The day after margarita Mondays

Students take advantage of Taco Tuesdays

By Chase Christensen

Tuesday is a special day of the week for many Utah State University students who have unofficially deemed the day Taco Tuesday, according to Jordan Goodsell, a student and frequent Taco Tuesday attendee. It is the only day of the week that Mexican restaurants Costa Vida and Café Rio offer a deeply discounted price on tacos, only charging students $1.50 a piece, Goodsell said. With prices that low Taco Tuesday supplies students with a chance to enjoy food which otherwise may not be affordable for some.

Café Rio has been offering its Taco Tuesday special to students for several years now, according to Kaitlyn Rawlings, an employee at the restaurant. She said the offer started with the premise of attracting more business but few thought it would succeed as much as it has.

“On Taco Tuesday we more than double our business and that’s even with the discounted prices,” Rawlings said.

Costa Vida, a direct competitor of Café Rio, according to Rawlings, soon began offering tacos to students at discounted prices as well.

“Honestly I don’t think many people know about the Costa Vida deal,” Rawlings said. “We haven’t noticed much of a loss. Our line still makes it out the door until we close.”

The competition allows students to choose from the two establishments that now offer the same deal, although Café Rio remains the popular choice, Rawlings said.

Some students view Taco Tuesday not only as a way to save money but also to mingle and socialize.

“Taco Tuesday is great for a couple of different reasons,” Goodsell said. “It’s cheaper than eating at home and that is hard to pass up, plus there are tons of people to hang out with and meet. It’s also an amazing way to meet girls.”

Others said the reason that so many students take advantage of the offer is simply for the savings and not necessarily for the socializing.

“Offer college students cheap food and they will show up, plain and simple,” said Katie Jarvis, a student who participated in the event. “I just come because it is really good food for really cheap. The social part is just a nice addition.”

Café Sabor has also introduced an offer aimed at bringing in business from college students in the form of a Burrito Supreme, available for $5 on Thursdays, said Skyler Parkhurst, a waiter at the restaurant.

The success of student nights has not been lost on other local resturant owners. Recently Panda Express began offering 15 percent off meals for students who show their school identification on Tuesdays.