National Taco Day is celebrated every year on October 4th, dedicated to one of the most beloved and versatile foods around: the humble, endlessly customizable taco.
History of National Taco Day
Tacos have deep roots in Mexican cuisine, with some historians tracing early forms of the dish back centuries, long before European contact, as indigenous peoples in Mexico used tortillas as an edible utensil to wrap and eat various fillings. The word “taco” itself has murky origins, with some historians linking it to Mexican silver miners in the 18th century, who used the term to describe small explosive charges wrapped in paper, a visual similarity to the wrapped tortilla.
Tacos made their way into American cuisine largely through Mexican immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in California and Texas, where they became a beloved staple. Over the following decades, the taco evolved significantly in the U.S., with the hard-shell taco becoming especially popular thanks to mass production and fast food chains, alongside the continued popularity of traditional soft tortilla versions.
How to Celebrate National Taco Day
- Make homemade tacos with your favorite fillings and toppings
- Visit a local taqueria instead of a chain restaurant
- Try a regional or unique taco style you haven’t had before
- Host a taco bar for friends or family, letting everyone build their own
- Share your favorite taco combination on social media using #NationalTacoDay
Fun Facts About Tacos
- The word “taco” may have originated from Mexican silver miners, who used the term to describe small explosive charges wrapped in paper.
- Hard-shell tacos, while extremely popular in the United States, are less common in traditional Mexican cuisine, which typically favors soft corn tortillas.
- Tacos are incredibly versatile, with countless regional variations found throughout Mexico and beyond, from fish tacos to al pastor.
- National Taco Day falls the day before Cinco de Mayo’s calendar counterpart in spirit, though it’s an entirely separate observance celebrating the food specifically.
- Taco Tuesday, a popular weekly promotion at many restaurants, has become such a widely used phrase that it was even the subject of a notable trademark dispute in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Taco Day?
National Taco Day is celebrated annually on October 4th.
What’s the difference between a hard-shell and soft taco?
Hard-shell tacos use a fried, crispy corn tortilla shell, while soft tacos use a warm, pliable corn or flour tortilla, with soft tacos being more traditional to authentic Mexican cuisine.
Where did tacos originate?
Tacos have roots in Mexican cuisine dating back centuries, with tortillas historically used as an edible wrap for various fillings long before tacos took the form widely recognized today.