National Tortilla Chip Day 2020 Finding Free Food Deals And Promotions

National Tortilla Chip Day, celebrated on February 24, presents an opportunity for snack enthusiasts to enjoy their favorite crispy treat. While the holiday may not have the same widespread recognition as other food-related observances, it offers a chance to explore the versatility of tortilla chips in various culinary applications. Despite limited specific promotional information available for National Tortilla Chip Day 2020, consumers can find related deals and understand more about this popular snack through various sources.

Understanding Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips hold a unique place in American snack culture, often serving as the foundation for nachos, scoops for dips, and standalone crunchy snacks. According to food history sources, tortilla chips differ from corn chips in their preparation method, despite sharing similar basic ingredients. Both types of chips undergo nixtamalization, a process where corn is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution such as lime water, then hulled and ground into corn meal (masa).

The distinction between corn chips and tortilla chips lies in how the masa is processed after this initial step. While corn chips are typically made from masa that is formed into shapes and fried, tortilla chips are specifically made from corn tortillas that are cut into triangles and fried or baked. This difference in preparation contributes to the unique texture and flavor profile that distinguishes tortilla chips from other corn-based snacks.

The history of corn-based snack foods in America dates back to the 1930s, with Fritos being among the first commercially successful corn chips, created in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin in San Antonio. This innovation eventually led to the creation of Cheetos in 1948 and the formation of Frito-Lay through a merger in 1961, which later became a subsidiary of PepsiCo. These developments laid the groundwork for the diverse corn chip and tortilla chip market that exists today.

Related Food Holidays

While National Tortilla Chip Day may not have extensive promotional offerings, several related food holidays do feature notable deals and freebies that consumers might find appealing. Understanding these related observances can help snack enthusiasts plan their culinary celebrations throughout the year.

National Nacho Day, observed on November 6, offers promotions from various Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants. In 2020, Moe's Southwest Grill provided special Nacho Kits designed to serve four to six people. These kits included a choice of two proteins, two bowls of queso, beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, and salsa, creating a comprehensive nacho experience for home preparation. While not directly related to tortilla chips, nachos rely heavily on tortilla chips as their base, making this holiday closely connected to tortilla chip consumption.

National Burrito Day, which occurred during the pandemic in 2020, saw several restaurant chains offering special promotions. Chipotle Mexican Grill added free Queso Blanco to online orders on specific days and extended free delivery on orders of $10 or more through April 30. QDOBA Mexican Eats offered rewards members triple points with the purchase of any entrée. Del Taco provided a free Chicken Crunch Burrito with any app-based purchase, while Tijuana Flats featured a burrito or bowl with chips and a drink for $5.99. These promotions, while focused on burritos, often include tortilla chips as a complementary item.

National Corn Chip Day, celebrated on January 29, focuses on a closely related snack food. While specific freebies for this holiday were not detailed in the source materials, the distinction between corn chips and tortilla chips provides educational value for consumers interested in understanding the nuances between these popular snack options.

Restaurant Promotions Featuring Tortilla Chips

Although specific promotions for National Tortilla Chip Day 2020 were limited, several restaurant chains offer deals throughout the year that prominently feature tortilla chips or complementary items. These promotions provide opportunities for consumers to enjoy tortilla chip-based foods at reduced costs or with added value.

Moe's Southwest Grill, mentioned in connection with National Nacho Day, offers a menu centered around customizable burritos and nachos, both of which rely heavily on tortilla chips. Their nacho kits, while not specifically a National Tortilla Chip Day promotion, demonstrate how restaurants create special offerings around tortilla chip-based dishes.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, known for its burrito bowls and tacos, occasionally includes queso and other tortilla chip accompaniments in its promotions. During the 2020 National Burrito Day celebrations, the chain offered free Queso Blanco with online orders, a dip that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips.

California Tortilla, while primarily promoting free delivery during the 2020 National Burrito Day period, typically features a menu that includes tortilla chips as a staple accompaniment to its Mexican offerings. Their promotions, though not specifically tied to Tortilla Chip Day, still provide opportunities for consumers to enjoy tortilla chips as part of their dining experience.

QDOBA Mexican Eats, through its rewards program, offers incentives that can be applied to orders that often include tortilla chips as a side or component of larger meals. Their triple points promotion during National Burrito Day 2020 provided additional value to customers purchasing entrées that frequently incorporate tortilla chips.

Tijuana Flats' $5.99 burrito or bowl deal with chips and a drink represents a value promotion that includes tortilla chips as a standard component of the meal package, making it an attractive option for chip enthusiasts.

Educational and Community Celebrations

While restaurant promotions may be limited for National Tortilla Chip Day, educational and community celebrations offer alternative ways to observe the holiday. In educational settings, National Tortilla Chip Day can serve as an opportunity to learn about cultural food traditions, the history of corn-based foods, and the science behind snack food production.

One educational resource available for National Tortilla Chip Day is a creative art activity pack designed for classroom use. This downloadable resource includes drawing, coloring, and writing activities centered around tortilla chips. The materials are intended for early finishers, art centers, homeschool activities, substitute plans, and critical thinking exercises. Teachers can use these resources to help students learn about tortilla chips in an engaging, hands-on manner.

According to the product description, these activities have received positive feedback from educators, with one teacher noting, "Such a fun way to celebrate National Tortilla Chip day. Students loved learning about tortilla chips, a great easy to print no prep activity!"

The terms of use for these educational materials specify that they are for personal or educational purposes only and cannot be redistributed, copied, or sold. This restriction helps protect the intellectual property of the creators while still allowing for widespread educational use.

Finding Future Tortilla Chip Day Promotions

For consumers interested in finding promotions specifically for National Tortilla Chip Day in future years, several strategies may prove helpful. While the 2020 observance did not feature extensive promotional activities, the growing popularity of food-related holidays suggests that more businesses may participate in the future.

Restaurant chains specializing in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine are the most likely candidates to offer Tortilla Chip Day promotions. Monitoring the websites and social media channels of these establishments in the weeks leading up to February 24 may reveal special deals or limited-time offers. Signing up for email newsletters and loyalty programs from these restaurants can provide early notification of any promotions.

Food manufacturers that produce tortilla chips may also participate in National Tortilla Chip Day through sampling events, special discounts, or limited-edition flavors. Following major snack food brands on social media and checking their websites around the holiday period can help consumers identify such opportunities.

Additionally, deal websites and food blogs that track promotional calendars often compile information about food-related holidays and associated freebies. Regularly checking these resources in the days before National Tortilla Chip Day can help consumers discover any available promotions.

Conclusion

The provided source material indicates that National Tortilla Chip Day 2020 did not feature extensive promotional offers or freebies specifically tied to the holiday. While some related food holidays like National Nacho Day and National Burrito Day had notable promotions from restaurant chains, Tortilla Chip Day itself appears to have had limited commercial recognition.

Consumers interested in tortilla chips can find value in educational resources about the snack's history and production, as well as in understanding the difference between tortilla chips and similar products like corn chips. Restaurant chains that feature Mexican and Southwestern cuisine occasionally offer promotions that include tortilla chips or complementary items like queso.

For future observances of National Tortilla Chip Day, consumers may want to monitor restaurant chains specializing in Mexican cuisine, snack food manufacturers, and deal websites for potential promotions. The increasing popularity of food-related holidays suggests that more businesses may choose to participate in National Tortilla Chip Day celebrations in coming years.

Sources

1. National Nacho Day 2020: Where To Get The Best Food Freebies And Deals

2. It's Here Your Calendar For Free Stuff

3. Tortilla Chip Day on February 24 Creative Art Activity Pack

4. Coronavirus National Burrito Day 2020 Quarantine Specials Free Delivery

5. National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day

6. Food Holiday Corn Chips vs Tortilla Chips

7. Burger King Giving Away Free Food for Back to School