How to Choose a Food Truck Caterer

Food trucks are becoming more and more prevalent, not only in Southeast Michigan but throughout the whole country. If you're looking into renting a food truck to cater an upcoming event, chances are you've already found tons of potential trucks online. With all these choices, you must sort through these caterers to find the perfect fit for your party. Now, you may be wondering, "How do I choose the best food truck for my party?"

Well, you've started in the right place! In this article, we will be delving into the process of choosing a food truck caterer to hire. No matter the size or type of event, there are a few things you must look at before putting down any deposits. Here, we will touch on things like the menu, reputation, and cost to help you find the perfect truck for your party!

Don't have time to read all this? Check out the How to Choose a Food Truck Caterer Checklist!

#1. The Menu

It may seem obvious, but this is where you should start. First, determine what kind of food you want to offer at the party. Ask yourself things like: 'What type of cuisine do I want (Italian, Asian, Mexican, etc.)?' and 'Do they have something I (or the guest(s) of honor) enjoy?' You should be able to cross off quite a few food trucks from your list solely based on the type of food and menus offered. 

Next, start thinking about your guests' needs and dietary restrictions. This is the time to review what meal options the caterers can offer for Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, etc. Also, try to get example menus from the trucks to make sure there is enough variety for guests to choose from. Though it is hard to please everybody's palate, the right truck will have a good mix of options for most of your guests. At the end of the day, you know your guests and what they want. If you’re having trouble with this, just think back to all the compliments and complaints the spread has gotten at previous get-togethers!

This article does not cover how to choose a menu, as the menu should be determined based on your party's factors (time, headcount, budget, etc.). Our advice is to consult with your caterer! While you know your guests' tastes, the right caterer will know if a menu is doable (and practical). It is critical to discuss this to ensure the menu is set up for a successful service.

Don't be afraid to ask potential vendors questions about the menu. They should know what they can offer at your event and their options (if any) for special diets and allergies. Also, remember that each truck may have many different menu packages, so be sure you're getting the full scope of what individual trucks can offer.

Here are some examples of different Italian catering packages.

#2. The Reputation

You don't want to discover that you've hired the wrong truck too late. Doing a quick search for your prospective caterers lets you see what they claim about themselves and what others have said about them. To read what previous customers have shared about their experience and get a glimpse at the service you should expect, look through their reviews and social media.

Going through the company's website will give you a look into the truck's personality. Are they fun, professional, or both? How they present themselves is essential, as different events and crowds may warrant different atmospheres. For example, suppose you are looking for a dessert truck to add a fun, memorable atmosphere to your event. You may want to veer away from the mundane ice cream truck and opt for something more unique and exciting- like our Good Vibrations Gelato Truck!

As with everything on the web, we must take things with a grain of salt. People make mistakes, and issues do arise- especially in the customer service industry. If a company has 1000 people saying they're the best, don't let a bad review or unflattering photo be the reason not to book them. 

Another factor to aid in your search is the food truck's experience. Has the business been around for a while? Are they more of a public vendor, or can they handle private catering services? Are they capable of handling large crowds? Are they licensed/insured? Are they easy to talk to and helpful? These are the kinds of questions you should keep in mind when comparing companies.

#3. What's Included?

All food trucks have one thing in common- they serve food (we know, 'duh'). While they share this similarity, most trucks do things differently in how they book, serve, price, and what they include. Because of these differences, an important step in comparing caterers is finding out what they will include with service besides the food.

For example, Saucy Joe's Italian Food Truck includes all serveware- plates/containers, forks, knives, spoons, and napkins. We run a self-contained operation providing our own electrical and water sources. We also include 2 hours of service and free mini-DJ service with every booking!

#4. What's not included?

Just the opposite of what each truck includes, you must find out what you'd be required to provide. After all, you don't want to discover that you were supposed to supply an electrical hook-up or the plates once the food truck shows up at the party. Save the headache and ask ahead of time what you will need to supply for your food truck service.

Again, each company is different and will require different things from you. For example, using our truck again, Saucy Joe's Italian Food Truck does not include trash cans for guests' use.

#5. The Cost

By now, you should have narrowed your food truck choices down to the 'good ones' and now it's time to find out what each food truck will cost to rent! Remember- not all trucks price their services in the same way. Some may charge a high per-person price with little to no fees; some may have a low per-person charge along with travel, hourly, or rental amounts.

Now's the time to make sure you have a full quote from each caterer. Compare each truck's total price and consider the type of food, what you get, and the truck's atmosphere when deciding who to hire. Doing so ensures you are not comparing apples to oranges, or in this case, hamburgers to paninis!

For more info on food truck costs, check out 'How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Food Truck?' If you want to know how we charge, visit our Pricing Page for general costs or contact us today for more info or a full quote.

Here's the full checklist with everything you should find out from each potential food truck!