Nachos have a pretty funny origin story. But what’s more interesting is that this delicious, crunchy, cheesy snack has its own holiday.
That is National Nachos Day, celebrated every year on November 6. But to truly enjoy this tasty holiday, you need a little background knowledge.
So keep reading to learn the curious tale of how nachos came to be, why we celebrate them, and creative ways to celebrate National Nachos Day.
History of National Nachos Day.
In 1943, a group of American soldiers’ wives walked into a restaurant in Piedras, Mexico. There, the restaurant manager Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya took their orders.
But when he got to the kitchen, the cook was nowhere to be found.
Spotting a pile of freshly fried corn tortillas, Anaya got an idea. He cut the tortillas into small triangles and topped them with shredded cheese and chopped, pickled jalapenos.
The guests loved Anaya’s dish so much that they asked what it was called, and he quickly responded, “Nacho’s special.” Nacho is a common nickname for Ignacio, so Anaya basically named this dish after himself.
Nacho’s special was such a huge hit among locals that the restaurant owner added it to the menu.
When the restaurant closed in 1961, Anaya opened his own restaurant, El Nacho, and continued serving nachos.
In 1976, Frank Liberto gave nachos a fun twist. His version involved pouring cheese sauce over a bowl of tortilla chips, and this became ballpark nachos.
Over the years, nachos have continued to evolve with so many layers and toppings. The best part is that nachos are global now, with so many versions in different countries.
For example, there’s the Indian masala nachos, Canadian poutine nachos, and even Italian nachos topped with sausages and Alfredo sauce.
Out of genuine love for this delicious dish, a day was set aside to celebrate it: National Nacho Day, observed annually on November 6.
How to celebrate National Nachos Day
Here are some fun things you can do to celebrate National Nachos Day.
Make nachos from scratch.
For National Nachos Day, unleash your inner chef and make nachos at home.
Begin by mixing masa harina (corn dough flour) with salt and warm water until you get a soft dough. Roll it out and then cook the tortillas on a dry skillet.
Cut the cooked tortillas into triangles, then fry until golden and crisp to make the perfect homemade corn chips for your nachos.
For the topping, you can just gather whatever items you typically like on your nachos, such as ground beef, refried beans, pickled jalapenos, fresh vegetables, and cheese.
Host a nachos-and-games house party.
Think of it like having ballpark nachos right in your living room. Everyone can come with homemade nachos or bring some from their favorite spot.
All that’s left to do is spend the evening playing games or watching your favorite team play!
Have friends over for a make-your-own nachos party.
This can even be a friendly contest to see who can make the most impressive and delicious nachos stack.
Just make sure you have all the essentials set out on a table, buffet-style, along with a wide variety of toppings and sauces.
This way, everyone can whip up their own signature combos, and you don’t have to worry about everyone’s likes and dislikes.
National Nachos Day FAQs
Are there other nachos-themed holidays?
Yes, International Nachos Day is another holiday dedicated to celebrating nachos. It comes up every year on October 21 and is celebrated much in the same way as National Nachos Day.
What is the correct layering of nachos?
Start with a large tray and evenly spread out one layer of nachos chips. Then add your toppings, such as meat, beans, and cheese, ensuring that no ingredient is left out.
Repeat this arrangement until you have as many layers as you’d like.
Are nachos Mexican or American?
It’s actually a little bit of both. Nachos were invented in Mexico, but have been influenced by American culture over the years.
So, it’s more commonly considered a Tex-Mex cuisine.
5 Facts About Nachos
Anaya didn’t initially try to trademark nachos. However, 20 years later, his son got a lawyer to begin the trademark process, but unfortunately, he was informed that it was already too late.
Google made a doodle in honor of Anaya on August 15, 2019, which would have been his 124th birthday.
There’s an annual nachos festival held yearly between October 13 and 15 at the birthplace of nachos in Piedras Negras.
On September 25, 2022, an event promoting the revival of Beavis and Butthead broke the record for the largest serving of nachos. The promotional feast weighed a whopping 4,870 pounds (2,209 kilograms)!
A single serving of nachos can contain 300-600 calories (1255-2505 kilojoules). Much of that comes from the topping, as each tortilla chip only contains about 6-15 calories (25-62 kilojoules).
From one man’s creativity in the kitchen with only a few supplies, nachos were born. And almost overnight, it became a hit and an essential part of American and Mexican cuisine.
With that much impact and history behind this snack, it makes sense that it gets its own holiday.
National Nachos Day, celebrated every year on November 6, ensures this beloved dish gets all the love it deserves.