#5 Parlor Pizza, West Loop, IL

One of the best new restaurants/bars in the West Loop in 2015, primarily known for being a pizza/sports/sit outside/admire the skyline bars, also offers a unique nacho dish. I knew of Parlor Pizza from my days as a young stud trekking around downtown just a year ago and I remember my initial reaction being, "Oh great; another ho hum trendy bar in the trendy neighborhood with second rate food and an ambiance rivaling that of the other 100000 trendy bars in Chicago. I know, I know, it was a premature rush to judgment and I was a bit skeptical of the joint to begin with, but my skepticism was put to rest when I tried their nacho dish this past Sunday. Without further adieu, here is the #5 seed in the West Loop/West Town Region, Parlor Pizza's Nacho Bites.

Presentation- 4

As you can see from the picture, the presentation here was tremendous-- the lettuce and tomato centerpiece, the nacho bites organized ever so creatively and proportionately around the dish, the overall "evenness" of the dish was a sight to behold. A 5 is a hard score to achieve, but this dish came damn close in terms of presentation.

Dish- 2

While the presentation was nothing short of great, the actual dish left much to be desired. A basic dish? These nachos deserved more from their serving dish.

Spread- 3

As mentioned in the presentation section, the organization and display of the dish weren't lacking in any way. However, there was a good deal of open space on the dish for more, but there were no more nachos to fill the space. None more nachos for the space.

Temperature- 3

They weren't hot but also not cold. Do I think they could have been hotter? Of course, but the temp didn't take away from the quality of the dish and the experience.

Volume- 2

My roommate accompanied me on this review and we both agreed that there could be a lot more to this dish. So much so that we had to order two dishes in order to feel satisfied. There is an expectation that, despite being classified as an appetizer dish, a nacho dish should have enough to feed many and leave them all fairly full. This was not enough to make two people feel fairly full, hence the low rating.

Average Bite Size- 3

Each chip with condiments on it could fit into my mouth, but my roommate struggled a bit, two-biting each chip. In other words, depending on how big your mouth is, you can either fit an entire chip from this dish in your mouth or not.

Ingredients:

Chips- 3

Standard tortilla chip; crispy, not soggy, held toppings without breaking apart.

Cheese- 3

Shredded, melted on top of the chips; just the right amount of cheese on all the chips.

Meat- 3

BBQ pork was delicious and it was just enough on each chip to not be overwhelming and still be tasty. However, it wasn't THAT tasty to merit anything above a 3-- the flavor was there, but it was just enough to say to yourself, "OH yeah! Meat!" and then have the taste fade away quickly.

Veggies- 2

While the veggies propped up the presentation score big time, it left the veggies score lacking due to a lack of them on top of the nachos. It also took more effort than it should (not a lot of effort, but more than just scooping) to get the veggies onto the chips. There's definitely room for improvement here.

Extras- 5

Mini chunks of avocado and a chipotle cream drizzled over all of the nachos put this score into the stratosphere. Both really added an entirely new level of flavor to the dish. Level 1 was the nacho, meat and cheese. Level 2 was the cream and the avocado. #levels

Chip-to-condiment ratio- 3

Despite each chip being consumed along with the majority of the toppings in one bite, the leftover lettuce and tomatos push this score back down to earth. Need to have an empty dish at the end of the day.

Bang-for-buck- 3

At $10, this dish is definitely one of the best nacho dishes at that price. However, it is truly an appetizer for just 2 people and is not something that can necessarily be shared among a larger group of people.

Overall Nacho Score- 39

I was definitely surprised in many ways by this dish and recommend that everyone go give it a try. However, buyer be warned that for parties of more than two people, you will likely need more than one nacho dish in order to be sufficiently appetized.

#3 Sheffield's Beer and Wine Garden, Lakeview, IL

It was only fitting that the first official review was at the bar where this idea all started, Sheffield's Beer and Wine Garden. I rallied up a dear friend to accompany me on the first review and below are the results. 

Presentation- 4 

The nachos were not directly on the dish, but on top of a checkered plastic sheet that was fitting for the BBQ style nachos we opted for and it makes cleanup 1000 times easier. Few things are worse than scraping burned cheese and condiments off of a platter.

Dish- 3 

They used a round silver serving dish/platter thing that held the thick layered nachos in well; nothing special but not terrible.

Spread- 4 

Nachos and condiments filled the plate to the brim and the plate held them in. Condiments were evenly dispersed and no chip was left without toppings on it.

Temperature- 3

Not scorching hot but could have been a little warmer; didn't affect the overall eating experience.

Volume- 4

Just enough to fill up two hungry people, both of whom are former swimmers, akin to eating lots of food.

Average Bite Size- 3

Some bites were too big and others too small; just about what you'd expect. Could only be better if every bite fit perfectly in your mouth.

Ingredients:

Chips- 5 

Blew my mind. They used to use the standard tortilla chips, but have switched to using BBQ dry-rubbed crispy potato chips. Added next-level flavor, held all toppings without breaking apart and showed no signs of getting soggy as the meal went on.

Cheese- 3

It could have only been better had shredded cheese been added; cheese was melted in a queso way but it wasn't super spicy like queso or super bland like the cheese from sporting venues; it was just right.

Meat- 3

The fact that the meat was brisket propped this score up a bit; the volume of meat left much to be desired, but the pieces on it were full of flavor. Pulled pork and pulled chicken were other options.

Veggies- 2

Loaded up on the Jalepenos which is good if that's your game. However, when they're all over and the tomatoes and olives are lacking, the score dips.

Extras- 4

You can see the Guac right on top and it tastes just as good as it looks. Despite being whalloped on top-center, there was plenty of Guac to be had right up until the end. BBQ sauce was all over which was a great touch; lack of salsa dips keeps it from being a 5.

Chip-to-condiment ratio- 3

Roughly about even considering the only condiments left were jalepenos. Did have to use a fork to finish the last few bites, which isn't terrible but keeps this score from being a 4

Bang-for-buck- 4

At $12 for the brisket nachos pictured that fills you and a friend up to the brim, this might turn out to be one of the best values in the city, as it won't break the bank getting a high quality nacho dish.

Overall Nacho Score: 45

Still one of my favorite dishes in the city; they might win the whole damn bracket. If you have yet to check out the bar, come with an empty stomach, get a Three Floyds, and ask for the brisket nachos. Then thank me later.