shane Co. yielded that residents in Oregon and Washington agree that the perfect plate of nachos has sour cream on it, there are a few stark differences in what we think makes for the best nacho toppings.

Residents in Oregon and Washington prefer beans on their nachos but there is a debate over which type of beans. Do you prefer refried beans or black beans on your nachos?

Oregon prefers to add some guacamole, cilantro, and black beans. Washington prefers salsa, jalapeno, and refried beans.

Which do you prefer?

BEST NACHOS IN OREGON

SALEM

Taqueria El Jacalito

990 12th St SE

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ASTORIA

El Tapatio Astoria

229 W Marine Dr

WHAT TO TRY: Nachos Tapatios: Special nachos topped with beans and ground beef or chicken, melted cheese, freshly chopped tomato, guacamole, and sour cream.

BEAVERTON

La Hacienda Real

12025 SW Canyon Rd

WHAT TO TRY: Nachos Ground Beef: Add jalapenos for an extra kick!

EUGENE

Sunriver Brewing

329 Oakway Rd

WHAT TO TRY: Pub Nachos: Beer cheese, pico de gallo, black beans, cilantro lime sour cream, jalapenos.

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HILLSBORO

ABV Public House

5676 NE, NE Clara Ln

WHAT TO TRY: ABV Nachos: Pulled Pork, House-Made Nacho Cheese Sauce, Shredded Lettuce, Salsa, Black Olives, Pickled Jalapenos, Sour Cream, on Warm Tortilla Chips

PORTLAND

Salvi

2030 SE 7th Ave

WHAT TO TRY: Bichita Nacho: chicharrones Nachos, beans, chimole (Salvi Pico), cheese sauce, curtido (Salvi pickled slaw), Jalapeño peppers, Salvadoran crema drizzle, and chicken with savory chumpe sauce.

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MORE TO READ:

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