If you love tacos (and who doesn’t??), you have probably wondered at some point where tacos come from. Well, keep reading to learn more about the origin of tacos, along with other interesting facts about everyone’s favorite tortilla-based dish.
Where Do Tacos Come From?
Although they are increasingly popular around the world, tacos come from Mexico. That’s the easy part. The hard part is figuring out where exactly in Mexico were tacos invented.
As you might imagine, many places in Mexico have staked their claim as the birthplace of tacos. And who can blame them? Earning that title would give any place a huge boost in visitors, not to mention the bragging rights that come with it.
Silver Mines
According to one of the most accredited theories, tacos were invented in the silver mines of Mexico, where miners needed dishes that were easy to prepare and carry around, almost an early version of fast food.
If we go by this map of Mexican mining centers during colonial times created by National Autonomous University of Mexico, some potential candidates to the title of birthplace of taco would include:
- Chihuahua
- Chalchihuites
- San Luis Potosi
- Durango
- Zacatecas
- Aguascalientes
- Guanajuato
- Tzintzuntzan
- Zacualpan
- Taxco
- Zumpango
- Pachuca
- Tlalpujahua
A bit of linguistic trivia may lend some credence to this theory. The word “taco” itself, originally didn’t refer to food, but to a paper cylinder filled with gunpowder. And while this is a compelling coincidence, it’s far from being definitive proof of the origin of tacos.
Tenochtitlan
Others argue that tacos must predate the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores in Mexico. After all, the Aztecs already consumed tortillas, so it’s hard to believe that they never thought to put food in a tortilla.
In this scenario, the cradle of tacos would be Tenochtitlan itself, the proud capital of the ancient Aztec empire.
In fact, some people theorize that tacos may have been born when Aztec women sent food to their husbands wrapped in a tortilla, a smart and eco-friendly solution that would make any 21th-century industrial designer proud!
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it. These are the two most popular theories about where tacos were invented.
Whether you believe that Aztecs themselves invented tacos or find it more likely that they were invented by busy, explosion-happy miners, something is indisputable: tacos rock and you are welcome to enjoy them at El Pollo Norteño anytime you want!
El Pollo Norteño: Authentic Mexican Food
Craving delicious, authentic Mexican food made with ingredients of the highest quality? El Pollo Norteño has you covered!
Visit any of our five locations (Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, and Lake Forest), order online, get in touch through Facebook, or call 866-MI-POLLO to enjoy our vast selection of authentic Mexican dishes.