National Tortilla Chip Day, observed annually on February 23rd (and occasionally referenced as February 24th in some promotional calendars), celebrates the beloved snack staple derived from corn tortillas. While the holiday itself focuses on the crunchy base for nachos and dips, the associated promotional landscape often includes deals on complementary products, restaurant specials, and educational activities. In 2020, the observance coincided with a period of heightened focus on takeout and delivery options due to the COVID-19 pandemic, influencing the types of offers available to consumers. This article details the specific freebies, deals, and related promotional activities associated with National Tortilla Chip Day in 2020, based on available data from that period.
Understanding the Holiday and Its Origins
National Tortilla Chip Day distinguishes itself from National Corn Chip Day (celebrated on January 29th). While both snacks share a base of corn masa, their production methods and final textures differ significantly. The most recognizable brand of corn chips is Fritos, created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin in San Antonio, Texas. Doolin purchased a recipe for deep-fried corn snacks and established the Frito Corporation. In 1961, a merger with H.W. Lay & Company formed Frito-Lay, which later became a subsidiary of PepsiCo in 1965.
Tortilla chips, conversely, are typically made from yellow or white corn masa and are fried or baked. They are culturally significant as the primary vehicle for nachos, a dish invented in 1943 by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. The holiday allows brands and restaurants to capitalize on the popularity of Mexican-inspired cuisine.
Restaurant Promotions and Freebies in 2020
During 2020, National Tortilla Chip Day coincided with broader promotional events, such as National Burrito Day (which typically falls in early April). However, specific deals directly tied to February 23rd, 2020, were limited in the provided data. The most prominent offers available during that year focused on delivery and takeout convenience, reflecting the shift in consumer behavior due to the pandemic.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Moe’s Southwest Grill offered a "Nacho Kit" designed for group consumption. This kit served four to six people and included a choice of two proteins, two bowls of queso, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, and salsa. While not a single free sample, this kit functioned as a value-oriented promotional product for the holiday. Additionally, Moe’s offered free delivery on orders of $10 or more during the early 2020 period, applicable to burritos and related items.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle Mexican Grill did not offer a specific tortilla chip freebie for the February holiday in 2020. However, during the same timeframe (April 2020), Chipotle extended free delivery on orders of $10 or more and added free Queso Blanco to online orders placed on a Thursday and Friday. These offers were part of their broader strategy to support digital ordering.
California Tortilla
California Tortilla provided free delivery on online orders of $25 or more through April 30, 2020. This promotion was valid at participating and open locations, acknowledging that some restaurants were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Del Taco
Del Taco promoted a free Chicken Crunch Burrito with any purchase made through the Del Taco app for drive-thru, takeout, or delivery during the April 2020 timeframe. While this offer was linked to National Burrito Day, it highlighted the app as a necessary tool for accessing free food items.
QDOBA Mexican Eats
QDOBA offered triple points for rewards members on any entrée placed in-person for takeout or via the website/app during the April 2020 period. Consumers were required to sign up for the free rewards program at qdoba.com/rewards to participate.
Tijuana Flats
Tijuana Flats offered a specific bundle deal during the April 2020 period: a burrito or bowl, chips, and a drink for $5.99. This deal was available for to-go, curbside pickup, or delivery orders.
Educational and Activity-Based Offers
Unlike restaurant deals that focus on consumption, National Tortilla Chip Day also sees engagement from the educational and creative sectors. In 2020, Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT), a marketplace for educational resources, featured a specific activity pack for the holiday.
Teachers Pay Teachers Activity Pack
Saroum V Giroux offered a "Tortilla Chip Day on February 24" Creative Art Activity Pack on the TpT platform. This digital product was designed for early finishers, art centers, homeschool activities, and substitute plans. The pack included drawing, coloring, and writing activities focused on tortilla chips and nachos. While not a food freebie, this represents a "freebie" in the context of educational resources, often available to teachers or parents looking for low-cost activities. The terms of use stipulated that files were for personal or educational purposes only and could not be redistributed or sold.
Related Food Holidays and Offers
The context of National Tortilla Chip Day often overlaps with other food holidays that offer more extensive freebies.
National Nacho Day
National Nacho Day is celebrated on November 6th. In 2020, Moe’s Southwest Grill heavily promoted their Nacho Kits for this occasion. The kit included the essential components for nachos: proteins, queso, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, and salsa. This was the primary "freebie" adjacent to tortilla chips during the latter half of 2020.
National Corn Chip Day
Celebrated on January 29th, this holiday honors the corn chip specifically (like Fritos). While no specific 2020 freebies were listed in the data for this day, it is historically significant for brand recognition of Fritos and Frito-Lay products.
National Burrito Day
Occurring in April, National Burrito Day 2020 featured a variety of offers that included chips as a side item. For example, Burger King offered a free Whopper with any purchase of $10 or more via their app during the April 2020 period (though this was technically for National Burrito Day). Additionally, Pollo Campero offered $5 chicken sandwiches and nuggets in November 2020, but these were not directly tied to tortilla chips.
General Consumer Tips for Accessing 2020 Offers
Based on the promotional strategies observed in 2020, consumers seeking freebies and deals during National Tortilla Chip Day and similar holidays needed to adhere to specific protocols:
- App Registration: Many free items, such as the Del Taco Chicken Crunch Burrito or the Shake Shack Chicken Shack (offered on Sundays in late 2020), required downloading the brand's specific app and creating an account.
- Location Verification: Due to the pandemic, not all locations were open. Consumers were advised to check with their nearest restaurant before attempting to redeem offers like free delivery or specific meal deals.
- Purchase Requirements: Some "free" items required a minimum purchase. For instance, the Shake Shack Sunday deal required a minimum purchase of $10 to receive a free Chicken Shack.
- Email Sign-ups: Brands like QDOBA required signing up for their free rewards program via their website to access point multipliers or future freebies.
Conclusion
National Tortilla Chip Day 2020 celebrations were characterized by a mix of educational activities and restaurant promotions that adapted to the prevailing takeout and delivery environment. While specific "free chip" offers were scarce, consumers could access value through bundled kits from Moe’s Southwest Grill and delivery waivers from chains like California Tortilla and Chipotle. The holiday also served as a bridge to larger promotional events like National Burrito Day, where app-based ordering became the primary gateway to free food items. For deal seekers, the key takeaway from 2020 was the necessity of digital engagement—downloading apps and signing up for rewards programs—to unlock the best value.