Food trucks are definitely trending as a catering option for events, but they’re not always practical for every type of festivity. Perhaps your chosen venue doesn’t have space for them, or maybe it’s simply not in the budget. No problem! A simple and fun alternative is to offer food truck-inspired stations that can be creative, delicious and sure to wow your guests! Here are some of our suggestions, but you can come up with your own favorites. It’s your party and the sky’s the limit!
Philly Cheesesteak Station
A Philadelphia classic is, of course, the cheesesteak. Offer your guests a build-your-own sandwich with lean steak and add-ons, including grilled onions, hot or sweet peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni, pizza sauce and a variety of cheeses, such as American, provolone and pepper jack. You can mix it up a bit and also offer chicken and even tofu for those who don’t eat red meat.
Fries and Pretzel Bar
French fries are a natural side dish for your Philly cheesesteak, and you can dress them up with any number of toppings. Bacon, sour cream, scallions, beef chili, cheese sauce, sweet or spicy ketchup, ranch dressing, honey mustard and barbecue sauce are just a few delightful garnishes and dips. Poutine, fries with gravy and cheese curds, is yet another delicious option, as is a local fave, crab fries with cheese sauce. Pretzels are also a great side dish or appetizer, and many of the same dips can work with them.
Mac and Cheese Bar
Like french fries, macaroni and cheese can be a blank slate for any of your favorite ingredients. Brisket, bacon, lobster, chicken, peas, spinach and more can doctor up your mac and cheese as you please. You can even offer different cheeses if you want to go all out. It’s the ultimate comfort food!
Wontons
Wontons are wonderfully customizable, and can be filled with anything from vegetables to chicken to shrimp to beef to pork to tofu. The bite-size dumplings can be dipped in a seemingly endless array of sauces, such as ginger, honey, Thai style, curry or black bean.
Doughnut Station
A crowd-pleasing — not to mention simple — dessert to offer your guests is a doughnut bar. You can offer plain or glazed doughnuts and let your guests go crazy with toppings. You can pull out all the stops with chocolate glaze, rainbow sprinkles, shredded coconut, mini marshmallows and colorful cereal toppings.
Have a favorite food truck? Talk to us about creating a station inspired by it.
Ready to start planning your party? Schedule a consultation with one of our event managers today!
Robert Ryan Catering and Design plans and executes over 400 events each year, boasts a five-star rating on WeddingWire and has received WeddingWire’s Couple’s Choice/Bride’s Choice Award seven years in row. Learn more about Robert Ryan Catering & Design and tour our venues. Subscribe to our e-newsletter for exclusive offers, up-to-date news and recipes from our executive chef.
Featured photo: Campli Photography; all other photos, top to bottom: Jeff Frandsen Photography; Moonloop Photography; Fringe Fox Studios
