It's National Taco Day today. That's right, Taco Tuesday has been significantly improved.
The popular dish dates back long before the Spanish arrived in Mexico, but the modern-day taco emerged in the 18th century, when Mexican miners needed something cheap and portable to eat. According to some historians, the term "taco" originated as slang for the paper rolls filled with gunpowder used to blast the ore.
When Mexican immigrants arrived in California, they brought the taco with them. Taco John's, a Wyoming-based chain, had actually trademarked "Taco Tuesday" by 1989.
On National Taco Day, both national chains and local restaurants are offering free tacos, discounts, and other specials. Check out our ever-expanding list below and check back for updates.
Are you observing National Taco Day at home? Check out the best air fryers and pressure cookers for preparing a Tex-Mex feast.
Let's taco about where you can get your taco fix on National Taco Day deals! On Monday, Oct. 4, kick off your week with a slew of taco deals from fan favourites.
Here are some taco bargains to be had:
Casey's
Casey's is offering a large Taco Pizza for $14 in honor of National Taco Day. The pie is made up of refried beans and salsa, mozzarella cheese, and either beef or chicken. Then lettuce, tomatoes, taco chips, and cheddar cheese are added.
Chevys Fresh Mex
Chevys Taco Tuesday deal is available from 3 p.m. to close and includes $3 tacos with your choice of barbacoa, steak, chicken, or carnitas, as well as $6 house margaritas.
Chuy's
Chuy's, which was founded in 1982 in Austin, Texas, now has nearly 100 locations in 17 states. On National Taco Day, any entree can be enhanced with a crispy or soft ground beef taco for $1. To quench your thirst, the Tex-Mex restaurant chain is also serving $1 tequila floaters to top off any margarita.
Chuy's has another promotion for those who want to dress up like a taco on National Taco Day and post a photo with the hashtag #ChuysTacoDay. Show your photo at any Chuy's location to receive a free entree of your choice.
Chronic Tacos
On National Taco Day, Chronic Tacos is offering a $1 discount on all tacos. Customers who download the Chronic Tacos app before October 4 are automatically entered to win a year of free tacos.
Del Taco
On October 1, Del will launch "Tacoberfest," a full 31 days of deals via the Del Yeah Rewards app.
Members can celebrate National Taco Day by partaking in Tuesday taco night (three ground beef tacos for $1.69 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.) and earning double Del Yeah Rewards points.
El Pollo Loco
Loco Rewards members receive eight free tacos when they spend at least $10 on National Taco Day. Plus, when you order online or through the Loco Rewards app, you get free delivery all day.
El Torito
The California-based chain, which has over 30 locations across the country, is offering a $3 build-your-own taco bar with handmade tortillas and your choice of chicken, steak, carnitas, or al pastor tacos.
El Torito's happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to close and includes $6 house and signature margaritas, $6 mini steaks, and $6 chorizo tacos.
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Fuzzy's was founded in 2003 in Fort Worth, Texas, and has since expanded to nearly 150 locations in 18 states. To commemorate National Taco Day, it's serving $1.50 tacos smothered in Fuzzy's signature feta-and-garlic sauce all day.
You can also enter to win a year's worth of free tacos: Every order placed on the Fuzzy's Taco Shop app on October 4 is automatically entered into a drawing on October 10, with 100 winners notified via email. (Alternatively, you can scan your receipt from that day into the app.)
Jack in the Box
On October 4, Jack in the Box will reintroduce the Monster Taco, a larger version of its regular taco topped with two slices of American cheese, shredded lettuce, and taco sauce.
Get two Monster Tacos for $3 until Oct. 31, when the supersize menu item returns to the mists.
The festivities last two days. According to the Carlsbad-based chain, customers will receive a free taco of their choice with any purchase on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 3-4.
Moe's Southwest Grill
On National Taco Day, Moe's Rewards members receive $5 off any meal kit. Taco kits include 12 soft flour tortillas, two proteins of your choice, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, beans, rice, sour cream, and Moe's famous queso, as well as free chips and salsa.
To take advantage of the savings, enter the promo code TACODAY22.
On the Border
Every Taco Fix Tuesday, enjoy $2 beef, chicken tinga, or veggie tacos at any of the more than 150 On the Border locations throughout the United States. Alternatively, for $4 each, splurge on premium Southwest chicken and brisket tacos.
Rosa Mexicano
Rosa Mexicana is offering 50% off tacos on National Taco Day and every Tuesday this month.
Mexican Rose
Every Tuesday in October, all ten Rosa Mexicana locations offer half-price tacos.
Rusty Taco
On Oct. 4, Rusty Taco will reintroduce the Uptown, a taco made with fried chicken, slaw, honey, queso, and sriracha – and will give it away for free to Friends of Rusty members.
Serendipity 3
In honor of National Taco Day, the landmark New York restaurant is offering a $100 Serendipity Golden Taco, an homage to Klondike's recently discontinued Choco Taco.
The decadent dessert is made with Serendipity's Frrrozen Hot Chocolate ice cream, dipped in ruby chocolate, and topped with 23-karat edible gold, and is only available on October 4.
7-Eleven
7Rewards members can get 10 mini tacos with shredded beef, green chiles, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro for $2 on National Taco Day.
"7-Eleven is here to celebrate the little things in life, like miniature food items and National Taco Day," said Vareesha Shariff, the brand's senior director of hot food, in a statement.
Taco Bell
On Oct. 4, Taco Bell's Taco Lover's Pass returns for one day to celebrate National Taco Day.
The pass lets you order one of seven tacos—Crunchy Taco, Crunchy Taco Supreme, Soft Taco, Soft Taco Supreme, Spicy Potato Soft Taco, Doritos Locos Tacos, and Doritos Locos Tacos Supreme—daily for 30 days for $10.
Only the Taco Bell app will offer the Taco Lover's Pass. Vote to bring back Taco Bell's Double Decker Taco or Enchirito.
Voting continues through Oct. 6, with the winner appearing on menus on Oct. 7.
