Taco Bell will help pay for your tacos today — even if they’re not from Taco Bell
Taco Bell, wasting no time after its “Taco Tuesday” victory, has been letting fans cash in on its first official use of the phrase on four tortilla and cheese-speckled Tuesdays — including today.
On Aug. 8, the Tex-Mex-inspired chain first announced it would be paying for your Taco Tuesday meal — even if it’s not at one of its many taco establishments — with two separate deals.
These moves celebrate the “liberation” of the Taco Tuesday trademark in 49 states, according to Taco Bell, who famously brought a trademark suit against regional restaurant chain Taco John’s with the goal of freeing the use of the phrase.
All Taco Bell locations have been offering a free Doritos Locos Taco every Tuesday for a month, with no purchase necessary. That’s right: On Aug. 15, 22, 29 and Sept. 5, the chain has offered a free Doritos Locos Taco (DLT), a Nacho Cheese Doritos shell filled with seasoned beef, cheddar cheese and lettuce — and today is the last day for the deal.
On Sept. 12, the second deal celebrating Taco Bell’s legal victory will be unleashed. The chain is partnering with DoorDash to open a $5 million taco tab that will cover a portion of fans’ orders from any participating vendor selling Mexican cuisine.
The deal, which is available exclusively on DoorDash, works like this: DoorDash users can add code TACOTAB to orders placed with participating Mexican restaurants to get $5 off $15+ qualifying orders.
With over 20,000 Mexican restaurants participating in the deal, there’s plenty of delectable options to choose from. DoorDash has helpfully provided a handy guide of restaurants participating in the deal on its website so that you can choose your favorite spot.
If you’re wondering which unlucky state still can’t utter “Taco Tuesday” without possible legal ramifications, it’s New Jersey. Therefore, the DoorDash offer is be limited to the 49 states where the phrase has been liberated, but don't worry, New Jerseyans: The DLT offer is still active in your state today.
Available on Taco Bell’s website, in-store and on the Taco Bell app for pickup or delivery, the last free taco deal requires an offer code and the DLT must added to your cart.
The final offer code for Sept. 5 is 04TACOTUESDAY.
“Taco Tuesday belongs to all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos, and this Free-For-All will not only thank taco fans who supported the cause, but will also spotlight local restaurants and vendors who can now embrace Taco Tuesdays without fear of legal action,” said Taylor Montgomery, Taco Bell’s U.S. chief marketing officer, in a press release. “When tacos win, we all win. We all win when Taco John’s decides to release its trademark registration, we all win when taco vendors everywhere are free to join the movement, and we all win when taco fans can freely celebrate and support Taco Tuesdays at Taco Bell or anywhere else.”
In July, Taco John’s announced it was waving the sour cream-white flag, giving up its fight to protect its Taco Tuesday trademark, and said it planned to use the money needed to defend its trademark for charitable causes instead.
“Not only did Taco John’s act benefit thousands of businesses across 49 states by making the term Taco Tuesday more freely available, Taco John’s also made a meaningful donation to Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) for $40,000, which the Taco Bell Foundation has matched,” reads Taco Bell’s press release.
It looks like all’s well that ends well in taco land.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
