Quick Bites: Flavor Fiesta

For me, nachos typically conjure up high school memories of stale, salty corn chips topped with a hot glop of processed cheese. So I was grateful when Chicora Alley’s version graced my table. Melted spicy queso and Monterrey Jack cheeses ooze over and into each crispy crevice of the colorful corn chips. Pickled jalapeños, fresh guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo fall where they may.

But the powerhouse flavor comes by way of Chicora Alley’s house-made salsas, which change according to what’s fresh. My order brings pineapple and melon, mango, and black bean and corn salsas—the fruits’ juicy sweetness a complement to the jalapeños’ heat, and the black beans a meaty bite to the chips’ shatter effect.

Big enough for a meal, or to split between dinner and a midnight snack, this layered masterpiece redefines Tostitos and Velveeta.

Pile It On:
Chicora Alley
608 South Main Street
(864) 232-4100
www.chicoraalley.com