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Are

Foodtrucks

Restaurants?

Ready to discover a local gourmet foodtruck? It's time to see what these restaurants-on-wheels have to offer.

Food Truck Request Form

So you’re curious about foodtrucks. Are they safe? Are they restaurants? We’ll explain.

Eating at a food truck might have been questionable in the past, but not with today’s gourmet foodtrucks.

 

Let Where’s The Foodtruck break it down for you.

Food Trucks must obtain business licenses

To open a food truck, technically known as a mobile food vendor, state and city licenses and/or permits are required. Permits come with inspections to ensure safety for the consumer. For some areas with multiple cities & jurisdictions in one area, like the Las Vegas valley which is composed of 4 cities, a food truck operator will have to obtain licenses for every city in the area. Some cities recognize and accept licenses from neighboring jurisdictions. This varies widely across the country.

 

The bottom line: legally operating mobile food vendors will have the same or similar licenses as restaurants. And the license will likely be on display at the truck. If not, and you want proof, just ask.

food trucks have business licenses
health inspections and quality control for food trucks

Food Trucks get inspected regularly

Besides the operational inspections that mobile food vendors must pass to receive a permit, the local health authority will ensure that the operator abides by all health codes. This is specific to food handling, cooking, prep, etc. and is the same for restaurants and mobile food vendors.

 

These inspections typically occur annually for restaurants. Most areas where we have food trucks report that they get inspected annually, often randomly at site visits, as well as when operating at events, fairs, and festivals. (This, too, varies by jurisdiction.)

 

The botom line: we’re happy to report that our food trucks follow health code and are ready at all times for an inspection.

Food Truck operators take pride in what they do

The folks you’ll find operating a food truck are likely the owner, chef, family member, close friend, or soon to be any of the above. If restaurant staff form bonds (and they do!), then food truck staff form tighter bonds by working in closer quarters with more on the line. There’s a lot for them to live up to and prove they’re worth the trip.

 

Rick, pictured here, operates “Rickle’s” in Salt Lake City with his wife. They, like other food truck operators, spend time and consideration crafting and their menu to satisfy customer cravings. Drawing from professional chef training, years in a commercial kitchen, venturing into new trends, or any combination of the above, food truck menus are created with love and pride.

 

A large part of this pride leads to an experience you’ll never forget. A brief, or sometimes in-depth, conversation with a food truck owner or team member results in a new friendship. Hearing your name called from the window puts a personal touch. And the appreciation that you’ll feel from a small business owner for your time and effort to bring your business to them, this is what makes a food truck experience something special.

 

The bottom line: food truck operators love what they do and who they do it for: YOU!

food truck owner takes pride in his food
people food shopping at food truck and restaurant mall

This ranges based on the event type and by vendor, of course. There are 3 common types of events for foodtrucks:

  • customers pay individually
  • the host/organizer pays
  • catering (full service, partial service, or drop-off)

You should expect to pay between $12-20 per person, based on the specifics.

Use our form and a catering specialist will reach out to you to get the best results.

There’s no way to tell until we dig in. Our specialists reach out to our extensive list of vendors, in search of the best options based on your food requests, budget, and vendor availability. Contact us with our request form to get started.

Great question! The vendors on our lists will be able to serve 60-100 guests per hour, based on the cuisine and serving specifics. Let’s discuss what you have in mind. We’ll make tailored suggestions to your event for the best possible experience.

Unlike traditional wedding caterers, we work quickly. We typically have a list of ideal foodtrucks for your event, including their proposed menus, within a week. You’ll narrow down your options with your dedicated WTF catering specialist.

Yes. To an extent. A pizza truck isn’t likely to make tacos for you, but the chefs who own and operate these restaurants on wheels enjoy creating a special experience for you. We’re here to help create the experience you desire.

Foodtrucks are a great addition for so many occasions. Here are just a few types of events we’ve had the pleasure of taking part of in the past.

We collect and keep on file all required licenses, health permits, and insurance documents so you don’t have to worry about that.

Some jurisdictions require special permits for events. Please check your local regulations to ensure compliance. We also suggest checking with your venue for assistance.

*Where’s The Foodtruck does not provide additional insurance, licenses, or permits. However, we are insured, and we only work with food vendors who are also insured. 

No problem! If you haven’t finalized your venue, you’re sure to do so soon. A general location is all we need to start with. As you narrow down your list of foodtrucks for the event, we’ll need to narrow down your venue to determine any restrictions that our vendor might encounter.

Yes, there are a few items to consider for your venue when planning to use a foodtruck caterer.

  1. – Will your venue permit a foodtruck on-site?
  2. – Can a foodtruck access your venue? Drop-off, full-service, and truck-present catering options each have different requirements that we will discuss with you.
  3. – Is the venue’s setup location appropriate for food service? Is it on stable, level ground? Is electrical available? Is there venting (for truck-present service)?

There are many varieties of mobile food vendors, including trucks, trailers, carts and pop-up tents.

 

Trucks are typically 16′-28′ long, 8′ wide, and 10′-12′ tall. 

Trailers can be smaller, but can also be larger.

Carts and pop-ups require the least amount of space. Usually 10’x10’x10′ will do.

Any food vendor for your event will need a level workspace. We will communicate to you any specific requirements they might need for their setup.

 

Beyond that, our mobile food vendors are fully self contained. You will have to provide access to restrooms for the caterers and their staff. If you don’t want them running their generators, you’ll need to provide a power source. (Typically a 20-amp outlet on a designated circuit is enough, but this varies by setup.)

We manage the entire process for you. Once you’ve selected your desired vendor(s), we can secure them for your event with a 50% deposit. The remainder is due two weeks prior to the event date. The vendor will not receive final payment from Where’s The Foodtruck until your event is successfully completed, to ensure you have a great experience.