Join us for the 9th annual Milwaukee Taco Fest on the Henry Maier Festival Grounds. Get your tickets now - they are limited!
A great deal has changed since Jesus and Thaime Nanez officially launched Chucho’s Red Tacos at Farmhouse Paint Bar & Banquet Hall, 4511 S. 6th St., in September of 2020.
At the time, the taco truck provided them an opportunity to reinvent themselves after the pandemic shut down. It also provided them with an opportunity to bring something new to Milwaukee: specifically the “red tacos” (birria) which had first taken off in California before making their way across the nation.
Jesus Nanez perfected his recipe for birria, a hearty chili-based stew that originates from Jalisco, Mexico, launching the truck with both shredded beef and chicken birria, available as tacos, quesitacos and mulitas. The offerings took off, making Chucho’s a destination for the trending tacos, which were gradually picked up by other venues across the city.
As time wore on, Chucho’s expanded their menu to include items like birria nachos, ramen and the birria plate, a feast of birria served with rice, frijoles, and four corn tortillas along with onions, cilantro, and salsa. It’s the dish Jesus Nanez recommends for anyone trying Chucho’s for the first time.
Chucho’s also expanded its presence with a small fleet of six trucks, which the Nunez’s haave used to strategically partner with other local bars and breweries – including Ope! and Broken Bat Brewing – as well as launch offsite catering.
“We do a lot of corporate catering, employee appreciation events and late-night wedding catering,” says Nanez. “And we’re always keeping our eyes open to new opportunities and partnerships.
Type of food: Tacos, quesitacos, burritos, empanadas, birria ramen, churros and more
Do you offer vegetarian options? While Chucho’s does not offer a specific vegetarian protein, their rice and beans are both made without lard, so guests can order items with beans as their main protein.
Most popular item(s): Quesitaco with shredded beef
Where else can people find your truck this summer?
Fans can find Chucho’s Red Tacos at its regular home, parked just outside of Farmhouse Paint Bar. But, they also keep regular hours at Ope! Brewing as well as Broken Bat Brewing. Fans can also find them at events and various festivals around town; find their current location by following @chuchosredtacos on social media.
Even better, you can find Chucho’s at Taco Fest, which is coming up on June 17 at Henry Maier Festival Park at the lakefront. Get your tickets while they last!
If you could park one of your trucks anywhere for one day where would it be? When we asked this question, Jesus Nunez paused. “This is a tough one. I can think of spots that would be great for photos as well as spots that would be really really good for business.”
After a bit of thought, he chose both.
“I would love it if they’d create a designated zone by the lakefront. They could offer rotating permits for the spots, and have a great selection of food trucks to serve all the people that hang out by the lakefront all summer long.”
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
