Yes, today, November 6th, is Nacho Day, also known as I Love Nachos Day! Seriously, it’s true! Actually, it is NATIONAL Nacho Day, as there is an INTERNATIONAL Nacho Day on October 21st. Why are there different dates? I haven’t been able to find the answer to that, yet.
Nachos originated in Mexico and are popular in Tex-Mex cuisine. Basically, it’s just tortilla chips topped with melted cheese. They were created by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya in 1943. He made the original nachos with fried tortilla chips covered with melted cheese and jalapeno peppers. He was a maitre d’ at the Victory Club in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, which is located over the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. Anaya invented nachos from what the restaurant had left over in the kitchen, after several US soldiers’ wives from Eagle Pass arrived after the restaurant closed. He called this dish nachos especiales (special nachos).
Anaya’s dish quickly became popular in Texas, and waitress Carmen Rocha introduced the nachos to Los Angeles at the El Cholo Mexican restaurant in 1959. In 1977, Frank Liberto marketed the chips with soft cheese at a sporting event at Arlington Stadium in Arlington Texas. And Howard Cosell further popularized this food during a Monday Night Baseball game by mentioning the dish during his broadcasts for weeks. And there you have it, the history of nachos, and how their popularity spread in the US.
October 21st was declared the International Day of the Nacho following Anaya’s death in 1975, and a commemorative plaque is located in Piedras Negras. His son, Ignacio Anaya Jr. is a judge at the annual nacho competition.
Who doesn’t love nachos? They are perfect for parties, appetizers, snacks, and sports games. How do we celebrate? Well, by eating nachos, of course.
There are so many ways to eat nachos, so let’s get creative. We can keep it simple with plain nachos and cheese. You can also try the following toppings on your nachos; refried beans, black beans, sour cream, jalapenos, lettuce, guacamole, sautéed onions and peppers, tomatoes, olives, corn, and different meats, such as ground beef, pork, chicken, chili con carne, chorizo. The ingredients you can add to your nachos are unlimited.
You can try Italian nachos. Add marinara sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, garlic, black olives and basil and toast in the oven. Delizioso!
In Tennessee, they specialize in barbecue nachos. Add barbecued pork to the chips and then cover with melted cheese, barbecue sauce and sliced jalapeno peppers.
If you would rather go out and enjoy your nachos, try pretty much any Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurant. You won’t be disappointed.
Are you located near New York? If so, here are some suggestions for really good nachos, according to Nachos NY. Enjoy and Happy National Nacho Day!
Cinco De Mayo – 1202 Cortelyou Rd., Brooklyn, NY 11218
Lime Jungle – 803 9th Ave., New York, NY 10019
Acapulco – 1116 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11222
Bonita – 243 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205
Cilantro – 1712 2nd Ave Frnt, New York, NY 10128
Tortilla Flats – 767 Washington St., New York, NY 10014
Los Pollitos Restaurant II – 148 5th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Florencia 13 – 185 Sullivan Street, New York, NY 10012
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachos
http://nachosny.com/
