Tacos are a very old food innovation. Long before Europeans landed in Mexico, there’s historic evidence of people enjoying tacos near Mexico City; over the centuries a long tradition of street food and classic cooking alike centered around tacos has evolved in Mexico and elsewhere.
National Taco Day will be celebrated Wednesday, October 4, 2023 making this year extra special with National Taco Day falling on Taco Tuesday!
In the United States, National Taco Day is October 4. This fun annual observance celebrates all things related to enjoying tacos. It’s not a federal holiday with school closures and down-days for the stock market, but it does mark some important contributions overall to American culture using the taco as a metaphor for what happens when two or more cultures collide in awesome ways.
Scroll Down for a List of Taco Recipes ⬇
A Brief History Of National Taco Day
Gustavo Arellano’s 2013 book, Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, notes that the saga of National Taco Day begins in San Antonio, Texas during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, who was sent a giant taco (more than 50 pounds!) by Roberto Gomez, who was trying to raise awareness about the Hispanic community’s contributions to America.
This public relations gimmick was so successful that some credit it being part of the inspiration to form the National Taco Council.
Enter National Taco Week
After the giant taco stunt, the National Taco Council got to work trying to convince San Antonio political leaders to have the week leading up to Cinco de Mayo proclaimed as National Taco Week. National Taco week wound up happening, thanks in part to Congressman Henry Gonzalez announcing the week during a session of Congress in 1968.
And that achievement led to discussions of National Taco Month. Some sources report that in 1974, a few corporate entities tried to start a month-long celebration of the taco, but when Roberto Gomez died in 1983, the momentum seemed to be lost and National Taco Month just…faded away.
Taco Bell and Del Taco Versus National Taco Day
Over time many chain restaurants tried to step in to make National Taco Day their own special holiday. These Taco Day suitors included Taco Bell. Texas fast-food stalwart Taco Cabana, with its headquarters San Antonio (in the birthplace of National Taco Day) managed to “land” October 4th as the official Taco Day in the United States.
There likely was no rhyme or reason why October 4 simply caught on, but the revival being based at least in part in San Antonio likely didn’t hurt.
But some suggest that Del Taco may have also had a hand in the establishment of October 4 as Taco Day. The revival of the day itself seems to have gotten its start in 2004, with Taco Day gaining some major cultural traction circa 2009 and beyond.
Whatever the reality is, it’s great to have a day you can use as an excuse to eat more tacos.
Celebrating National Taco Day
The obvious choice for celebrating this holiday is to eat more tacos. But learning how to make them, traditionally or otherwise, is also a great way to expand your horizons. Up your taco game with your favorite recipe or learn some new ones! There are too many taco varieties to count but you could consider using the following protein options in a hard shell or a soft tortilla:
- Al pastor (pork)
- Barbacoa (lamb, beef, or goat)
- Carne asada (steak)
- Carnitas (pork)
- Chorizo (pork sausage)
- Lengua (beef tongue)
- Pescado (fish)
- Pollo (chicken)
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
When making soft tacos at home, it’s good to toast the tortillas a bit in a frying pan, and garnish your tacos with a twist of lime. If you use avocado or guacamole in your tacos, be sure to use some citrus (lemon, lime or a combination of the two) to prevent your guac or avocado slices from turning brown due to oxidation. Brown avocados are a bit like brown bananas–technically edible but fairly unappetizing.
Taco deals on National Taco Day are also a great way to celebrate. Do you have a locally owned mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant near you? If you do, it may be a great idea to support them in general but ESPECIALLY on National Taco Day. There may be local specials and even discounts offered from national and regional chains like Chuy’s or Del Taco.
If you have a favorite taco joint that has a rewards program, check to see if there are any expanded benefits or perks for buying on National Taco Day. You may also find some establishments take Taco Day a lot farther, offering specials for the entire month of October. Others might not, but the luck of the draw might bring some great taco deals your way.
Taco Day At National Chains
Did you know there are nearly 100 national chains of Mexican restaurants in the United States? That’s an impressive number. Those chains include, but are definitely NOT limited to the following:
- Taco Bell
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Qdoba Mexican Grill
- Del Taco
- Moe’s Southwest Grill
- El Pollo Loco
- Taco John’s – Free taco with purchase on 10/4/22
- Taco Cabana
- Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
- Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill
- Taco Bueno
- Taco Del Mar
- On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
- Freebird’s World Burrito
- Tijuana Flats Burrito Company
- Taco Mayo
- La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill
- Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina
- Alberto’s Mexican Food
- Panchero’s Mexican Grill
- Filiberto’s Mexican Food
- Café Rio
- El Chico Mexican Café
- Chevys Fresh Mex
- Pepe’s Mexican Restaurants
- Chuy’s
- El Charro Mexican Restaurant
- Rosa’s Cafe Tortilla Factory
- Azteca Mexican Restaurants
- California Tortilla
Taco Recipes for National Taco Day
Want to celebrate National Taco Day with, um, tacos? Here are some great taco recipes to try.
I highly suggest doubling the salsa; it’s great on its own and you can munch on some salty chips while you’re working. Also, the avocado sauce is so good you’re going to want to lick the spoon!
These crispy beer-battered fish tacos are simply irresistible and a great way to enjoy National Taco Day.
A good taco doesn’t need more than three or four ingredients to knock your socks off. And this taco proves that.
These are some of the most popular tacos on the internet. This recipe creates rich and flavorful beef birria that can be served as a stew with onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime, or chopped up and served Quesabirria taco style.
Vegan tacos? Yep. These vegan "ground beef" tacos topped with cashew queso are packed with flavor and spice. If you can't find vegan "meat" you can use lentils instead and they are equally delicious and satisfying.
Anyone else love elote? You don't necessarily need meat to make a great taco. These cuban-style tacos are quick, easy, and so good, with black beans and elote. You don't have to be vegetarian to love these tacos.
These homemade al pastor tacos are made with slow-marinated grilled pork and grilled pineapple. Al pastor includes pineapple juice in the marinade making for a slightly sweet pork that melts in your mouth. Top it with your favorite salsa and enjoy!
Tacos for breakfast? Yes please. Does it get better than bacon, eggs, cheese, and avocado? Probably not. Start your day the taco way with these hearty and delicious tacos.
These easy chorizo street tacos are made with just five ingredients and are ready in minutes for a tasty taco treat. They're perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or fun weekend lunch. Top them with your favorite garnish and pair them with some beans and rice for a full meal.
Best Slow-Cooker Beef Tacos Recipe - How to Cook Slow-Cooker Beef Tacos
Toss a beef chuck roast in the slow cooker in the morning with an onion and some spices, and you'll be noshing on delicious tacos in no time when you get home. These are perfect topped with sour cream, green onions, red onion, and a squeeze of lime.
These easy salmon tacos are topped with a citrus salsa for amazing fresh flavors, and they're ready in 30 minutes or less. These will be regular additions to your taco rotation.
Try these shrimp tacos, loaded with spice and tucked in a bed of crisp, fresh slaw and topped with avocado and a creamy lime sauce. These are easy to prep and cook and everyone will love them.
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