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Nachos are among the most popular dishes served in Mexican restaurants. Featuring crunchy corn chips, creamy cheese, and fresh toppings, this widely beloved dish makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. Here is a bit of the history behind this classic dish and how it has changed over the years.

The Origin of Nachos

In the early 1940s, a man named Ignacio Anaya worked as maître d' in a restaurant called Club Victoria, located in the border town of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. A group of American women—wives of soldiers stationed at the nearby Eagle Pass Army Airbase in Texas—entered the restaurant one day after shopping in the area and wanted something to eat. However, the cook was off duty, so Anaya had to quickly improvise a dish using ingredients readily available in the kitchen. He topped tortilla chips with grated cheese and jalapenos and called his creation nachos especiales, or "special nachos." He actually named the dish after himself, since Nacho is a phonetic nickname for his first name, Ignatio.

Mexican restaurants

The women were pleased with Anaya's culinary creation, and word soon spread throughout the area about the tasty treat. Club Victoria added nachos especiales to their menu, and eateries throughout the region began to do the same, offering their own similar takes on the dish. The first recipe for nachos was recorded in an American cookbook in 1949, and by 1960, Anaya had opened his own Mexican restaurant, which he called El Nacho. In the ensuing decades, restaurants throughout the U.S. began to offer the dish, shortening the name to simply "nachos." This tasty menu item can now be found served in eateries around the world.

Modern Variations

The original recipe for nachos calls for corn chips covered in shredded American cheese and topped with sliced jalapenos. However, some eateries substitute flour tortillas for corn. Chefs may use other cheeses such as traditional Mexican varieties like Oaxaca or Cotija, or Monterey Jack, which is a mild white cheese that melts easily. "Nacho cheese," the bright orange liquid cheese often served with nachos at concessions stands, didn't emerge until decades later but quickly became synonymous with the dish.

In addition to jalapenos, toppings often include grilled meats, such as asada, al pastor, or chicken, along with pico de gallo, guacamole, or sour cream. Corn, black beans, freshly chopped cilantro, and diced tomatoes, green peppers, and onions have also become popular options over the years.

 

The next time you're in the mood for nachos, head to The Taco Spot. This Mexican restaurant offers delicious nachos, birria tacos, surf and turf options, and more to hungry patrons throughout Greater Chandler, AZ, and the surrounding area. Visit the website to view their complete lunch and dinner menus, or call (480) 917-7883 to place an order for takeout.

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