Buffalo Wild Wings- West Des Moines

The husband and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings and ordered their Ultimate Nachos with chicken.  The chips were crispy and salty- maybe a little too salty.  The chips were topped with a meaty chili and a nacho cheese sauce.  The menu called in "queso", I call it nacho cheese sauce- same as I would get with my "nachos" at the ball park.  We added the optional chicken for an extra dollar and were not really impressed.  It didn't have much flavor, and was served cold.  The nachos were finished with lots of lettuce, pico de gallo and fresh jalapenos.  There were also two types of salsa- a traditional red salsa and a Salsa Verde.  I personally did not care for either.  I love Mexican restaurant salsa- runny and full of cilantro.  This salsa tasted like it came straight from a jar.  I really don't have much experience with Salsa Verde, but I was not a fan.

Presentation: 8 The nachos arrived piled high on the dish.  They were bright and looked tasty and fresh.   From my first chip to my last, there was some type of gooey topping to enjoy on almost every bite.
Value: 8 The Ultimate Nachos are $6.99... if you add chicken, they are $7.99.  I think that $6.99 is a reasonable price for what you get.  The chicken, however, is not worth the extra dollar.  It was bland and cold and blah.
Originality: 6  These are your basic run of the mill Nachos.  There is nothing unique about them, however, I love it when the chili and the nacho cheese mix.  They make a gooey and delicious mess!  The best part if you ask me!
Quality: 8 While I am sure that many of the ingredients come from a can (chili, cheese, salsas) The ones that did not were fresh and crisp (lettuce, pico de gallo, jalapenos).  As thick and gooey as there nachos are, the chips held up surprisingly well!
Taste: 8 Overall, I like the nachos at Buffalo Wild wings.  They aren't anything special, but they hit the spot.   They are spicy and cheesy and salty. .My main complaint is that with all the hot ingredients- both spice and temperature,  I feel that a side of sour cream would balance it all out.  I am sure I will order these again... It's probably the 5th time I've had them this year.  Gourmet they are not, damn good bar grub?  Absolutely!

How it all began....

My husband and I have been self professed Nacho Connoisseurs for years now.  It all started at our neighborhood Olive Garden. "The Olive Garden," you may wonder. "Why the Olive garden?"  Here is how is all started:

My boyfriend (now husband) and I were enjoying a delicious lunch of soup, salad and bread sticks when I couldn't help but over hear a man at another table as he spoke to his waitress.  He announced himself to be a "pizza connoisseur" and then went on to tell her why the pizza he had been served did not meet his expectations.  The crust was too this, the sauce was too that.  He went on and on!  While I disagree with his technique (the waitress didn't make the pizza!) I was inspired by his passion towards pizza.

I decided then and there that I wanted to be a connoisseur also, and it didn't take long to decide on my specialty.  I love food.  I love salty, crunchy, spicy and cheesy food the most, so it was a no-brainer that I become a Nacho Connoisseur. 

Yesterday we were enjoying a plate of nachos outside on the patio at Legend's American Grill and I made the decision to take my connoisseurship to the next level.  I vowed to start a blog where the nachos we taste will be reviewed based on specific criteria. 

All of the nachos will be critiqued on the following:

Presentation:  How pretty do they look when they arrive?  Are the toppings evenly dispersed?
Value: Am I spending an arm and a leg for something I can make at home in the microwave?
Originality: What are the toppings used?  How innovative is the recipe?
Quality: Are the chips sturdy enough to hold the weight of the toppings?  Are the ingredients fresh?  Is it served piping hot?
Taste: Are they good? Will I order them again?

Every time I order nachos, I will first take a picture before diving in, and then I will report back here with my findings.  I look forward to my first official post as the Nacho Czar!