Charlotte Food Truck Catering Guide 2026: 10 Top Trucks for Your Next Event

**Featured: Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives** — Charlotte's original "freestyle" gourmet food truck serving since 2010. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | "Freestyle" Gourmet / Global Street Food Fusion | | **Founded** | 2010 | | **Flagship Truck** | "Bessie" | | **Location** | 525 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 | | **Phone** | (704) 750-0477 | | **Email** | info@thetinkitchen.com | | **Website** | tinkitchen.com | | **Instagram** | @tinkitchenclt | One of Charlotte's original food trucks, grown from a single truck into a full-service catering company. 15 years serving Charlotte with bold, chef-driven food and sustainable local sourcing. **Service Styles:** Drop-off catering, full-service catering, food truck, passed hors d'oeuvres, plated service, buffet stations. Serves 2-5 guests per minute. **Dietary Options:** Gluten-free, nut-free, pork-free, vegan, vegetarian. **Signature Items (Food Network Featured):** Buffalo Cauliflower Sliders (vegan), Chana Masala Tacos, Pork Belly Tacos ($10-15), Thai Coconut Shrimp Tacos, Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas, Skyline Chili Nachos, Lamb Meatball Sliders. **Wedding Menu:** Stuffed jalapeños, Luau chicken skewers, Mediterranean chicken, Sesame sweet chili shrimp, Sriracha brownies. **Recognition:** Food Network DDD, WeddingWire Top-Rated, Yelp 4.5+ stars (196 reviews). "The team at Tin Kitchen exceeded all of our expectations."

**Award-winning national catering company** — Catered for Beyoncé and Jay-Z. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Modern American / Chef-Crafted Classics | | **Parent Company** | Multi-city operation (Philadelphia-based) | | **Service Areas** | Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, DC, Virginia, Maryland, Philadelphia, NJ, Delaware, PA | | **Website** | jerrys-kitchen.com/locations/charlotte | Award-winning catering company serving delicious modern takes on American classics. Everything made from scratch with recipes created in-house. Notable clients include Beyoncé and Jay-Z. **Service Styles:** Food truck (cooked fresh onsite), drop-off, staffed buffets, passed appetizers, plated meals. 2-5 guests per minute. 2 hours food service + 1 hour setup. **No Hidden Fees:** No travel, setup, event, or admin fees (just 18% gratuity + local tax). Free monthly/quarterly payment plans. **Signature Dishes:** Crispy Chicken Sandwich (hand-breaded, maple-dijon, bacon), Philly Cheesesteaks, Cilantro Lime Pulled Pork, Smoked Brisket, California Beef Sliders, Trinity Sliders, Truffle Mac & Cheese, Popcorn Cauliflower. **Menu Tiers:** Tier 1 (basic), Tier 2 (premium), Tier 3 (gourmet). Free tastings available. **Recognition:** Award-Winning National Caterer. "Hired for 100+ person corporate event. Arrived on time, exceptional service. The food was fabulous!"

**Gourmet comfort food** with truffle fries and indulgent creations. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Gourmet Comfort Food / Charlotte Street Eats | | **Specialty** | Indulgent eats, innovative dishes | | **Regular Locations** | South End Rail Trail, Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte Convention Center | Synonymous with indulgent eats and innovative dishes in Charlotte. Specializing in comfort food with a gourmet twist. Reflects Charlotte's eclectic taste. **Menu:** Gourmet Burgers, Truffle Fries (decadent specialty), innovative comfort food dishes. **Recognition:** Best Food Trucks Charlotte "Top 8" list as a "gourmet food truck Charlotte favorite."

**Creative, playful sandwiches** and loaded tots. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Creative Sandwiches / Loaded Tots | | **Regular Locations** | Charlotte Museum of History, PNC Music Pavilion events | | **Specialty** | Playful menu, whimsical creations | Lives up to its name with a playful and creative menu that delights the senses. Known for gourmet sandwich creations and loaded tater tots. **Menu:** Spanky Burger (signature), Loaded Tater Tots (multiple whimsical varieties), gourmet sandwich creations. **Recognition:** Best Food Trucks Charlotte "Top 8" list. "Pushing the boundaries of traditional food truck fare."

**Wood-fired pizza** with authentic artisan techniques. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Wood-Fired Pizza / Artisan Italian | | **Specialty** | Traditional wood-fired cooking methods | | **Service Area** | Greater Charlotte | Authentic wood-fired pizza flavors with perfectly crispy crusts and flavorful toppings. Dedication to artisan pizza and traditional cooking methods. **Menu:** Classic Margherita Pizza, Carolina BBQ Chicken Pizza (inventive local creation), traditional Italian pizzas, creative specialty pies. **Recognition:** Best Food Trucks Charlotte "Top 8" list. Praised for artisan pizza and traditional cooking methods.

**Authentic Chicago street food** brought to the South. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Chicago Street Food | | **Specialty** | Authentic Chicago preparations | | **Locations** | Discovery Place Science, Lake Norman area | Brings the Chicago street food experience to the heart of Charlotte. Menu is a "love letter to authentic Chicago food" served with Southern charm. **Menu:** Chicago Hot Dogs (authentic style), Italian Beef Sandwiches, Deep Dish Pizza (traditional Chicago-style). **Recognition:** Best Food Trucks Charlotte "Top 8" list. Cherished part of Charlotte community.

**Chef-driven catering** with high-quality preparations. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Contemporary American / Chef-Driven | | **Specialty** | Professional, reliable service | Featured as one of Charlotte's top 8 food trucks. Known for professional catering services and quality food preparations. **Recognition:** Best Food Trucks Charlotte "Top 8" based on reviews, sales, requests, and overall demand.

**Top-booked** on Roaming Hunger for Charlotte catering. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Tacos / Mexican | | **Booking** | Roaming Hunger featured vendor | | **Specialty** | Fresh taco catering | One of the top 5 most booked food trucks on Roaming Hunger in Charlotte. Specializes in fresh tacos and Mexican favorites. **Menu:** Fresh tacos, Mexican specialties, customizable options. **Recognition:** Roaming Hunger Top 5 Most Booked in Charlotte for catering.

**Gourmet sliders** perfect for events and tastings. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Gourmet Sliders / Mini Burgers | | **Service Area** | Charlotte metro | | **Specialty** | Variety-focused slider format | Specializing in gourmet slider combinations. Perfect for events where guests want variety and sampling options. **Menu:** Variety of gourmet sliders, beef/chicken/vegetarian options, creative topping combinations. **Recognition:** Consistently ranked in top Yelp Charlotte food truck searches for catering.

**Asian fusion** with creative preparations. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Asian Fusion | | **Service Area** | Charlotte metro | | **Specialty** | Bold Asian fusion flavors | Asian-inspired food truck bringing creative fusion dishes to Charlotte. Known for quality ingredients and bold flavors. **Menu:** Asian fusion entrees, creative combinations, fresh ingredients, bold flavor profiles. **Recognition:** Consistently ranked in top Yelp Charlotte food truck searches for catering.

| Best For | Top Recommendations | |----------|---------------------| | **Award-Winning/Featured** | TIN Kitchen (Food Network), Jerry's Kitchen (Beyoncé/Jay-Z) | | **Weddings** | TIN Kitchen (15 years, full-service), Jerry's Kitchen (national experience) | | **Corporate Events** | Jerry's Kitchen (100+ people), TIN Kitchen (staffed service) | | **Large Events (100+)** | Jerry's Kitchen, TIN Kitchen | | **Pizza Specialists** | Wheelz Pizza (wood-fired artisan) | | **Gourmet/Upscale** | TIN Kitchen (black-tie), Krave (truffle fries) | | **Chicago-Style** | A Little Taste of Chicago (authentic) | | **Creative/Fun** | Wacky Spanky's (playful menu) | | **Tacos/Mexican** | Taco Green-Go! (top-booked), TIN Kitchen (fusion) | | **Budget-Friendly** | Queen City Sliders, Taco Green-Go! | **Want a simpler booking experience?** [Edesia Catering](https://edesia.catering) offers a modern platform to discover, compare, and book food trucks for any event size.

**Charlotte Food Trucks Association:** - Website: foodtruckscharlotte.org - Comprehensive vendor directory and event calendar **Roaming Hunger Charlotte:** - 237+ food trucks, trailers, carts, pop-ups - Average Event Cost: $1,486 (range $800-$2,500) - 100% Roaming Hunger Guarantee **Popular Cuisines:** 1. Sandwiches (67+ caterers) 2. Burgers (39+ caterers) 3. Desserts (26+ caterers) 4. BBQ (20+ caterers) 5. Tacos (19+ caterers) **Popular Event Locations:** - Romare Bearden Park (jazz concerts) - Freedom Park (movie nights) - Charlotte Speedway - Rail Trail (South End) - NoDa Brewing District - Lake Norman area

Charlotte's food truck scene has exploded due to the city's rapid growth: **Economic Drivers:** Major financial hub (Bank of America HQ), growing tech sector, diverse workforce from across the country. **Geographic Advantages:** Mild climate for year-round operation, multiple entertainment districts (Uptown, South End, NoDa, Plaza Midwood), numerous outdoor venues. **Notable Characteristics:** - "Next-level chefs on every street corner" shaping culinary future - Strong brewery/food truck partnership culture - Corporate-friendly (major banks regularly book trucks) - Food trucks central to neighborhood activation **Pricing Standards:** - Average per event: **$1,486** (range $800-$2,500) - Per-person: **$12-20** for meal service - Service speed: 2-5 guests per minute - Service timing: 2 hours food + 1 hour setup **Planning Tips:** 1. **Book early**: 2-4 weeks for standard; 1-3 months for weddings 2. **Check entertainment districts**: South End, NoDa, Uptown all have active truck scenes 3. **Use trusted platforms**: [Edesia Catering](https://edesia.catering), Charlotte Food Trucks Association, or Roaming Hunger 4. **Year-round availability**: Mild climate allows consistent scheduling 5. **Peak season**: March through November