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

**Winner: Columbus Underground "Best Food Truck" 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021** — Four years running, plus Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives feature. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Authentic American BBQ | | **Founded** | 2009 | | **Owner/Chef** | James Anderson (raises his own pigs) | | **Clintonville** | 4214 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 • (614) 753-1191 | | **Franklinton** | 424 W Town St (Land Grant Brewing) • (614) 404-9742 | | **Website** | rayrayshogpit.com | | **Instagram** | @rayrayshogpit | Started as a food truck, now operates 6 permanent locations across Central Ohio. Meats are dry rubbed and cooked low and slow for 12-16 hours in hardwood smokers. **Catering:** Weddings, rehearsal dinners, grad parties, business functions. Minimum 50+ guests. Bulk pre-orders for 10-50 people (2 days advance notice). All meats are gluten-free. **Signature Items:** Mangalitsa Brat Burger (featured on Food Network—Guy Fieri called it "super-moist"), St. Louis Spare Ribs, 15-Hour Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Jerk Chicken. **Sauces:** Sweet Mild, Carolina Vinegar, Traditional Savory, Jalapeño to Habanero options. **Recognition:** Columbus Underground Best Food Truck (4 years), Food Network DDD, James Beard Foundation Featured, New York Times, USA Today. Yelp 4.5+ stars (500+ reviews).

**15 years serving Columbus** — One of Central Ohio's original food trucks with nearly 1 million patrons served. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Modern American Street Food / "Culinary Justice" | | **Founded** | August 2010 | | **Owner** | Zach James (Ohio State alumnus) | | **Website** | paddywagon.biz | | **Instagram** | @paddywagonfood | Inspired by actual campus "paddy wagons." Featured in The Columbus Food Truck Cookbook. Known for 15-hour slow-roasted beef brisket and bourbon-glazed specialties. **Catering:** Weddings (200+ couples served), corporate outings, graduations. Serves 140+ guests within 1 hour. "Food Truck Wedding Experts." **Signature Items:** - 15-Hour Slow-Roasted Beef Brisket (pulled to order, signature sauce, "S'law Enforcement") - "Under the Influence" Bourbon-Glazed Brisket Tacos - Taco Burger (two patties, taco spices, cheese quesadilla, fruit salsa) - American Grilled Cheese with portabellas **Booking:** StreetFoodFinder, Roaming Hunger, WeddingWire, The Knot. **Recognition:** WeddingWire Featured Vendor, The Knot Vendor, Columbus Food Truck Cookbook. "We hired Paddy Wagon for our wedding of 140 people... fantastic! Served all guests in under an hour."

**Veteran-owned West Coast smash burger specialists** — From food truck to brick-and-mortar success story in just 14 months. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | West Coast-Style Smash Burgers | | **Founded** | June 2023 (food truck), August 2024 (restaurant) | | **Owners** | Kole Nuehs & Jared France (US Army 2nd Ranger Battalion veterans) | | **Restaurant** | 460 S Front St, Columbus, OH 43215 (Brewery District) | | **Phone** | (614) 456-7069 | | **Website** | sbohio.com | | **Instagram** | @smashbuddiesohio | Two veteran buddies from the Pacific Northwest moved to Ohio in 2022, quit their day jobs, and launched a food truck. After 14 months of success, opened brick-and-mortar with full bar ("The Beat") in May 2025. **Catering:** Corporate events, private events, festivals, brewery partnerships. **Menu:** - The Original: Fresh beef, melted cheese, secret sauce (single, double, triple) - The All American: Beef, cheese, pickles, onions, tomato, lettuce - Patty Melt: On Texas Toast - Smash Burger Grilled Cheese: Gooey cheese, crispy beef, secret sauce - Crispy Tots **Recognition:** 614NOW Featured, Columbus Underground Featured. Yelp 4.5+ stars. "Best burger in Columbus hands down."

**Gourmet slider specialists** perfect for events and tastings. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Gourmet Sliders / Mini Burgers | | **Specialty** | Creative slider combinations for variety-focused events | Slider format allows guests to try multiple flavors—ideal for weddings, corporate events, and tastings. **Menu:** Variety of gourmet sliders with creative toppings. Beef, chicken, and vegetarian options. Customizable for events. **Recognition:** Consistently ranked in top Yelp Columbus food truck searches for catering.

**Authentic Mexican street food** with family recipes and fresh ingredients. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Authentic Mexican Tacos | | **Style** | Family-operated with made-from-scratch salsas | Traditional preparation methods with fresh ingredients. Strong reviews for authenticity. **Menu:** Street tacos (corn tortillas), asada, al pastor, carnitas, pollo, fresh salsas, vegetarian options. **Recognition:** Frequently mentioned in top Yelp Columbus food truck searches.

**Classic American comfort food** with fast service and friendly staff. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | American Comfort Food | | **Owner** | Mike | | **Specialty** | Great burgers, fast service, humble approach | Known for consistent quality—"never sub-par." Exceptionally fast service with kind, humble approach. **Menu:** Burgers ("best burgers great price"), fresh made-to-order items, classic American sides. **Recognition:** Strong Yelp reviews. "Best burgers great price thanks Mike service is fast food is fresh."

**Full-service BBQ catering** with event expertise. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | BBQ / Southern Comfort Food | | **Experience** | Featured at Columbus Food Truck Festival | Experienced BBQ caterer offering food truck service and full catering packages. Regular vendor at Columbus Food Truck Festival (13th annual, 100,000+ attendees). **Menu:** Smoked meats (brisket, ribs, pulled pork), BBQ sides, catering packages for large groups.

**Texas-inspired slow-smoked BBQ** bringing Memphis traditions to Columbus. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Memphis-Style BBQ | | **Specialty** | Slow-smoked meats, Memphis flavor profiles | Slow-smoked BBQ specialist featuring Texas-inspired techniques with authentic Memphis dry rubs. **Menu:** Slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket, Memphis-style dry rubs, classic BBQ sides. **Recognition:** Featured as favorite by Best Food Trucks Columbus.

**Upscale Latin cuisine** from a chef-driven mobile kitchen. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Latin American / Bistro | | **Style** | Elevated presentation, chef-quality food | Latin American cuisine with bistro refinement. Fresh ingredients and creative presentations for upscale events. **Menu:** Latin-inspired entrees, chef-driven preparations, upscale presentation, variety of Latin American flavors. **Recognition:** Yelp reviews: "It took one visit to Cilantro Latin food truck for me to declare it my favorite food truck in Columbus."

**Family-owned authentic Mexican** with traditional recipes. | Detail | Information | |--------|-------------| | **Cuisine** | Traditional Mexican | | **Style** | Family-operated with authentic family recipes | Traditional Mexican street food service with authentic family recipes and preparation methods. **Menu:** Traditional tacos, burritos, quesadillas, authentic Mexican sides, fresh salsas. **Recognition:** Consistently ranked in top Yelp Columbus food trucks.

| Best For | Top Recommendations | |----------|---------------------| | **Weddings** | Paddy Wagon (200+ couples), Ray Ray's Hog Pit, Smash Buddies | | **Corporate Events** | Ray Ray's (6 locations), Paddy Wagon (15 years), Smitty's BBQ | | **Award-Winning** | Ray Ray's (4x Best Food Truck, Food Network), Paddy Wagon | | **BBQ Specialists** | Ray Ray's (authentic pit), Memphis Blues, Smitty's BBQ | | **Burgers** | Smash Buddies (West Coast smash), Mike's Mobile, Seven Little Sliders | | **Mexican/Latin** | Taqueria El Cerrito, Los Agavez, Cilantro Latin Bistro (upscale) | | **Veteran-Owned** | Smash Buddies (Army Rangers) | | **Budget-Friendly** | Mike's Mobile Munchies, Seven Little Sliders | **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.

**Central Ohio Food Truck Association (COFTA):** - Website: centralohiofoodtrucks.org - Comprehensive vendor directory and event booking assistance **Roaming Hunger Columbus:** - 254+ food trucks, trailers, carts, and pop-ups - Average Event Cost: $1,469 (range $800-$2,500) - 100% Roaming Hunger Guarantee **Columbus Food Truck Festival (13th Annual):** - July event, Downtown Columbus Riverfront + Franklin County Fairgrounds - 100,000+ attendees annually, 50+ food trucks - FREE admission **Popular Columbus Cuisines:** 1. Sandwiches (82+ caterers) 2. Burgers (37+ caterers) 3. Tacos (33+ caterers) 4. BBQ (25+ caterers) 5. Desserts (19+ caterers)

**Industry Standards:** - Average per event: **$1,469** (range $800-$2,500) - Per-person: **$12-20** for meal service - Minimum guests: Typically 50-100 (varies by vendor) - Service window: 2-3 hours standard **Booking Lead Time:** - Standard events: 2-4 weeks - Large events/weddings: 1-3 months - Corporate lunch programs: Same-week for regular vendors **Planning Tips:** 1. **Book early**: 2-4 weeks for standard; 1-3 months for weddings 2. **Leverage brewery culture**: Many trucks partner with Land Grant and local breweries 3. **Use trusted platforms**: [Edesia Catering](https://edesia.catering), COFTA, or Roaming Hunger 4. **Consider OSU calendar**: Avoid game days unless targeting that crowd 5. **Peak season**: April through October 6. **Year-round options**: Ray Ray's and Smash Buddies have permanent indoor locations