Holy guacamole!
National Taco Day has historically been celebrated on Oct. 4 of every year — until last year.
In September 2024, the made-up foodie holiday snagged a new permanent spot on the calendar thanks to Taco Bell and the National Day Calendar, moving the national day to its rightful place on the calendar: Tuesday.
Now, National Taco Day will be celebrated on the first Tuesday of every October — forever.
“For years, we’ve celebrated National Taco Day on October 4th, but it’s always felt like there was a bigger opportunity to align it with something even more special—Taco Tuesday,” Marlo Anderson, founder of National Day Calendar, said in a statement at the time.
“Thanks to Taco Bell’s efforts, we’re excited to officially move National Taco Day to the first Tuesday in October, creating the Taco Tuesday of all Taco Tuesdays.”
This Taco Tuesday, there’s plenty of deals and freebies to taco ’bout.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell shaped the history of National Taco Day, and it’s celebrating with its biggest Taco Tuesday drop of the year.
Starting at 9 a.m. PDT on Oct. 7, fans can snag an exclusive limited-edition National Taco Day T-shirt. There are only 500 available for redemption. After that, there will be $1 Cantina Chicken Soft Tacos every other hour at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., Taco Bell will give 100 lucky fans a year’s worth of Taco Tuesdays in the form of a $160 gift card.
Taco Bell is also offering $5 off Party Packs all day through the Taco Bell app, as well as exclusive BOGO tacos through DoorDash. Additionally, Taco Bell teamed up with Salt & Straw to launch the Tacolate, in shops and online nationwide starting Friday, Oct. 3.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
On Oct. 7, celebrate at Moe’s with $2 tacos. The offer excludes add-ons, extras and premium proteins, and customers are limited to three single tacos. You must have a Moe Rewards account to apply the reward at checkout.
Chuy’s
Celebrate Taco Day at Chuy’s with $1 tacos and drink specials all day long on Oct. 7. Guests can add a crispy or soft ground beef taco to any entrée purchase for just $1. Patrons can also add a Chuy’s famous “Floater” — a shot of tequila or rum — to any margarita for $1. Anyone who dresses like a taco or in a taco-inspired costume will also receive a free entrée during their visit.
Taco John’s
When customers spend $5 at Taco John’s on Oct. 7 and scan the app, they’ll receive a free taco on their next visit, with a two-week window to use the reward.
El Pollo Loco
Through Oct. 7, Loco Rewards Members can get any three chicken tacos for just $5. The mix-and-match deal features the Chicken Taco al Carbon, Chicken Avocado Taco and Shredded Chicken Taco. The offer is valid only on à la carte tacos and will be delivered to members’ accounts in the rewards app.
Zaxby’s
Zax Rewardz Members can celebrate National Taco Day on Oct. 7 by getting a free taco with any purchase of $1 or more with the code “TACODAY.”
Zaxby’s has also brought back the beloved Chicken Finger Tacos available now through Nov. 2 at participating Zaxby’s locations. Options include Chipotle Ranch with Pico Tacos, Avocado Ranch BLT Tacos, and the all-new Buffalo Blue Tacos.
Old El Paso
It’s taco time at Old El Paso. The Tex-Mex brand is declaring Oct. 7 “National Taco Day-Off,” and fans can submit a “National Taco Day-Off Request Form” on their website to get approval from Old El Paso’s singing cowboy, Elroy, for a chance to be one of 10 winners to get a two-night getaway with a plus-one at the True Ranch Collection dude ranch property of their choice. The experience will be complete with trail rides, stargazing and exclusive Old El Paso merch such as leather boots and gold-plated belt buckles. Submissions are open until Oct. 9.
Additionally, customers can purchase any Old El Paso taco shells in any hard or soft variety on Oct. 7 and submit their receipt the same day to the Fetch app to receive the purchase price back in Fetch points, while supplies last.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Guests can enjoy all-day Taco Tuesday specials at participating Fuzzy’s Taco Shop locations nationwide on Oct. 7. Customers can get $2.50 Fuzzy’s Original Tacos with classic proteins (shredded chicken, ground beef, carnitas, or veggie) or $3.50 Fuzzy’s Original Tacos with premium proteins (grilled steak, grilled chicken, shrimp, or brisket).
Chronic Tacos
Chronic Tacos is celebrating by giving loyalty members an exclusive app-only deal on Oct. 7. The one-day reward offers Buy One Taco, Get One Free, plus an additional $1 off, online or in-store at participating locations.
Nestlé Toll House
On National Taco Day, Nestlé Toll House is introducing its limited-edition Cookie Tacos, which come with a chocolate chip cookie dough roll, semi-sweet chocolate morsels, a taco stand, a $25 gift card to cover additional ingredients and holiday-ready recipe inspiration. Fans can customize the taco to their liking with ingredients such as ice cream, frosting, fruit, salsa or more.
“At Nestlé Toll House, we’re always looking for fresh ways to encourage people to create memories over a shared love of dessert,” Kate Boeding, head of marketing at Nestlé Toll House, said in a statement. “Tacos are the ultimate party staple, bringing equal parts comfort and fun to any gathering—and reimagining our famous Chocolate Chip Cookies in this format gives people a new way to celebrate, customize and bring a bit of magic to every bite!”
Mexi on Stone Street
Mexi on Stone Street is a brand-new agave-driven restaurant in Manhattan’s Financial District that’s highlighting untraditional tacos in celebration of all things tacos.
A “playful twist” on the classic carne asada, the Asada Crunch Taco is a prime hanger steak, prepared tampiqueña-style and marinated for a rich, smoky flavor, topped with chipotle aioli, guacamole crema, pico de gallo and a French onion ring.
The Corn Star Taco features a blue corn tortilla crisped with Oaxacan quesillo to form a costra de queso (crispy cheese crust), topped with Mexi’s esquite (roasted corn, chipotle aioli, epazote, lime and queso fresco). “This dish combines two classics: a crispy cheese costra taco with housemade Oaxacan quesillo, and our Mexi esquite appetizer as the topping,” Chef Jose Luis Dominguez said.
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