A perk of dining at a Mexican restaurant is the fresh bowl of tortilla chips with a side of house-made salsa. It’s a combination of sweet and salty that’s difficult to resist and will have you returning for more. However, little is known about the origins of this delectable snack. Here’s a closer look at how it was first made and why it’s become such a popular tradition. 

Who Invented Tortilla Chips? 

Legend has it that Rebecca Webb Carranza and her husband, Mario, were the first to develop the technique that gave tortilla chips their signature crunch. It all started when they opened a Mexican deli in Los Angeles in the 1940s. 

They used an automatic tortilla-making machine to keep up with the demand, yet sometimes found themselves with an abundance of misshapen pieces at the end of the day. Instead of throwing out the excess, they decided to try cutting it up and frying it. 

Why Are They So Popular? 

At first, the couple only shared these crispy snacks with their close family and friends. They soon started packaging the chips into 10-cent bags and putting them in the deli. Customers were thrilled with this salty treat to the point where they could expand sales up and down the West Coast. 

Major companies, like Wise®, recognized their increasing popularity and decided to create some of their own. This led to the tortilla chips becoming a staple in the American home and established the expectation of receiving a fresh batch at your local Mexican restaurant.

What Dishes Include Tortilla Chips?

A common way to serve tortilla chips is under a layer of meat, cheese, and vegetables. Also known as nachos, it combines their salty crunch with a sweet, creamy finish. The shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes naturally enhance the dish’s appearance while offering a healthy addition. 

Tortilla chips can serve to bind ingredients in various casseroles, as well as to create a crumb-style coating for fried meats and vegetables. Other options include mixing them into a taco salad or breaking them up into a bowl of southwestern soup.

Treat your tastebuds by visiting Patron Mexican Grill in Cranberry Township, PA. This Mexican restaurant has been in business since 2006 and manages five locations throughout the area, including Monroeville, Wexford, and Pittsburgh. Their menu features only the finest Mexican cuisine and comes complete with a fresh bowl of chips and a cup of their house-made salsa. Call (724) 741-4455 to speak with a friendly team member, or visit their Facebook for information on their upcoming specials.