The Local’s Guide to the Best Nachos in Grand Rapids

Condado Tacos

The only non-local restaurant on this list makes it by virtue of its Build-Your-Own Nachos option, which starts with tortilla chips made fresh in house and “to-die-for” queso blanco, then lets you add whatever crazy toppings you’re cravin’. That includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, plus a choice of four salsas and seven sauces.

Condado ’s nachos are perfectly paired with a house or crafted margarita, and if you can't choose between the flavors, try a Mini Marg Flight! (Get the Flights of Flavor digital pass to earn prizes for ordering this and other local food and/or drink flights.) There are also many beer, wine, seltzer and alcohol-free drink selections.

The Friesian Gastro Pub

Don’t eat meat or animal-derived foods? Head to The Friesian Gastro Pub for their Vegan Nacho Tray, featuring house-made vegan nacho cheese, walnut “chorizo”, pico de gallo and vegan citrus crema on a layer of tortilla chips. Your vegetarian, carnivore, and gluten-free dining companions will also find plenty to enjoy at this restaurant in downtown’s Medical Mile neighborhood.

November 6 is a Wednesday this year, which means you can take advantage of The Friesian’s Wednesday drink special: half-off a glass of wine from 6-10pm. Or come a little earlier for 3-6pm Happy Hour specials on beers, well liquors and more, available Monday-Friday.

Grand Rapids Garage Bar & Grill

The Nitro Nachos at this downtown GR eatery make a great shareable appetizer or a hearty meal in themselves. Tortilla chips are smothered in Detroit chili sauce, creamy cheese sauce, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, house guacamole and green onions, with sour cream on the side. You can add chicken or pork, if you like.

The Garage  also offers a full complement of adult and other beverages to go with your nachos.

Luna

For a lighter alternative to traditional nachos, choose the house-made tortilla chips and a flight of salsas at Luna. There’s plenty to share, and you get free salsa refills, too. This Mexican restaurant also offers tacos, quesadillas, tortas and more, plus a curated list of adult beverages, including tequila and mezcal.

A second Luna location in downtown Ada (southeast GR) offers a similar menu.

Turnstiles

Weekend Nachos, featuring your choice of chorizo or pulled chicken as one of the toppings, draws nachos fans to Turnstiles, a music-oriented restaurant and bar in the Bridge Street Entertainment District. There’s lots more to enjoy on the elevated bar food menu along with a nice selection of beers, wines and specialty cocktails.

Munch to live music on Fridays and Saturdays, open-mic performers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, karaoke on Mondays and jukebox tunes the rest of the time.

Other downtown restaurants earning nacho props: Big E’s Sports Grill, The Holiday Bar, Uccello’s and Z’s Restaurant & Bar.

Vivant Brewery + Spirits

What comes to mind when you think about the meat topping on nachos? Probably chicken, beef, or pork, right? Well, Vivant Brewery + Spirits challenges the average nacho with its unique Duck Confit Nachos, made with housemade chips, finely shredded duck confit, velvety smooth brie cream, tomatoes, caramelized onions, chives, cracklin and lemon zest.

This munchie is so memorable that Thrillist once listed it among the best nachos across America. It pairs perfectly with Vivant’s flagship beer, Farm Hand, a mildly sweet and tart farmhouse ale – but don’t let that stop you from trying one of Vivant’s other awesome beers with it.

Also recommended in Uptown: El Cerrito Cocina Mexicana.

Mill Creek Tavern

“Great food, cold drinks and fun times with family and friends” is the promise at this neighborhood pub near LMCU Ballpark  (home of the West Michigan Whitecaps baseball team). Mill Creek ’s Queso Nachos feature tortilla chips heaped with ground beef, queso cheese, romaine lettuce, tomato, onion, fire-roasted salsa and avocado creme fraiche, sized perfectly to share.

Mill Creek also offers a variety of traditional pub grub, craft cocktails and local beer, all served up by friendly folks eager to make you feel at home.

Vitale’s Sports Lounge

Vitale’s Sports Lounge on Leonard Street is one of the city’s most enduring and beloved Italian restaurants. But the Vitale’s family also serve up a small selection of south-of-the-border favorites – including a “deluxe” serving of corn tortilla chips covered in melted Colby cheese, tomatoes, onions and your choice of ground beef or shredded chicken.

You can also get the Deluxe Chips-n-Cheese at Vitale’s of Comstock Park in northeast Grand Rapids.

Other notable northeast nacho destinations: Archival Brewing, Mizizi, Rogue River Tavern and The Score Restaurant & Sports Bar.

Westside Social American Tavern

This “American Tavern with a Hint of Genius” earns kudos for its namesake Westside Nachos, featuring fresh tortilla chips piled high with your choice of braised short rib or smoked pulled chicken, plus house-pickled jalapenos, cilantro lime crema, red cabbage, pico de gallo, queso fresco and ancho chipotle queso. One bite and you’ll see why devotees are adamant that the Westside is the Best Side.

To wash down your nachos, Westside Social  offers a full bar with 24 drafts to choose from, along with a rotating selection of creative feature cocktails.

Butcher Block Social

This bourbon and barbecue restaurant in Caledonia serves up a new spin on nachos with its low and slow-cooked meats. Choose Butcher Block Social’s delicious pulled pork, pulled chicken or brisket as a topping for its Loaded Nachos, which are also piled high with queso, jalapenos and onions. Or order the Nachos Trifecta to get all three meats on the dish.

You can also get tacos and burritos with these meats, along with a wide array of sandwiches, salads and more. The drinks menu features 200+ bourbons plus beers, creative cocktails and mocktails, wines and more.

Cabana Tres Amigos

The Nachos Al Carbon at this Kentwood restaurant were singled out on social media – not a surprise, since the dish features tender grilled chicken, steak and shrimp atop crisp, housemade tortilla chips covered with cheese, lettuce and pico de gallo. But it’s just one of four crowd-pleasing nacho plates on the menu, along with Nachos Supreme, Fajita Nachos and Nachos Jalisco (with al pastor meat and grilled jalapenos).

Cabana Tres Amigos  offers a broad selection of authentic Mexican dishes to complement your nachos, including enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, tamales and “Fresh Taste of Old Mexico” entrees such as Guisado Guajillo, Mar y Tierra and Pollo Pablano.

Cantina Mexican Grill

Opened in 1976, Cantina Mexican Grill  continues to draw crowds for its “great tastes of Old Mexico” ­­­– including Veggie Nachos, Nachos Supreme, Seafood Nachos and Fajita Nachos (featuring your choice of chicken or steak). If you’re in a hurry, opt for the drive-thru and choose from Cheese Nachos, Deluxe Nachos (which add onions, tomatoes and peppers) or Supreme Nachos (with beef or chicken and beans, onions and peppers).

The Cantina offers a full bar, an outdoor patio and a downstairs lounge (with TVs, billiards and a jukebox) in addition to its main dining room, all great spaces to relax and enjoy Tex-Mex classics … and the restaurant’s “famous bean dip.”

Noco Provisions

Elevated comfort food is the hallmark of Noco Provisions , and Noco Nachos certainly fit that description. Tortilla chips are smothered with roasted green chili queso, charred sweet corn, cilantro, pickled red onions, black beans and ranchero cream. Additional options include BBQ chicken, seasoned beef and veggies. The dish is large enough to feed 4-6 people – but if you want to tackle it solo, hit the restaurant at Happy Hour (every day from 2pm-6pm) for a half portion. 

Railtown Brewing Company

Pig out on the massive Pig Pen Nachos platter at Caledonia’s Railtown Brewing Company. Tortilla chips are topped with shredded cheese, chorizo, smoked pork, bacon, corn, Railtown’s own pico, jalapenos, chipotle ranch and a cilantro garnish. If you’ve got room after that, you can stay in the Mexican lane with a choice of tacos and burritos.

Railtown also offers a selection of burgers, sandwiches and salads, and – of course – its own handcrafted beers.

Other southeast restaurants receiving mentions: Dirty Shame Bar & Grill, El Arriero Restaurante Mexicano, The Old Goat and Poncho's Tacos.

Locals lauded the nachos at Michigan Moonshine Distillery, Pete’s Grill & Tavern, Pure Mex Tacos & Tequila, and The Win Tavern 33 in the southwest section of the city.

Be sure to download the Beer City Brewsader® app and use it to check in to Brewery Vivant and Railtown Brewing Co. when you visit. Check in to eight Brewsader breweries and you’ll get a FREE t-shirt!

It’s always a good idea to check websites to confirm menu details before you go, as offerings and prices can change without notice.