Nachos, main dish from Mexico: what it is and how it is eaten

Nachos are a Mexican dish made by layering tortilla chips with cheese and a variety of toppings, such as beans, meats, vegetables, and sauces. First created in Piedras Negras, Mexico, in the 1940s, nachos are now enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or even a meal, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine.

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Invented in 1943 by Ignacio Anaya in Piedras Negras, Mexico
Named after the creator's nickname, 'Nacho'
International Day of the Nacho is celebrated on October 21
Stadium nachos use a pumpable cheese sauce for quick serving
Loaded nachos can include meats, beans, and a range of toppings

What is Nachos?

Nachos are made by covering crispy tortilla chips with cheese, which is then melted. Toppings can include sliced jalapeños, beans, seasoned meats like chicken or beef, and vegetables such as tomatoes and olives. Cold garnishes like salsa, sour cream, and guacamole are often added just before serving. The dish is colorful and can range from simple to elaborate, depending on the toppings. The chips stay crisp under the warm cheese, while the toppings add a mix of spicy, creamy, and fresh flavors.

Where does Nachos come from?

Nachos were first assembled in 1943 by Ignacio Anaya in Piedras Negras, a city near the Mexico–U.S. border. He put together fried tortilla triangles, cheese, and pickled jalapeños for guests at the Victory Club when the cook was unavailable. The name comes from Anaya’s nickname, 'Nacho.' The dish quickly gained popularity in Texas and the Southwest United States, spreading further as new versions appeared. Nachos have since become a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine and are celebrated with festivals and commemorative days.

How is Nachos made?

To prepare nachos, tortilla chips are spread out on a platter and topped with cheese, which is melted either in an oven or under a broiler. Additional toppings such as cooked meats, beans, or vegetables can be layered before or after melting the cheese. Cold toppings like salsa, sour cream, and guacamole are usually spooned on just before serving. In stadiums and large venues, nachos are often made with a processed cheese sauce for convenience.

A plate of Nachos —tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, sliced chile peppers, sliced black olives, and chili sauce—as served by the Logenhaus Roast & Grill in the UEP Subang Jaya township of Selangor, Malaysia. Chee — A plate of Nachos —tortilla chips topped with melted cheese, sliced chile peppers, sliced black olives, and chili sauce—. Photo: chee.hong, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

beef, beans, and cheese on a bed of tortilla chips. Photo: Renee Comet (photographer), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cheese nachos. Photo: Simranjeet Sidhu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Nachos eaten?

Nachos are served hot, often as a shared snack or appetizer, but can also be eaten as a main meal when loaded with extra toppings. They are popular at casual gatherings, sports events, and festivals. People often eat them straight from the platter, picking up chips with their hands. In restaurants, nachos may be customized with a choice of toppings, and buffet-style setups let diners build their own.

Kinds of Nachos

There are many takes on nachos. Some versions use barbecue sauce or pulled pork, especially in the southeastern U.S. Irish nachos swap out tortilla chips for potato slices or fries. 'Totchos' use tater tots as a base. Dessert nachos use sweet toppings on a crispy base. The classic version sticks to cheese and jalapeños, while 'loaded' nachos pile on beans, meats, and vegetables. Stadium nachos typically use pumpable cheese sauce for speed and ease.

What Nachos means

Nachos have become a symbol of Tex-Mex food and are celebrated in both Mexico and the United States. Piedras Negras holds an annual festival in their honor, and there are records for the largest serving of nachos. The dish is commonly found at sports games, parties, and restaurants, and even has special days dedicated to it, such as International Day of the Nacho and National Nacho Day.

Questions people ask about Nachos

What are nachos made of?

Nachos start with tortilla chips topped with melted cheese. They often include jalapeños, beans, meats like beef or chicken, vegetables, and cold garnishes such as salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Where did nachos originate?

Nachos were first made in Piedras Negras, Mexico, in 1943 by Ignacio Anaya at the Victory Club restaurant, near the border with Texas.

Are nachos always served as a snack?

Nachos can be a snack, appetizer, or even a main meal, depending on how many toppings are added and how they are served.

What kinds of cheese are used on nachos?

Common cheeses include cheddar, American, processed cheese sauce, and sometimes Mexican cheeses like Chihuahua or Oaxaca. Stadium nachos often use a pumpable cheese sauce.

Are there different versions of nachos?

Yes, nachos vary widely. Some use barbecue pork, potatoes instead of chips, or sweet toppings for dessert. The classic version uses just cheese and jalapeños.

Good reading and sources

The History of Baseball Stadium NachosSmithsonian Magazine, Article

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nachos", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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