Fritos were born in 1932. Same for Lay’s Potato Chips. Cheetos came on the scene in 1948, and Doritos in 1966. And then, in 1976, riding high on the snack wave, Taco Works Tortilla Chips arrived in San Luis Obispo, California. These crunchy, crispy chips originated with Ty Bayly at his Foothill Boulevard Mexican restaurant of the same name. But whereas the restaurant closed, the chips grew more and more famous for their light texture and signature seasoning. Today, Ty’s son Robbie Bayly runs the operation, and joined me to share the story behind these rather addictive snacks, the changes they’ve had to make over the years, and the letters and comments that Taco Works receives about their product. If your a Taco Works-head like we are in the Lewis household, you’re definitely going to want to listen in.
Photo credit: Jerry Perez for Edible SLO Magazine
Website: tacoworks.net
Instagram: @tacworksinc
David Walker, co-founder, Firestone-Walker Brewing Co, Buellton + Paso Robles
Sarah Deiter, creative and owner, Makers & Allies, SLO
Antonio Diaz, filmmaker and publisher, The Migrant Kitchen and Life & Thyme Magazine, Los Angeles
Captain Mark Tognazzini, fisherman and restaurateur, Morro Bay
Father Ian Delinger, priest, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and food journalist, KCBX, San Luis Obispo
Golzar Barrera, chef and caterer, All Purpose Flower, Solvang
Gray Hartley + Frank Ostini, winemaker and restaurateur, Hartley-Ostini Wines, Hitching Post II, Buellton
Jacob + Brooke Town, restaurateurs, The Spoon Trade + Grover Beach Sourdough, Grover Beach
Megan + Jeremy Raff, farmers, Dare 2 Dream Farms, Lompoc
Robin Wolf, mixologist, The Hatch Bar + Restaurant, Paso Robles
Sandi Sigurdson, community leader and recovering alcoholic, SLO
Brian Collins, chef and owner, Ember, Arroyo Grande
Alberto + Gessica Russo, chef and owners, Flour House, SLO
Matt Kettmann, Central Coast Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Santa Barbara
Libby Parker, registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist, Not Your Average Nutritionist, SLO
Trevor Peterson, distiller and owner, Bixby Gin, Lloyd Distillery, SLO
Zack Andrade, farmer and owner, Spinaca Farms, Gilroy
Sheila Spector, home baker and food blogger, Dinner at Sheila’s, SLO
James Sparks, winemaker and owner, Kings Carey Wine, Santa Ynez
Hayley Cain, food writer and punk rocker, SLO
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