After months of preparation, Wisco Taco Foxtrot is ready for takeoff! Now open, “WTF,” the Wisconsin‑inspired, aviation-themed taco restaurant, is bringing Midwestern flavors and a relaxed, colorful atmosphere to the Sandhills.
Wisco Taco Foxtrot is inspired by owner Jim O’Malley’s Wisconsin roots and his passion for travel. Its cheeky name is a nod to its location across from the Moore County Airport and the phonetic alphabet that pilots use for safety. It is designed to be a fun, vibrant gathering place offering scratch-made tacos, creative cocktails, and, of course, cheese curds.
“With Wisco Taco Foxtrot, I wanted to create a little piece of home—the food, the fun, and that Midwestern sense of hospitality—to the Sandhills, which I now call home,” O’Malley said. “It’s a love letter to where I’m from and where I am now.”
We got an early look during a soft opening party and sampled the menu. The bar was pouring beer and frozen margaritas, both of which paired well with a spread of tacos and shareables. It comes as no surprise, though, that the authentic Wisconsin cheese curds quickly became the hit of the night; trays of curds were cleared within minutes of being put out.
The menu offers both the familiar and the unexpected. Tacos come with a variety of traditional fillings: carne asada, barbacoa, carnitas, chicken tinga, al pastor, beans, and fried or grilled shrimp and fish. Quesadillas and customizable burritos, salads and rice bowls fill out the entrees.
Dashed throughout the menu are unmistakable touches of Midwestern flavors. Diners can order their queso dip “Wisco style” with diced bratwurst; the Tailgate Taco has ground bratwurst, cabbage slaw, and diced pickles; the Kopp’s Burger Taco, a nod to Milwaukee’s beloved frozen custard and burger joint, combines ground beef, Wisconsin cheddar, burger sauce, sweet pickles, and grilled onion; and for dessert, an Apple Pie Empanada comes with, of course, a side of Wisconsin cheddar.
The bar menu follows suit. The Wisco Old Fashioned swaps whiskey for brandy, and a collaboration Weiss beer with Sanford’s Hugger Mugger Brewing Co. is available on draft and in four‑packs to go. Agave‑based cocktails, wine, and additional beer options round out the list.
Stock photos courtesy Wisco Taco Foxtrot.
The 4,000-square-foot restaurant seats up to 200 guests, including an 80-by-15-foot heated patio and a semi-private room for 24. The interior leans into travel motifs: a curved back bar reminiscent of an airplane fuselage, oval “window” mirrors, and a tongue‑in‑cheek “Recombobulation Area” sign borrowed from the Milwaukee airport.
The establishment itself strikes a balance between polished and comfortable, and there’s something to catch your eye in every corner. We felt just as at ease perched at the bar as we did sliding into a booth. Later, despite the February chill, we even wandered out onto the patio, where a large fireplace and outdoor heaters kept the cold at bay. Come warmer weather, the outdoor stage will host live entertainment, and O’Malley plans on having bar games readily available.
In addition to the design, the architecture, and the menu, there was another aspect of WTF that cannot be overlooked: the absolutely standout staff. We had a blast laughing with the WTF crew throughout the evening, and the kitchen staff kept good, hot food coming all night. Their hospitality contributed to the “right at home” vibe.
Wisco Taco Foxtrot will open with limited hours—4 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday—with plans to expand as operations ramp up. The restaurant is located at 300 Capital Drive in Southern Pines.
Want to join the WTF team? The restaurant is currently hiring through its website, and prospective applicants are encouraged to visit www.wiscotacofoxtrot.com for more information.
Stock photos contributed by Wisco Taco Foxtrot.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article, videos, and opening-night photos by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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