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Mex 1 nachos
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Order Nachos at These 15 Charleston Destinations

Who knew Charleston was a nacho city?

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Mex 1 nachos
| Mex 1/Facebook

Appetizers these days are far fancier than they used to be, as no-frills options like potato skins have made way for honey-dusted brussels sprouts and steak tartare. Still, there’s always time for a crowd pleaser that feeds the masses, and nothing fits the bill quite like nachos.

Nachos can be as simple as warm shredded cheese-topped tortilla chips. However, Charleston chefs are upping the ante, bridging the gap between this nostalgic classic and the sophisticated starter offering to which many are now accustomed. From award-winning barbecue to bison, guests can find a wide range of elements atop their nachos, with cheese being one consistent ingredient (even if it’s vegan). Exceptional nachos are worth seeking out, and these 15 Charleston destinations are a good place to start the journey.

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YoBo Cantina Fresca

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Yo Bo keeps their queso recipe a secret and for good reason — it’s downright delicious. Find the thick, creamy cheese sauce atop warm tortilla chips with protein options like rojo chicken or carnitas.

Huriyali

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Huriyali is more than just smoothies and acai bowls — the sunlit cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, bowls, and plates like the self-proclaimed “healthiest nachos in town.” This lighter version doesn’t lack flavor, as the tortilla chips are topped with guacamole, cashew nacho cheese, and spiced ground turkey.

Dellz Uptown

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To those skeptical of vegan options, breathe easy — Dellz nachos don’t skimp on flavor. The Snobby Nachos arrive layered with avocado, banana sauce, Goddess dressing, and Dellz signature mango salsa. Topped with mixed Daiya cheese and meatless crumbles, guests will certainly not leave this small daytime eatery hungry.

Edmund's Oast

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Chilaquiles are nachos’ saucier sibling, and Edmund’s Oast offers its take during brunch. The seasoned chips are slathered in a spicy red sauce and sprinkled with a pork-beef combination before two sunny fried eggs are placed on top of the pile to tie the whole dish together.  

Edmund's Oast
Edmund’s Oast
Rebecca Gallagher

Fuel Charleston

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Maybe the biggest and cheesiest on the list, the Fuel nachos are made for sharing. Pro tip—for maximum toppings, add roasted chicken to the vegetarian nachos, which come piled high with corn, black beans, and pico de galla.

Home Team BBQ

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Four key elements make the Home Team nachos some of the best in Charleston. Homemade spiced chips lay the foundation for copious amounts of pulled pork, making the meat the star. Guacamole— which is also made in house — and a vinegary pickled carrot relish provide the final toppings. Of course these nachos also have all the topping classics: jalapenos, pico de gallo, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Pro tip—ask the server to pour queso over the top, ensuring no cheese-less chips are left behind.

Recovery Room Tavern

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Charleston’s famed dive bar’s offering doesn’t consist of nachos in the most classical sense, seeing as they use tater tots rather than chips. That said, the Recovery Room Tater Tachos — which are topped with cheese, onions, and jalapenos — are sought after and seem to pair perfectly with a can of PBR.

Rec Room tots
Rec Room tots
Erin Perkins/Eater

Taco Boy

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Taco Boy is known for, well, tacos, as they offer 14 different types. They of course offer a variety of other crowd pleasers like nachos, and these stand apart thanks to a heaping scoop of cowboy pinto beans that join one of five proteins and fresh guacamole. The chile con queso spilling over the entire platter provides the finishing touch.

Jack of Cups Saloon

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This Folly Beach staple imparts global flavors into classic comfort food, and their nachos follow that mantra. Tri-colored tortilla chips are combined with a chickpea curry and corn salsa before being finished with a dollop of ginger yogurt, providing a complex bite that will have guests forgetting they actually ordered nachos.

Halls Chophouse

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The Hall’s atmosphere is unmatched, and a not-so-secret bar menu gives patrons the chance to enjoy an elegant snack while soaking up the scenery. The restaurant offers nachos that are topped with prime bison, avocado, and queso. Pair this with a hot pepper martini or Manhattan.

Hall’s/Official

Basic Kitchen

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Okay, butternut-cashew cheese may not be for everyone, but those looking for something a little different — and “basic” — can head to Basic Kitchen for its take, which also includes avocado and roasted apple-tomato salsa. Pair with a house kombucha or cooling cocktail.

Taylor Drake Photography

Nacho-lovers can also find chilaquiles at Minero, as the East Bay Street eatery tops housemade tortilla chips with a garlicky sauce, diced chicken, queso fresco, and a fried sunny egg. The egg is the nucleus of these nachos, as the runny yolk adds another layer to the sauce.

Saltwater Cowboys

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The nachos at this Shem Creek hot spot earn high marks for presentation, as it topples out of a tin bucket for guests tableside. The creamy queso cheese atop the chips is that much better while on one of the best outdoor patios in Charleston.

Stacks Coastal Kitchen / Stack’s Evening Eats

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This neighborhood bistro offers several upscale starters like truffle-asiago fries or cornmeal fried oysters, but the tuna nachos are truly a can’t-miss dish. They may not be as big and messy as others around town, but the airy wonton chip is the ideal vessel for gathering the chunks of seared ahi tuna, which are topped with a slightly spicy wasabi and ginger sauce.

Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

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Mex 1 serves the Lowcountry with multiple Charleston locations and offers two nacho sizes for guests to nibble on while sipping a strong margarita. The large and in charge Big Mamas pair seasoned black beans, fresh guacamole, and queso with one of five protein options like smoked chicken or pork.   

YoBo Cantina Fresca

Yo Bo keeps their queso recipe a secret and for good reason — it’s downright delicious. Find the thick, creamy cheese sauce atop warm tortilla chips with protein options like rojo chicken or carnitas.

Huriyali

Huriyali is more than just smoothies and acai bowls — the sunlit cafe offers a variety of sandwiches, bowls, and plates like the self-proclaimed “healthiest nachos in town.” This lighter version doesn’t lack flavor, as the tortilla chips are topped with guacamole, cashew nacho cheese, and spiced ground turkey.

Dellz Uptown

To those skeptical of vegan options, breathe easy — Dellz nachos don’t skimp on flavor. The Snobby Nachos arrive layered with avocado, banana sauce, Goddess dressing, and Dellz signature mango salsa. Topped with mixed Daiya cheese and meatless crumbles, guests will certainly not leave this small daytime eatery hungry.

Edmund's Oast

Chilaquiles are nachos’ saucier sibling, and Edmund’s Oast offers its take during brunch. The seasoned chips are slathered in a spicy red sauce and sprinkled with a pork-beef combination before two sunny fried eggs are placed on top of the pile to tie the whole dish together.  

Edmund's Oast
Edmund’s Oast
Rebecca Gallagher

Fuel Charleston

Maybe the biggest and cheesiest on the list, the Fuel nachos are made for sharing. Pro tip—for maximum toppings, add roasted chicken to the vegetarian nachos, which come piled high with corn, black beans, and pico de galla.

Home Team BBQ

Four key elements make the Home Team nachos some of the best in Charleston. Homemade spiced chips lay the foundation for copious amounts of pulled pork, making the meat the star. Guacamole— which is also made in house — and a vinegary pickled carrot relish provide the final toppings. Of course these nachos also have all the topping classics: jalapenos, pico de gallo, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Pro tip—ask the server to pour queso over the top, ensuring no cheese-less chips are left behind.

Recovery Room Tavern

Charleston’s famed dive bar’s offering doesn’t consist of nachos in the most classical sense, seeing as they use tater tots rather than chips. That said, the Recovery Room Tater Tachos — which are topped with cheese, onions, and jalapenos — are sought after and seem to pair perfectly with a can of PBR.

Rec Room tots
Rec Room tots
Erin Perkins/Eater

Taco Boy

Taco Boy is known for, well, tacos, as they offer 14 different types. They of course offer a variety of other crowd pleasers like nachos, and these stand apart thanks to a heaping scoop of cowboy pinto beans that join one of five proteins and fresh guacamole. The chile con queso spilling over the entire platter provides the finishing touch.

Jack of Cups Saloon

This Folly Beach staple imparts global flavors into classic comfort food, and their nachos follow that mantra. Tri-colored tortilla chips are combined with a chickpea curry and corn salsa before being finished with a dollop of ginger yogurt, providing a complex bite that will have guests forgetting they actually ordered nachos.

Halls Chophouse

The Hall’s atmosphere is unmatched, and a not-so-secret bar menu gives patrons the chance to enjoy an elegant snack while soaking up the scenery. The restaurant offers nachos that are topped with prime bison, avocado, and queso. Pair this with a hot pepper martini or Manhattan.

Hall’s/Official

Basic Kitchen

Okay, butternut-cashew cheese may not be for everyone, but those looking for something a little different — and “basic” — can head to Basic Kitchen for its take, which also includes avocado and roasted apple-tomato salsa. Pair with a house kombucha or cooling cocktail.

Taylor Drake Photography

Minero

Nacho-lovers can also find chilaquiles at Minero, as the East Bay Street eatery tops housemade tortilla chips with a garlicky sauce, diced chicken, queso fresco, and a fried sunny egg. The egg is the nucleus of these nachos, as the runny yolk adds another layer to the sauce.

Saltwater Cowboys

The nachos at this Shem Creek hot spot earn high marks for presentation, as it topples out of a tin bucket for guests tableside. The creamy queso cheese atop the chips is that much better while on one of the best outdoor patios in Charleston.

Stacks Coastal Kitchen / Stack’s Evening Eats

This neighborhood bistro offers several upscale starters like truffle-asiago fries or cornmeal fried oysters, but the tuna nachos are truly a can’t-miss dish. They may not be as big and messy as others around town, but the airy wonton chip is the ideal vessel for gathering the chunks of seared ahi tuna, which are topped with a slightly spicy wasabi and ginger sauce.

Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

Mex 1 serves the Lowcountry with multiple Charleston locations and offers two nacho sizes for guests to nibble on while sipping a strong margarita. The large and in charge Big Mamas pair seasoned black beans, fresh guacamole, and queso with one of five protein options like smoked chicken or pork.   

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