In Search of the Perfect Nacho

In "Jitterbug Perfume" the main character is in search of the perfect Taco, per her fathers dying wishes. Throughout the book, you learn that the character has moved from mexican restaurant to mexican restaurant all throughout the US in search of said Taco, to only find herself in Seattle... tacoless. By the end of the book, she realizes that her father did not mean for her literally to find the perfect taco; but instead to find the keys to having an amazing life. Which happen to be in the form of a beet.

I on the other hand... am in search of the perfect nacho. literally. The key to the perfect nacho is:

1. even distribution of toppings (this is key when nachos are layered)

2. no soggy nachos

3. no naked nachos

4. even amount of toppings (who wants a ton of cheese with a spoon full of salsa)

5. crisp nachos (but not burnt)

I have spent the past 6 years searching for the perfect nacho, with the hopes of writing a book one day on how to create said nachos, and also the top nacho establishments in the nation. In the interest of time, and your attention span, i'll just list the top 5 places in the greater Seattle Area:

1. Mission

2. GLC

3. Chupacabre

4. North Bend Bar and Grill

5. Gorditos

However... the best place i have had nachos to date was about 7 years ago in Maine:

They baked their nachos on a pizza pan, and only had 1 layer, which ensured even distribution. After the nachos were made, they were placed in a wood fire oven to cook. I have yet to find 1 single nacho that even comes close since then.

So, for those of you that ask what i've been doing since I quit my job, and before school starts... I've been packing up my house, running, biking and dreaming of the perfect nacho.