Taco Tuesday New Jersey: No free Taco Bell tacos for you

You can still eat tacos on Tuesday in New Jersey.

You just can’t get free tacos at Taco Bell.

Taco Bell is celebrating last month's decision by Taco John’s to drop its "Taco Tuesday" trademark ownership. And they're doing so by giving away free food.

The big celebration comes on Sept. 12, a Taco Tuesday, when Taco Bell and food delivery service DoorDash will put $5 million towards orders from any participating vendor selling Mexican food. More details on how the deal works will be revealed in the days ahead, the restaurant chain announced Tuesday.

Between now and then, Taco Bell will give away free seasoned beef Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos on Tuesdays, starting Aug. 15 and including Aug. 22, Aug. 29 and Sept. 5. The offer is good at participating Taco Bell locations and on delivery orders in the Taco Bell app. There is no purchase necessary. The offer is limited to one taco per person per day, while supplies last. Delivery fees, taxes and tip will still apply.

Can you celebrate Taco Tuesday in New Jersey?

While 49 other states can celebrate Taco Tuesday with Taco Bell, New Jersey isn't partaking. Gregory's Restaurant in Somers Point has been celebrating "Taco Tuesday" since 1979 and they gained the trademark on the phrase three years later.

Because Gregory's Restaurant is the only place in the state who can use the term in advertising, Taco Bell's promotion will not be celebrated in New Jersey.

The company has not released how it plans on celebrating Taco Tuesday in the Garden State. According to the release, "Taco Tuesday trademark registration has been canceled in all states except New Jersey. Therefore, the DoorDash offer will be limited to the 49 states where Taco Tuesday has been freed."

While the fast food place is offering free food, it also gained a valuable advertising term popular on social media pretty much for free.

"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 Taco Bell U.S. Chief Marketing Officer, Taylor Montgomery. "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."

Taco Tuesday Reddit reaction

Are New Jersey folks upset over not getting the free food?

Think again.

Redditors mostly sided with the Somers Point joint over the massive Taco Bell.

"C'mon you guys, this little Taco guy standing up to PepsiCo is as Jersey as it gets," wrote r/newwriter365. "I stand with the little guy."

r/Augustslippedaway agreed: "TBH I do too. I didn't know the business challenging the bell was from NJ. (Forget) them free tacos!"

r/Pleasant_Living1130 stuck up for New Jersey cuisine: "In a state where you can get REAL Mexican food just about everywhere, why would you be upset about missing out on their horrible tasting garbage?!"

Others were just mad at Taco Bell for being less explosive.

"Good. Now that the volcano menu is gone, I'm anti-taco bell again. Long live Gregory's" wrote r/CKtheFourth.

USAToday contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Taco Tuesday at Taco Bell: NJ out of free giveaway in September