"Taco Tuesday" is a widespread and beloved custom in the United States and other English-speaking nations, where people enjoy tacos and Tex-Mex specials on Tuesday evenings, often with restaurant promotions. While businesses advertised tacos on Tuesdays since at least 1933, the phrase itself first appeared in a 1968 ad, sparking decades of trademark controversies. In the U.S., Wyoming-based Taco John's famously secured a federal trademark in 1989, zealously defending its exclusive use, while Gregory's Restaurant & Bar held state rights in New Jersey since 1982. Even basketball star LeBron James's 2019 attempt to trademark the phrase for entertainment was rejected, underscoring its commonplace nature.
The extensive trademark battle concluded in 2023 when, following a petition from Taco Bell to free the phrase, Taco John's abandoned its federal trademark in July. Just months later, in October 2023, Gregory's Restaurant & Bar also relinquished its New Jersey trademark, finally making "Taco Tuesday" freely available for all to use and cementing its status as a universally celebrated cultural tradition enjoyed by millions.