Food for Thought: The Story Behind Nachos

One thing’s for certain in this world – we’ve got to eat! But where exactly do foods and drinks get their names from?

There are countless dishes around the globe with a title attached to them but did you ever wonder about the origin of their names?

This week we’re bringing you the story behind Nachos.

The origin of the nacho begins in 1943, in the city of Piedras Negras, Mexico.

In a restaurant called the Victory Club owned by Rodolfo De Los Santos, the wives of ten to twelve U.S. soldiers arrived at the restaurant after a shopping trip – the restaurant had closed for the day.

Their husbands were stationed at Fort Duncan nearby in Eagle Pass. 

Though the Victory Club was closed that didn’t stop the group from being welcomed. The restaurant’s maître d'hôtel, Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya came up with a new snack for them with what he had available in the kitchen: tortillas and cheese.

It’s said that he cut the tortillas into triangles, grated the cheese and heated them. He topped off the dish with jalapeño peppers and sent them out to the diners. 

When Anaya was asked the name of the dish he answered, “Nacho's especiales”.

Anaya's original recipe was printed in St. Anne's Cookbook in 1954.

He died in 1975 but in his honor, a plaque was erected in Piedras Negras.

October 21^st was declared the International Day of the Nacho.

 

Previously:

• Eggs Benedict
• Margherita Pizza
• Melba Toast