Tater Tots Were Invented At This Old, Charming Farm In Oregon In The 1950s
By Sarah McCosham|Published April 09, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Oregon has many notable claims to fame: it’s home to deepest lake in the U.S., has the smallest park in the world, and is the birthplace of the iconic Bacon Maple Bar. And there’s another feather in Oregon’s state pride cap that not many people may be aware of (even though they likely enjoy this item on the regular): tater tots. Tater tots: the tiny, tasty tuber treats—the potato phenomenon that can be enjoyed as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late-night nosh—they were invented in Oregon. As with many ubiquitous foods, the tot came about a result of a random kitchen experiment . . . and the world has never been the same again.
Ontario is a small town located in Eastern Oregon, right at the Idaho border.
Specifically, potato farming. Oregon has one of the highest yields per acre of potatoes in the entire world, netting 53,000 pounds of potatoes per acre.
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The land has long been a gold mine for this humble crop.
During the gold rush in Northern California, surplus potatoes from Oregon were packed by mule train, and later by wagon train to the miners. In 1849, four bushels of Oregon potatoes were selling for $500 in San Francisco. Oregon farmers thus farmed potatoes, a crop more valuable than gold.
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And this is why brothers Nephi and Golden Griggs built their potato farm in Ontario in the 1950s.
They say necessity is the mother of invention, and it's certainly true with this delightful dish. The tater tot came about with the brothers not wanting to waste any of their precious potatoes, as French fry production left a massive amount of odds and ends.
Instead of throwing them out, the brothers decided to chop them up, season them, and mold them into bite-sized pieces. The real genius here, though, is the name: is there anything more terrific than "tater tot?"
2021 marks the first year for this epic festival, which happens in Ontario, Oregon Sept. 17-18. This event will feature live music, a carnival, vendors, and, of course, plenty of tater-inspired treats.
Today tater tots rank right up there with potato chips and French fries on the list of top tuber treats.
Though if you ask anyone in Oregon, they'll tell you that tots reign supreme.
Did you know the tater tots were invented in Oregon? What’s your favorite way to enjoy a potato? Share your potato preferences with us in the comments below!