| Tostilocos | |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Course: | Snack |
| Main Ingredient: | Tostitos, Chamoy, Lemon |
| Variations: | Tostitos Preparados (Monterrey) |
Tostilocos (also Dorilocos[1]) are a popular Mexican antojito (street food) that consist of a varied mix of ingredients that usually includes Tostitos or Doritos tortilla chips, topped with white corn, cueritos (pickled pork rinds), cucumber, jícama, lime juice, hot sauce, chamoy, chili powder, salt, mayonnaise, and "Japanese peanuts" (sometimes referred to as "cracker nuts").[2] The dish was first conceived in the late 1990s by street vendors in Mexico.
In the 21st century, Tostilocos also known as “Tostitos Preparados” are now commonly sold by street vendors, stadium vendors, and at Mexican juice bars in both Mexico and the Southwestern United States.[3]
The original Tostilocos were created in Tijuana, Mexico. The original mix contained tortilla chips, cueritos, cucumber, jícama, rueditas (little wheel-shaped pieces of fried flour), Japanese peanuts, lime juice, chamoy, and hot sauce.
The word tostilocos is a combination of the name of Tostitos-brand tortilla chips and the Spanish word loco, meaning "crazy". So the name essentially means "crazy chips" or "crazy Tostitos".
The usual way of serving tostilocos is by cutting open a bag of tortilla chips lengthwise and adding chamoy, lemon juice, and if desired, Valentina hot sauce. After this, cueritos are added. Most often cucumber and jicama are the next toppings, but one can add any fruit desired. The finishing touches are Japanese peanuts and tamarind candies. The candies vary. The resulting concoction is eaten with a fork straight out of the bag, which is the original and most common way. However, vendors have also used Styrofoam plates or bowls.[4]
Tostilocos is generally a "no rules" type of dish, so the ingredients may vary depending on personal taste. Besides the ingredients mentioned above, some vendors also use nacho cheese, shredded cheese, sliced pickled jalapeños, and chopped mango bits. The base chips can be any flavor of tortilla chips. Tostitos brand tortilla chips are the most commonly used (hence the name), but any brand of tortilla chips works equally well. Some vendors also use different kinds of chips, such as Fritos corn chips, Doritos (called "Dorilocos"), or hot Cheetos.
One variation of the Mexican dish comes from the Philippines, where they add Spam or chopped hot dogs.