Joliet restaurant expands menu to include lunch
JOLIET -- Kate Mohundro has learned a lot since she opened Truth restaurant on the city's near west side in January 2003.
She has learned her customers want lunch. And she has learned that parking is a problem. Now she's using those lessons to tweak what has been a successful endeavor for the first-time restaurant owner.
On May 15, Truth will debut its first lunch menu. On Friday, complimentary valet parking will be offered to diners.
"Honestly, so many people have called and inquired, 'When are you going to open for lunch?' We think there is a need for it, and we think it will be successful, or we wouldn't do it."
The lunch menu will feature a frittata with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, grilled onions and swiss and cheddar cheeses for $9. Crab cakes are $4.25, and soup du jour is $3.25.
Salads include a wedge for $4.50, spinach salad for $8 and steak salad for $9.50. Entrees range from cheese-stuffed tortellini pommodoro for $8 to steak Marsala for $12.
Sandwiches are $8 and include a Truth burger served on dark rye with a side of bleu cheese sauce, grouper on a toasted wheat bun, grilled chicken on a ciabatta roll and a Raynor burger on a ciabatta roll.
Mohundro said the cramped lot has been one of the biggest issues she has faced since opening the restaurant at the southwest corner of Jefferson Street and Raynor Avenue. She made a deal with a business across Jefferson Street for 20 parking places for her valet service. That should help alleviate congestion in the small lot mostly behind the restaurant, she said.
In addition to the lunch menu and valet parking, Mohundro said she's offering a Mother's Day special chef's menu on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Nova Soul Trio will perform two shows at the restaurant on May 28 (reservations required). The restaurant's second annual golf outing will be Aug. 24. All proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club of Joliet.
Overall, Mohundro, who lives two blocks away with her husband, Doug, said she is pleased with how Truth has fared in its first five years. She said she has a wonderful staff that has stuck with her from the beginning including head chef Venus Britton and kitchen manager Margy Schmitz.
And she loves the loyal customer base that comes back to the restaurant time and time again. Mohundro even has devoted a wall in the bar to pictures of patrons.
"We have a ton of regulars," she said. "We have a great customer base, and we have some awesome, awesome people who come in here."
Truth hosts private events, too, including baby or wedding showers, rehearsal dinners and business meetings.
Mohundro, 40, has been in the restaurant biz since she was 18 years old, but this is her first experience as an owner.
She's thrilled when customers propose at the restaurant, or celebrate milestone birthdays or anniversaries there.
"You get to see some of the best days of people's lives happen here. That's what makes it worth it."
Truth is located at 808 W. Jefferson St. Lunch hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. The restaurant is closed Sundays but can be booked for private events.
For more information, call (815) 744-5901.