They were invented at Disneyland
Legend has it, we have Mickey Mouse to thank for these crispy treats, according to Business Insider. Doritos’ parent company, Frito-Lay, operated a restaurant named Casa de Fritos inside the park in the 1960s. When a salesman saw Casa de Fritos throwing away stale tortillas, he suggested they fry them for chips instead. When marketing executive Arch West saw this, he loved the idea and convinced Frito-Lay to start selling the chips nationally in 1966.
Doritos means “little golden things” in Spanish
Well, kind of. While the name has been said to mean “little golden things” by Frito-Lay executives, it doesn’t actually translate that way. Instead, the name was made up by Arch West, who decided to combine the Spanish word for gold, “oro,” with Frito’s suffix “-ito” and tacked a “D” in front because he felt like it. The resulting Doritos was approved, and it’s been the name of these tortilla chips ever since.
The first Doritos weren’t flavored
Originally marketed as a standard, salted tortilla chip, the Doritos sold in 1966 were without their now-iconic neon orange cheese powder. It wasn’t until the next year that Doritos sold their first flavored chip, which was dusted in taco seasonings. Looking for healthier snacks? Try one of these 100 healthy snacks on the go.
Nacho Cheese Doritos are almost 50 years old
First released in 1974, Nacho Cheese Doritos consist of three main flavors: cheddar and Romano cheeses, garlic powder, and salt. The bright, cheesy chip quickly became a favorite of consumers and now accounts for half of Doritos’ sales.