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.
Nick Perla/Flickr
The area is known primarily for farming.
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington/Flickr
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.
The land has long been a gold mine for this humble crop.
Oregon State University/Flickr
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.
And this is why brothers Nephi and Golden Griggs built their potato farm in Ontario in the 1950s.
Gibchan/Wikipedia
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.
Potato Expo/Facebook

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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?"
Ore-Ida/Facebook
The brothers debuted their creation at the 1954 National Potato Convention, to rave reviews.
Tater Tot Festival/Facebook
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Gibchan/Wikipedia
Four years after going public in 1961, Ore-Ida was purchased by food production heavyweight Heinz.
Tater Tot Festival/Facebook
And Ontario continues to celebrate the terrific tot, with the eponymous Tater Tot Festival.
Tater Tot Festival/Facebook
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.
Tater Tot Festival/Facebook
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!

And if you’re curious about other Oregon creations, here are 10 things that were also invented here in Oregon.

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