Food Cart VS Food Truck Catering
If you’re planning an event, one of the most important details you need to figure out is how you’re going to feed your hungry guests. If you want something a little more fun than a standard buffet line, both food cart and food truck catering are great options!
Though there are some similarities between these two mobile catering choices, there are also key differences that make each one better suited for certain events. If you don’t know whether food cart catering or food truck catering is the right choice for your big day—don’t worry. We’re experts on all things related to delicious eats on wheels, and we’re here to fill you in on everything you need to know in order to make the best choice.
Difference Between Food Cart and Food Truck Catering
The first thing you need to understand as you consider your options is the difference between food cart catering and food truck catering. Essentially, food truck catering relies on a large food truck that cooks up meals in its full-service kitchen. Another noteworthy element to consider is that a food truck doesn’t require another vehicle for transport.
On the other hand, food cart catering utilizes a small cart that doesn’t have a full-service kitchen. Food carts also can’t transport themselves, so they require another vehicle to bring them to the sites where they’ll be dishing up their fare.
Pros and Cons of Food Truck Catering
If you’re thinking about renting a truck to supply the eats at your event, there are plenty of compelling reasons why food truck catering might be the way to go.
Pros:
- Equipped with a full-service kitchen
- Able to serve a large number of guests
- Provides freshly prepared food
- More extensive and customizable menu options
- Self-transporting
- Ideal for large events
Food truck catering is perfect for when you need to feed a crowd. They’re more or less mobile restaurants, so they’re able to crank out large amounts of food with ease. This makes them perfect for when you want to serve a full meal—and leave your guests walking away from your event feeling full and satisfied.
Since food trucks are equipped with a full-service kitchen, they’re able to offer a more extensive menu than their food cart equivalents. Being able to bring all the cooking equipment they need on-site also means they can provide your guests with fresh, cooked-to-order meals.
Not to mention, unlike with food cart catering, you won’t have to deal with the logistics of setting up or with an external vehicle. Food trucks are completely self-transporting—all they have to do is drive up!
As many great things as there are about food truck catering, there are a few factors that can make them less ideal for certain situations.
Cons
- More expensive
- Can’t be used indoors
- Typically limited to one food truck (rather than multiple food carts)
Truth be told, the main downside of food truck catering is that it’s more expensive than a smaller food cart. If you’re working with a limited budget, it might be too costly to rent an entire truck.
The other main thing to consider is that since food trucks are in fact, trucks, you won’t be able to use them indoors. This means if you’re hosting an event in a conference center (and you don’t want guests to have to go outside for food), a food cart might make more sense.
While it’s easy to set up multiple food carts around your event site, it’s more difficult with a large food truck, which means you’ll have fewer stations. However, since food trucks serve a wider variety of food (usually in bigger portions), this usually won’t be an issue.
Pros and Cons of Food Cart Catering
There are a variety of benefits associated with food cart catering if you’re hosting a smaller event, particularly when you just want to offer light bites.
Pros
- Takes up a smaller amount of space
- Can be used indoors
- Cost-efficient
- Well-suited for offering multiple catering stations
Food carts are a great choice when you want a small, simple catering option. Since they don’t have a full-service kitchen, they can’t offer as many menu choices as a food truck (or freshly cooked food), but they also don’t take up as much space.
Plus, their small size means it’s easier to have multiple food carts in different areas of your event space that guests can disperse between. Although some setup is required, unlike food trucks, they can also be used indoors.
If you’re working with a limited budget, food carts are usually less expensive than food trucks. You won’t get as much food, but for events where you only want to serve light fare or snacks (instead of a substantial meal), this trade-off can be worth the savings.
There are also some downsides you should be aware of as you determine which catering route you want to go with.
Cons
- Requires external transport
- Limited menu
- Limited food output
If you’re hosting a large number of people—and you want to really feed them—a food cart might not be the wisest choice. Food carts rely on pre-prepared foods, and they can only serve so much. Since they lack the ability to actually cook anything in a kitchen, they also don’t work as well if you want to serve a full meal.
Food carts can present more of a logistical challenge than food trucks because they require another vehicle to bring them to the event. Once they arrive, they need to be set up, and the vehicle will have to either park somewhere or come back and retrieve the cart.
Food Trucks vs. Food Carts: Which is the Better Choice?
While there are undeniably situations where a food cart is the best option (for example, a small event that takes place in an indoor venue), we think food truck catering is usually the best way to go!
Not only can they provide your guests with enough fuel to enjoy the event you worked so hard on, but they also provide more variety, fresher options, and an unforgettable experience!
Where to Rent the Best Food Trucks and Food Carts in L.A.
Once you’ve decided what style of catering you’re opting for, the next step is to choose a vendor. Food can make or break an event, so don’t skimp on doing your research. Choosing a food truck or cart that’s known for quality and service will ensure your event goes flawlessly.
No matter which option you choose, the Food Truck Association of Los Angeles is here to help you find the best of the best. FTALA works with the best mobile food vendors in the city, and we know that when you use any of our trusted partners, your event is in good hands.
