Pâté de foie gras, beluga caviar, oysters and white truffles may be the hallmarks of culinary extravagance. But ask most Americans what they actually want for dinner, and the humble taco wins more often than it probably should.
For all the taco lovers out there, I have some delicious news to share: tacos are not going anywhere. In fact, they have moved well past “fun dinner idea” and into full-blown comfort food territory.
National Taco Day was long celebrated on October 4, but that changed in 2024 when the celebration officially moved to the first Tuesday in October, which feels appropriate considering how many people already treat Taco Tuesday like a weekly holiday. The National Day Calendar now lists National Taco Day on the first Tuesday of October.
And yes, Americans really do love tacos. One survey reported that 95% of Americans like tacos, and Americans eat around 4.5 billion tacos every year, which is a lot of salsa, a lot of napkins and probably not enough guacamole. (1)
But why do tacos hit the spot so well? Let’s get into the history, the craving and, of course, whether your taco habit is something to worry about.
Back to the Beginning
Tacos, as we know them today, are a mix of Indigenous Mexican food traditions, Spanish influence and, later, American adaptations. Corn tortillas have been part of Mexican food culture for thousands of years, long before anyone was debating soft shell versus crunchy shell.
Food historians generally agree that the tortilla came first, and the taco as a named dish came later. Fresh corn tortillas were practical, filling and easy to wrap around fish, beans, vegetables, meats or whatever else was available.
Freshly prepared corn tortillas could be filled with anything from fish and roasted meats to beans, vegetables and chiles.
What they were not filled with, at least not originally, was shredded iceberg lettuce, sour cream, orange cheddar cheese and a packet of mild sauce. Not judging, just stating the obvious.
The Name “Taco” Came Later
The word “taco” has a few different origin stories, but one of the most repeated theories connects it to Mexican silver miners in the 18th century. Small paper-wrapped charges of gunpowder used in the mines were called tacos, and some food historians believe the name may have been applied to tortillas wrapped around flavorful fillings.
As noted in the Smithsonian’s history of the taco, tacos were strongly associated with working-class Mexican communities before becoming mainstream in the United States. In other words, tacos did not start out as trendy restaurant food with a $7 add-on for avocado.
They were everyday food. Affordable, portable, satisfying and very good at making people happy.
How Tacos Came to America
Mexican migrants brought tacos into the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in areas such as Texas, California and the Southwest. At first, tacos were mostly sold as street food and were often unfamiliar to Americans who were not used to the chiles, corn tortillas and bold seasonings.
One big influence came from the “chili queens,” women who sold Mexican food in public plazas and food stands, especially in San Antonio. Reports from Texas Monthly describe these vendors as an important part of how Mexican flavors became more visible and loved in American food culture.
Eventually, tacos started shifting to match American tastes. Ground beef, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and crunchy shells became more common, and the American-style taco was born.
The Taco Evolution
By the 20th century, tacos had started to change depending on where they were being made and who was eating them. Organ meats and traditional fillings were often replaced with ground beef or chicken, while cheese, lettuce and tomatoes became standard toppings for many American households.
Then came fast food. Glen Bell opened Taco Bell in 1962, and while no one would confuse a fast-food taco with a taco from a street stand in Mexico City, it definitely helped bring tacos into the American mainstream.
That is both the beauty and the complication of tacos. They can be deeply traditional, wildly Americanized or somewhere in between.
Tacos Today
Today, tacos are everywhere, from neighborhood taquerias and food trucks to chain restaurants and home kitchens. You can find tacos filled with carne asada, al pastor, grilled fish, mushrooms, cauliflower, tofu, eggs, beans, shrimp or, frankly, whatever leftovers are sitting in the fridge.
Some are traditional. Some are fusion. Some probably make a Mexican grandmother question our choices.
Still, the appeal makes sense. Tacos are customizable, flavorful, easy to eat and just messy enough to feel fun.
The Mystery of Taco Cravings
Short answer: You may be craving tacos because they check a lot of boxes at once. They can be savory, salty, crunchy, creamy, spicy, warm, filling and comforting, depending on how you make them.
Cravings are not always some deep nutritional message from the body, but they can be influenced by hunger, habit, emotions, sleep, stress and food memories. As the Cleveland Clinic notes about food cravings, cravings can come from both physical and emotional cues.
With tacos, the craving may be especially strong because they offer a mix of protein, carbs, fat and bold seasonings. That combination can feel very satisfying, especially if your last meal was too small, too plain or missing enough protein and fiber.
Possible reasons you are craving tacos include:
- You are hungry and need a satisfying meal.
- You did not get enough protein earlier in the day.
- You are low on energy and craving carbohydrates.
- You want something salty, spicy or crunchy.
- You associate tacos with comfort, fun or social eating.
- You are bored with your usual meals.
Honestly, sometimes a taco craving is not that mysterious. Sometimes tacos just sound better than another sad desk salad.
Are Tacos Healthy?
They absolutely can be. The real answer depends on what is in the taco, how many you eat and what the rest of your day looks like.
A taco made with corn tortillas, beans, grilled fish or chicken, avocado, salsa and vegetables can be a balanced, nutrient-rich meal. A plate of deep-fried shells loaded with fatty meat, lots of cheese and very little produce is a different story.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage eating a variety of vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, beans, seafood, nuts and seeds while limiting saturated fat, sodium and added sugars. Conveniently, tacos can fit into that pattern pretty easily when you build them with those foods in mind.
My favorite approach is not to make tacos “diet food,” because that is how we ruin perfectly good tacos. Instead, make them satisfying and just a little more balanced.
Try:
- Corn tortillas or 100% whole-wheat tortillas.
- Beans, lentils, grilled chicken, fish, shrimp, lean beef or tofu.
- Plenty of salsa, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers or onions.
- Avocado or guacamole for healthy fat.
- Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, if you like the swap.
- A smaller amount of cheese with more flavor, such as sharp cheddar or cotija.
And yes, you can still enjoy the crispy shell, the sour cream and the extra cheese sometimes. That is where the real-life part of eating comes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Am I Craving Tacos All of a Sudden?
You may be hungry, low on energy or simply craving something flavorful and satisfying. Tacos offer a mix of textures and flavors, which makes them very craveable.
It could also be that you saw a photo, smelled Mexican food, passed your favorite taco spot or remembered that it is Tuesday. Never underestimate the power of suggestion.
Why Am I Craving Tacos All the Time?
Craving tacos all the time could mean your meals are not satisfying enough, especially if they are low in protein, fiber or healthy fats. It could also mean tacos are one of your go-to comfort foods.
Rather than banning tacos, look at how you are building your meals. Add more protein, beans, vegetables and filling carbohydrates during the day, and see whether those cravings calm down a bit.
How Do I Stop Craving Tacos?
First, make sure you are eating enough. Cravings often get louder when you wait too long between meals or try to survive on coffee and good intentions.
Next, consider what part of the taco you actually want. A craving for crunch might be satisfied with tostadas or veggie-loaded nachos, while a craving for spicy flavor might be helped by adding salsa, peppers or taco-seasoned beans to another meal.
That said, sometimes the best way to stop craving tacos is to eat tacos. Revolutionary, I know.
What Are Some Taco Craving Alternatives?
When you want tacos but do not have tacos, try something with similar flavors. A burrito bowl, taco salad, quesadilla, fajitas, beans and rice, tostada or stuffed peppers can all work.
You can also make a quick taco-style meal with scrambled eggs, black beans, salsa and avocado in a tortilla. Breakfast taco, lunch taco, dinner taco — I do not see the problem.
Why Am I Craving Tacos at Night?
Nighttime taco cravings are more likely related to hunger, habit, stress or not eating enough earlier in the day. There is no strong evidence that craving tacos at night automatically means you are deficient in a specific nutrient.
A better question is: did you have enough food and protein during the day? If dinner was light or rushed, a taco craving at 10 p.m. makes total sense.
Craving Tacos When Sick
When you are sick, your appetite can go in strange directions. Some people want soup, some want toast and some want tacos with extra hot sauce because apparently sinuses need drama.
Tacos can provide calories, protein and fluids if you add juicy toppings like salsa, but try to keep them gentle if your stomach is upset. A soft tortilla with eggs, beans, chicken or avocado may be easier than a greasy, spicy version.
Can You Be Addicted to Tacos?
True food addiction is more complicated than simply loving tacos. It is very normal to enjoy them often, especially because they are tasty, convenient and easy to customize.
The concern is less about tacos themselves and more about feeling out of control around food. If you feel unable to stop eating even when uncomfortably full, or food cravings are causing distress, it may be worth talking with a registered dietitian or health care professional.
Is Craving Tacos a Sign of Pregnancy?
Craving tacos is not a reliable sign of pregnancy. Pregnancy can bring food cravings, but tacos alone do not tell you anything for sure.
Take a pregnancy test or check in with your doctor if pregnancy is a possibility. Do not let a craving for carnitas carry the weight of medical diagnosis.
The Final Cut
Taco cravings are usually not mysterious or dangerous. Most of the time, they come down to hunger, flavor, comfort, habit or the fact that tacos are just really good.
The goal is not to avoid tacos forever or turn them into something joyless. Build them with enough protein, fiber and vegetables most of the time, enjoy the fun versions when you want them, and move on with your life.
I call that a pretty reasonable taco strategy. And honestly, a delicious one.
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