Kamil Perry
In 1954, founder Jim Jimboy Knudson introduced his Original Ground Beef Taco, which was dusted with Parmesan cheese. This iconic dish was first served in a small trailer alongside Kings Beach in Lake Tahoe, California. The story goes that Jim accidentally spilled Parmesan cheese while cooking some tacos, and after tasting the spoiled tacos, he decided to incorporate Parmesan into his signature dish. This unique combination of ground beef and Parmesan cheese has become a trademark of Jimboy's Tacos, with the restaurant celebrating seven decades of Parmesan-dusted goodness in 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Parmesan |
| Texture | Dry |
| Taste | Nice |
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What You'll Learn
Parmesan is a trademark feature of Jimboy's Tacos
Jimboy's Tacos has since expanded to over 40 locations across California and Nevada, with almost 30 in the Sacramento area alone. The chain has celebrated seven decades of serving fresh ingredients, family recipes, and award-winning menu items. In May 2024, to commemorate 70 years in business, select locations in Northern California and Reno, Nevada, offered the hallmark Parmesan-dusted ground beef taco for only $0.70 with any $5 purchase.
The Parmesan cheese on Jimboy's Tacos has been described as a liberal coating or nice, but some customers have also complained about it being too oily or smelling bad. Despite this, the chain has thrived, and its use of Parmesan cheese has become a signature element of its tacos. The cheese is typically applied to the outside of the tacos, adding a distinct flavour to the dish.
Jimboy's Tacos' use of Parmesan cheese is a unique aspect of its menu, setting it apart from other Mexican food options. The chain's commitment to fresh, premium ingredients cooked in small batches has helped it gain a strong following, and its expansion beyond the Tahoe area has made it a beloved fixture in the communities it serves.
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The story behind the use of Parmesan cheese
Jimboy's Tacos, the birthplace of The Original American Taco™, has become synonymous with the unique flavour of Parmesan cheese. This distinctive feature of their tacos was introduced by none other than founder Jim "Jimboy" Knudson himself, who, in 1954, began serving up his Original Ground Beef Tacos dusted with Parmesan from a small trailer by Lake Tahoe, California.
The story behind this signature ingredient is a happy accident. As the tale goes, Jim once accidentally spilled Parmesan cheese while cooking tacos. After making new ones for his customers, he ate the "spoiled" tacos himself and was so delighted by the taste that he decided to incorporate Parmesan into his recipes from then on.
The addition of Parmesan cheese proved to be a pivotal moment in the history of Jimboy's Tacos. The unique flavour profile it offered helped the restaurant stand out and quickly gained popularity. By 1958, just four years after its inception, Jimboy's Tacos had established a permanent location in Tahoe, and by 1968, it had expanded to over 40 locations across California and Nevada.
Today, Jimboy's Tacos continues to thrive, with a strong presence in Northern California and Reno, Nevada. The hallmark parmesan-dusted ground beef taco remains a beloved menu item, celebrating 70 years of delicious tradition in 2024. The success of Jimboy's Tacos, coupled with the enduring popularity of their Parmesan-dusted creation, showcases the power of innovation and how a simple twist of fate can lead to lasting success.
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The Original Ground Beef Taco is dusted with Parmesan
Jimboy's Tacos is a beloved taco chain with locations across California and Nevada. The story of Jimboy's began in 1954 when founder Jim "Jimboy" Knudson introduced his Original Ground Beef Taco dusted with Parmesan cheese from a small trailer in Lake Tahoe, California. This unique taco variety quickly gained popularity, and within a few years, Jimboy's Tacos had established a permanent presence in the Tahoe region.
The Original Ground Beef Taco dusted with Parmesan soon became a trademark of Jimboy's Tacos. The story behind this signature dish adds to its allure. According to legend, the Parmesan cheese addition was a happy accident. It is said that Jim accidentally spilled Parmesan cheese on some tacos while cooking. After making new ones for his customers, he ate the "spoiled" tacos himself and was delighted by the taste. From that day on, Parmesan became an integral part of the Jimboy's taco experience.
The use of Parmesan cheese sets Jimboy's Tacos apart from other Mexican food offerings. While some customers rave about the unique flavour it brings to the tacos, others find it unusual or even off-putting. However, it is important to note that the Parmesan cheese is applied liberally, resulting in a strong aroma and flavour that may not be to everyone's taste.
As Jimboy's Tacos expanded beyond its humble beginnings, the Original Ground Beef Taco dusted with Parmesan remained a staple on the menu. In 2024, the chain celebrated 70 years of serving this iconic dish, offering promotional deals on the tacos to commemorate the occasion. The anniversary honoured seven decades of fresh ingredients, cherished family recipes, and award-winning menu items.
The Original Ground Beef Taco dusted with Parmesan cheese has undoubtedly played a significant role in the success and longevity of Jimboy's Tacos. It is a testament to the power of innovation and the ability to turn a simple mistake into a lasting culinary tradition. Today, Jimboy's Tacos continues to thrive, with its signature dish remaining a favourite among loyal customers.
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The Parmesan cheese on the outside of the taco
Jimboy's Tacos is known for its unique offering of tacos with Parmesan cheese on the outside. This distinctive feature was introduced by the founder, Jim "Jimboy" Knudson, back in 1954 when he accidentally spilled Parmesan cheese while cooking tacos. After tasting the "spoiled" tacos, he was so impressed by the flavour that he decided to make it a signature ingredient.
The Original Ground Beef Taco, coated with Parmesan cheese, became the iconic dish that put Jimboy's on the map. The Parmesan cheese adds a unique flavour and texture to the taco, and it has become somewhat of a trademark for the restaurant chain. In fact, in 2024, Jimboy's Tacos celebrated 70 years of serving their famous Parmesan-dusted tacos, showcasing the enduring popularity of this unique creation.
The use of Parmesan cheese on the outside of the taco sets Jimboy's apart from other Mexican food options. While some customers rave about the taste, others have described it as oily and greasy. However, for those who enjoy their unique offering, Jimboy's Tacos has become a go-to choice for a quick, filling, and flavourful meal.
The Parmesan cheese adds a salty, savoury note to the tacos and can be a nice change of pace from the traditional shredded cheese or queso commonly found on Mexican dishes. While not everyone may appreciate the liberal coating of Parmesan, it has certainly contributed to the success and longevity of Jimboy's Tacos, with the chain expanding to over 40 locations across California and Nevada.
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Jimboy's Tacos began in 1954 as a food trailer in Lake Tahoe, CA
Jimboy's Tacos started in 1954 as a food trailer in Lake Tahoe, California. It was founded by husband-and-wife duo Jim and Margaret Knudson, who sold their signature ""Original Ground Beef Taco"" from a 16-foot trailer parked on Kings Beach. The taco included seasoned ground beef and American cheese wrapped in a stone-ground corn tortilla, grilled, and then dusted with grated Parmesan cheese, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
The small beachside trailer was set up by Jim "Jimboy" Knudson, and it quickly gained popularity among locals. Just four years later, in 1958, with the community's support, Jimboy's Tacos moved into a permanent location in Tahoe. The business expanded into a quaint building on North Tahoe Boulevard, secured by Joe King, the owner of Kings Beach and a fan of the tacos.
The fame of Jimboy's Tacos spread beyond the local community, attracting celebrities such as Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Charo. The success of the original Lake Tahoe location paved the way for franchising, and in 1968, Jimboy's expanded beyond the Tahoe area into the Sacramento region. This marked one of the first franchising concepts in the nation, leading to a network of over 40 locations across California and Nevada.
Staying true to its roots, Jimboy's Tacos continues to be a family business, now run by the grandson of its founder, Erik Freeman. The company remains committed to using fresh, premium ingredients and cherished family recipes. In 2024, Jimboy's Tacos celebrated its 70th anniversary, offering its hallmark Parmesan-dusted ground beef taco for $0.70 with a $5 minimum purchase at select locations.
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Frequently asked questions
Jimboy's uses Parmesan cheese on its tacos.
Yes, the story goes that Jim accidentally spilled Parmesan cheese while cooking some tacos. After cooking new ones for the customers, he ate the "spoiled" tacos himself and was so impressed with the taste that they've been adding Parmesan ever since.
The Original Ground Beef Taco is Jimboy's iconic offering, which is dusted with Parmesan cheese.
Jimboy's began in 1954 as a food trailer in Lake Tahoe, CA, when founder "Jimboy" Knudson introduced his Original Ground Beef Taco.
