Skip to Content
History

Taco Research Department: 1980’s Mass Market Taco Making Kit From Minnesota

Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 2.51.18 PM

Images and text Via The National Museum of American History.

Nordic Ware, a family-owned manufacturing firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded in 1946 by brothers Dave and Mark Dalquist, as “Plastics for Industry.” In 1950, the brothers bought Northland Aluminum Products, a small firm with a line of “Nordic Ware” products including griddles and steak platters. The same year, Dave Dalquist created a cast aluminum, fluted cake pan and trademarked it as the “Bundt” pan. The company continued to grow its product line to include specialty baking and cookware items, including the microwave turntable.

Nordic Ware is notable due to its history of product innovation through engineering, and its continued production of cookware in the United States. Sadly, it does not appear that Nordic Ware currently offers any taco-related cooking equipment. Keep reading for historical images and descriptions of the product, which we believe was the first mass market taco related cookware kit produced in the United States. If anyone has examples of earlier, complete taco kits, please drop us a line.

Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 2.52.01 PM
Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 2.51.47 PM

This Mexican Kitchen Cookware Set was manufactured by Nordic Ware in 1982. The set consists of three items: an aluminum tortilla press with a sun design, a taco maker including a wire basket to shape the tacos, and a cup shell former that holds down and shapes tortillas as they fry. This Mexican cookware set was part of Nordic Ware’s “International Specialties” line, developed to meet expanding customer interest in cuisines from different cultures. The cookware came with a set of recipes.

Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 2.51.37 PM
Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 2.51.29 PM
Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 2.50.54 PM
Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 2.50.47 PM
taco_research_dept

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Trump’s Immigration Policy Falls in Line with Racist U.S. History Towards Immigrants

Xenophobia is as American as the World Series, Trump, Immigration, and White Supremacy.

July 12, 2025

DAILY MEMO: Women and Children in Handcuffs at the Downtown Federal Building and More

The Southland was relatively calm today, the federal court approved restraining orders against the DHS, and a border patrol agent is arrested.

July 11, 2025

Everything We Know About the Possible California Farm Workers Strike

L.A. TACO reached out to farm worker organizations, including UFW, and asked about their participation.

Undocumented Californians Barred From Accessing Federally Funded Health and Social Service Programs By HHS

L.A. County health agencies said that the announced changes will have a “massive impact” on programs run by their departments and that restricting access will worsen health outcomes and “deepen systemic inequities.”

July 11, 2025

Border Patrol Agent Who Arrested U.S. Citizen In Pico Rivera Charged With Drunkenly Assaulting L.B. Cop

“No one is above the law, regardless of their position or badge. Law enforcement officers have a responsibility to always conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism. Our office will pursue prosecution accordingly to ensure justice is served.”

See all posts