There’s a lot of pressure when it comes to ordering food for work. You need it to arrive on time, of course, but you also need it to appeal to a wide range of taste preferences, which is no easy feat. 

If you’re like many professionals, you likely have a couple go-to restaurants. Restaurants that you can count on, with exceptional service and widely-loved menu items. But even local favorites can get stale and repetitive over time. 

Sometimes a little shakeup is just what the office needs. And local food trucks, which have spiked in popularity over the years, might be your answer. If you want to create some buzz and excitement around the workplace, consider these food truck ideas for your next catered meeting or event.

Food truck catering brings fun meals right to you

There’s no need to find long-term parking for a food truck, or places for employees to eat outside. With food truck catering from ezCater, the food is prepared on the truck — and then delivered right to your office as individually packed lunches or in larger trays for a casual buffet spread.

Most food truck menus focus on quality over quantity, featuring a handful of purposeful and carefully planned dishes that simplify the ordering process for you.

The benefits of food truck catering

There are plenty of reasons to order food truck catering when you need to feed the entire office. Some benefits of food truck catering include:

1. A variety of excellent food options

With so many different types of food trucks, you have plenty to choose from when it comes to cuisine and food preparation styles — from classic hot dogs and fries to Mediterranean or Asian cuisines. You can order everyone’s meals from the same food truck (like a popular taco food truck) or place orders from a few different trucks for more variety, letting your grilled cheese lovers enjoy their cheesy sandwiches while vegans nosh on meatless dishes from a vegan food truck.

2. Great pricing

Because the overhead for a food truck is often lower than a traditional restaurant, you can find affordable prices for unique meals. The focus on a small menu selection often means food trucks can get ingredients at bulk prices that help them keep their costs even lower.

3. Convenience

Food truck operators are used to preparing meals quickly while on the go. The mobility of a food truck makes delivery fast and easy, no matter where your office or event is located. Food is prepared fresh to order, so your meals arrive hot and ready to eat.

4. Flexibility

When ordering from a local food truck, you can get individual meals customized to each employee’s preference or large batches of food for everyone to share. This flexibility lets you choose how to set up the catered meal distribution in your office. Food trucks can also provide disposable plates, bowls, utensils, and napkins for everyone.

5. Supports local chefs

Catering office meals from a food truck helps support a local business. Most of these trucks are owned and operated by a local chef striking out on their own or introducing a specialty dish to the community. In some cases, food truck operators start their business as a mobile food vendor and then move to a permanent restaurant location later.

5. Encourages culinary exploration

With such a variety of options available, food truck catering encourages employees and workplace guests to try something new.

The best food truck ideas for catered meals

Since food trucks are individually owned and operated, they offer a wide range of variety depending on which truck you choose. According to a market analysis report from Grand View Research, food trucks serving Mexican food currently hold the largest market share of all types of food trucks, making up more than a third of the U.S. market, and trucks serving Italian food are expected to grow rapidly over the next few years.

Some popular types of food trucks you might consider when ordering your next catered lunch include:

Classic American fare

If you want to serve your workforce the best gourmet hamburger in town, chicken sandwiches, pizza, or hot dogs, food trucks serving these classic American favorites can provide a quick lunch with a hint of nostalgia. 

You might also find twists on standard American classics on a food truck menu. Gourmet sandwiches with specialty sauces, seasonal variations of standard hot dog toppings, and specialty spice blends on fries or tater tots combine familiar flavors with something new.

Barbecue and smoked meats

Food trucks with a built-in grill or smoker may offer your choice of ribs, brisket, sausage, or other slow-cooked meats coated in a tangy barbecue sauce.

Taco trucks 

A taco truck menu might include more than tacos. Burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and Mexican street corn are some of the other items you may be able to order for your catered meal. Taco truck catering could also include separate trays of ingredients that let you create a taco bar where employees and guests mix and match to make their own tacos or burritos.

International cuisine

Food trucks with an international focus make it simple to cater a meal featuring Thai, Chinese, Brazilian, Indian, or Korean dishes. You might also find food trucks featuring healthy Mediterranean meals or more unique food options rarely offered at restaurants in your area.

Many food trucks are run by immigrants, bringing the flavors of their home country to your local area, and some offer fusion concepts that blend the recipes of multiple cultures into something new.

Single-concept food trucks

Specialty food trucks that focus on a single dish prepared in a variety of ways may be a fun catering option when you’re considering food truck ideas. Some popular single-focus food trucks include those dedicated to making the best grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, or spicy fried chicken in town.

Vegan and vegetarian options

There are food truck ideas that suit specific food preferences and dietary restrictions, including ones that serve meatless options. These vendors focus on vegan or vegetarian cuisine, making it easy to cater lunch for your team members who prefer plant-based meals. Some food trucks that don’t specialize in vegetarian dishes may also offer meatless options alongside their regular fare.

Desserts, beverages and snacks

In some situations, you don’t need an entire meal to make your employees and guests feel special. If your meeting or event takes place outside typical meal times, consider catering desserts, snacks, or beverages instead.

Coffee trucks can deliver freshly brewed hot or cold beverages to your office, while food trucks specializing in dessert may offer anything from ice cream sundaes to specialty donuts. Search for food truck catering on ezCater to find plenty of convenient, tasty options for your next office meeting or corporate event.