"national nachos day" news and stories

Photo: JeffreyW, Flickr

Happy National Nachos Day!

The prominent American snack has been around since way before Taco Bell went South of the Border to make it mainstream -- nachos were invented in Piedras Negras, Mexico, in 1943 by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya, an employee at the Victory Club restaurant. When a dozen American tourists appeared at the restaurant one night, the cook was nowhere to be found, so Nacho bolted into the kitchen to present something edible, throwing a plate of fresh tostodas and grated cheese under the broiler until melted then adding sliced jalapenos on top for garnish. The plate was initially dubbed "Nacho's Especiales" in its creator's honor, but was quickly shortened to the simple moniker of "nachos."

Although the dish's core remained unchanged -- cheese-and-chile-topped chips -- today's nachos can include nearly any ingredient in the kitchen cabinet or fridge: onions, olives, beans, chorizo, cilantro, salsa, etc. What do you like to put on your nachos? Share your concoctions in the comments!