What Do YOU Call This Food?

[CleverNickName]

Help me settle a bet with a friend.

We all know that foods can have regional names, right? So: where you're from, what do folks call this popular American street food?

 

[pukunui]

I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, and I don't recognize that food. I have no name for it.

 

[aco175]

I seen the scouts call it trashcan taco. Generally with Tostitos though.

 

[CleverNickName]

Well, I'm originally from Oklahoma and down there, it's called a Frito Pie. You usually order them from the concession stand of a football game, but you can get them from street vendors and food trucks, and they're popular at county fairs.

Basically, you tear open a bag of Fritos corn chips, then roll the edge of the bag down to create a bowl. You add chili, cheese, chopped onion, and other toppings, stick a fork in it, and serve. Some vendors dump them out into little paper bowls or cups to make them easier to eat, like in the bottom photo. They might also do this if they get their Fritos in bulk instead of in the more expensive, individual 2oz. bags.

My friend up here in Portland insists that this is called a Walking Taco. I thought she was pulling my leg. "You just made that up," I said. But she insists that everyone uses this name.

 

[Tonguez]

I'd call it "eew! what is that abomination? - gizza taste..."

 

[pukunui]

Well, I'm originally from Oklahoma, and we call it a Frito Pie. You usually order them from the concession stand of a football game, but you can get them from street vendors and food trucks, and they're popular at county fairs.

Basically, you tear open a bag of Frito corn chips, then roll the edge of the bag down to create a bowl. You add chili, cheese, chopped onion, and other toppings, stick a fork in it, and serve.

My friend up here in Portland insists that this is called a Walking Taco. I thought she was pulling my leg. "You just made that up," I said. But she insists that everyone uses this name.

Interesting. I wonder if it's an Hispanic-influenced food that hadn't made its way east when I was growing up. (Can't tell you if it's something East Coasters eat now or not.)

One thing I did notice on my recent trip home (after 14 years away) was how widespread Philly food, like cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, are along the East Coast now. Even Wawa has spread all the way down to Florida!

 

[CleverNickName]

I'd call it "eew! what is that abomination? - gizza taste..."

I mean, it's a salt bomb. And it probably contains enough grease and oil to lube a Volkswagen engine. But I remember them being quite delicious, especially at at 2:00 a.m. while staggering home from the beer tent at the County Fair.

 

[Spellslinging Sellsword]

Ohioan here. My school cafeteria called them Walking Tacos.

 

[Jack Daniel]

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[R_J_K75]

I've only heard it referred to as Frito Pie. But it looks utterly disgusting, for the win add some Funyuns to it too.