Get one, two or three on National Taco Day. On October 4th, the day recognizes the savory tortilla stuffed with fillings. It doesn’t have to be Tuesday, so get out and enjoy your favorite.
- The history of tacos predates the arrival of Europeans in Mexico. Anthropological evidence shows the native people living in the lake region of the Valley of Mexico traditionally ate tacos filled with small fish.
- 1520 – At the time of the Spanish conquistadors, Bernal Diaz del Castillo documented the first taco feast enjoyed by Europeans. Hernán Cortés arranged this meal for his captains in Coyoacan in 1520
- The Word Taco Means “Light Lunch”
- 1900s – Tacos started appearing in the United States. In San Antonio, a group of women known as the Chili Queens sold tacos from carts.
- 1914 – the first recipes for tacos appeared in an English cookbook.
- 1929 – The popular cookbook “Ramona’s Spanish-Mexican Cookery” is published and contains six taco-related recipes, including one for pork tacos and one for gorditas from Santa Nita.
- 1962 – Taco Bell was founded, leading to the availability of tacos and other Mexican-American meals in American regions that otherwise may have had to wait much longer.
- 1964 – Roberto L. Gomez established The National Taco Council.
- 1967 – The National Taco Council sent a 55-pound taco to President Johnson.
- 1983 – Ralph Rubio of San Diego, CA, opens Rubio’s, specializing in fish tacos made from a recipe he borrowed from a Baja native named Carlos, and California falls in love with “Ensenada.”
- 2019 – NBA star LeBron James attempts to trademark the use of the term “Taco Tuesday,” which is a tradition in his family, as used in electronic communications like podcasts and social media, but his application is denied by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, who call “Taco Tuesday” a “commonplace term.
- Taco Bell has tried to enter the Mexican market twice, failing both times, even after branding their food “American” food.
- The word taco started in the 18th-century silver mines in Mexico. Back then, a taco was just some paper wrapped around gunpowder.
- Ensenada, Mexico is said to be the birthplace of the fish taco.
- Americans eat over 4.5 billion tacos a year!
- That’s 490,000 miles of tacos, which could take you to the moon and back.
- In terms of tortilla consumption, the typical Mexican family of four eats more than two pounds of tortillas per day
- A popular use of the earlier gas-powered engines and electric motors was to grind grain for “masa,” the dough or paste that was then flattened into tortillas.
- The first taco truck in the U.S. is believed to have been opened by Raul Martinez, a Mexican immigrant who converted an old ice cream truck into a mobile taco restaurant in 1974. He parked the truck outside an East Los Angeles bar and was so successful, he was able to open a restaurant (King Taco) just six months later. King Taco now has 22 locations in California.
- As of August 2019, the tortilla-production industry employed over 21,000 people in the United States alone.
- One of the great things about National Taco Day is all the freebies and great value deals that are knocking around. We’ve done a little digging and listed some for you below.
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- Taco Bell
If Taco Bell is your preferred Taco supplier then you’ll be pleased to know that this year they are offering a $5 Gift Set for National Taco Day this October 4. The gift set comes with two crunchy tacos and two Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos. - Hurricane Grill & Wings
This little treat sounds perfect for two people. Hurricane Grill & Wings are offering a free taco when you buy one taco and two drinks. - Chuy’s
At Chuy’s it is dollar taco time. Add a crispy beef taco to any dine-in entrée purchase for just a dollar. They are also offering up $5 shots of top-shelf tequila and $1 floaters to top your favorite margarita with an extra pour of tequila. - Fuzzy’s Tacos
Do you live near a Fuzzy’s Tacos? If you fancy binging on tacos then we hope you do, because Fuzzy’s will be offering $1.50 tacos all day on National Taco Day. The awesome deal is available for those who are dining in and also via takeout. Yes please! - Rubio’s
If you pop into Rubio’s on October 4 and purchase a drink, you’ll be given a free taco to go with it. - Chronic Tacos
Get yourself over to Chronic Tacos between 11 AM and 2 PM on National Taco Day to get a free taco. You can choose from Chicken, Al Pastor, Carnitas, and Beyond Beef. They’ll be announcing a code via their social media channels so check them out as that is how you redeem your free taco. - On The Border
National Taco Day at On The Border means seasoned ground beef or chicken tinga tacos for $2, or for $4 you can get Southwest chicken or brisket tacos.
- Taco Bell
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