What makes good evening food
Evening food at a wedding has a different job from the main meal. Guests have been drinking and dancing for hours, some have arrived only for the evening, and nobody wants to sit down for another formal course. The best evening food is hot, easy to eat with one hand, quick to serve and full of flavour. Mexican street food ticks every box.
Ideas that work
- Tacos. Small, warm, quick to serve and easy to eat standing up. Two or three fillings is plenty.
- Loaded nachos. Tortilla chips with a hot filling, cheese, salsa, guacamole and jalapeños. Good for sharing.
- Quesadillas. Toasted tortillas filled with melted cheese and a filling, cut into wedges. Popular with all ages.
- Burritos. More filling, and good if evening guests haven’t eaten much during the day.
- A mini taco bar. A small self-service spread near the dance floor.
Fillings might include slow-cooked pork carnitas, chicken tinga, beef birria, al pastor-style pork, and vegan options like spiced mushrooms or black beans, agreed with each couple.
When to serve it
Many weddings serve evening food around two to three hours after the evening guests arrive, often after the first dance and once the dance floor has been busy for a while. Too early and day guests aren’t hungry yet; too late and people have started to leave. Talk it through with your caterer and venue, and check any curfew.
From the truck or to the guests?
A food truck opening its hatch for evening food becomes a little event of its own, and guests can come and go. If the truck is some distance from the party, staff can bring trays of tacos or nachos to guests instead. Ask what’s possible at your venue.
How much to order
Not every guest eats evening food, especially if the wedding breakfast was generous. Many couples cater for a proportion of the total evening guest list rather than everyone. As a rough guide, allow one or two tacos for each guest who’s likely to eat. Evening-only guests may arrive hungry, so take them into account. See our guide to how many tacos per person.
Diets in the evening
Don’t forget evening guests have diets too. Include a vegan option and make sure gluten-free and dairy-free guests can eat something. Our menus include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, with allergen information for every dish. Add evening guests’ diets and allergies to the list you send your caterer.
Keeping it tidy
Evening food is often eaten on the move, so think about napkins, bins and somewhere to put plates down. Poseur tables near the truck or food station help. Keep the serving area well lit, and make sure the route between the dance floor and the food is clear and safe in the dark, especially if it crosses grass or steps.
Evening food on its own
Some couples book a separate caterer for the evening only. If so, the truck can usually arrive during the afternoon and set up away from the main event, so it’s ready to open when the time comes. Share the day’s timetable with both caterers so they don’t clash over access or space.
Pair with drinks
Evening food goes well with a few Mexican drinks: margaritas, Mexican beer with lime, or aguas frescas for non-drinkers. If alcohol is being sold, the venue or event needs the right licence. If you’d like our Mexican drinks bar, we’ll check the licensing with you.
Getting a quote
Evening food can be booked on its own or alongside a daytime meal. Tell us your date, venue, evening numbers and timings, and contact us for a quote through our quote form. For the full picture, read our Mexican wedding catering guide.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.