By Krystle J Bailey
Don’t worry, New Jersey taco lovers. You won’t have to go far to cash in on free tacos this September. One of South Jersey’s favorite establishments, legendary businesses, and the creator of the original Taco Tuesday will be serving up free tacos on Sept. 12. When you buy two tacos, you’ll find a bonus meat-filled shell in the famous red baskets that have been delivering Gregory’s tacos to local families since 1979.
This comes as a response to Taco Bell’s recent jab in what Gregory Gregory has deemed a “modern-day David and Goliath fight.” In their continued effort to liberate the phrase “Taco Tuesday,” Taco Bell launched a five-week campaign inviting taco lovers in all 49 states to enjoy a free taco on the next several Tuesdays. Yes, 49 states. New Jersey is not included in the free taco efforts due to the ongoing battle for the “Taco Tuesday” trademark.
In a recent statement, Taco Bell wrote, “To honor the liberation of Taco Tuesday (in 49 states) and to support restaurants who now have the right to freely champion Taco Tuesday, we will be hosting a Taco Tuesday Free-For-All celebration.”
On Tuesdays from Aug. 15 through Sept. 5, Taco Bell is offering a free Doritos® Locos taco to participating guests. On Sept. 12, the promotion culminates in a $5 million taco tab with which Taco Bell will be covering a portion of taco fans’ orders from any participating Mexican restaurants.
“No matter how this goes, I’m going to make sure everyone in South Jersey knows that Taco Tuesday is at Gregory’s,” shared Gregory Gregory in a July interview with Shore Local. “If it happens that everyone can use it, fine!”
The Gregory Family isn’t going down without a fight, though. Gregory Gregory continues to stand by the fact that Taco Tuesday at Gregory’s is a Somers Point staple, and for locals, it’s about more than the tacos. This is why to kick off the Taco Tuesday season, which always resumes in September following the shore’s busy season, Gregory’s is hosting a huge night of fun. Taco Tuesdays (and Thursdays) relaunch on Sept. 5 from 3 p.m. to midnight with a locals’ party that can’t be missed, including taco-eating contests, giveaways, Gregory’s apparel, and more.
To make sure everyone in New Jersey has access to free tacos on Tuesday, Sept. 12, Gregory’s is giving out a free bonus taco in every first basket of tacos that leaves the kitchen.
While recent articles from around the world have argued the origins of the phrase Taco Tuesday, for South Jerseyans, Taco Tuesday always means one thing: Greg’s. For now, Gregory’s remains in the good fight with a reminder that it’s always been about family, legacy, and the memorable experience that can be had in a local’s spot on a Tuesday night over a basket of tacos.
Krystle J Bailey is a published author, multimedia journalist, copywriter, and content creator. She is a regular Shore Local columnist and digital contributor as well as the booking agent and co-host of the radio show Joe’s Table for Two on WOND. Krystle can be reached at KrystleJBailey@gmail.com
