| USA TODAY
National Taco Day should be every day and here is why
Tacos are good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That is just one reason why National Taco Day should be every day.
You don’t have to wait until Tuesday for taco deals.
Sunday, Oct. 4 is National Taco Day, and national and regional taco chains are marking this taco lovers’ fiesta with free tacos or specials.
According to the made-up food holiday’s website, NationalTacoDay.com, Americans ate more than 4.5 billion tacos last year, which the site estimates is 490,000 miles of tacos.
Sunday also is National Vodka Day, but there are far fewer discounts for spirits.
Taco Bell is kicking off National Taco Day with the launch of a gifting platform and the fast-food chain is giving a free taco to gift for the first 10,000 people who use Taco Gifter. Taco Bell’s Twitter account will announce when the free tacos will be available Sunday.
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Crunchy tacos will also be in a special themed taco wrap for a limited time, Taco Bell said. Also, don’t forget this is the last Taco Day to get several Taco Bell products like Mexican pizza and items with shredded chicken as they are being removed from the menu in November.
“For years, Taco Bell has been a part of our fans’ milestone moments – from proposals and weddings to graduations and proms – and we’re excited to introduce a fun and convenient service to help celebrate any occasion in between,” Nikki Lawson, Taco Bell’s chief global brand officer, said in a news release.
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Mexican restaurants and taco joints are expected to be busy Sunday, according to data from Womply, a small-business software provider. Taco Day was the third busiest day for taco shops and Mexican restaurants of 2019 based on consumer spending.
“While consumers may have a slightly harder time than usual finding a local Mexican open on Taco Day 2020, Mexican restaurants have been more resilient to closure during the pandemic than their peers,” Womply said in a statement to USA TODAY. “Our analysis of settled credit and debit card transaction data in 2020 shows 18% of Mexican restaurants are still closed compared to 23% of all restaurants.”
National Taco Day freebies and deals
The following offers are available Sunday unless otherwise noted. Always check with your closest location as offers and participation can vary. Some will require you to have a restaurant’s app or be signed up for emails.
Baja Fresh: Club Baja eclub members and the brand’s social media followers can get a buy-one-get-one-free taco offer Friday through Sunday.
Chuy’s: Add a crispy taco to any entree for $1 Sunday. There will also be $1 floaters and $5 shots of 1800 Silver tequila.
Del Taco: Get a free Del Taco with any purchase Saturday and Sunday with any purchase and a coupon in the chain’s app. Del Taco also will give away free tacos every Saturday in October through the app as part of a month-long Tacoberfest.
El Pollo Loco: The chain is celebrating the launch of system-wide curbside pickup Sunday by giving away free tacos on a future order. To get the future freebie, place a curbside order in the app Sunday to get two free Taco al Carbons on your next visit.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop: The Baja-style taco restaurant celebrates National Taco Day Sunday with $1.50 select tacos.
Grubhub: The on-demand delivery app is offering $7 off orders of $15 or more at Bar Louie, Cafe Rio, Freebirds and Pollo Campero Friday through Sunday. Go to the perks tab of the app to find offers in your area.
Jack in the Box: Get two free tacos with any app purchase Sunday.
Moe’s Southwest Grill: Moe’s is offering $5 off their Taco Meal Kit for loyalty members. To get the deal you need to download and sign up for the Moe’s Rewards app.
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina: Get $2 and $4 tacos Sunday for dine-in only. The ground beef and chicken tinga tacos will be $2 and the southwest chicken and brisket tacos will be $4.
Ortega: Get a coupon for a $1 off two Ortega products at www.ortega.com.
Qdoba Mexican Eats: Rewards members get free delivery when they order on the restaurant’s website and use code TACODAY at checkout Sunday with a $20 minimum order. Sign up for the loyalty program at www.qdoba.com/rewards.
Rubio’s Coastal Grill: Get any taco on the menu free with any purchase Sunday and Monday with a coupon or use code MKTG965, when placing an order online at Rubios.com or on the Rubio’s App. The coupon is available at www.rubios.com/coupons/national-taco-day-0.
Taco Bell: The chain is giving out 10,000 free tacos to celebrate Taco Day and the launch of “Taco Gifter,” the brand’s new taco e-gifting service on the app and website. The gift will be delivered as a “$2 eGift Card redeemable via Taco Bell website/app order with in-store/drive-thru pickup” and a 35 cents purchase transaction fee applies. Learn more at www.tacobell.com/gifter. Also, earn points and free foods with Taco Bell’s new loyalty program and get a free Doritos Locos Tacos for signing up at www.tacobell.com/rewards or on the app.
Taco Del Mar: Purchase Dos Tacos, a side and a drink Sunday and get a free face mask while supplies last. Learn more at www.tacodelmar.com/tacoday2020
Taco John’s: Get one free Beef Stuffed Grilled Taco Sunday by downloading the Taco John’s app at www.tacojohns.com/app. If you already have the app, you’ll see a coupon for the free taco under offers Sunday morning.
Tijuana Flats: From Friday through Sunday, loyalty members get double points on their orders. First-time loyalty members will receive a free Tijuana Trio starter when they sign up. Visit www.tijuanaflats.com/rewards to learn more.
More deals: Local taco shops and smaller chains may also offer deals Sunday. An easy way to find out is to check social media.
Other specials
Applebee’s: For a limited time add an order of a dozen Double Crunch Shrimp to any steak entree for $1. Also through Halloween, the chain has “Spooky Sips in a signature Mucho glass” for $5 including the Tipsy Zombi and Dracula’s Juice.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: The chain is celebrating National Pasta Month with “endless Catering and Family Bundle PASTAbilities” starting at $34.99. Meals can be ordered online at www.carrabbas.com.
Carvel: The chain is serving up “Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween Hocus Pocus Shake” through Nov. 1 at all full-service Carvel locations and select express shoppes as well as third-party delivery platforms. From Oct. 9-11, get free delivery on Uber Eats.
Cheesecake Factory: From Friday through Oct. 9, get $10 off a $40 or more pickup or delivery order placed through the restaurant’s website or DoorDash. Use promo code CHEESECAKE10 before submitting your order.
Chili’s Grill & Bar: The October $5 Marg of the Month is the Spider Bite ‘Rita and it’s available for dine-in and carryout where allowed.
Smokey Bones BBQ: The chain has the Sparkling Pink Warrior cocktail for October made with Three Olives Raspberry Vodka, lemon sour, strawberries, and a lemon wedge, shaken with ice and topped with La Marca Prosecco. It is served with a pink sugar rim, pink paper straw and pink breast cancer awareness bracelet. The drink sells for $10 and $2 is donated to the American Cancer Society.
Sonic Drive-In: Through Monday, Oct. 5, Sonic is offering a free large drink or slush with orders placed in the chain’s app with promo code TEACHERS. One per customer. Download the app at www.sonicdrivein.com/app.
Starbucks: The coffee giant’s Starland continues through Oct. 28. Learn more and play at www.starbucksrewardsstarland.com.
Tim Hortons: Through Oct. 26, purchase any size hot or iced coffee for $0.99 through the Tim Hortons app or at timhortons.com. Modifications are extra. Learn more at www.timhortons.com/offer-terms.
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko
