How much does Mexican catering cost?

The short answer

Mexican street-food catering in the UK is usually priced per person, sometimes with a hire charge or a minimum spend on top. Published prices from other caterers range from around £11 to £45 per person, depending on the menu, how long service runs and what’s included. A food truck or trailer booked for a set time may be priced as a flat fee instead.

We don’t publish our own prices, because every event is different. We quote each event individually once we know your date, place, numbers and menu. The rest of this guide explains what drives the number, so you know what you’re comparing when quotes come in.

What other caterers charge

These are prices other UK caterers publish on their own websites, at the time of writing (28 October 2026). They are here to give you a feel for the market, not as a comparison with us. Prices change, and each package includes different things: some include VAT, set-up and travel, others add them on top. Always check the caterer’s own page for the current details.

Notice how differently these are built. One is a flat trailer fee for two hours, one is a per-head price plus a hire charge, one includes travel, one adds VAT and staff by the hour. Two quotes with the same headline figure can be very different once you add everything up.

What affects the price

• Guest numbers. Much of the work is the same whether 60 or 160 people eat: driving the truck, setting up, cooking the fillings, packing down. So the price per head often falls as numbers rise, and very small events can cost more per head.
• The menu. Tacos with two fillings cost less than a spread with several fillings, nachos, burrito bowls, sides and desserts. Slow-cooked beef such as birria usually costs more than chicken, beans or vegetables.
• How long service runs. A one-hour lunch service is a different job from food served across an afternoon, or a meal plus evening food later.
• Serving style. Ordering from the truck, a build-your-own taco bar, or food carried to tables all need different numbers of staff.
• Drinks. A drinks bar with margaritas, Mexican beer or aguas frescas is usually priced separately, often per person or per hour of service.
• Extras. Plates, napkins, cutlery, serving tables, extra staff and waste removal may or may not be included. Ask.
• Travel and access. Distance from the caterer’s base, parking, tolls, and London charges can all play a part. All of Greater London is inside the ULEZ, and some venues need parking suspensions or a set loading time.
• The date. Summer Saturdays and the weeks before Christmas get booked first, so give yourself time.

Minimum spends and minimum numbers

Many street-food caterers set a minimum spend or a minimum number of guests. You can see this in the published prices above: one sets a minimum of 20 guests, another a minimum of 30 guests or £600, another a peak-season minimum spend of £1,500 plus VAT, and one designs its packages for 50 or more guests. The reason is simple: a truck or trailer that goes to your event can’t go to another one that day, and set-up costs don’t shrink much for a small group.

If your guest list is small, say so when you enquire. A smaller party may still work, or a caterer may suggest a simpler menu or a shorter service. Our truck and trailer service usually suits around 50 to 400 guests. Festivals can be bigger, and smaller parties are quoted case by case, so tell us your numbers.

What a quote should include

A good quote is more than a total. Before you compare, check that each one tells you:

• The date, start and finish times, and how long food will be served
• The number of guests the price is based on, and what happens if numbers go up or down
• The menu: which fillings, sides, salsas and extras, and how much per person
• Dietary options, and whether allergen information will be provided for every dish
• Staff numbers and hours
• Plates, napkins and cutlery, or whether you need to provide them
• What the caterer needs on site: power, water, ground and access
• Travel, parking and any London or toll charges
• Whether VAT is included
• Payment terms and the booking and cancellation terms

If anything on that list is missing, ask before you book. It’s much easier to sort out at quote stage than on the day.

How to keep costs sensible

• Give accurate numbers. Paying for guests who don’t come is the easiest money to waste. Collect RSVPs before final numbers are due.
• Keep the menu focused. Two or three fillings plus a vegan option, salsas and guacamole is plenty for most events.
• Think about timing. One clear food service window is simpler than food on and off all day.
• Use what the venue has. If the venue already supplies tables, plates or staff, you don’t need to pay for them twice.
• Be flexible on the date. Fridays, Sundays and weekdays are often easier to book than a June Saturday.

Getting a quote from us

To quote accurately we need your date, venue or postcode, approximate numbers, the type of event, roughly when you’d like to eat, any dietary needs, and what the venue already provides. Send us those and we’ll suggest a menu and price it for your event. If you’re still working out quantities, our guide to how many tacos per person will help, and our list of questions to ask a Mexican caterer covers the rest. Contact us for a quote through our quote form.

Quick answers

Is taco catering cheaper than a sit-down meal?

It often can be, because it needs no kitchen at the venue and fewer waiting staff. But the menu, service time and extras make the biggest difference, so compare full quotes.

Why don’t you publish prices?

Because no two events need the same thing. We quote each event individually so you only pay for what you need. Contact us for a quote.

Do prices include VAT?

It varies between caterers, as the table above shows. Always check whether a quoted figure includes VAT.

Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll suggest a menu and send a quote for your event.