Restaurants across New York City are celebrating National Taco Day with free and cheap eats Tuesday.
While the taco has been eaten in Mexico as far back as the 18th century, the meal's humble origins in New York likely began in 1966 when the first taco truck opened in The Bronx, according to the book "Savor Gotham: A Food Lover's Companion to New York City."
Check out these spots to chow down in honor of some of the tastiest street food in the city:
► Tres Carnes, 688 Sixth Ave., Flatiron
This Tex-Mex smoked meat taco joint will be handing out free tacos from 5 to 7 p.m.
► Campéon, 9 E. 16th St., Union Square
This sports-themed taco spot will be offering its signature tacos al pastor for $4 — a big discount from the normal $17. If you're still hungry after stuffing your face with the pork tacos, check out the Mahi-Mahi fish taco or the brisket with horseradish and shallots variation.
► The Daisy, 1641 Second Ave., Upper East Side
The upscale Upper East Side bar has a secret late-night taco menu that's not listed on the restaurant's site, but on National Taco Day you'll be able to get eight of those tacos for $3 all day.
► Jalapa Jar, 100 Henry St., Brooklyn Heights
Known for its wide selection of breakfast tacos — an Austin, Texas, favorite — the recently-opened Jalapa Bar will be holding giveaways for free plates of its scrambled-egg-and-salsa goodness on Tuesday.
► Cantina Taquería and Tequila Bar, 1838 Seventh Ave., Harlem
This Harlem bar is selling twists on classic tacos mango jerk chicken or falafel for $3 a pop as well as a Mexican chorizo variety. The National Taco Day also means discounts on margaritas, beers and guacamole.
► Toloache, 251 W. 50th St., Midtown
Restaurant owner Julian Medina is giving diners an additional incentive to come today — three special tacos with fillings like skirt steak and peanut-salsa macha, grilled tripe and aji panka and duck fat poached hamachi and chicharron-sweet onion salad are being added to the menu for the day.
► Dos Toros Taqueria, 119 W. 40th St., Midtown
They may be a day behind, but Dos Toros Taqueria will be celebrating the opening of its new Bryant Park location by handing out $1 burritos, burrito bowls and tacos between 1:30 and 3 p.m. and 5 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
