Fancified Tex-Mex in Ballard

Nachos at the Matador

Head to the Ballard outpost of this Tex-Mex mini-chain for gourmet fusion eats -- chipotle-mayo burgers, ancho chile wings -- fancified margaritas (cucumber-jalapeno!), and a legit rustic setting featuring tabletops that the owner built by hand. Don’t miss the nachos either, which are piled high with enough layers of cheese to cushion you from an on-coming bull -- or maybe just make you a bigger target for that bull. Point being: don’t wear spandex to The Matador.