ScotchSquatch

I’ve blogged about a lot of “heroes” in the past. The dork that landed the plane in the Hudson, Joey Chestnut, the blind chick who wanted to fly across the country– but none have been as important to me as this guy:

My sweet prince, Ignacio.

So one day a bunch of military wives came into the restaurant he worked at, and needed a quick meal. The story goes as follows, from his son:

My father was maître d’ and he said ‘Let me go quick and fix something for you.’ He went into the kitchen, picked up tostadas, grated some cheese on them—Wisconsin cheese, the round one—and put them under the salamander (a broiling unit that browns the top of foods). He pulled them out after a couple of minutes, all melted, and put on a slice of jalapeño.

— Ignacio Anaya Jr

And just like that, everyone’s life became worth living. The fact that this guy isn’t a household name ACROSS THE WORLD but everyone knows who fucking Jimmy Carter and Huckleberry Finn are is a travesty.

Think right now about every time you had nachos. All those drunk times you stumbled in the house and the only food you had was some questionable pre-shredded cheese and stale chips. And you threw them both down onto a plate and put them in the microwave for a minute or two. And you were greeted with melty cheese and sort of crunchy perfection.

Well I am making it my mission to bring this guys story to the masses. So let’s begin with some fun facts about my man Ignacio.

He had 9 children.

Let me repeat that.

He had 9 children.

My man lived for two things, fucking and nachos. And I can’t think of a better life.

He also lived to be 80, which is pretty cool too.

To celebrate Anaya’s invention, the city of Piedras Negras (where he eventually opened a restaurant) holds a three-day Nacho Fest every year around October 21, the International Day of the Nacho.

And I’ll be honest with you- that’s not enough. So let’s make today, October 6th, Ignacio Anaya day.

So every time you take a perfect bite of nachos (which is any bite of nachos), thank my man Ignacio.

Without him, none of this is possible.