Posts tagged 3

Two Fools Pt.2 

Rating: 4

Cost: ~ $8.75

Location: Albuquerque (NE Heights)

Customized: No

Website

This isn’t a double post, so don’t worry. I had already reviewed the Classic Nachos from Two Fools half a year back, but I had been intending on returning to sample their “Irish Nachos.” I recently had the pleasure of returning to this quaint little pub and discovering if their Other nachos could compete with their classic offering. For an Irish pub, they do a great job of maintaining Irish/British centric food on their menu, while also offering fusion cuisine and offbeat alternatives. 

Two fools offers two kinds of nachos. The first, which I reviewed in an earlier post are their Macho Nachos, which are a classic style dish. The Second is their Irish Nachos, which takes a far more unique approach. These nachos are comprised of a body of Potato chips, covered in Cottage Pie Beef and cheddar, with tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream on top. 

When these nachos first arrive, you are stricken by how different they look. They have a much darker color, due mostly to the cottage beef. Their size is great, it is comparable to their classic nachos. They are also layered well, another similarity with their other nachos. The tomato and lettuce on top are very appetizing, and the sour cream portion is good. The cheese was melted perfectly on the chips, so no complaints there. Not knowing what to expect, my first bite was admittedly weird. Although the cottage beef was delicious, I admit they offer a flavor I have never previously associated with being Nacho-ie. However, something weird happened, something that has never happened before. 4 or 5 chips in, I started to really like them. Usually I grow tired of a dish the more I eat, but this one grew on me at an astonishing rate. By the end of the nacho I was satisfied, and extremely pleased by this new found combination. The Cottage beef offered a hearty thick sauce to the dish, which countered the saltiness of the chips and cheese. Unlike most nachos, as the chips got soggy, they became more enjoyable, because of their similarity to soaking up stew with bread wedges. I recommend these nachos with a slight warning. I can see how some would hate it, but just give it a try and live a little. If you don’t like them after one chip, give it a few more, it might grab you too!

** Update. I recently (9/17/11) increased the score on these to 4. I have found that in the last few months I have craved these nachos on a weekly basis. I would argue that I crave these more than most other nacho’s that can be found. I felt upon further consideration that these definitely deserved a 4 rating, not the original 3 I gave it.

Hurricanes Restaurant

Rating: 3

Cost: ~ $7

Location: Albuquerque (Lomas & Washington)

Customized: No

Urban Spoon Entry

Hurricane’s Restaurant is a retro style hole in the wall located on the outskirts of the Nob Hill area. At all times of day it seems to have a fair number of customers dining inside. The interior feels like any diner that is trying to recreate the 50’s style (and only come off as being cheesy). The wait staff is responsive and the food is always cooked very quickly. Their food is classic New Mexican fair with a special consideration paid towards breakfast dishes.

Hurricanes offers two nachos, a small appetizer, and a full meal helping called Nachos Grande. The Nachos Grande is comprised of a body of chips covered in ground beef, beans, green chili sauce, shredded cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Sour cream w/ guac. Despite the smaller nacho containing Jalapenos, they are strangely absent on the large Nacho.

The first thing you will notice when you receive these nachos is that they are very large. For $7, the serving size is better than most restaurants. All of the toppings are what I like to see on my Nachos, except for the strangely absent Jalapenos. The first few bites are fantastic. Each chip is covered in toppings and is extremely flavorful. I have to say I am always pleased to find green chilie on Nachos in New Mexico. All of the toppings are good, but not fantastic. I can’t think of anything in particular that stood out as being phenomenal. Don’t get me wrong though, they are all very much worth eating. My main complaint with these nachos has to do with the liquidity of the toppings. Though each chip is covered with toppings, the lower chips are completely soaked. After a few minutes these nachos will require a fork for consumption because the chips have liquefied. As I have mentioned before, layering nachos is a complex problem. Although most tend to have too many chips and few toppings, Hurricanes nachos are quite the opposite. I enjoyed these nachos, but I’d prefer it if I didn’t need a fork to eat most of them.