Did Walking Tacos Really Originate In Texas?
Life can get pretty hectic sometimes, which means you can't always sit down to enjoy a meal. That's why walking tacos are such a perfect form of sustenance, whether you're on your lunch break or taking in the sights at a fun outdoor festival. For the uninitiated, a walking taco combines a bag of chips, such as Doritos, with standard taco fixings like ground beef, shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. After assembling the ingredients and cooking the beef, the chips are crushed, the bag is split open, and all the walking taco components are combined. All you need is a fork or a spoon and you're all set.
Walking tacos are one of those rare foods that are as fun to eat as they are delicious. As a result, lots of regions would like to claim this recipe as their own. One common belief is that walking tacos originated in Texas, which is the birthplace of other Tex-Mex delights such as queso, chili con carne, and nachos (which bear a striking resemblance to walking tacos). However, the true origins are a bit more complicated, as they take inspiration from another fun-to-eat food: Frito pie.
Developed in the Southwest, named by the Midwest?
Walking taco preparations actually have roots in Frito pie, which is strikingly similar in design, except with Fritos in place of other chips. As for who invented Frito pie, two women are credited with developing the recipe. Some say the dish was invented by Teresa Hernandez of Santa Fe, New Mexico at some point in the '60s. Others claim that Texan Daisy Doolin created the recipe about three decades before Hernandez. Doolin was the mother of Charles Elmer Doolin, considered by many to be the inventor of Fritos (although Doolin bought the original chip recipe from Gustavo Olguin).
If that's not confusing enough, Frito Pie's alternate moniker was created elsewhere. In the Midwest, it's common practice to refer to a Frito pie as a walking taco thanks to the mobility of the recipe. This nickname eventually caught on all over the nation, and walking tacos are now an accepted part of culinary culture in the South, Midwest, and elsewhere around the country. The dish eventually made its way even further south, where it's a popular Mexican street food.
Walking taco variations found south of the border
As the capital of Mexico, Mexico City is known for its historical significance, exciting nightlife, and many culinary achievements. One such achievement is the city's tasty variations on walking tacos, which are the perfect meal for tourists taking in the many attractions and sights. Here the dish is known as Dorilocos, a name that is partially based on the Nacho Cheese Doritos that serve as its base. You'll also find Tostilocos, which are made with Tostitos instead of Doritos.
When it comes to toppings, snack lovers have a variety of tasty ingredients to choose from. Some preparations feature cueritos, also known as pickled pork skins. You can also top your chips with jicama, a root vegetable with the consistency of a potato but with a mildly sweet flavor. If you're feeling particularly spicy, Los Crazy Chips are another fine selection. This walking taco recipe features barbecue chips, salsa, and Clamato, which is a combination of spices, tomato juice, and clam broth. With so many great options out there, it's clear to see why walking tacos have captured the hearts and stomachs of people all over the world.