See also Nachos Instructional Operating System.

Nachos in their simplest form are usually tortilla chips covered in melted cheese. Common additional toppings are:

• Ground beef
• Jalapeño pepper slices
• Refried beans
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Sour cream

Nachos were created in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya in 1943. The story goes that the wives of American airmen came to his restaurant after the kitchen had closed. Anaya quickly prepared the dish and later added it to his menu. The term "Nachos" came from what the dish was originally called, "Nacho's Especiales," or "Nacho's Special Dish." In its traditional form, it is a creation consisting of a quartered tostada topped with a layer refried beans and/or various meats and a layer of shredded cheese.

Nachos became popular as a concession food after the development of a premade cheese sauce which eased preparation. The cheese sauce can be dispensed on top of the tortilla chips, but it is often simply offered as a dip.

The first professional sports team to offer nachos in the concession stand was baseball's Texas Rangers. Nachos were cast into the spotlight by Monday Night Football's Howard Cosell. Cosell had purchased some nachos before a game and quickly used the word "nachos" to describe a spectacular play. Source: San Antonio Express News , Karen Haram.

See also

• Tex-Mex cuisine
• Mexican cuisine