The frozen treat invented in 1983 was the Choco Taco: a taco-shaped dessert filled with ice cream and coated in chocolate. It combined a folded waffle-cone shell, vanilla ice cream, fudge, and a crunchy chocolate-and-peanut coating.
The date can be confusing because the treat was developed in 1983 and commercially introduced the following year. Here is what went into the original idea, how the Choco Taco differed from other frozen desserts, and what happened after it became a familiar ice cream-truck favorite.
You will also find a practical way to make a similar treat at home and tips for keeping its shell crisp. Those details matter because the shell’s texture is a big part of what made this dessert distinctive.
What frozen treat was invented in 1983?
The answer is the Choco Taco, a handheld frozen dessert shaped like a taco. It has often been credited to Alan Drazen, who developed the concept while working in the ice cream business. The key idea was to put ice cream inside a folded waffle-cone shell, then finish the open edge with chocolate and chopped peanuts.
One date detail is easy to miss: the Choco Taco was created in 1983, but it was introduced commercially in 1984 by Jack and Jill Ice Cream. In other words, 1983 refers to the invention, not necessarily the first year customers could buy one. That difference explains why accounts may mention both years without actually disagreeing.
The dessert brought together parts of familiar treats in an unusual format. It had the cone-like flavor of a wafer shell, the cold creamy center of an ice cream bar, and a chocolate coating that helped hold its toppings in place. Its taco shape made it easy to recognize and eat by hand.
What was inside a Choco Taco?
The classic version paired a folded waffle shell with vanilla ice cream. A ribbon of fudge ran through the filling, while the exposed top was covered in chocolate and chopped peanuts. The exact recipe and presentation could vary across product versions, but those elements defined the familiar original.
The folded shell
A waffle-cone shell is baked thin enough to bend into a curved shape. It provides a sweet, lightly toasted flavor and a crisp contrast to the ice cream. Unlike a firm sugar cone, a thin waffle shell can be folded into a taco-like form, though it can soften if it sits against melting filling.
The ice cream and fudge
Vanilla gave the chocolate and peanut toppings room to stand out. Fudge added a richer flavor and a soft streak through the center. It was not simply a scoop placed inside a cone; the layered filling was part of the product’s identity.
The chocolate-and-peanut finish
The coating at the open edge added crunch and helped keep the filling together as the dessert was handled. The chocolate hardened when cold, while the chopped peanuts contributed a salty, nutty contrast. Together, these finishing touches made the top look and taste different from an ordinary ice cream sandwich.
How the Choco Taco became a familiar frozen dessert
Jack and Jill Ice Cream brought the product to market in 1984, after the concept was developed the previous year. The Choco Taco was sold through channels associated with handheld ice cream, including ice cream trucks and stores. Its taco shape gave it a playful appearance, but the format also made the dessert portable.
The product later became part of the Klondike brand, which is owned by Unilever. Over time, different versions and package formats appeared. Still, the basic idea stayed recognizable: a taco-shaped waffle shell, ice cream filling, and a chocolate-covered edge.
In July 2022, Klondike announced that it was discontinuing the Choco Taco. The company cited the need to focus on other products amid increased demand across its portfolio. That announcement explains why the original branded treat became difficult to find. Availability can change, so a report about a special release or local offering should not be taken as proof of regular nationwide production.
Its history is a useful example of how a simple format can give a dessert a lasting identity. Many frozen treats combine chocolate, nuts, and ice cream. The distinctive part here was folding the shell into a taco shape and serving the filling as a handheld snack.
How it compares with other handheld ice cream treats
Several frozen desserts use similar ingredients, but their shapes and textures lead to different eating experiences. This table compares the Choco Taco concept with common alternatives. It describes general product types, not every brand or recipe.
| Treat | Typical structure | Texture and eating style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choco Taco | Folded waffle shell, ice cream, chocolate, and often peanuts | Crisp shell with a creamy center; eaten like a handheld taco | A mix of cone-like crunch and ice cream-bar convenience |
| Ice cream sandwich | Ice cream between two cookies or wafers | Soft or chewy outer layers around a cold filling | A neat, flat dessert that is easy to portion |
| Drumstick-style cone | Ice cream in a cone, often with a chocolate-lined tip | Crisp cone walls and a pointed base | A cone experience with a chocolate finish |
| Chocolate-coated ice cream bar | Ice cream on a stick covered in a chocolate shell | Hard coating that cracks around a smooth filling | A simple, stick-held frozen snack |
| Frozen yogurt bark | Frozen yogurt spread flat and broken into pieces | Cold, irregular pieces with a less structured bite | A customizable homemade snack, rather than a cone-style treat |
The main difference is the shell. An ice cream sandwich uses two flat layers, while a cone encloses the filling from below. The Choco Taco’s folded shell wraps around the filling like a curved pocket, leaving one edge open for its chocolate topping.
Why 1983 and 1984 both appear in Choco Taco histories
Invention and public release are different milestones. A person or company can develop a product in one year, then refine, manufacture, distribute, or introduce it later. For this treat, 1983 is commonly given as the year of invention, while 1984 is associated with its commercial introduction.
This distinction is helpful when checking trivia answers. If a question asks what treat was invented in 1983, the expected answer is the Choco Taco. If it asks when it was introduced for sale, 1984 is the date commonly reported. Those answers refer to different stages of the product’s history.
Another point often blurred in short descriptions is the identity of the inventor. Alan Drazen is widely credited with creating the concept, but the treat was brought to market by Jack and Jill Ice Cream. Naming a credited inventor and the commercializing company separately is more precise than treating them as the same thing.
How to make a Choco Taco-style treat at home
A homemade version can capture the basic combination even without the original branded product. The main challenge is shaping the shell without cracking it. A soft waffle cone or thin waffle cookie is easier to fold than a thick, crisp cone.
- Choose a bendable shell. Use a soft waffle shell or a thin waffle cookie. If it is brittle, it may crack instead of forming a pocket.
- Shape it while flexible. Fold the shell gently over a rounded support, such as a rolling pin, and let it hold its curve. Do not force a cold, rigid shell into shape.
- Add firm ice cream. Let the ice cream soften only enough to scoop or spread. A very soft filling melts quickly and makes the shell soggy.
- Include a little fudge. Add a thin stripe or small spoonful rather than filling the shell to the edge. Too much sauce can leak and soften the wafer.
- Close the open edge with toppings. Dip or spoon melted chocolate across the exposed filling, then add chopped peanuts or another preferred topping before the chocolate sets.
- Freeze the assembled treat. Set it on a tray with the curved side supported so it keeps its shape. Freeze until firm before serving.
For a safer and less messy assembly, work with one treat at a time and return the ice cream to the freezer between scoops. Keep the finished treats frozen until serving. If using melted chocolate, handle it carefully and allow it to cool enough to avoid melting the filling on contact.
How to keep the shell crisp
Moisture is the main enemy of a crisp waffle shell. Ice cream melts as it warms, and the resulting moisture can migrate into the wafer. A longer wait between filling and eating gives the shell more time to soften.
For homemade treats, freeze the shell and filling promptly after assembly. Store the pieces in an airtight container to reduce exposure to freezer air and odors. A layer of baking parchment between treats can help prevent them from sticking together, but it does not replace a tight container.
For the best texture, serve the treat straight from the freezer rather than letting it sit on a plate. If you are preparing several, keep the unserved ones frozen while people eat. These small steps preserve the contrast between crunchy shell and creamy center.
Common questions about the Choco Taco
Was the Choco Taco actually invented in 1983?
Yes. The Choco Taco is commonly credited as an invention of 1983. Its commercial introduction is generally dated to 1984, so both years can appear in accounts of its history.
Who invented the Choco Taco?
Alan Drazen is widely credited with developing the idea. Jack and Jill Ice Cream introduced the product commercially. This distinction separates the credited creator from the company that brought it to market.
Was the Choco Taco a real taco?
No. It was a frozen dessert shaped like a taco, not a savory food. Its shell was a sweet waffle-style wafer filled with ice cream and finished with chocolate and toppings.
Can you still buy the original Choco Taco?
Klondike announced the product’s discontinuation in 2022, so it is not safe to assume the original is regularly available. Special promotions or local offerings may differ from normal production. Check the seller and product details if you see one advertised.
What makes a homemade version taste similar?
The combination matters more than an exact shape: a thin waffle shell, vanilla ice cream, fudge, chocolate, and crunchy nuts. Keep the shell dry and the filling firm during assembly. That helps preserve the contrast that made the original memorable.
What to remember about the 1983 frozen treat
The Choco Taco stands out for its format: ice cream tucked inside a folded waffle shell, with chocolate and often peanuts at the open edge. It brought together familiar frozen-dessert ingredients in a shape that was easy to hold and instantly recognizable.
The dates have separate meanings. The treat is associated with invention in 1983 and commercial introduction in 1984. Keeping that distinction clear gives the most accurate short answer to the trivia question and explains why both dates appear in its history.
The answer to what frozen treat was invented in 1983 is the Choco Taco. Alan Drazen is widely credited with the concept, and Jack and Jill Ice Cream introduced it commercially in 1984.
If you want to recreate the idea, start with a thin waffle shell, firm vanilla ice cream, a little fudge, and a chocolate-and-peanut topping. Assemble it quickly and freeze it promptly to help keep the shell crisp.