The International Day of the Nacho is October 21. It’s one of America’s favorite Tex-Mex treats and you get permission to eat nachos for a full 24 hours! This day should be full of nachos in all their delicious forms, covered with just cheese or with all kinds of delicious additions, like black beans, olives, guacamole, chili — you name it!
History of International Day of the Nacho
The International Day of the Nacho is October 21 and its origins centers around Ignacio Anaya, who worked at the Old Victory Club in Piedras Negras in 1943. The Old Victory Club was situated near an American military base. One day, a group of American military wives went on a shopping trip. When they were done, hungry, they approached several restaurants but all of the restaurants in town were already closed. With stomachs rumbling, the women approached the last open restaurant, the Old Victory Club.
As the nachos legend continues, Ignacio Anaya worked either as a chef or a maitre d’ and because the restaurant rush was over, there wasn’t that much food left to offer the group. Feeling a bit sorry for them, Anaya offered to see what he could find and prepare himself. Eventually, he came out with a new Mexican hors d’oeuvre, a “nacho special.” Here’s some added trivia — Ignacio named the dish after himself because “Nacho” is short for Ignacio. According to “Time” magazine, Ignacio “sliced and fried some tortilla chips, covered them with shredded cheddar and sliced jalapenos and put the concoction in the oven for a couple of minutes.” The result was a new Tex-Mex classic dish that Americans and Mexicans have enjoyed ever since!