National Nachos Day
Every year on November 6th, we observe National Nachos Day to celebrate one of the most popular and versatile snacks.
This day gives everyone an excuse to enjoy a plate of nachos loaded with cheese, guacamole, salsa and every other topping you love.
Whether you prefer classic cheese nachos or you love to experiment with different flavors, you would not find a better excuse than this day.
National Nachos Day should not be confused with International Nacho Day, which is celebrated on October 21st.
Origin of National Nachos Day
National Nachos Day traces its origins to 1943 in Piedras Negras, Mexico, where Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya worked at the Victory Club. When a group of U.S. soldiers’ wives arrived after hours, Anaya quickly improvised a dish using tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and jalapeños. This simple snack, named “Nacho's Especiales,” became an instant hit. As its popularity spread, the dish evolved into the nachos we know today. National Nachos Day celebrates this iconic creation on November 6th each year, honoring both the original recipe and its many delicious variations.
History of Nachos
Nachos were first born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas.
Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya invented nachos at the Victory Club in 1943 as Mamie Finan and a group of U.S. military officers' wives whose husbands were stationed at the nearby Fort Duncan, paid a visit to the restaurant.
Unfortunately, Anaya found that the cook was absent on that day, and he decided to make something with the freshly fried corn tortillas he found in the kitchen.
He chopped the tortillas into triangles topped them with shredded cheese, sliced pickled jalapeño peppers, quickly heated them and served them.
Upon Finan's curiosity about the dish, Anaya called it “Nacho's Special” from his own nickname which is a commonly used term for Ignacio in Spanish.
Anaya opened his own restaurant after sometime later which was called “Nacho's Restaurant” located in Piedras Negras.
Anne's Cookbook published his original recipe in 1954 and the dish quickly gained popularity which rapidly spread across Texas and the Southwestern United States.
The word “nachos” was first used in English in 1949 in the book A Taste of Texas.
Carmen Rocha, a waitress at El Cholo Spanish Cafe in San Antonio, Texas introduced nachos to Los Angeles in 1959.
This dish went further modifications in 1976 when Frank Liberto, owner of Ricos Products came up with a version of cheese sauce and prepared tortilla chips. He sold these “ballpark nachos” at Texas Rangers baseball games in Arlington, Texas.
Nachos became even more popular during a Monday Night Football game on September 4, 1978, when sportscaster Howard Cosell talked about nachos in his broadcasts introduced them to a broader audience.
Ignacio Anaya passed away in 1975 and in his honor a bronze plaque was placed in Piedras Negras.
Ignacio Anaya, Jr., continues his legacy by serving as a judge at the annual nacho competition.
Observing National Nachos Day
From being a basic snack to becoming a gourmet treat with countless variations and this simple snack is now what we know as nachos that can be topped with a variety of ingredients like chicken, beef, pork, guacamole, sour cream, and beans.
To celebrate National Nachos Day, whip up a plate of your favorite nachos! Whether you stick to the classic cheese version or pile on your preferred toppings, it's all about enjoying this delicious dish your way.
Create Your Own Plate of Nachos
Ingredients:
- 1 bag of tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
- ½ cup guacamole
- ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- ½ cup cooked ground beef or chicken (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
- Arrange a layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the chips.
- Add any additional toppings you like (ground beef, chicken, olives, etc.).
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and jalapeño slices.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Feel free to get creative with your toppings and share your nacho creations on social media using the hashtag #NationalNachosDay.
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