Nothing beats walking into an all-staff meeting and finding warm, soft tacos catered for the group. Because who doesn’t enjoy the Mexican fiesta treatment? There’s a whole world of delicious Mexican catering options out there. And no matter what city you’re in, finding a restaurant that pumps out cheesy, spicy, crunchy, rich Mexican cuisine will not be hard. Whether you’re catering a meeting or an all-out company bash, here’s a cheat sheet for what and how to order Mexican. 

Understanding the Mexican Catering Menu

Mexican cuisine is so rich and diverse that your office could probably spend a year digging into its many styles and regional specialties. Here are some of the most popular Mexican catering dishes for the workplace. 

Taco Fillings

It’s dead simple to order tacos for a meeting. While you may be familiar with grilled chicken and seared steak as taco fillings, try these other popular choices:

• Al Pastor: A citrusy marinade of chilies and spices boosts the flavor of the pork. Afterward, the pork is put on a vertical spit, along with a hunk of pineapple. The pineapple bastes the pork while it slowly roasts in its own juices.
• Carnitas: Fragrant carnitas is good in everything—tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. The shredded pork is braised for hours with chilies and spices like cumin and coriander seeds. And the meat walks a delicate line between oh-so-tender and crispy. 
• Squash Blossoms and Cheese: This regional Oaxacan taco is filled with hot strings of milky Oaxacan cheese and tender squash blossoms. It’s a great vegetarian option.

Cochinita Pibil 

When you want to venture away from the usual suspects, try cochinita pibil, slow-roasted Yucatán-style pork scented with oranges. The pork is shredded and typically served with tortillas and beans on the side. Some restaurants even offer cochinita pibil as a taco filling.

Enchiladas and Mole

Enchiladas and mole are a staple entrée in Mexican cuisine and could be the perfect catering solution for an informal team or company lunch. Enchiladas are tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese, and sometimes shredded chicken or beef. They’re slathered with mole, a rich, complex sauce made with spices, chilies, and even chocolate.

Tortas
Keep lunch casual—and your catering order under budget—with tortas, a Mexican sandwich with all the fixings. Served on a thick, crusty roll, a torta is piled high with everything from refried beans to fried chicken or tender meatballs.

Pozole
Don’t underestimate the appeal of the Mexican soup and sandwich combo. Made with a tomato and poblano pepper broth, pozole has a hint of heat and is often served with shredded chicken and tortilla strips for added crunch. It’s a great choice for a catered lunch when the weather turns chilly.

Tamales
Tamales are made from a ground cornmeal dough called masa, then spread with a meaty filling like pork and steamed in corn husks. The result is a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat that would complement a big, green salad or grilled veggies.

How to Order Mexican Catering for a Big Group

If you’re feeding a group of over ten people, you might want to order something easy to scale. That’s why buffets, hot food bars, and large-group catering packages are often the best ways to go. A DIY taco or fajita bar is a solid place to start. The food bar sets you up with everything you could possibly want to throw a delicious catered meal, from meats and veggies to corn tortillas. You’ll also get the essentials, like rice, black beans, chips, and salsas. Plus, many DIY food bars offer vegetarian and gluten-free options. 

Most catering menus give estimates of the number of people each dish or catering package serves. Use this information to scale your order. 

Menu Ideas and Portions:

Tacolicious Party

• Build-your-own taco bar with popular fillings like grilled chicken and crispy carnitas (2 tacos per person)
• Soft, saucy tamales stuffed with spiced meats or cheese and veggies (1-2 pieces per person)
• Mixed greens with creamy avocado, Oaxaca cheese, and crunchy tortilla strips (4 ounces per person)
• Mexican-style grilled corn with crumbled cotija cheese (1 cob per person)

Decadent Fiesta of Enchiladas in Mole Sauce

• Hot food bar of enchiladas in rich mole (4-5 ounces per person)
• Fried taquitos with fillings like spiced shredded chicken and cheese (2-3 pieces per person)
• Salsa bar with chips and an assortment of salsas (4 ounces per person)

How to Order Mexican Catering for a Smaller Group

When feeding a smaller group, you may find it easier to customize your catering order so that your clients and coworkers can indulge in the Mexican meal of their dreams. Look for box lunches, burrito bowls, and small-group catering packages. Among these options, portable box lunches and burrito bowls can be invaluable when someone—say, a busy client—needs to dash mid-meeting. Additionally, burrito bowls can be customized to work with just about any dietary restriction. 

Menu Ideas and Portions:

Outrageously Flavorful Mexican Box Lunches

• Box lunches of fragrant tacos, burritos, or tortas (1 box lunch per person)
• Creamy tres leches cake (1 slice per person)

Impressive Burrito Bowls 

• Burrito bowls loaded with goodies like seared steak or chicken (1 burrito bowl per person)
• Fried churros dusted with cinnamon sugar (1-2 pieces per person)

How to Order Mexican Catering for Dietary Restrictions

Mexican cuisine offers tasty, hearty vegetarian and gluten-free options. Try these delicious mains and sides, and be sure to check in with your caterer about food allergies and dietary restrictions. 

Try these vegetarian options:

• Burritos, tacos, or tortas packed with grilled veggies or tofu (1 burrito, 2 tacos, or 1 torta per person)
• Burrito bowls loaded withroasted veggies and bright toppings (1 burrito bowl per person)
• A tray of cheesy quesadillas (1-2 pieces per person)
• Sides of fragrant rice and creamy beans (4 ounces per person)

Try these gluten-free options:

• Tacos or fajitas made with corn tortillas (2 tacos per person or 4-5 ounces of fajita filling)
• Burrito bowls loaded with meats, veggies, and zippy sauces (1 burrito bowl per person)
• An appetizer of Mexican grilled corn (1 cob per person)
• Sides of fragrant rice and creamy beans (4 ounces per person)

Delicious and hearty—it’s no wonder Mexican cuisine is a favorite business catering option.