Originating from northern Mexico, nachos consists of tortilla chips covered with melted cheese. Toppings such as ground beef, guacamole, sour cream, and lettuce can be added. It is a Tex-Mex dish, meaning it is a fusion of Mexican and American cuisines. Americans celebrate Nachos Day on Nov. 6. Nachos is a fairly modern dish created by restaurateur Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya in 1943. He wanted to offer a snack to guests that stopped by a restaurant he was managing. With the chef unavailable, Anaya scurried around the kitchen. Combining tortilla chips, cheese, and jalapeno peppers, he offered the guests a dish that became known as the nachos we know today. Throughout Texas and Southwest states, nachos became an instant hit. By 1950, a recipe for nachos appeared in a cookbook for the first time. While most credit Anaya, some claim waitress Carmen Rocha invented the dish and later introduced it to Los Angeles in 1959.
Ray Hong Staff Reporter
1. What does the dish 'nachos' consist of?
2. What is the story about Ignacio Anaya?
3. What happened in 1950?
1. Have you ever tried nachos? (the dish, not just the chips)
2. What do you know about Mexican food?
3. Who do you think invented the dish - Anaya or Rocha?
4. Why do you think there are different claims for the origin of nachos?
Originating from northern Mexico, nachos consists of tortilla chips covered with melted cheese. Toppings such as ground beef, guacamole, sour cream, and lettuce can be added. It is a Tex-Mex dish, meaning it is a fusion of Mexican and American cuisines. Americans celebrate Nachos Day on Nov. 6.
