Ideas For National Tater Day

According to Foodimentary food historian website, National Tater Tot day is February 2nd.

Bacon-wrapped Cheeseburger-stuffed Tater Tot – courtesy Foodbeast

The words “Tater Tot” are a registered trademark owned by Ore-Ida, which is a division of the H. J. Heinz Company. Tater Tots are made from grated potatoes that are deep-fried and known to be cylindrical in shape. The Ore-Ida labs first released them to the public in 1956 and they’ve been a popular side dish ever since.

Tots can be served with just a little seasoning salt or with a choice of condiments on the side from ketchup to ranch and beyond. I’ve seen everything from handmade Tater Tots to Tater Tots with Alfredo bacon dipping sauce and even “Totchos” AKA Tater Tot nachos.

Alternative Names for Tater Tots:

• Potato Gems
• Potato Royale
• Tater Treats
• Tots
• Spud Puppies
• Tasti Taters
• Potato Pom-Poms

There’s no end to how creative you can get with a dish of fried potatoes and a day like National Tater Tot day is a great to have a fun promotion or limited time offer around Tater Tots.

We asked some of our favorite restaurants to share their creative Tot ideas to give you inspiration on how to celebrate.

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
“Our Atomic Tots will become a “secret” menu item that customers can order even though it won’t be on our menu.  Atomic Tots are Tater Tots covered in Queso, Jalapenos, Green Onions and Sriracha.”
– Amy Nedwell, Director of Marketing, Good Times Restaurants. Inc

Tasty Burger
Chili Cheese Tots: We are the official Burger of the Boston Red Sox and we serve these inside Fenway Park. Deep Fry 8oz Tots, as soon as they come out of fryer/cooker toss in paper towel to remove excess oil, lightly season with salt & pepper, spoon 4oz of your favorite Chili in center of tots , then spoon over 3oz Velveeta [or your favorite cheese sauce] on top of the chili, chopped scallions or jalapenos to garnish.
– David Dubois, CEO, Franklin Restaurant Group

Here’s a picture of the new Burger Warfare appetizer, which is: Tater Tots, DMZ chili, American cheese sauce, apple wood bacon, pickled jalapeños, white barbecue sauce, chopped cilantro.
– Chef Jay Piece, Burger Warfare / The Marshall Free House

Dips Clockwise:

• BBQ/Ranch
• Honey mustard
• Ramp Ranch
• Spicy Mayo
• Deli Mustard
• Tartar
• Blue Cheese
• Ketchup
• Russian
• Garlic Aoli
• Tzatziki
• Sriracha
• Horseradish