October 4 still appears on older calendars, but Taco Bell moved the observance to the first Tuesday in October in 2024. The major 2026 restaurant offers below use October 6.
If you are mainly looking for a free taco, start with Del Taco: its rewards offer is a free taco with any purchase. Taco Bell’s headline promotion is different—it includes a free limited-edition sauce packet with a qualifying Doritos Locos Taco, rather than a free taco.
Compare the deals ↓Read the conditions ↓Get ready before Tuesday ↓Official sources ↓The fast comparison
| Restaurant | What you get | What you need | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Del Taco | FREE TACO One free taco | Any purchase + Del Yeah! Rewards; participating locations | Oct. 6 |
| Moe’s | $2 TACOS Up to three single tacos | Moe Rewards; apply the reward online or mention it in store | Oct. 6–11 |
| Chuy’s | $1 ADD-ON $1 beef taco with an entrée | Dine in; participating locations | Oct. 6 |
| Laredo Taco Co. | BOGO Potato & egg or chicken fajita tacos | Participating Laredo Taco Company restaurants in 7-Eleven, Speedway or Stripes stores | Oct. 6 |
| Taco John’s | FREE NEXT VISIT Beef Crispy Taco reward | Make a purchase as a TJ Rewards member; reward is valid 14 days | Purchase Oct. 6 |
| Taco Bell | NOT A FREE TACO Free Duo Habanero Sauce packet | Buy a Doritos Locos Taco; participating locations, while supplies last | From Oct. 6 |
Taxes, add-ons, availability and participation vary. Check the linked terms before ordering; third-party delivery commonly does not qualify.
Which deal is actually worth the trip?
Del Taco: the clearest free-taco offer
Del Yeah! Rewards members get a free taco with any purchase on October 6. The All-American BurgerTaco is excluded, and the offer is available only at participating restaurants.
Moe’s: the longest redemption window
Moe Rewards members can buy single tacos for $2 from October 6 through October 11, with a limit of three per person. Premium proteins, extras, taxes and fees are excluded. Apply the reward at checkout online, or mention it at checkout in store.
Chuy’s: useful if you are already dining in
Add a crispy or soft ground beef taco to an entrée for $1 on October 6. The offer is dine-in only. There is also a deliberately silly upgrade: arrive dressed as a taco, post the required social message and show it to your server to receive a free entrée during the same visit.
Laredo Taco Company: two separate BOGO choices
At participating Laredo Taco Company restaurants inside 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores, buy one Potato & Egg Taco and get one free, or buy one Chicken Fajita Taco and get one free. Both BOGO offers are valid October 6 only.
The company also lists two ongoing $5 offers: two El Gran Tocino tacos, or a meal with a chicken taco, bean-and-cheese taco, small side and Big Gulp drink.
Taco John’s: the free taco comes later
Make a purchase through TJ Rewards on October 6 and the account receives a free Beef Crispy Taco for a later visit. The reward is valid for 14 days. This is useful if you already planned to order, but it is not an instant free taco on the same transaction.
Taco Bell: sauce, Duolingo and a one-hour giveaway
Buy a Doritos Locos Taco at a participating U.S. restaurant and receive one limited-edition Duo Habanero Sauce packet while supplies last. Additional packets are listed at 20 cents each.
Taco Bell Rewards members can also open the app through October 6 for a code for a 30-day Super Duolingo trial, subject to eligibility. A separate plush-toy sweepstakes is scheduled for 2–3 p.m. Pacific on October 6; it requires a Rewards account but no purchase.
Do these three things before Tuesday
Check participation
A national announcement does not mean every franchise location participates. Use the brand’s store finder, then check the local app listing.
Join before ordering
Del Taco, Moe’s, Taco John’s and Taco Bell tie at least part of their promotions to rewards accounts. Waiting at the register is the slowest way to discover that.
Check the total
Taxes, premium proteins, add-ons, service fees and third-party delivery may sit outside the deal. Confirm the discount before you submit payment.
October 4 was the traditional date. Taco Bell says it worked with National Day Calendar in 2024 to move National Taco Day to the first Tuesday in October. In 2026 that Tuesday is October 6, and that is the date used by the current restaurant offers in this guide.
