Nachos are already the mutt of greasy drunk foods with their American-Mexican roots. So it’s only appropriate that restaurants pile on other forms of fusion. From nachos that taste like an everything bagel with the works to nachos with a Mediterranean kick, here are some unconventional takes on this Tex-Mex classic around the D.C. area.
DGS Delicatessen
1317 Connecticut Ave. NW
The restaurant makes bagel chips from the rounds it imports from famed Montreal bagelry St-Viateur then loads them up with bits of house-smoked salmon, horseradish-sour cream sauce, mashed avocado, capers, radish, peppers, and cilantro.
Price: $8
Right Proper Brewing Company
624 T St. NW
This meat lover’s nacho dish uses pork rinds as its base then piles up with pulled pork, roasted tomato sour cream, jalapeños, scallions, and cheese sauce.
Price: $9
Scion Restaurant
2100 P St. NW; 1200 East-West Highway, Silver Spring
These brunch-only “potato nachos” substitute slices of crispy potatoes for chips. They’re smothered in bacon, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, tomatoes, and fried jalapeños.
Price: $8
Policy
1901 14th St. NW
This Greek version of nachos gets its crunch from fried pita dressed with braised lamb, cucumber-pepperoncini salsa, feta cheese, and dill yogurt.
Price: $9
Plan B Burger Bar
801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Housemade potato chips are the foundation for these “American nachos,” which are topped with chili, red onion, tomatoes, jalapeños, and, of course, American cheese sauce.
Price: $8.99
Native Foods Cafe
Multiple locations
At a glance, this dish may resemble your standard nachos with corn tortilla chips, black beans, chipotle sauce, salsa fresca, and guacamole. But the cheese is made with a blend of cashew and sunflower seeds, and the taco meat is actually seitan. The vegan snack is further dolled up with roasted corn, green onions, cilantro, and pickled jalapeño peppers.
Price: $6.95
Photos courtesy the respective restaurants