Doritos, the iconic triangular tortilla chips, have an origin story that blends innovation, serendipity, and a deep understanding of snack cravings. Their journey began in the early 1960s at Disneyland, of all places.

The Disneyland Connection

In 1964, a restaurant called Casa de Fritos, located in Disneyland’s Frontierland, was serving Tex-Mex-style cuisine. Casa de Fritos sourced its tortillas from Alex Foods, a local supplier. One day, a clever salesman from Alex Foods noticed that unused tortillas were being discarded. He suggested they be cut up, fried, and seasoned instead. The restaurant took his advice, and the resulting crispy, golden triangles became an unexpected hit with visitors.

Frito-Lay Takes Over

When Frito-Lay executives got wind of this accidental invention, they saw massive potential. They took the idea, refined the recipe, and gave the chips a catchy name—Doritos, derived from the Spanish word doradito, meaning “little golden thing.” In 1966, Doritos hit store shelves nationwide, becoming the first-ever widely available tortilla chip snack in the U.S.

The Evolution of Flavors

The original Doritos were simple, lightly salted tortilla chips. But in 1972, Frito-Lay introduced Nacho Cheese Doritos, which catapulted the brand into snack superstardom. Over the years, Doritos expanded into a dizzying array of flavors, from Cool Ranch (1986) to Spicy Sweet Chili and beyond.

A Cultural Phenomenon

Doritos evolved from a Disneyland experiment into a global brand synonymous with bold flavors and adventurous snacking. Its marketing campaigns—especially the Super Bowl commercials—have only cemented its place in pop culture. Today, Doritos remains one of Frito-Lay’s best-selling snacks, proving that sometimes, the best ideas come from a bit of fried ingenuity.