Every Day Is Special: October 4

October 4 – National Taco Day

Posted October 4, 2016

My husband grew up in upstate New York. When he came to California at age 13, his new friends asked if he wanted to go get some tacos with them...and he asked, “What are tacos?”

Of course the native Californians were astonished, but soon they taught the New Yorker all about tacos, burritos, tortillas, quesadillas, and all sorts of Mexican food. But today, on National Taco Day, I am wondering if American kids can still grow up into teens without knowing the word taco.

After using Google for a few minutes, I'm betting probably not. For one thing, there seem to be multiple Taco Bells in every state, and seventeen states boast Del Taco fast food restaurants as well. And they have taco right in the name.

Here are some stats to prove my point:

Tortillas have been outselling hot dog buns in the U.S. since 2010.
Last year, Americans ate more than 4.5 billion tacos.
If you laid out those tacos end-to-end, they would go to the Moon and back. That many tacos would weigh as much as TWO Empire State Buildings.
Mexican food is the third most popular type of menu in American restaurants, with more than 54,000 Mexican restaurants operating in the U.S. That is about 8% of all U.S. restaurants. And get this – that edges hamburger eateries to fourth place (about 50,000 hamburger restaurants operate in the U.S.)!
Americans spend more than $39 billion at Mexican restaurants!

Let them eat tacos!

Let them make tacos!

Tacos for all!

Of course, the best way to celebrate National Taco Day is to eat tacos! Whether you do take-out, a sit-down meal, or make them at home, be sure to consider all the variety of things commonly used in tacos: