Tacos, Tequilas & Traditions: 8 Truk’t Traditions in Beloit

Eight years calls for eight traditions.

Since opening in Downtown Beloit, truk't has done things a little differently. Handmade tortillas carry flavors from around the world. Weekly specials give us an excuse to mess with the menu. Weekends start with Boozy Brunch. And with more than 100 global tequilas and whiskeys behind the bar, there's usually something worth raising a glass to.

Some traditions have been here since the beginning. Others showed up somewhere along the way and stuck. In honor of our 8th anniversary, we're looking back at eight truk't traditions in Beloit that make us properly unproper.

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1. Handmade Corn Tortillas

Before you talk about what's inside a taco, you have to talk about what's holding it together. We've made our corn tortillas by hand since the beginning. Masa, water, salt and oil come together before the dough hits the press and each tortilla heads to the flat top. Simple stuff. Done right.

The tortilla is the vessel for the bold, worldly flavors that make a truk't taco a truk't taco. Korean BBQ. Shrimp Curry. Pork Al Pastor. Surf & Turf. One little tortilla can cover a lot of ground. Eight years later, we're still pressing them. Some things don't need fixing.

Want to see how they're made? Read more about our handmade corn tortillas.

2. Building Your Taco Trio

One taco is a start. Three is a strategy. The Taco Trio lets you mix and match three tacos and build your lineup your way. Stick with the OGs like Chicken Tinga, Pork Al Pastor and Short Rib, or send your taste buds somewhere else entirely.

Go seafood. Go meat. Mix flavors that have absolutely no business sharing a plate. That's half the fun.

Our Taco Trio guide has been around for years, but the tradition is simple: pick three, find a favorite and tell yourself you'll try something different next time.

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3. The Weekly truk't Feature (W.T.F.)

Your usual order will still be there next week. The Weekly truk't Feature, better known as the W.T.F., gives our kitchen and bar a reason to play with new ingredients, seasonal flavors and combinations that don't belong on the regular menu.

Over the years, that's meant everything from a Crab Rangoon Dilla and BBQ Brisket Enchiladas to Lychee Margaritas and Peach Cobbler Old Fashioneds. Some W.T.F.s last a week. Some make you wish they wouldn't leave.

Consider it your excuse to stray from the usual.

4. Weekend Boozy Brunch

We've spent enough weekends frying eggs and slinging flights to know a few things about brunch. Boozy Brunch has become its own truk't tradition with Chilaquiles, Breakfast Tacos, Chorizo Skillets, Scrambled Pancakes and the kind of breakfast you probably aren't making at home.

Then there are the flights. Mimosa. Bloody. Tequila Sunrise. Hard Iced Coffee. On Saturdays, start at the Downtown Beloit Farmers' Market, then walk over for brunch. The market runs Saturday mornings through October, so you've still got time to make this particular tradition your own.

Boozy Brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM.

5. Tacos, Tequila, & Tunes

Tacos. Tequila. Live music. Some traditions don't need a complicated explanation.

Tacos, Tequila & Tunes brings live, local music to truk't on Thursday nights from May through September. When Wisconsin weather cooperates, the garage doors go up and the music gets some fresh air. Over the years, Vandwellers, Emilio Salinas, David Hayes, Mixtape, Brian Matteson and plenty of others have supplied the tunes. We handle the tacos and tequila.

If your Thursday involves another round and staying for one more song, you're doing it right.

6. Global Tequila & Whiskey

Eight years gives you plenty to toast to. Good thing the bar isn't exactly hurting for options.

truk't has a collection of more than 100 global tequilas and whiskeys, from blanco, reposado and añejo tequila to bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish whiskey and bottles from around the world. Drink it neat. Try a flight. Put it in a cocktail. Ask the bartender to point you toward something you've never had before.

Birthdays. Anniversaries. First dates. Promotions. Tuesdays. Not every celebration needs a reason.

7. Holiday Cocktail Classes

Some holiday traditions involve matching pajamas. Ours involve a shaker.

Our cocktail classes give you a chance to get behind the technique of a good drink. You'll shake, stir, strain and learn a few tricks you can take back to your own bar cart. Halloween brings Spirits & Spirits. The holidays bring Bad Santa. Other classes throughout the year give us an excuse to tackle new flavors and cocktails.

Bring a date. Grab your friends. Learn something useful for once.

8. Open-Air Dining in Downtown Beloit

Open-air dining isn't exactly new around here. When the weather plays nice, we've always opened the garage doors and let Downtown Beloit into the restaurant. Now there's even more room outside.

Our new patio gives you another place to post up with tacos, margaritas and everything happening downtown around you. It's the newest tradition on this list, but give it time. We have a feeling plenty of "meet me on the patio" texts are coming.

FAQs

What is truk't known for in Downtown Beloit?

truk't is known for handmade corn tortillas, bold tacos inspired by flavors from around the world and a collection of more than 100 global tequilas and whiskeys. You'll also find Boozy Brunch, live music, cocktail classes, weekly features and patio dining at 443 E. Grand Ave. in Downtown Beloit.

When does truk't serve Boozy Brunch?

Boozy Brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM, with breakfast dishes, tacos and boozy cocktail flights.

Does truk't have events and cocktail classes?

Yes. Seasonal events include cocktail classes and Tacos, Tequila & Tunes, which brings live local music to truk't on Thursdays from May through September. Check our events page for what's coming up next.

Start Your Own truk't Tradition in Beloit

Eight years in, the tortillas are still hitting the flat top, the W.T.F. is still keeping us guessing and the tequila is still pouring. Come celebrate eight years of truk't traditions in Beloit with us at 443 E. Grand Ave. in Downtown Beloit.

Order the usual, build a Taco Trio or try something you can't pronounce. We support all three.

Hungry yet?

Swing by truk’t, where we break borders (and taco rules) every day.