National Taco Day Deals In The Dallas Area

DALLAS, TX — Taco Bell, Taco Cabana, and Torchy's are among the Texas restaurants and fast food spots offering deals on National Taco Day Thursday. Considering Americans reportedly eat more than 4 billion tacos per year, it's no surprise the food group gets its own unofficial holiday.

Jeffrey M. Pilcher, professor of history at the University of Minnesota, believes that tacos date back to the 18th century in the silver mines in Mexico, smithsonianmag.com reported.

"[I]n those mines the word 'taco' referred to the little charges they would use to excavate the ore. These were pieces of paper that they would wrap around gunpowder and insert into the holes they carved in the rock face. When you think about it, a chicken taquito with a good hot sauce is really a lot like a stick of dynamite," Pilcher said.

Check out some of the National Taco Day deals you need to take advantage of Thursday:

Taco Bell

For $5 (plus $.50 to help cover the tax), the National Taco Day special includes the Crunchy Taco, Fiery, Cool Ranch, and Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos.

Del Taco

Buy one, get a free shredded beef soft taco.

Torchy's

Five guests at each Torchy's restaurant who receive their order in a gold paper-lined basket can receive a gift card up to $300 to use at Torchy's.

Taco Cabana

Get a free shredded chicken taco by signing up for the restaurant's loyalty program.

R Taco

Earn giveaways and fresh, street-style tacos, plus a chance to win a $100 gift card.

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Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit