Party Snack · Fried Cheese Sticks

Tequeños

Photo via Pexels/Unsplash — free for commercial use

Legend has it the snack got its name because train station crowds would shout "The Tequeños have arrived!" when a family from Los Teques showed up with baskets of them.

Tequeños are strips of slightly sweet wheat dough wrapped around a stick of soft white cheese and deep-fried until golden and crackling. They're sold by the dozen at street stalls, festivals, and late-night food carts, usually alongside a garlicky avocado sauce called guasacaca for dipping.

Why it's made this way: Most origin stories point to the town of Los Teques near Caracas in the early 20th century; their finger-food format made them a natural fit for parties and street vending.