Since originating in 1943, the cheesy Mexican dish we know and love has been brought to unimaginable heights. Food fanatics tend to do that. They can’t help but put their own spin on what began as a more simple, straightforward snack.
Nachos seem to have a similar origin story as the chicken wing. Both were never thought of as a dish (let alone a menu item), but on one fateful night, a people-pleasing chef who didn’t want to turn guests away hungry, whipped up whatever he had lying around, and boom! Super Bowl parties were never the same again.
Expanding way beyond Mexico and the U.S., nachos now have stamps on their passport from many countries around the world. Their originator may or may not have approved of what’s been done to his culinary baby, but we hope he took comfort in knowing that everything done to them was done out of love. Here are 12 photos commemorating key moments in the history of melted cheese on tortilla chips.
1
Nachos Were Invented in 1943.
Invented by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya in Piedras Negras, Mexico, he improvised the dish for a group of U.S. military wives who arrived at his restaurant after closing time. The Original Recipe was Tortilla chips, melted cheese, and sliced jalapeños.
2
Nachos Became Popular in the U.S.
Since their birthplace, Piedras Negras, Mexico, sits just across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas, word spread quickly across the border. By the 1950s, nachos appeared on menus in American restaurants and sporting events.
3
The First Known Printed Recipe - 1954
A recipe for nachos appeared in St. Anne’s Cookbook, published by a church group in Eagle Pass, Texas. This marked the first formal recognition of nachos in culinary print media and helped them transition from improvised snack to household name.
4
Nachos in “Tex-Mex” and Borderland Culture - 1960s and ‘70s
Nachos became a staple in border town restaurants, often served as an appetizer or bar snack.They began including refried beans, ground beef, and other toppings in an American fusion known as “Tex-Mex cuisine.” Photo: The El Chico Menu - Texas, 1972
5
Nacho Cheese Sauce gave us “Ballpark Nachos” in 1976.
Frank Liberto, a concessionaire, began selling nachos with liquid cheese at Texas Rangers baseball games in Arlington Stadium. This made nachos more portable and stadium-friendly, helping them spread to sports venues across the U.S.
6
Nachos Go National on Monday Night Football in 1978.
NFL Announcer Howard Cosell mentioned "nachos" during a game broadcast. This exposure introduced millions of Americans to the term and helped cement nachos as a popular snack.
7
Nachos Become Fast Food in the 1980s.
Major chains like 7-Eleven and Taco Bell began offering nachos, and the nacho cheese pump machine (invented by Frank Liberto’s company, Ricos) became widespread in gas stations and convenience stores across the country.
8
Nachos Get the Super Bowl Treatment in the 1990s.
Nachos became a staple Super Bowl snack and led to recipes that included pulled pork, chili, exotic cheeses.
9
Restaurants begin serving “Loaded Nachos” in the ‘90s.
In this era, the menu item "loaded nachos" popped up in casual dining chains like Chili’s and Applebee’s, and many independent bars and restaurants nationwide.
10
Nachos Go Global (And Gourmet) in the 2000s.
Nachos have gone way beyond the original recipe with fusions like Korean nachos (with bulgogi and kimchi), Indian-style nachos (with paneer and chutneys) and dessert nachos. Duck confit nachos and truffle nachos are even found in gourmet restaurants.
11
Respected in Pop Culture
They have been featured on cooking shows like Top Chef and The Great British Bake Off.
12
October 21st Becomes “The International Day of the Nacho”
Established in their birthplace, Piedras Negras, Mexico, to honor Nacho Anaya, the annual Nacho Fest includes cooking competitions, tributes, and music — drawing visitors from both sides of the border.
