Nachojawn had the occasion to head to the middle of the state a few times recently for work. Having a couple hours to kill I popped into Zembie’s Tavern for lunch and a beer.

I overheard someone ordering the nachos and felt it necessary to strike up a conversation about the relative merits of Harrisburg nachos. My new friends were kind enough to offer me a bite. Pretty standard bar nachos. Chips are obviously made off-site. Salsa and sour cream are out of the can. But a nice selection of toppings and pretty good coverage.

3.41/5 pickled jalapeños – Eat these when you’re lobbing for State Nacho Day in Pennsylvania’s Capital City

Zembie’s Tavern
226 N. 2nd St.
Harrisburg, PA

Almost makes me want to start the companion site Pizzajawn.

After a little bit of work in Royersford, PA, Nachojawn put on the mask in search of Mexican food. I stopped into Frida’s Bella Mexican Food (no relation to Frida’s Cantina in South Philly.

Fresh chips and salsa with a sidral to start

I had a pretty decent hunger going so I ordered up the pastor burrito. I was afraid the sauce was going to be too sweet but it was better balanced than I anticipated. The potato chips were a little random but I guess that’s how they roll in the ‘burbs. The cheese melted well, nicely balanced ingredients and composition made this another strip mall winner.

On our way up through the Catskills, Mrs. Nachojawn found this gem.

The prices were right and we ordered up a TomTom patty melt, cheese dog and some fries.

The special Texas sauce on the TomTom was tasty and we got our grub on at the counter with Newburgh’s finest. Two thumbs up.

Took a quick little day trip to Chesapeake City, MD, where the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay are connected by a canal. The Chesapeake Inn is right on the water – a nice spot with love music and these tasty nachos.

Wasn’t expecting queso this tasty – and the Old Bay worked as well. Pretty, prettay good. There are worse ways to spend a summer afternoon.

4.15/5 pickled jalapeños – eat these while drinking an orange crush and jamming to a cover band

After a softball game this summer we stopped for some outdoor late night nachos at Tio Flores on South Street.

They come with onions, poblano, lime cream, pickled jalapeños and queso mixto. We went for the classic gringo ground beef on top.

These were really nice – broiled up perfectly.and paired well with the spicy Tio margarita

4.01/5 pickled jalapeños – eat these on a hot summer night after hitting one onto the train tracks at Taney

While Little Miss Nachojawn and Nachojawn Jr were off at overnight camp we headed up to the Catskills and Lake George.

Tucked into the resort was Mr. Brown’s Pub – nachos on the menu meant we had to try them

We gave them some constructive criticism – they needed to be a little bit more well done, the chips were nothing special, and the layering needed some work.

Compared to the rest of the food at the resort, these were good. In the world of nachos however, they’re lacking.

2.54/5 pickled jalapeños – eat these after a day on the lake.

Lake George and the Catskills are highly recommended.

El Bocado is a Salvadorean/Mexican joint on a sliver of Passyunk and Carpenter, right around the corner from Nachojawn HQ.

We ordered from both sides of the menu – these are the Mexican enchiladas verdes along with some rice and beans that we were told were the owner’s mom’s recipe.

Off the Salvadorean side, we got the pastelitos, which are essentially ground beef empanadas, and are also delicious, as well as a couple of pupusas. At $2.50 each, the pupusa is one of the great cheap eats in town.

They’re also BYOB and make a variety of aguas frescas for mixers. I’ll be back for nachos…..

El Bocado
1005 E. Passyunk Avenue