The Scorecard
How We
Score
Every plate goes through the same 12-category scorecard. No exceptions.
When we started keeping track of nachos, we quickly ran into the obvious problem: how do you compare a $12 dive bar plate to a $24 sit-down restaurant order? The answer was to build a scoring system that accounts for context. Each category below is scored on its own, then pulled together into an overall rating. The goal is consistency. Every place we review gets the same treatment.
Quality of Ingredients
Are the toppings fresh? Does the protein taste like it was prepped that day or pulled from a bag? We pay attention to whether a kitchen is putting in the work or just stacking a plate.
Chip-to-Topping Ratio
This one matters more than people realize. Too many chips and you're eating a bowl of air by the end. Too few and the whole thing falls apart structurally. We want every chip to have a fighting chance at a topping.
Crunch Factor
Chips should still have some bite once the toppings are on. If the whole plate is soggy within two minutes of landing on the table, that's a problem. We score based on how well the chips hold up through the whole order.
Cheese Factor
Queso or shredded, both are valid. But it has to be good, there has to be enough of it, and it has to be distributed across the whole plate. A pile of cheese in the middle surrounded by naked chips is not acceptable.
Presentation & Creativity
Does the plate look like someone thought about it, or did they just dump ingredients on chips? We're not looking for fine dining here, but a little care in how it's assembled goes a long way.
Portion Size
We're scoring against the price point. A $10 appetizer and a $22 entrée nacho are held to different standards. What we want to know is: did you feel like you got what you paid for in terms of volume?
Value Ratio
This is the overall price-to-experience score. A $14 plate that blows you away scores well. A $24 plate that underwhelms does not. We factor in what the market typically charges and whether this place is earning its price.
Flavor Profile
Does everything work together? Are the flavors balanced, or does one ingredient drown everything else out? This is where we score the overall eating experience. The thing you're thinking about on the drive home.
Overall Rating
A weighted score that pulls from all of the above. Not a straight average. Some categories carry more weight depending on how important they are to the nacho experience as a whole.
Consistency of Experiences Bonus
We try to visit more than once before publishing. If the nachos were great the first time and mediocre the second, that gets noted here. Bonus category, doesn't change the overall score, but it tells you whether a place is reliable.
Service & Ambiance Bonus
Nachos taste better somewhere you actually want to be. We note how the staff treats you, how the space feels, and whether you'd go back just to hang out. Bonus category, doesn't affect the score, but it's part of the full picture.
Drinks Bonus
We note the beer selection, cocktail quality, and whether there are solid non-alcoholic options. Bonus category, doesn't factor into the overall score, but worth knowing before you go.