It's not just any Taco Tuesday: Here's where to get free food, deals on National Taco Day

It's that time of year again, when taco restaurants nationwide show love to the warm, meaty, stuffed tortillas.

This year, foodies can celebrate both Taco Tuesday and National Taco Day on the same day, Oct. 4, with deals ranging from free tacos to 10 mini tacos for $10.

Chains like Taco Bell, Del Taco, El Pollo Loco and Moe’s Southwest Grill are offering deals to commemorate the occasion. You might need to download the app for some promotions.

Some deals might require you to be creative in order to make a profit. Chuy's and Tijuana Flats are offering free food to customers who dress up like – you guessed it – a taco.

Below are the specials for this year.

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Taco Bell: Pay $10 and get a taco a day all month long

In honor of National Taco Day 2022, Taco Bell is offering its Taco Lover’s Pass exclusively on the Taco Bell app. Only one day will be available to purchase the pass. With the pass, rewards members can pay $10 and get one taco a day all month long.

Choices include Taco Bell's Crunchy Taco, Crunchy Taco Supreme, Soft Taco, Soft Taco Supreme, Spicy Potato Soft Taco, Doritos Locos Taco, and the Doritos Locos Taco Supreme.

Taco John's: Taco Tuesday Deals and Free Beef Tacos

Bigger Bolder Rewards members can get a free beef Taco Bravo with any purchase, or cash in on the restaurant's regular Taco Tuesday Crispy Beef Taco deal. Taco John's has several locations throughout the Midwest.

Grubhub offers delivery deals

Grubhub is offering deals for Taco Bell and On the Border, including a free taco from Taco Bell on orders of $15 or more on National Taco Day.

Customers who spend at least $15 can get a buy-one, get-one taco (crispy and soft) from Border. Grubhub+ members get free queso when they order $20 or more. These deals will be available every Tuesday in October.

Chronic Taco: Get $1 off and a chance to win tacos for a whole year

With locations in Alabama, Arizona, and California, Chronic Taco is knocking $1 off tacos all day.

Notable?

Every customer who registers and verifies their account on the Chronic Tacos app before Oct. 4, will automatically be entered to win free tacos for one year.

Rubio's Coastal Grill: Get a free taco with every purchase

Rubio's Coastal Grill is having a two-day celebration starting Oct. 3 for National Taco Day that includes a free à la carte taco with any purchase. The restaurant stated that customers can choose from any type of taco.

The company has locations in California, Arizona and Nevada.

The company also announced that all-day Taco Tuesday specials include chicken tacos at $1.99 and steak tacos at $2.29

7-Eleven: 10 mini tacos for $2

Rewards customers stopping at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores can grab 10 mini tacos for $2, the company said in a news release.

Del Taco: Taco Nights with Double Rewards, and Deals All Month

Del Taco, which has locations in 16 states, is promoting its Taco Nights deals for the holiday.

From 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday or Thursday, customers can snag three snack tacos for $1.69 or three grilled chicken tacos for $2.69.

The restaurant will offer double "Del Yeah!" every Tuesday during this month. All day, Del Taco customers can earn rewards points by downloading the Del Taco app.

Notable? Del is launching Tacoberfest: 31 Days of Deals in October.

Starting Oct. 1, rewards app members will have access to special offers all month long, including their buy one, get one free deal, $2 off six grilled chicken tacos every Saturday, and other deals.

There may be differences in the hours, prices, participation and deals.

Don't be a kid! McDonald's is offering Happy Meals for Adults, with a special toy.

Chuy's: Get a free meal if you dress up as a taco or add tequila to $1

With locations in 17 states, Chuy's is offering all-day specials on tacos and tequila, including free food if customers dress like a taco and post a photo hashtagged #ChuysTacoDay.

The Tex-Mex restaurant also said customers can add a ground beef taco – crispy or soft – to any dine-in entrée purchase for an extra dollar.

And for those who want to hit the bar and save on margaritas, the restaurant is offering $1 floaters, or an extra pour of tequila over a margarita (frozen or rocks). 

El Pollo Loco: Get 8 for the Price of Tacos when you order El Pollo Loco.

Noting that the company is continuing its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, El Pollo Loco announced this year that it wants customers to try other Hispanic food besides tacos.

On National Taco Day, those who spend at least $10 on menu items other than tacos will get eight free tacos in their loyalty account. They can snag the tacos anytime between Oct. 5-31.

The restaurant will also offer free delivery all day on Oct. 4 for orders placed via the Loco Rewards app or at www.elpolloloco.com.

Baja Fresh: $5 Off $20 or More

Baja Fresh, which has stores in Texas, Virginia, California, Georgia, and other states, is offering Club Baja Rewards loyalty members $5 off $20 or more.

To get the deal in-store, guests must provide the store with the phone number associated with their Club Baja Rewards account before checkout.

Sign in is required for guests ordering online or via the app.

Taco Del Mar: A golden taco ticket for anyone?

Taco Del Mar, with many locations in Washington state, is offering a Golden Taco Ticket promotion starting Oct. 4. The tickets give guests the opportunity to receive one free taco per person for 30 days when they purchase any item.

Participating restaurants will offer 25 Golden Taco tickets on Oct. 4th and Oct. 9th. Customers who buy one can snag any one of the company's four most popular options – the Rippin’ Fish taco, braised chicken, pulled pork carnitas, and seasoned ground beef tacos – per day with any purchase.

Golden Taco Tickets start at $12 in the U.S., and $15 in Canada.

Jack in the Box: Monster tacos are back

Jack in the Box, which has locations in 21 states around the U.S., is resurrecting its monster tacos starting on Oct. 4; customers can buy two of them for $3 until Oct. 31.

Tijuana Flats - Dress like a Taco and Get One Free

Tijuana Flats offers a free chicken, beef, or bean taco to customers who dress up as tacos and spend less than $2. The chain has several locations across Florida, North Carolina and Indiana, as well as Virginia, Virginia, Virginia, and Illinois.

The company released a statement saying that guests are encouraged to be creative with their taco attire. Participate in the event by wearing a taco shirt, hat, or other costume.

The restaurant also offers $4 margaritas, sangria, and other beverages.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop: All day tacos for $1.50

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is offering $1.50 tacos all day, the restaurant said. Guests can choose between breakfast tacos and Baja tacos at one of the 100-plus locations across the country.

100 guests can also receive free tacos for the year. Each customer who places an order on National Taco Day via the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop app will automatically be entered into a drawing for the free tacos. Customers can also enter by scanning their receipts from National Taco Day into our app.

On Oct. 10, the restaurant will contact the winners via email.

California Tortilla Coupon: Get a free taco when you buy any California Tortilla

All California Tortilla locations are offering coupons for a free taco with every purchase. The coupons are valid Oct. 5-11.

Moe’s Southwest Grill: $5 off meal kits

Moe’s is offering Moe Rewards members $5 off any meal kit on National Taco Day, including the iconic Taco Meal Kit with free chips and salsa.

Taco kits come with 12 soft flour tortillas, two proteins, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, beans, rice, sour cream, and a shareable bowl of Moe’s queso.

Members can also cash-in ahead of time by using the promo code "TACODAY22" online.

Saleen Martin is a reporter for USA TODAY's team NOW. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757 – and loves all things horror, witches, Christmas, and food. Follow her on Twitter at @Saleen_Martin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.