Free tacos, burritos and cheap drinks in Sacramento: Here are 8 National Taco Day deals

From the warm tortilla, to the endless filling options, to the mouth-watering toppings, the taco is a staple in many households.

Once a year, all things tacos are celebrated nationally with discounted prices and offers all day long. This year, the celebratory day falls on Oct. 4. — just missing Taco Tuesday.

But the National Taco Day specials in Sacramento are still abundant.

Whether you’re looking to spend the holiday at a local joint in the Sacramento area or you rather snag something quick to eat from a fast-food chain, The Sacramento Bee has you covered. Here’s a list of taco deals — from free tacos and burritos to discounted appetizers — all happening on National Taco Day.

Rubio’s Coastal Grill

Location: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Folsom

What’s the deal? Get a free taco with a purchase. Plus, get $5 off an entree when you order online and sign up for promotional text messages.

7/11

Locations: West Sacramento, Sacramento, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, more

What’s the deal? Laredo Taco Company is selling $2 beef fajita tacos inside 7/11 stores.

Taco Bell

Locations: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Carmichael, more

What’s the deal? Get a taco a day for 30 days when you buy a $10 Taco Lover’s Pass by Wednesday.

Del Taco

Locations: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, more

What’s the deal? Del Taco’s Tacoberfest is offering food and delivery deals on their rewards app throughout the month of October.

The “Wednesday Bundle” includes five “snack tacos” for $3. The other deals — which are valid through Saturday — include free guacamole and discounted crispy chicken tacos and crinkle cut fries.

OTHER DEALS

El Pollo Loco

Locations: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, more

What’s the deal? It’s not a taco but it’s free food. Get a free burrito with a purchase when you join El Pollo Loco’s rewards system, either on the app or online.

Mas Taco Bar

Locations: Sacramento, Folsom, more

What’s the deal? From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, get half off on appetizers, $1 of select tacos, $3 off gigantic margaritas and more during happy hour.

Taqueria La Perla Tapatia

Location: 2820 Marconi Ave., Sacramento

What’s the deal? Tacos range from $2.79 for a street-sized portion to $4.99 for a veggie toppings stuffed in a large corn tortilla. New customers get 10% off their first order.

Chando’s Tacos

Locations: Fair Oaks, West Sacramento, Roseville, more

What’s the deal? If tacos aren’t your thing, you can get a burrito and a drink for roughly $10, plus tax.

How tacos became a national celebration

You can get tacos pretty much anywhere; a food truck, a fancy restaurant and even inside a step-by-step cooking kit from the supermarket.

Before the Mexican dish was common in American households, it was typically made with a warmed corn tortilla, sliced beef or pork, onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. According to Farmers’ Almanac, the Americanized taco was conceptualized around the early 1900s with ingredients like hard taco shells, flour tortillas, ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, salsa and guacamole.

Nearly a century later, California-based fast food chain Del Taco declared Oct. 4 the “Time to Celebrate National Taco Day” and other eateries followed suit.

This story was originally published October 4, 2023 at 10:49 AM.