Irish nachos use what food in place of tortilla chips?

Irish nachos use potatoes in place of tortilla chips.

The term usually describes a pub-style dish in which sliced, roasted, or fried potatoes carry toppings normally associated with nachos. Cheese, bacon or other meats, scallions, sour cream, and jalapeños may be added, although recipes vary widely. French fries are one documented potato form used for Irish nachos.

This is a playful adaptation, not a traditional Irish dish with one fixed recipe. The “Irish” label points mainly to the potato base and often to pub food culture. It should not be confused with the original nachos, which were created in 1943 by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya in Piedras Negras, Mexico, from fried corn tortillas, cheese, and jalapeño peppers.

Crackers, pretzels, and plantains can all support creative loaded snacks, but they are not the defining substitute in Irish nachos. The most precise general answer is potatoes; a particular recipe may specify fries, roasted slices, or another potato preparation.