Champaign-Urbana's Favorite Nachos

Every day of the week is a good day to enjoy nachos — for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or maybe all three

When on the topic of nachos in Champaign-Urbana, there’s a lot to absorb. We know that not only do some local businesses serve delicious nachos, they might also hook their fans with large servings or unique ingredients.

We aren’t terribly concerned with whether any of these nacho offerings are “authentic” (whatever that means).

As with all of our “favorite food” lists, we focus on locally owned restaurants around Champaign-Urbana and beyond. (This list is in alphabetical order.)

Several places serve up noteworthy nachos, but one stands out from the pack and that is Fernando’s — now in its new brick-and-mortar location as well as continuing to operate as a food truck.

Fernando’s, Champaign: They give you a sizable portion of nachos loaded with all the toppings and your choice of meat. Steak, chorizo or chicken, you just can’t go wrong.

83 Vietnamese Cuisine, Champaign: Crab rangoon nachos, need we say more? These may not be your traditional nachos, but they are a must-try. Menu offerings change regularly at 83 Vietnamese, so you’ll need to check them out on social to see when the nachos are available.

Aspen Tap House, Champaign: Chicken nachos with beer cheese are the order of choice here, but you can get them with ground beef if you’d like, too.

Baxter’s American Grille, Champaign: Try the steak nachos here. They’re smothered with house queso, too.

Billy Barooz, Champaign: This is a huge serving of nachos, and another vote for steak nachos when you stop at Billy Barooz.

Burrito King, Champaign; and food truck: The King Nachos topped with beans, beef or chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onion, cilantro, jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole are another stand-out option for nachos.

Guido’s Bar & Grill, Champaign: We love these classic bar nachos. Try them with chicken and a cold beer (if that’s your thing, that is).

Hickory River, Urbana and Champaign: Hickory River’s loaded pulled pork nachos make a great mix of BBQ food and nachos.

Maize Mexican Grill, Champaign, multiple campus locations and food truck: Maize’s veggie nachos with their red salsa are so yummy. We like the pork nachos, too.

Mo’s Burritos, Champaign and food truck: Mo’s steak nachos are a great portion size, too.

Piato, Urbana (catering); and food truck: We love Piato’s Hawaiian nachos. Served with pineapple salsa and Hawaiian BBQ sauce, these chicken nachos are unique in their own way.

Shore House, Clinton: While these nachos definitely hit in all kinds of delicious ways, the view you can enjoy while eating them is unmatched in Champaign-Urbana. One of our “destination restaurants“, Shore House has beautiful views of Clinton Lake, making you feel like you’re on a beach vacation far, far away while you enjoy their nachos.

Smoky’s House BBQ, Savoy: These come with baked beans, fabulous bbq meat and delicious sauces to choose from. You can even pay to upgrade the meat to brisket.

Sun Singer, Champaign: Pot roast nachos are the nachos to order here.

Honorable mention

Coffee and friends, Paxton and food truck: You may not think nachos would be the find here, but we can assure you they are! A short drive from Champaign-Urbana (or catch the food truck sometime) and you’ll get to try them for yourself.

Did we miss your favorite nachos? Email us and let us know where you’ve found great nachos around Champaign-Urbana.

Champaign-Urbana’s Favorite Nachos

Every day of the week is a good day to enjoy nachos — for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or maybe all three

Honorable mention

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