The Coachella Valley has a ton of options for Mexican food – everything from authentic restaurants to frozen burritos at the mini-mart. But, if you are like me, if you are going to indulge in the carb and cheese filled, yummy goodness of a plate of nachos, you want it to be worth the extra hour (or more) you will have to spend on the treadmill to work it off. So do yourself a favor, next time you get some nachos – maybe check out El Jefe Tequila Bar in Palm Springs.

El Jefe comes from “Iron Chef” Jose Garces – and if you happen to have watched him on Food Network, you have seen the guy knows his shit.

Now full disclosure, the pictures on this post were done by the restaurant (I meant to take pictures the last time I was in, but I only remembered after 2/3 of the plate was already gone.  Beer + Nachos = Loss of Self Control) – but I have now ordered these nachos about half a dozen times and they have always looked (and tasted) amazing!

El Jefe gives you two options for your nacho dining pleasure…

The “Ignacio Nachos” come with black beans, tomato, queso mixto (mixed cheese), jalapeno, chile de arbol,  and radish.  The “Encarnacion Nachos” (my fave) are served up with skirt steak, refried beans, queso mixto (mixed cheese),  chile de arbol,  and crema, and cilantro. Of course everything is served up on a nice mound of tasty tortilla chips.

The ingredients are fresh and really mix well together – which is what you want when you scoop up a chip full of cheesy deliciousness.

Now if you really want to live it up, grab a Michelada with your nachos. El Jefe mixes Modelo, lime, and spices to make their Michelada – not that premix crap that some other places use. They then throw a little salt on the rim of your glass and you have the honor of gulping it all down. They also have a pretty big selection of tequila, if that is your thing.

El Jefe Tequila Bar is located in The Saguaro Hotel at 1800 East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. Whenever I have ventured out, there has always been plenty of seating and the bartenders are pretty cool. As a bonus, tell them you heard about them on Cactus Hugs – and be rewarded with a confused look. Then just tell them you meant The Desert Sun and everyone can have a laugh and move on.