What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Nacho cheese!
Okay a little corn chippy, but that’s what you get when you are celebrating International Nachos Day, on Monday, November 6.
Did you know nachos are actually named after a guy called Nacho - the maître d’ who came up with the dish was called Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Anaya?
Nachos were invented in Mexico when wives of US soldiers stationed in Eagle Pass, Texas crossed the border on a shopping trip and arrived at a restaurant after closing. The maître d’ whipped them up – you guessed it – nachos. The year was 1943 and the city was Piedras Negras.
Here are five of our favourite restaurants to get your Mexican on:
A hot spot to be seen in Broadbeach, The Cuban is where to go to get your Latin American groove on. Nestled in The Oracle conclave, this restaurant is all about the flavours and taste sensations of Cuba - whether popping in for lunch, dinner or a mojito - diners are taken on an adventure to a land of colour, culture and coffee.
Say hola to starters of crispy skin slow-cooked pork belly, confit apple, cinnamon and chilli sauce, before sharing nachos with lamb mince, corn and tomato salsa, guacamole, sour cream and mozzarella; finish with mojito cheesecake – lime, mint, rum, cinnamon and fennel crumble.
Join amigos on Monday for great food and cheeky cocktails at Mexican Burrito Cantina on Crown Street in Surry Hills. For Sydney’s number one authentic Mexican vibe, don your sombrero and head indoors to find a rustic chic décor ideal for sipping tequila and devouring tacos with vibrant coloured walls, murals and accents setting the scene for a food fiesta.
Chow down on fresh hand-cut tortilla corn chips cooked fresh daily and topped with beef, refried beans, pico de gallo, sour cream and nacho cheese; or devour shredded chicken in mole sauce, served with Mexican rice, beans, salad, pico de gallo, sour cream and soft corn tortillas, washed down with a cheeky Margarita.
Celebrate Nachos Day early this weekend at The Big Mexican Rancho on Casuarina Road in Gymea with honest and cheerful Mexican fare. Established more than 30 years ago, this cantina is decked out with sombreros and paintings of Mexican desert scenes, setting a vibrant and relaxed vibe for a fun night out with family and friends.
In the brightly-painted dining room, prepare to indulge in a fiesta, beginning with garlic prawns topped with chorizo sausage and coriander, or nachos with chicken, mashed beans and sour cream; moving on to sizzling beef fajitas, served with rice, guacamole, mashed beans, sour cream and tortillas.
Stroll up from the sands of Lennox Head beach any time to gorge on Mexican madness at Chido Cantina on Ballina Street. A bright and breezy vibe creates a relaxed atmosphere that can cater for a family night out, a romantic evening or larger celebrations; think potted cacti, exposed brick, sombreros and neon signage to set the mood for chowing down on modern Mexican cuisine with all the faves.
Find the ultimate comfort food with 16-hour slow-cooked brisket nachos with sour cream, salsa roja, cheddar, pico de gallo, guacamole, coriander and pickled red onion; or wrap your hands around gourmet tacos with slow-cooked achiote pork shoulder, pineapple, pico de gallo and salsa roja.
Mucho food and drinks await on Monday at Mucho Mexicano on Hawthorne Road in Hawthorne. Paying homage to the Brisbane Mexican food lover, this restaurant celebrates life fiesta-style in colourful surroundings sure to evoke thoughts of donning a sombrero and sipping a Margarita with amigos as you ponder a menu to delight all tastes.
Get the party started with grilled corn on the cob, Manchego cheese and chipotle aioli or share a chicken and chorizo nacho salad with avocado, beans and chipotle; battered whiting tacos are sure to tempt, with green chilli aioli, pickled red onion and cabbage, paired with a $15 Margarita Monday cocktail…arriba!
