25 Spec-taco-ular Taco Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published June 8, 2023Updated August 23, 2024

The Grand Velas Los Cabos resort in Mexico creates the world's most expensive taco, sold at $25,000. The taco features a gold-flaked corn tortilla, langoustines, Kobe beef, Almas beluga caviar, and black truffle Brie cheese._[7]
In the United States, National Taco Day is October 4._[1]
The largest taco in the world weighed 1,654 pounds (750 kg) and was made in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, on March 8, 2003._[4]
The main difference between a burrito and a taco is that a burrito is larger than a taco. A single burrito is usually the entire meal._[1]

Would you eat a larva taco?

Bizarre tacos include waffle, alligator, bacon, s'mores, larvae, and cauliflower tacos._[6]
American entrepreneur Glenn Bell created Taco Bell in 1962. Tacos and other menu items were just $0.19._[12]
Tacos have been around in some form since 1500 BCE, which is as long as tortillas have been around._[1]
While tacos have been around in some form for thousands of years, the modern taco was developed in the 19th century in Mexican silver mines. The first true modern taco is known as "taco de minero" or "miner's taco."_[1]
In Oaxaca, Mexico, tacos are often filled with chili, lime, and deep-fried grasshoppers called chapulines._[8]
Tacos traditionally don't have rice in them, but burritos usually do._[1]
After nearly 40 years on the market, the Choco Taco was discontinued. The taco was actually ice cream in a taco shape._[1]
Taco Tuesday is popular all over the United States but especially in Southern California._[9]

I wish I were full of tacos instead of emotions.

- Anonymous

A 41-year-old man died after he choked on tacos during a taco-eating contest._[2]
The taco emoji is often used to represent female genitalia._[13]
Americans eat over 4.5 billion tacos every year._[8]

How many tacos do you eat?

Tacos can be either healthy or junk food, depending on how they're prepared. For instance, whole grain tortillas and lean meat are usually healthier than flour or fried taco shells._[11]
The taco capital of the world is Mexico City._[5]
According to one theory, the word "taco" means "wad" or "plug." Another theory is that it's from the Nahuatl word "tlahco," meaning "half" or "in the middle."_[1]
The most popular taco in the United States is the U-shaped, hard-shelled version first described in a 1949 cookbook._[1]
According to Forbes, Kansas City is the taco capital of the United States. The city is home to over 450 taquerias._[8]
According to the Mexican Department of Agriculture, there are over 20,000 different taco recipes._[10]

How do you like your tacos?

Instead of Taco Tuesdays, Norway does Taco Fridays._[10]
Mexico has its national taco day on March 31, with "Dia del Taco."_[10]
During the 1930s and 1960s, Lebanese immigrants to Mexico infused Lebanese dishes into taco recipes. One of the most famous Lebanese/Mexican blends is the "tacos al pastor," which includes thinly sliced, marinated pork._[3]
Tacos became popular in the United States in the early 1900s, when Mexican migrants came to work on the railroads and brought tacos with them. Most Americans considered tacos a lower-class street food at the time._[9]