Hold Up with Dulcé Sloan & Josh Johnson from The Daily Show · Comedy Central

Nachos vs. Chili Cheese Fries

March 2, 2023·37 min·3 clips

Dulcé describes her ideal nacho queso as 'that good white Protestant old money' European queso.

Dulce Sloan and Josh Johnson square off in a playful but passionate debate over nachos versus chili cheese fries. Josh opens by championing nachos for their variety, praising the range from movie theater nachos with stadium cheese to restaurant-quality nachos loaded with chorizo, plantains, and rice. He emphasizes that white queso is the only acceptable cheese for top-tier nachos and argues that the topping combinations are endless, including seafood nachos and breakfast nachos. Dulce counters by arguing for chili cheese fries, contending that the right waffle fry with homemade cheese sauce and well-seasoned chili reaches a higher peak than any nacho. She acknowledges nachos have more topping options but insists chili compensates through depth of seasoning. Both hosts agree that temperature is critical for both dishes, since cold nachos become cement and cold chili cheese fries are unacceptable. They discuss the structural problems of each food: nachos suffer from uneven topping distribution where the middle chips get soggy and the edges stay dry, while chili cheese fries require monitoring three separate temperature elements. The conversation veers into comedy territory as they roast people who order plain chicken-and-cheese nachos, adults who only eat cheese pizza, and a man who ordered bacon extra moist at IHOP. Josh recounts a disastrous date where thin restaurant chips kept snapping while he tried to eat guacamole, culminating in flinging guac onto his date. They discuss the merits of Tostitos Scoops, Doritos as nacho chips (both agree this is unacceptable), and the importance of layered nacho construction where toppings are distributed between multiple layers of chips rather than just piled on top. Neither host fully concedes, though both acknowledge the strengths of the other side.

As heard by us

A snack debate that turns queso, fries, and toppings into comic evidence.

Hold Up keeps its focus on a very specific food debate: nachos versus chili cheese fries, with Josh Johnson making the case for white queso, variety, olives, seafood nachos, and toppings that go well beyond the basics.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Your next snack war starts with white queso and ends with nachos versus chili cheese fries.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Hold Up with Dulcé Sloan & Josh Johnson from The Daily Show