Today, I received a letter from a friend, Eliot, way out in San Antonio. Before he heads to India for a 3-month-bike-trek, he’s taking in nachos far and wide.

San Antonio is ripe for awesome nachos, given it’s rich history/proximity to Mexico and the intermingling of foods that has colloquially become known as “Tex-Mex.” One of the quintessential spots for summer time food and brews al fresco is La Tuna Grill, a simple indoor/outdoor restaurant and icehouse in the south of San Antonio. Located next to the Blue Star Arts Complex, La Tuna features a huge outdoor seating grove that is lit up with fandango lights every evening, serving yummy food and bottles of Shiner and Lone Star straight from their icehouse window. Mind the piles of ancient bottle caps that have replaced the gravel outside the window.

Black bean nachos from La Tuna (San Antonio)

As far as nachos, La Tuna has a unique approach that is almost a cross-blend of nachos and quesadillas. Rather than a big ol’ stack of chips, La Tuna gives you a few chips lovingly covered in a layer of black beans and cheese, so each chip is like its own mini-quesadilla. Browned on the edges, topped off with a pickled Jalapeno and surrounding a mound of fresh pico and guac, the little nacho-dilla’s are tre bueno with a tall glass of sweet tea or an ice cold Pearl. I felt satisfied beyond compare at the end of my plate; not too much, not to little. Yell out your beer order amid the din of classic rock and the huge freight train that basically rolls right through the restaurant – man, this place is classic San Antonio.

Cheers,

Elioto

For even more nacho fun

A Nacho Report from Oklahoma City by A Lovely Guest

West Coast Nachos by Maraysa Schwartz

Nachos, Made in China? by Lee Frank

Chi-Town Nachos by Lee Frank