Everything You Need to Know About National Taco Day 2024
National Taco Day is a day worth celebrating. Delectable meats and beans, fresh produce like lettuce and diced tomatoes, shredded cheese — these are all the hallmarks of a classic and beloved Mexican-inspired dish: the taco. Start preparing your taco feasts now.
In the book Food and Nutrition: Customs and Culture, Paul Fieldhouse writes, “Food has always been much more than a source of body nourishment; it has played a major part in the social life, both religious and secular, of human groups.”
Enjoy being a part of the human race and enjoying the diverse food cultures available in the United States when you dive into concocting some delightful National Taco Day plans!
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What is National Taco Day?
Who Invented Taco Day?
National Taco Day is an invention based not only on a love of Mexican food, but as a call to celebrate Mexican culture and as part of a movement to remind people in political positions of the Mexican-American voting power.
Roberto Gomez, as head of the San Antonio Social Civic Organization (SASCO), came up with a series of large food item birthday gifts for the American Presidents in residence, which turned into the creation of the National Taco Council.
In 1967, alongside restaurant owners in the San Antonio area, Gomez was able to convince the town to declare the week leading up to Cinco de Mayo as National Taco Week.
After receiving the political stamp of approval, restaurants throughout Texas took the hype up to the next level by increasing the celebration to last for a whole National Taco Month.
Why is National Taco Day on October 4?
Originally (back in the 1960s), National Taco Day was supposed to fall on May 3rd, the birthday of Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez who approved of the SASCO and Taco Councils' efforts. However, after the death of Roberto Gomez in 1983, the celebration of this holiday fell out of the history books.
In 2000, a particular restaurant pushed to celebrate this holiday on June 12th for their own marketing purposes. Around 2004 certain books and websites declared that the “real” Taco Day was on October 4th. In 2009 a company called Del Taco advertised National Taco Day for October 4th, and since then, that is when it has been recognized.
Fun Ways to Celebrate National Taco Day
Taco Making Cooking Classes
Whip up amazing tacos once you hone your skills with superb cooking classes. There are always cooking classes near you, such as cooking classes in Chicago, cooking classes in Fort Lauderdale or cooking classes in Boulder. Not to mention there is always the digital option with online cooking classes.
Spend your evenings elevating your knife-wielding abilities and other kitchen skills so that when National Taco Day arrives, you'll be prepared to impress your friends.
Mexican Cocktail Making Classes
What more fun way for adults to celebrate a day all about food than to pair it with some scrumptious cocktails. Find your inner chemist and impress your friends after mixology classes in Chicago, mixology classes in Miami, mixology classes in Los Angeles or online mixology classes.
Start from the basics and discover how to pour like a professional. Soon your friends will be in awe of your bartending skills and your list of party invitations will skyrocket.
Host Friendly Potluck Feast
Plan a night of cooking for your friends. Arrange your own kind of buffet where you and your friends can combine a variety of ingredients for your own inventive and innovative taco creations.
Craft your own National Taco Day menu or check out some taco bar party ideas. You can also pair your evening with classic party food like chips and salsa or candy.
Who doesn't love spending an evening surrounded by friends, good food, laughter and music? Classpop! has plenty of party-planning ideas if you need more unique ideas to work into your schedule for the evening.
Have Picnic in the Park
Take your party to the park in a final outdoors hurrah for the season, since National Taco Day is now celebrated in October. Enjoy the gorgeous foliage or a gentle Autumn breeze as you laugh along with your loved ones and dine on a variety of produce and proteins inside hard taco shells.
Use this opportunity to explore the parks and hiking areas in your areas, full of lovely natural beauty and perfect for sharing food and conversation with family and friends. You could even go on an adventure to one of the many national parks to celebrate this food-based national holiday!
Visit Local and Chain Restaurants
There is always the classic maneuver: heading to the closest Mexican (or Tex-Mex) restaurant. For instance, how is Taco Bell celebrating National Taco Day? There are often all sorts of Taco Bell deals when it comes to this delightful National holiday.
In the Southern states, there are Moe's Mexican Restaurants, in New England there exists Margaritas Mexican Restaurants. You could also do some research into the locally owned and operated businesses in your area.
In Dover, New Hampshire, there's a fantastic location called Cinqo de Mayo. In Portsmouth, one superb option is Barrio. Find out what small business Mexican-American food places exist near you!
No matter how you choose to celebrate this mouthwatering holiday, National Taco Day is meant to inspire you. Let it remind you of the culture Mexican food derives from and honor other facets of that culture, perhaps by visiting a Mexican-American art museum or a historical location.
Delve into the complex American history that has allowed for diversity to shine in this nation.
For even more fun ways to celebrate, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
