Let's taco-bout National Taco Day.
National Taco Day is on Oct. 6 this year, and the celebration comes with an added bonus: It falls on Taco Tuesday.
Tacos have come a long way since their origins in Mexico centuries ago. What began as a traditional regional dish has evolved into a global favorite, showing up in countless styles and flavors at restaurants and kitchens around the world.
To mark the occasion, restaurant chains and local eateries alike are rolling out deals, discounts and freebies for taco lovers. Even Duolingo is joining the celebration with a taco-themed promotion.
Whether you're looking for a free taco, a discounted meal or a limited-time offer, here's what to know about the best National Taco Day deals available this year.
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Taco Bell collabs with Duolingo, offers other deals
Taco Bell is going beyond National Taco Day and deeming the day "Global Taco Day" through a partnership with language learning app and website Duolingo. People can get the following:
- Duo Habanero sauce: The limited-edition spicy sauce is inspired by Duolingo's green owl mascot. In the United States, it's free with the purchase of Doritos Locos Tacos order. You can also order a sauce packet for 20 cents. The sauce packets will feature taco-themed sayings in various languages
- Super Duolingo: Taco Bell Rewards Members who don't already pay for a Duolingo subscription can also get a free month of Super Duolingo, the app's paid membership. The offer started on Oct. 1 and will run through Oct. 6. Codes for the free month of Super Duolingo must be redeemed by Nov. 15.
- Duo plushie freebie: Taco Bell will also give away 1,000 limited-edition owl mascots wearing a Taco Bell uniform and headset, to Taco Bell Rewards members. For a chance to receive a plushie, members can visit Taco Bell's Tuesday Drops page on Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. ET.
In addition to the Duolingo collab, Taco Bell fans can also score some deals on third party ordering apps on Oct. 6. People who order Taco Bell from Uber Eats and Grubhub can receive a free crunchy or soft seasoned beef taco when they spend $22 or more. Students who use Uber One can receive a free Doritos Locos taco when they spend $20 or more on their order.
DoorDash users ordering Taco Bell can receive one of the following when they spend $22 or more: cantina chicken soft taco, soft taco or soft taco supreme, crunchy taco or crunchy taco supreme or Doritos Locos tacos or Doritos Locos tacos supreme.
Dress like a taco and get free tacos at Chuy's
On Oct. 6, guests who visit Chuy's dressed as a taco or in a taco-inspired outfit can receive a free entree. For the deal, customers must post a photo of themselves online using #ChuysTacoDay.
Guests can also receive a free crispy or soft ground beef taco for $1 when they purchase an entree or add a Chuy’s famous “floater," which is a shot of tequila or rum, to any margarita for $1.
Moe's Southwest Grill offers $2 deal on 3 tacos
On Oct. 6, customers can purchase up to three tacos for $2 each at participating locations. Members can take advantage of the deal for even longer and purchase the $2 tacos until Oct. 11.
Del Taco celebrates all month long with 'Tacoberfest'
Customers will receive a free taco with any purchase at Del Taco on Oct. 6. But the celebration doesn't stop there.
Throughout the month of October, in a month-long event dubbed "Tacoberfest," Del Taco is celebrating the iconic dish with these BOGO deals on the following dates:
- Oct. 7 to Oct. 10 − Buy one carnitas big fat taco, get one free
- Oct.14 to Oct. 17 − Buy one crispy chicken taco, get one free.
- Oct. 21 to Oct. 24 − Buy one grilled chicken taco, get one free.
- Oct. 28 to Oct. 31 − Buy one order of the del tacos, get another free
The celebration began on Oct. 1, when Del Taco offered BOGO street tacos.
To receive the Tacotober deals, customers must be Del Yeah! Rewards members. Click here to sign up.
Free tacos for a year? 2-pound taco challenge returns at Margaritas
On Oct. 6, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant's “Circle of Friends” reward members can receive free tacos when they show their rewards screen on the app. The chain will also serve $4 tacos for Taco Tuesday.
It's also bringing back the Taco Giganta Challenge and Flaming Giganta Challenge beginning on Oct. 6, according to a news release.
Those brave enough and willing to put their stomachs through it can take part for $16.50.
Participants will have to eat a taco "stuffed with four different meats, cheese, salsa fresca, refritos, lettuce and rice topped with queso, tomatillo and picante sauces," the news release said. Challengers can also try its spicy twin, the Flaming Gigante, topped with the restaurant's Fuego sauce, jalapeños, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
There is no time limit, but only one person may eat the taco if they are participating in the challenge. Those who complete the challenge will receive a free taco every week for a year starting Nov. 30. Those who complete the ultra-spicy taco challenge will also receive a T-shirt while supplies last.
Even more National Taco Day Deals
- 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations: Fans stopping at these locations on National Taco Day can take advantage of multiple deals from Laredo Taco Company. This includes BOGO potato and egg tacos or BOGO chicken fajita tacos. The BOGO deals will only be available on Oct. 6, according to a news release. However, until Oct. 27, fans can buy two El Gran Tocino tacos, one El Gran Tocino burrito, or a Taco Meal Deal for $5.
- Jack in the Box: Customers can receive two free tacos only on Oct. 6 when they spend $1 or more in the Jack in the Box app
. - El Pollo Loco: From Oct. 2 to Oct. 6, guests can purchase three tacos for $5
- Baja Fresh: Purchase three chicken street tacos for $6 at participating locations. The offer is valid in-store only.
- Taco John’s: Taco John’s Rewards members can receive a free beef crispy taco on their next visit when they make a purchase on National Taco Day.
- Torchy’s Tacos: Rewards Members can purchase one taco and get another for free on Oct. 6.
- Ojos Locos: On Oct. 6, guests can purchase al pastor, carnitas and grilled pollo tacos for $2 all day long. After 10 p.m., guests can also purchase 10 tacos for $10.
- Escalante’s Fine Tex-Mex: On Oct. 6, guests can purchase $3 chicken street tacos or $6 house margaritas.
- Bubbakoo's Burritos: Purchase three tacos customized to your preference for $6.
- Condado Tacos: Customers can purchase tacos for half the price on National Taco Day. The offer is only available to dine-in customers or through the Condado Tacos app and website.
Contributing: Anthony Thompson, Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: It's National Taco Day 2026. Here's where to get deals, free tacos
