bonbon breakfast nachos.jpeg

These are Bonbon Cafe's Breakfast Nachos, because let's face it, breakfast is the most important appetizer of the day.

(Photo by Peter Chakerian, Special to Cleveland.com)

You know them, you love them. They're one of the most common appetizers found on local menus. They're nachos. And we're about to fill you in on the 9 best nacho dishes in Cleveland.

Once upon a time, ordering nachos was a gamble: they could be a fresh, thoughtful treat, or a trite, tired pile of corn tortillas suffocated by gloppy cheese sauce, sour cream and salsa. Not anymore.

Today's nachos have thoroughly upended the traditional Mexican plate, and in many different directions. Every flavor profile, texture and topping imaginable is up for grabs. Some interpretations stay close to their origin; others are fusions that barely resemble the classic dish introduced in the 1940s.

Regardless of how they're constructed or defined, nachos are a great first course for sharing, and Cleveland has a lot of great plates of them. And once you've had one from our inaugural "To the 9s" best-of column, you might (read: should) consider an order all for yourself:

Wild Boar Nachos at El Carnicero (16918 Detroit Ave., Lakewood; 216-226-3415, www.elcarnicerolakewood.com). The ridiculously-good, adobo-braised wild boar that fills Chef Eric Williams' Chancho Tamales? As a nacho topper? Oh yes, we'll start here. These Wild Boar Nachos ($5) are an irreverent spin on the traditional nacho boat. And yet, with a requisite cheese slather, diced tomatoes and corn kernels, they're also one of the closest to traditional nachos you'll find on the list. Bonus: they're a bargain, bar-only Happy Hour treat, available from 4-6 p.m.

Smothered Green Chili Nachos at Zocalo Mexican Grille and Tequileria (2071 E. 4th St., Cleveland; 216-781-0420, www.zocalocleveland.com). Here's another plate that leans in a more traditional form: Zocalo's Green Chili Nachos ($9) start with fresh-made chips and unctuous pork green chili. It is topped with cheddar and jack cheeses, diced tomatoes and jalapeno. We're not telling you what to do, but order a side of Pineapple Chipotle Salsa ($3) and ask for the Crema Fresca, too. They really are all meant to be together. Trust us.

Porkos at Ironwood Café (688 Dover Center Rd., Westlake; 440-835-9900, www.ironwoodcafe.com). If "necessity is the mother of invention," then Ironwood's Porkos ($9) must be some sort of fraternity-inspired tailgating creation. How else does one come up with the hedonistic combination of house-smoked pulled pork, house-made cheese sauce and house-made kettle-style potato chips? With bright jalapeno-and-scallion garnishes and choice of three (count 'em) barbecue sauces for slathering, this demands beer and football. And a fork. Followed by a nap. Ironwood's actual "Loaded Nachos" are pretty good, too.

Breakfast Nachos at Bonbon Café (2549 Lorain Ave., Cleveland; 216-458-9225, www.bonboncleveland.com). That "necessity" comment? Totally true for these Breakfast Nachos ($10) as well. This plate bridges the gap between nachos and traditional huevos rancheros. Tortilla chips are topped by the chef's signature eggs (prep is "scrambled," but also uniquely fried), along with black beans, chorizo, roasted peppers and onions, avocado, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo. Their "Morning Tacos" are pretty boss, too. Lesson learned: breakfast is the most important meal (and appetizer) of the day.

Maine Lobster Nachos at Bin 216 (1515 Euclid Ave., Cleveland; 216-860-0530, www.bin216cleveland.com). Chris Hodgson's take on nachos fuses Asian influence with New England heft. Bin 216's Maine Lobster Nachos ($15.50) are constructed on golden-fried wonton chips. Buttery lobster meat in a cream sauce anchors the dish, which is then topped with a briny cotija cheese (a tart, dry-and-firm cow's milk variety), pickled peppers and a tangy lemon aioli. It's a really well-balanced dish, one that appears to take the lobster roll as at least a partial inspiration.

Tuna Nachos at Burntwood Tavern (multiple locations, www.burntwoodtavern.com). Nachos meet sashimi in this delectable Pan-Asian appetizer, one reminiscent of D'vine Wine Bar's now-discontinued dish. Burntwood's Tuna Nachos ($10) offer very thin slices of sashimi tuna on top of crisp wontons, laced with avocado salsa and a cilantro cream drizzle, topped with scallions and black sesame seeds. It's a light, refreshing take on nachos for the sushi set, presented across a long, stone plate built for sharing.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Nachos at ABC the Tavern (1872 W. 25th St., Cleveland; 216-861-3857, www.abcthetavern.com). This one's a show-stopper and hits all of your mouth's favorite high-notes—namely sweet, salty, sour and spicy. ABC's Jamaican Jerk Nachos ($7.50) start with house-made tortilla chips as a foundation for a hefty portion of bracing pulled Jamaican jerk chicken that would be delicious enough by itself. Then they go and top it with lettuce, cheddar cheese, a house-made pineapple salsa and a parsley-laden Crème Fraiche crown.

Vega-Nachos at Merwin's Wharf (1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland; 216-664-5696, www.clevelandmetroparks.com/main/merwins-wharf.aspx). Cleveland. One of the hot new kids on the block, Merwin's Warf fuses Mexican and Mediterranean with their Vega-Nachos ($10) served on crisp pita chips in lieu of the customary tortilla variety. These vegan "nachos" are topped with a creamy black bean hummus, rustic guacamole, pickled jalapenos, olives and a pico de gallo to create a flavorful and zesty (but never downright spicy) appetizer. It's big enough for two, but addictive enough for one.

"Cleveland" Nachos at Fahrenheit (2417 Professor Ave., Cleveland; 216-781-8858, www.chefroccowhalen.com/fahrenheit-cleveland). Some say these aren't really "nachos." Those people are probably right, but it's hard not to side with Chef Rocco Whelan here. His "Cleveland" Nachos ($13.75) are comfort food personified: an amped-up, gourmet hybrid of nachos, cheese fries and potato skins. Crispy potatoes are decorated with a Parmesan fondue, Romano cheese, scallions and bacon. It's a plate that begs for the hearty Bell's 2 Hearted India Pale Ale.

Chakerian is a freelance writer in Bay Village