10 Best Nachos in Los Angeles

Rachael Narins

Nachitos at Upper West

7. Upper West:
Upper West pushes the envelope with their happy hour-only nachito. The "little nachos" are individual, bite-sized corn chips with a smear of black beans, a hefty scoop of tender lamb, some goat cheese and a lightly pickled jalapeño slice. The lamb/cheese combo brings a mouthful of heady funk that the flaming hot and puckery jalapeño balances out. Easy to share because of the way they are structured. For sure this dish matches the swanky atmosphere, but we still wished for a slightly less civilized pile. 3321 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; 310-586-1111.

Casa Vega

Nachos at Casa Vega

6. Casa Vega:
Valley stalwart Casa Vega is a very dark and festive restaurant. They've been serving up their flawless nachos to happy families and margarita lovers since about the dawn of time. They offer a classic chip-bean-meat-cheese colossus that no one can turn away from. 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; 818-788-4868.

Rachael Narins

Chano's Nachos

5. Chano's Drive-Inn:
When it comes to having a sudden craving for nachos, a few pertinent questions should be addressed. How drunk are you? How drunk were you last night? Are you okay to drive? Do you think eating this carb/fat/protein/salt combo is going to have a positive effect on your pending or current hangover? If melted cheese bathing salty chips, a few handfuls of chopped, raw onion, chicken, tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole sounds like your salvation -- and you are possibly a Trojan or just wandering around USC -- Chano's Drive-Inn is the answer to your needs. 3850 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles; 213-748-0397.

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