National Burrito Day freebees and deals: Where to get your Mexican food fix today, from Chipotle to Del Tacos

Burritos should be celebrated, because they are ingenious inventions that wrap deliciousness in a handy tortilla for extra convenience. National Burrito Day (today, Thursday, April 2, 2026) was created to do just that.

Here’s a little history about the origins of the yumminess before we dive into the freebies and deals to observe this glorious unofficial holiday.

A brief history of burritos

Burritos hail from Northern Mexico and were invented in the early 20th century. The region’s climate was ideal for wheat, so larger tortillas were made out of the crop.

This bigger vessel set the scene for a new culinary delight. The first burritos contained meat, beans, and cheese.

The word “burrito” in Spanish literally means “little donkeys.” In Northern Mexico, donkeys were used to carry people and important cargo, much like the tortilla carries the filling of the burrito. It is believed that this is where the name comes from.

The burrito was especially popular in California. America put its own stamp on the dish, adding ingredients such as sour cream, guacamole, rice, and more.

In 1960s San Francisco, the “mission burrito” was popular among workers. Decades later, this same dish would inspire Steve Ells, founder of Chipotle Mexican Grill, to open the first store in Denver, Colorado, in 1993.

These days, it’s fair to say the burrito is fully immersed in the cultural zeitgeist.

List of National Burrito Day 2016 freebies and deals

The best way to celebrate National Burrito Day is through your stomach, of course. Lots of restaurants have deals to help you do just that.

• Chipotle Mexican Grill rewards members have the opportunity to get free delivery on the big day via the restaurants’ website or app. Use the code DELIVER for the burritos to come to you.
• El Pollo Loco wants you to celebrate with friends. It has a buy one, get one free (BOGO) burrito deal.
• At Del Taco, reward members are eligible for a free classic burrito with a $3 purchase.
• Margaritas Mexican Restaurant rewards members will get 50% off of any burrito. This includes the El Jefe Burrito, which includes three different meats, and the Burrito Vegetariano, which has none.
• If you are craving a breakfast burrito, head to Torchy’s Tacos. It is offering a $5 option until 2 p.m. for customers who dine in.
• Red Sox Fans can even get in on the action. David “Big Papi” Ortiz has teamed up with Anna’s Taqueria to create the Big Papi Burrito, which will debut on the big day. This burrito gives back, as $1 from each burrito sold will be donated to the David Ortiz Children’s Fund. This organization helps provide “lifesaving heart surgeries and care to children in the Dominican Republic and New England.”

Wherever you decide to celebrate, enjoy your burrito!

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