It started in the late 80s when my family lived in Sandy Springs.  We lived right up the road from the Tex Mex mecca Rio Bravo. We ate there multiple times a week, and every time we went I spent our wait time watching the tortilla maker and begging for a sample.  As a parent I now see why we went so often.  How nice for the parents to be able to wait at the bar while the kids were entertained? Genius.