Taco Tuesday is a popular tradition in many parts of the world where Tuesday is designated as the day to eat tacos. The phrase “Happy Taco Tuesday” is commonly used on Tuesdays to express excitement about celebrating this taco-filled day. But what exactly does Happy Taco Tuesday mean and how did this tradition start?
The Origins of Taco Tuesday
While the exact origins of Taco Tuesday are disputed, it’s commonly accepted that Taco Tuesday originated in the United States. One of the earliest known references to Taco Tuesday dates back to a 1982 Taco John’s advertisement in Wisconsin. Taco John’s is an American fast-food chain specializing in Mexican-inspired fast food. Some other American restaurants also started using Taco Tuesday to promote tacos in the 1970s and 1980s.
The term really took off in popularity thanks to a clever marketing campaign by the chain restaurant Chevy’s Fresh Mex. In the mid-1980s, they promoted the idea of Taco Tuesday by running ads with the tagline “Hats off to Taco Tuesday.” This campaign was highly successful and many other restaurants and fast-food chains followed suit.
So while there are many claimants to who originally came up with Taco Tuesday, it seems Chevy’s Fresh Mex marketing push in the 1980s and 1990s helped make Taco Tuesday a nationwide sensation. The term is now commonly used across the United States as a way to celebrate tacos once a week.
Why Tacos on Tuesdays?
There are a few theories as to why Tuesday was chosen as the designated day for eating tacos:
- Tuesday is often one of the slower days of the week for restaurants, especially earlier in the week. Taco Tuesday gave restaurants a way to attract more customers on a typically slower night.
- Alliterations like Taco Tuesday are catchy and easy to remember. The repetition of the “T” sound makes it a fun phrase.
- Monday is the start of the work week and people are often busier. By Tuesday, people are settled into their week and have more time for going out to restaurants and bars.
- Taco Tuesday follows the popular “Food + Day of the Week” naming convention like Meatloaf Monday or Wings Wednesday.
Whatever the exact reason, Tuesday ended up being the perfect day to feature taco deals and specials. The alliteration of “Taco Tuesday” also helped cement it as a catchy marketing slogan.
Taco Tuesday Traditions and Celebrations
These days, Taco Tuesday is celebrated across the United States in a variety of ways:
- Eating tacos or burritos at Mexican restaurants that offer Taco Tuesday specials
- Enjoying tacos and margaritas at bars or pubs for Taco Tuesday happy hours
- Cooking tacos and taco-themed foods like nachos at home for Taco Tuesday dinner
- Trying new taco recipes, ingredients, salsas, etc. to spice up your Taco Tuesday
- Using social media to post about your Taco Tuesday celebrations using hashtags like #TacoTuesday
- Attending community events centered around tacos like Taco Tuesday festivals or competitions
Taco Tuesday has also become popular worldwide with many restaurants and chains in Canada, Australia, the UK, and elsewhere getting in on the Taco Tuesday fun. Wherever you live, Taco Tuesday is the perfect excuse to get together with friends, enjoy some tacos and margaritas, and celebrate this tasty tradition.
Taco Tuesday Deals and Specials
One of the best parts of Taco Tuesday is all the great deals and discounts available at restaurants. Here are some of the most popular Taco Tuesday specials:
- 2-for-1 tacos – Get two tacos for the price of one at various Mexican restaurants and chains.
- Discounted tacos – Many restaurants offer $1-$2 tacos all day or for certain hours only.
- All-you-can-eat tacos – Some restaurants offer unlimited tacos for a fixed price on Tuesdays.
- Taco + Drink Combos – Specials like tacos + beer, tacos + margarita, etc. are very common.
- Taco Packs or Family Meals – Feeds a group with packs of 12-24 tacos and taco bar fixings.
- Free Toppings – Get free extra toppings like guacamole or queso on Taco Tuesday orders.
Be sure to follow your favorite restaurants on social media or check their websites to learn about their weekly Taco Tuesday specials. Then gather your friends and take advantage of the deals to spice up your Taco Tuesday!
Happy Taco Tuesday Meaning and Significance
So what does “Happy Taco Tuesday” really mean? Here are some of the key meanings behind this Taco Tuesday greeting:
- It’s an enthusiastic, happy greeting used to express excitement about celebrating the holiday of tacos.
- It serves as a reminder that today is Tuesday and it’s time to observe the important ritual of eating tacos.
- It’s a way to spread taco-filled joy and connect with others who share a love of tacos.
- It encourages people to embrace the fun and carefree spirit of Taco Tuesday by indulging in delicious tacos.
- It represents the satisfaction and contentment that comes from biting into a warm, flavor-packed taco.
In essence, “Happy Taco Tuesday” conveys a sense of joy and community around celebrating this beloved, tasty tradition. So whether you say it to your coworkers, tweet it out to followers, or text it to your best buds, use “Happy Taco Tuesday” as a way to spread the taco love!
Fun Facts About Taco Tuesday
Here are some fun facts about the beloved celebration of Taco Tuesday:
- Taco Tuesday is observed on Twitter with over 2 million tweets on peak Taco Tuesdays.
- According to studies, Taco Tuesday increases taco consumption by over 75% compared to other days.
- One survey found that 75% of Americans would consider ditching their diet to enjoy Taco Tuesday.
- Taco Tuesday boosts liquor sales, especially tequila and margarita sales which see a 22% spike.
- Taco Bell reported that 60% of their weekly taco sales occur on Tuesdays.
- LeBron James of the NBA is a big Taco Tuesday fan and often posts Social media videos of his family’s celebrations.
- South Korea and the Philippines have their own versions called Kimchi Tuesday and Tuyo Tuesday featuring Korean and Filipino dishes respectively.
Clearly Taco Tuesday is a massively popular food holiday that brings people together in celebration of tacos!
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Happy Taco Tuesday” expresses excitement for celebrating the beloved tradition of feasting on tacos every Tuesday. Its origins can be traced back to smart marketing campaigns that positioned Tuesday as the perfect day for taco meals, deals, and specials. For taco-lovers across America and beyond, Happy Taco Tuesday represents camaraderie and joy centered around tacos. Whether you are enjoying $2 tacos with coworkers or dishing up homemade tacos with family, embrace the spirit of Happy Taco Tuesday by indulging in tacos every Tuesday!