If you’ve searched “asada nachos” or “carnitas nachos,” you already know the base is never the question — it’s which protein goes on top. Here’s how carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, and pollo actually differ on a plate of nachos, and how to pick.
Nachos are one of the few dishes where the protein choice changes almost everything about the eating experience — not just the flavor, but the texture, how the toppings sit on the chip, and even how the dish holds up as you work through the plate. That’s worth knowing before you order, not after.
Our Nachos, and How to Build Them
Our Nachos are $10.00 and come with beans, mozzarella, fresh cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños. To build them as carne asada nachos, carnitas nachos, or any other protein version, just specify your protein when you order — the same way you would with a taco or burrito off our Mexican food menu.
Carne Asada Nachos
Carne asada nachos are the classic choice, and for good reason — the citrus-marinated, grilled beef holds its shape well against melted cheese and toppings instead of disappearing into the pile. Sliced thin against the grain, it distributes evenly across a full plate of chips rather than clumping in one spot.
It’s also the leaner option of the two red-meat choices, which matters more on nachos than it does in a taco — a fattier protein can make an already rich, cheese-heavy dish feel heavier than it needs to.
Carnitas Nachos
Carnitas bring a completely different texture to the plate. The slow-braised, shredded pork is naturally tender enough that it doesn’t need much chewing, and it tends to melt into the cheese and toppings rather than sitting as a distinct layer on top.
That richer, softer texture is part of why carnitas is such a popular nachos topping — a plate built around it feels more indulgent and cohesive than one topped with a firmer protein. If you want your nachos to taste like one unified dish rather than chips-plus-toppings, carnitas is the better call.
Al Pastor and Pollo: The Other Two Options
Al pastor and pollo asado round out the protein lineup, each solving a different craving. Al pastor’s achiote-and-pineapple marinade adds a sweet, smoky note that plain cheese-and-jalapeño nachos don’t otherwise have — it’s the pick if you want something a little different from the standard beef-and-cheese combination.
Pollo asado is the lightest of the four proteins, which makes it a reasonable choice if you want a full plate of nachos without it feeling as heavy as a beef or pork version. For the full breakdown of how all four proteins are made and where they come from, see our guide to Mexican meats.
Carne Asada vs. Carnitas: Which Protein Wins on Nachos?
| Carne Asada | Carnitas | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Firm, sliced thin | Tender, shredded |
| How it sits on chips | Distributes evenly, stays distinct | Melts into toppings |
| Richness | Leaner | Richer, more indulgent |
| Best for | A lighter, classic plate | A more cohesive, indulgent plate |
There’s a practical reason carnitas holds up so well here, too — a registered dietitian’s breakdown of carne asada nutrition notes it’s the leaner of the two proteins, gram for gram, which is worth factoring in if you’re already loading the plate with cheese and sour cream.
What Actually Makes Nachos Good (Beyond the Protein)
Protein aside, a few structural details separate great nachos from a soggy pile of chips. Layering matters more than most people think — spreading chips and toppings in stages rather than dumping everything on top of one pile keeps every chip loaded instead of leaving the bottom layer bare.
America’s Test Kitchen’s breakdown of nacho engineering makes a similar point — melted cheese acting as a barrier between the chip and wetter toppings is what keeps individual chips from going soggy before you get to them. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between a plate that stays crisp to the last bite and one that turns to mush halfway through.
If You Want to Skip the Meat Entirely
Not every order needs a protein decision. Our base Nachos already come loaded with beans, mozzarella, fresh cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños — a genuinely complete plate on its own, not just a stripped-down version waiting for meat.
This is worth remembering if you’re ordering for a group with mixed preferences — a plain order gives everyone a base they can agree on, and anyone who wants meat can add their protein of choice on top rather than the whole plate being built around one person’s pick.
Building a Loaded Order for a Group
Nachos are naturally more shareable than tacos or burritos, since the format is already a single plate meant to be picked apart rather than portioned into individual servings. If you’re ordering for more than two people, it’s worth thinking about protein the same way you would for a pizza order — one dominant choice everyone can agree on, rather than trying to split the plate down the middle.
If the group genuinely can’t agree, carne asada is the safest default. It’s the most requested of the four proteins, and its firmer texture means it stays distinct enough on the plate that people who’d rather skip the meat can still pick around it without the whole dish tasting like beef.
Nachos vs. Tacos, Burritos, and Quesadillas
If you’re not sure nachos are actually what you want tonight, it helps to know how the format compares to the rest of our Mexican menu. Nachos are the only shareable, plated format on the list — tacos are individual and folded, burritos are rolled and portable, and quesadillas are grilled and cheese-forward on their own.
See our full tacos vs. burritos vs. quesadillas vs. tortas guide for the complete format breakdown, or our torta de asada guide if you’d rather have carne asada on a sandwich instead of a shared plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the best protein for nachos?
- It depends on what you want. Carne asada is leaner and holds its shape distinctly on the plate. Carnitas is richer and melts into the toppings for a more cohesive bite.
- How much are nachos at Paisa’s Pizza?
- $10.00, built with beans, mozzarella, fresh cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños. Specify your protein when you order.
- Can I get carnitas nachos or carne asada nachos specifically?
- Yes — note your preferred protein (carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, or pollo) when placing your order.
- What makes al pastor nachos different?
- Al pastor’s achiote and pineapple marinade adds a sweet, smoky flavor that isn’t present with the other three proteins.
- Why do nachos get soggy?
- Usually from wet toppings sitting directly on the chips without a barrier. A layer of melted cheese between the chip and wetter toppings helps keep the chips crisp longer.
- Is pollo asado a lighter option than carne asada?
- Yes — chicken is generally the leanest of the four protein options.
- Can I order nachos for a group?
- Call (215) 904-7353 to ask about portion sizing for larger orders.
Ready to build your plate?