National Guacamole Day is upon us, and the fast-food chains have turned the occasion into a free-for-all. On Sept. 16, Qdoba, Del Taco, Tabanero, and several others are offering limited-time deals and giveaways to mark the day. The discounts range from free chips and guacamole to half-price burritos and discounted Happy Hour plates.
We’ve rounded up the best offers so you can capitalize on the holiday. The deals are available across the country, though some require online ordering or a loyalty account. Most are live now, so there’s no need to wait until tomorrow morning.
The Chains Offering Free Chips and Guac
Several restaurants are giving away chips and guacamole with a qualifying purchase. The simplest deal comes from Bubbakoo’s Burritos, which offers free chips and a 4-ounce serving of guac with any entree order. California Tortilla follows the same formula: free guac and chips with any entree purchase.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop takes a slightly different approach. Customers who spend $5 or more in-app receive free chips and guac with the code GUACDAY. That’s a small threshold for a full meal starter.
Rewards Members Get the Best Deals
Some chains are reserving their biggest savings for loyalty program members. Del Taco rewards members can score an Epic Fresh Guacamole Burrito for $5, available online or in app. Tocaya Modern Mexican rewards members get a free half-size chips and guac with a purchase of $15 or more.
Both deals require logging into an existing account to claim the discount.
Happy Hour Gets a Special Discount
Moxies is running a Happy Hour special on its Smashed Guacamole with Tajín-seasoned chips. The combo costs $12, which is the only offer on this list that requires a visit during a specific window.
Online Orders Get a Code Discount
Tabanero is the outlier here. Instead of a free item, the chain offers a 20% discount on online orders with the promo code GUAC20 entered at checkout.
The Offers That Require a Code
Not all deals are created equal. Some require a code, and the article lists three separate codes across the chain lineup:
- GUACDAY for Qdoba and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
- GUAC20 for Tabanero
- No code listed for Cocina 214’s discounted guacamole
Keep those codes handy if you plan to order ahead.
What the Source Says About the Offers
The deals were compiled by Joseph Green, the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Green is also Executive Editor of Mashable’s sister site, AskMen.
Why These Chains Are Participating
The pattern is clear. Each chain is offering something tied to guacamole, and the deals run from free sides to discounted meals. The holiday gives them a reason to promote their menus.
The deals are also limited-time. None of the offers mention an end date beyond the holiday itself, so customers who want to save should act today.
What This Means for the Consumer
The value proposition is straightforward. A free side dish is a good reason to order lunch, and a discounted entree is an even better one. The deals are spread across the country, so there’s likely a participating location near you.
The only real catch is that some deals require a loyalty account or an online order.
Our Take on the Holiday
This is a fun way to mark a national holiday. The chains are treating it like one. The deals are generous, and the requirements are light enough that anyone can participate.
The only real complaint is that these deals are limited to one day. That’s the nature of a holiday promotion, but it also means you have to act fast.
How to Claim Your Discount
The process varies by chain. Some deals are automatic at the register. Others require entering a code at checkout. A few require logging into a loyalty account.
The deals themselves list the requirements alongside each offer, so you can check which method applies to you before you place an order.
The Bottom Line
National Guacamole Day is a real holiday, and these chains are making it worth your while. The deals are live today, and they won’t last forever. Whether you’re grabbing lunch at Qdoba or stopping by Tocaya, there’s a reason to eat for less.
Just remember to bring the code.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.