If you’re like me, you start thinking about lunch at about 10:45 a.m. Maybe you brought a salad or a PB&J to consume at your desk while updating spreadsheets. Maybe you were going to have a vending machine lunch and cry in your cubicle. Whatever your plans were, drop them and head for the glorious hills of nachos!

Nachos are one of my favorite meals at any time of day, but at lunchtime, they can be extra special. What’s better than a mid-day break for chips and melted cheese, especially when enjoyed with friends (not that I am known to share–get your own nachos!)?

I find that some of the best nachos can be found at local pubs. For me, a true winner is the Great Dane Pub(though they recently added black beans that, in this case, I recommend leaving off because the flavor of these particular beans doesn’t do it for me).

The Great Dane nachos include some classic ingredients that make these traditional pub nachos delicious: layers of chips with cheese on each one, black olives, pickled jalapeños, onions, guacamole, sour cream and chunky salsa. The flavor of the guac and salsa are wonderful and the toppings are layered abundantly.

Don’t judge me, but sometimes Qdoba’s three-cheese nachos are a nice alternative to the pub nachos. I mean, their queso is pretty darn good! Last year Qdoba changed their pricing so you can put additions and extras on menu items for FREE, so don’t be shy, try the guacamole, add extra cheese. Heck, put lettuce on there–they don’t care! Pro tip: order the chips on the side in a separate bowl so they don’t get soggy.

Now get out there and enjoy lunch!

Author: Kara Luedtke

Kara Luedtke was raised to think that nachos consisted of microwaved Velveeta cheese dip and corn tortilla chips. Thankfully she grew to learn that nachos are so much more. She once listed nachos as second in a list of 20 things she is thankful for, above two immediate family members and her partner of nearly 13 years. When she isn’t eating nachos, she is thinking about nachos while cuddling with her cat and two dogs.