Taco Tuesday Meme: Meaning, Origin, and Spread
The phrase “Taco Tuesday” started as a restaurant marketing gimmick by the owner of the American restaurant Taco John’s in the early 1980s, but it didn’t take long for it to evolve into one of the internet’s favorite weekly traditions. Over time, it’s become both a celebration for taco lovers and a satirical Taco Tuesday meme reflecting the absurdity of obsessing over weekday-themed food rituals.
In this article, Grumpy Sharks will provide you with the full information of its meaning, origin, and spread.
What Is the Taco Tuesday Meme?
The Taco Tuesday meme refers to humorous posts—often in image macro or video format—highlighting either the enthusiastic anticipation or melodramatic disappointment around the event of Taco Tuesday. While some memes earnestly celebrate tacos, others exaggerate reactions for comedic effect.
Taco Tuesday’s meme form is widespread on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, Instagram, and even in video content across YouTube and TikTok.
Origin of the Phrase “Taco Tuesday”
Taco Tuesday was coined by the Wyoming-based fast-food chain Taco John’s in 1982 as a way to draw in customers on Tuesdays, typically one of the slowest business days. In 1989, the company even secured a trademark for the term.
The phrase quickly spread across the U.S., becoming a cultural tradition in many towns and cities. Diners and Mexican restaurants soon adopted their own Taco Tuesday specials, and it wasn’t long before the internet gave the phrase a life of its own.
Early Taco Tuesday Meme Usage
The earliest examples of the Taco Tuesday meme date back to the early 2010s. On August 22nd, 2011, a comic strip was uploaded to Memeria by user Anon99.
The comic featured a customer reacting violently upon learning it wasn’t actually Taco Tuesday:
I’m here for Taco Tuesday!
It’s Friday.
BANG
BANG
BANG
This meme format set the tone for many future posts, which blend absurdist humor with fast-food fandom.
Spread Through Pop Culture
May 3rd, 2012 saw the release of a YouTube episode of Dick Figures by @MondoMedia that referenced Taco Tuesday. The episode, which showed characters struggling to work at a pizza restaurant, jokingly mentioned tacos. That video has since earned 4.7 million views and 36,000 likes.
Then came LeBron James, who unintentionally amplified the meme. In a now-iconic livestream posted by the House of Highlights YouTube channel on October 2nd, 2019, LeBron is seen gleefully celebrating Taco Tuesday with his family. The video amassed 1.7 million views and 31,000 likes, sparking parodies and meme edits across social media.
His over-the-top enthusiasm (“It’s TACOOOO TUESDAAAAY!”) became a catchphrase among both fans and casual meme creators.
Classic Image Macros
Meme templates featuring Taco Tuesday include countless variations, such as:
- The “One does not simply walk into Mordor” meme, edited to say: “One does not simply skip Taco Tuesday”.
- The Dawson crying meme, joking about missing Taco Tuesday or realizing it’s only Monday.
- Minion memes paired with taco cravings.
These often mix pop culture with exaggerated emotional reactions to missing or celebrating the weekly taco tradition.
FAQs
What is Taco Tuesday?
It’s a marketing term and tradition where restaurants offer taco deals on Tuesdays. It’s since become a cultural and meme phenomenon.
Who started Taco Tuesday?
The term was coined by Taco John’s in 1982 and trademarked in 1989.
What does “Happy Taco Tuesday” mean?
It’s a lighthearted way of celebrating Tuesday as a day to eat tacos. People often post this online to share their love for tacos or join in on the meme.
What is the quote for Taco Tuesday?
LeBron James popularized the phrase “It’s TACOOO TUESDAAAY!” in his viral video, which is now widely quoted in memes and videos.
Did LeBron James invent Taco Tuesday?
No, but his viral celebration videos helped bring the phrase into mainstream meme culture.
Final Thoughts
What started as a clever marketing strategy transformed into a digital tradition. The Taco Tuesday meme combines culinary passion with comedic timing, and whether you’re sincerely enjoying tacos or just enjoying the jokes, Tuesdays will never be the same again.
