Any fan of Mexican food is likely familiar with the chimichanga, but the reality is not many people know how they were invented. Many don’t know that they’re not really Mexican. Most culinary historians suggest this delectable dish was accidentally created in the United States. We’ll get to the history of the chimichanga in bit, but there’s no mistaking that deep-fried chimichangas have become a staple menu item for Mexican restaurants across America.
The History of the Chimichanga – Fried Goodness
With National Chimichanga Day coming up on September 26, there has never been a better time to dive into the history of this deep-fried Tex-Mex invention. Unfortunately, the creation of the chimichanga is a debated topic amongst most food historians. While historians agree that the chimichanga is not an authentic Mexican food, the exact location of its origin is disputed.
Both El Charro in Tucson, Arizona, and Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen in Phoenix, Arizona, claim to be home to the first chimichanga. El Charro claims the chimichanga was created when a burrito was accidentally dropped in a deep fryer. The name ‘chimichanga’ is said to be the result of the restaurant’s owner stopping herself from cursing at her mistake, as the word ‘chimichanga’ literally translates to ‘thingamajig’ in Spanish. At the same time, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen says the chimichanga resulted from a successful fried burrito experiment. Either way, we can all agree that the chimichanga came from dropping a burrito in a fryer, by accident or not.
Mexican Restaurant Fried Menu Staples
Since the start of the Covid pandemic, Mexican foods like tacos have seen a 12.8% rise in consumption across the United States. As Mexican and Mexican fusion restaurants are more popular than ever, there has never been a better time to begin incorporating fried Mexican food on your menu.
Chimichangas are an excellent fried addition to any menu as they include ingredients found in most restaurant kitchens. Likewise, tortilla chips, fried avocado, and churros are other simple additions that align with 2022’s food trends. These fried foods also offer excellent ways to use up extra ingredients to increase profits. For example, to create delicious nachos, tortilla chips can be used with the same ingredients as a chimichanga – cheese, beans, and meat. Likewise, avocado slices can be deep fried and served as an appetizer or as a unique addition to nachos, tacos, and burritos. The possibilities for incredible deep-fried foods are endless regarding Mexican cuisine.
Mexican Cuisine Frying Tips From Pitco
If you are on the hunt for a commercial fryer for Mexican food, Pitco is here to help.Pitco’s Fry Guys are experts in fried food and have recorded helpful tips to ensure your fried menu items are always cooked to perfection.
First, invest in a quality fryer with excellent filtration. Next, ensure foods are always fried at the optimal temperature for a perfect crispy golden-brown finish. Frying oil should always be properly filtered for optimal flavors and aromas. Lastly, start with a Pitco Fryer! Pitco’s fryers and oil filtration systems are built with quality and efficiency in mind. Investing in our fryers and oil filtration systems can help save you money and increase profits. With oil prices on the rise, an excellent filtration system is key to cutting costs and keeping high-quality oil fresher for longer, whether you’re cooking up happy accidents or classic Mexican dishes. Learn to manage your oil with Pitco!
FAQs
El Charro claims the chimichanga was created when a burrito was accidentally dropped in a deep fryer. The name 'chimichanga' is said to be the result of the restaurant's owner stopping herself from cursing at her mistake, as the word 'chimichanga' literally translates to 'thingamajig' in Spanish.
Are chimichangas bad for you? ›
Worst: Chimichanga
The dish has more than 1,500 calories and 93 grams of fat. Factor in toppings like guacamole and sour cream, and you'll get most of your day's calories and sodium in one meal. And research shows that a diet high in fried foods can raise your chances of diabetes and heart disease.
Are chimichangas actually Mexican? ›
A chimichanga is basically a deep-fried burrito. While some Americans may associate this dish with Mexico, many food historians agree that the dish actually originated in the United States. To be specific, the chimichanga was born in Arizona in the twentieth century.
Why are chimichangas so good? ›
Chimichangas' best and most addictive characteristics are their crunchy shells. Chimichanga fillings vary widely, but the crispy shell is the hallmark of this dish. You can achieve that crispiness by baking, frying or air frying them.
What does chimichanga mean in slang? ›
The words chimi and changa come from two Mexican Spanish terms: chamuscado (past participle of the verb chamuscar), which means seared or singed, and changa, related to chinga (third-person present tense form of the vulgar verb chingar), a rude expression for the unexpected or a small insult.
What is the most unhealthy dish? ›
Worst Restaurant Meals
- Ham and Cheese Omelet. 1/15. The Count: Approximately 512 calories, 37 grams of fat, 1,277 milligrams of sodium. ...
- Chicken and Waffles. 2/15. ...
- Bacon Double Cheeseburger. 3/15. ...
- Baby Back Ribs (Full Rack) 4/15. ...
- Chicken Alfredo. 5/15. ...
- Pepperoni Stromboli. 6/15. ...
- General Tso's Chicken. 7/15. ...
- Beef Chimichangas. 8/15.
Mexican food by nature can be a trap for calories, fat, and sodium. The fried tortilla chips, high-fat meats, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, refried beans, and deep-fried combo dishes can really pack on the pounds. So what's a hungry Mexican food lover to do?
What is the swear word for chimichangas? ›
The most popular theory dates back to the 1920s, in which Monica Flin, the founder of Tucson's famous El Charro restaurant, accidentally dropped a burrito into the deep fryer and instinctively began to mutter 'chingada,' a Spanish swear roughly analogous to the f-word.
Are chimichangas better than burritos? ›
Chimichangas vs. Burritos? Burritos usually come out on top here. They aren't fried, often have more vegetables, and the fattiest ingredients, like sour cream and cheese, are entirely optional in a burrito.
What country invented chimichangas? ›
Any fan of Mexican food is likely familiar with the chimichanga, but the reality is not many people know how they were invented. Many don't know that they're not really Mexican. Most culinary historians suggest this delectable dish was accidentally created in the United States.
Whether you're Hispanic-American or just love Mexican food, the Chimichanga is a staple in most Hispanic homes. It's incredibly easy to cook, easy to store, and can last hours without refrigeration depending on the ingredients.
Does Deadpool like chimichangas or tacos? ›
He Has An Unhealthy Love Of Chimichangas
A deep-fried burrito. Deadpool knows this, which is why this Tex-Mex treat may be one of his favorite meals.
How fattening is a chimichanga? ›
Deep-fried, restaurant-style chimichangas can have 760 calories, 34 grams of fat and 1,930 mg of sodium -- this baked version has a fraction of that. The chimichanga, or chimi as it's affectionately termed in the Southwest, is a deep-fried burrito stuffed with meat, vegetables and spices.
What do Mexicans call chimichangas? ›
They were called “chivichanga,” which means “thingamajig.” The dish was likely brought to the United States by Mexican immigrants and has since become a popular Tex-Mex dish in many parts of the country.
What is a wet chimichanga? ›
Chimichanga conundrum
Chimichangas invariably fall into two basic categories: dry and wet. The former is crisply fried, topped with sour cream and guacamole and perhaps a little cheese. The latter is smothered with a sauce or salsa.
Why does Deadpool like chimichangas? ›
A chimichanga is commonly believed to be Deadpool's favourite food, making multiple references to it throughout his appearances, however it was revealed that Deadpool doesn't actually like chimichangas very much, and that instead he just likes how the word sounds.
What is the healthiest thing to get at a Mexican restaurant? ›
With a few simple switches and modifications, you can find nutritious food on just about every Mexican menu without skimping on taste and flavor. In general, more nutritious options include fajitas, bean burritos, grilled chicken dishes, and soft tacos.
What to avoid in Mexican restaurants? ›
Try to avoid deep fried dishes like chalupas, taquitos and chimichangas. Opt for healthier items like grilled chicken or shrimp and chicken or veggie fajitas. If you're in the mood for a taco salad, order it without the deep-fried taco bowl. It's basically one, big, fried tortilla chip!
