Serious question: What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Nacho cheese, of course.
Thankfully, the queso and more can be yours if you celebrate National Nacho Day, which is today (Friday, November 6, 2026). Before we get into where to get the best deals, let’s look at the history of this delicious dish.
A brief history of nachos
Nachos were an invention of necessity. In 1943, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya García was employed at the Club Victoria restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico.
When some American military wives from just over the border in Eagle Pass, Texas, took a day trip, they stopped by the restaurant. Anaya wanted to offer them refreshments, so he fried some corn tortillas and topped them with cheese and jalapeños.
Nacho’s new dish was an instant hit.
He opened his own establishment, El Nacho, in the 1960s, which helped spread this new culinary delight. A recipe was published in 1954.
Nachos came to Los Angeles via El Cholo Restaurant and a waitress named Carmen Rocha.
A processed pourable cheese became a staple ingredient in the 1970s, thanks to a Texas businessman, Frank Liberto.
This forward thinker first sold nachos at Arlington Stadium, where baseball’s Texas Rangers once played. This action cemented the dish’s popularity with sports fans.
These days, nachos are as unique and versatile as the person who makes them.
National Nacho Day freebies and deals
It’s time to get even cheesier than our opening joke. Let’s see where we can chow down on some nachos.
At participating Moe’s Southwest Grill locations, rewards members can enjoy $5.99 nacho entrees beginning on Friday, November 6 (National Nacho Day) through Sunday, November 8.
On the big day at participating Las Palapas locations, the friendly staff wants you to have something to wash down your nachos with. This chain is offering 50% off on full orders of bean and cheese nachos and $5 regular margaritas.
Another half-off deal is going down at participating Condado Tacos locations. You can choose where you consume them; the offer is good if you dine in or order online. It even comes with free delivery if you order through November 8, spend at least $30, and use the Condado Tacos app. Talk about options.
If you find yourself near Nashville, head to El Comal Mexican Restaurant for 25% off all nachos.
In Pleasant Hill, California, east of Berkeley and Oakland, Cantina Jack’s is offering happy hour nacho pricing all day long.
However the tortilla chip crumbles, we hope it’s deliciously cheesy.