Food Truck Vs. Traditional Catering: Which Is Right for Your Event?

Tri Concept Truck

Even though the big holidays have come to an end, you may be already planning your next event, because let’s face it, EVERY season is the season for shindigs, fiestas, and events. And although you may not be as busy now as you were during those holidays, you are still busy enough to be thinking about hiring a catering service for your upcoming event. Should you go for a traditional caterer or hire a food truck in Phoenix with Modern Tortilla? Obviously, you can guess that we vote for the latter but we aren’t going to make you take our word for it, as we have done the research and have created this guide to help you determine, on your own, that our vote is a good one!

We’re Not Big on Formality in the Desert

One of our favorite things about living in the desert is the informality of it all. No one cares if women wear pantyhose, and ties bear too close of a resemblance to the hangman’s noose of the Wild West, and when it comes to parties, we just don’t want to bother. So, why go for formality with a catered meal that makes everyone feel uncomfortable when tacos, beer, and good music is all you need for a truly excellent fiesta?

Strawberry tacos

Saving Money Is Always a Good Thing

Did you know that on average you will spend 10 to 15% less on a food truck in comparison to what you would spend with a traditional caterer? Unless you’re a Rockefeller or Vanderbilt, we can’t imagine that you are free to spend your money willy nilly, and by spending less on food, you have more money for a new outfit or to purchase a gift for the guest of honor!

Browse Our Menu Here!

The Wonder of Wow

Caterers are good at their jobs—we aren’t saying they aren’t—but quite frankly, their uniform of white shirt and black pants is kind of boring. When a Modern Tortilla food truck pulls into your event, its bright colors popping and its wonderful aromas wafting, no one will be able to turn away from the sight. And when you are trying to throw a party that will be remembered by all, wowing them with a food truck and tacos is the only way to go. Give us a call today at 602-848-8823 and start preparing to wow!

 

Plan Your Labor Day Catering in Phoenix Today

modern tortilla tacos in phoenix

The heat of summer is entering its last phase, the first school bell of the year has already rung, and the first three-day weekend of the school year is about to take place, making a pool party celebration at your place sound like a very awesome idea. Of course, there is a lot of work involved with party planning, from the cleaning of your house to the shopping for food and drink, and then discovering that your tried and true swimwear is trying your patience and no longer being true to your body type. It can be tiring dealing with all the details that go along with throwing a celebration, but we at Modern Tortilla can take the biggest chore off your seemingly endless list when you choose us for your Labor Day catering in Phoenix!

Think About it

Yes, the temperatures have dropped a few degrees, and the sticky heat of monsoon season has morphed back into the dry heat we are used to, but that mercury will still be lingering in the triple digit zone, and do you really want to stand in front of an open fire or dash about a sweltering kitchen? Of course, you don’t, and when you hire Modern Tortilla to cater your holiday fiesta, you can spend those extra moments lounging in the pool with friends, chatting about how wonderfully quiet your house is now that the littles are back in school, and waiting for the moment when you take your first bite of our tacos. Our taco carts are designed to fit anywhere, so if your Arizona backyard is on the smaller size, don’t worry, we only need a corner of your patio to set up shop and start feeding your favorite people the world’s favorite handheld delight!

Take It Easy

Labor Day is a holiday created to celebrate hardworking Americans by giving them a day where no labor is expected of them, and we can help take the most important of the hosting duties off your hands. Every day is Taco Tuesday with Modern Tortilla, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you and your friends, even if our idea of celebrating is feeding hungry people. It’s our passion, and we can’t wait to share all the good tacos we create, so go ahead and give us a call today at (602) 848-8823 and let’s taco about good food and fun parties!

Let Modern Tortilla Cater Your Wedding Party

Wedding sign

Some of the best weddings we have ever attended were the ones without pretension or rules. No choosing a side to sit on, no spending a small fortune on clothing that will only be worn once, and best of all, the food that was served was real food that tasted really good—you know what we mean, food like the spicy tacos and burritos we serve at Modern Tortilla! If there are wedding bells in your future and you are on the fence between formal and fun, choose Modern Tortilla for your wedding catering needs and the decision will be made.

Sharing Tacos in Sickness and in Health

When you face the crowd as Mr. and Mrs. for the very first time, or Mr. and Mr., or any variation thereof, the vows you just spoke may take on new meaning, especially as the hard part is over and the hunger pangs are making themselves noticed. We have all been there, working hard to fit in our tux or gown, choosing our calories carefully and watching the numbers on the scale take a slow descent. But now the I do’s have been spoken and the party is about to begin, and those tacos? They are calling out your new name, as well as the names of every guest in your wedding party, and even as there will be many more fun moments to be had, first, there will be tacos!

Let’s Taco About Forever

As you sit at the head table, your friends and family sharing in the love you feel right now, the rest of your life will shine as brightly as the smile on your faces. Forever is such a beautiful word and we hope that Modern Tortilla can celebrate the moments in your future that will never be forgotten, but for tonight, all that matters is your love, your family, and tacos. The great thing about tacos is that they can be eaten quickly, disappearing between conversations, toasts, and the chicken dance that we still don’t know why has become a wedding tradition. The one tradition we can get behind, however, is that of gathering with family in celebration of the happiest day of your life, made happier because, well, there are tacos as well!

Your List Is Long

Within seconds of saying yes, the lists you began seemed to grow longer each day, but choosing Modern Tortilla to cater your wedding party will mark one item off very deliciously. Give us a call or contact us online today!

Browse Our Menu Here!

Add Modern Tortilla To Your Arizona 4th Of July Celebration This Year

Not every American summer holiday meal has to be comprised of hamburgers, hot dogs, and ribs, especially because our Phoenix area Americans like foods that may bite back just a little. Tacos are celebrated every day of the week and your salsa intake is judged by its Scoville rating and 4th of July often features more fireworks than the sanctioned ones that take place in the various towns and cities that make up the Valley of the Sun! We are, of course, talking about the fireworks in your mouth when all the spices and heat of our Modern Tortillas tacos, burritos, and quesadillas bring joy to your celebration, which is why we are suggesting you add us to your Arizona 4th of July celebration in 2023!

Built for the Heat

If you have lived in the desert for more than a minute, you should be used to the heat that often seems to be never lessening, but if this is your first summer in Phoenix, you may want to take some pointers from here when it comes to your celebration! The first bit of advice we have for you is to turn off the stove and oven, keep the lid down on your barbecue, and, of course, order Modern Tortilla to spice up your day!

We desert dwellers are built for the heat and although we won’t claim that our Modern Tortilla salsas and meals are at the top of the heat register, the fire is respectable, and you won’t be disappointed! Stop by one of our food trucks and order a bag of tacos and grab an assortment so EVERYONE has a taco that will speak to their souls!

Chicken Tinga, Carne Asada, and something you won’t find at many Mexican spots, veggie tacos that blend the heat with the sweet and will make your taste buds stand up and take notice! Chips and salsa comes with every taco, giving even the newcomers in our bunch the realization that even though we are all kind of watching our waistlines (swimsuits are so unforgiving!) on the day of Red, White, and Boom, when it comes to chips and salsa we have no self-control! (So just go with it and be sure to order extra!)

Cater your Celebration

Our catering services can take your Arizona 4th of July celebration the extra step, making your party the one the neighbors talk about for years! Give us a call today and help your holiday event be extra-tasteful!

Celebrate An Arizona Cinco De Mayo with Modern Tortilla!

Payson Mexican food

There are a lot of holidays taking place every year, but the next one up to plate is definitely in our wheelhouse. As a matter of fact, it is almost like we have been training for this day our whole lives! We are, of course, talking about Arizona Cinco de Mayo, and even if you are planning on spending it as the world intended by drinking as much cerveza or tequila as you can safely handle, make some room in your busy drinking schedule for a visit to Modern Tortilla!

Follow the Food Truck

Starting out a day of fun and craziness will begin properly with a visit to one of our food trucks found all over the Valley of the Sun. Fill up on a taco plate, gorge yourself on our delicious burritos, or pace yourself with a quesadilla; all foods go well with your favorite beer, wine, or tequila. The temperatures won’t reach the most scorching of heights yet, so enjoy an al fresco meal of your favorite Modern Tortilla delights, and then continue your journey of celebration for this most important holiday of the month! (It is in our minds, of course!)

Stay Safe and Cater Your Own Arizona Cinco de Mayo Celebration

With all the major holidays, we always have that major decision to make before a night out on the town. Who is going to be the designated driver, or do we have enough money in our budget for ride share companies to deliver us to each of our chosen destinations for the night? Choosing to stay home and celebrate is always a good idea, and at Cinco de Mayo, hiring Modern Tortilla to cater your grande fiesta ensures that you can get to the good stuff with a minimum of work and effort! Clean your house, buy the alcohol, and concentrate on planning your outfit while we serve up the most delicious tacos in the state! Order up a food truck to park in your cul de sac or take advantage of our drop off catering services and celebrate with just those that mean the most to you and make this Arizona Cinco de Mayo one to remember—or not, depending on how much tequila you enjoy!

Modern Tortilla, Your Helpful Friend!

There is nothing we love more than celebrating a holiday and feeding hungry people, and at Cinco de Mayo, we get to do both! Give us a call today and let’s get this party started.

Make A Stop At Modern Tortilla This Arizona Halloween!

Even when it falls on a Monday night like it does this year, Halloween is your children’s second most awaited night of the year. Giving them a chance to be someone else, stay up late roaming the streets like a pack of wild animals, AND ALL.THAT.CANDY! Their lives are sweet enough on normal days but on this special holiday, they become supercharged on a super candy rush! Of course, moms and dads may like the holiday because they like to see their children happy and there is a chance they will be able to enjoy a horror movie marathon later, but the work involved makes them cringe, especially if they are working parents. You work all day, rush home to discover that you ate all the candy you bought early, your youngest somehow lost his Thor hammer for his costume, and yes, your excited ghouls and goblins are clamoring to know what’s for dinner. No sane parent wants to cook on Arizona Halloween and you have to go out anyway (the little beggars who are about to descend upon your doorstep are not going to be satisfied with apples, bananas, or that half-open box of pop tarts you have left!) so why not take a few minutes make a stop at Modern Tortilla before the big adventures begin?

A Bastion of Peace and Deliciousness

There are many reasons why you want to take a few minutes out of your Halloween night to explore the menu options at Modern Tortilla, but do you really need a REASON? You work hard, your kids are about to become little monsters (of course we are talking about their costumes!) and the night ahead of you stretches out in a seemingly endless array of minutes. Taking these few minutes before you join in the neighborhood shenanigans will help you fill those energy banks you will so desperately need to draw on as the night grows later! The bonus of enjoying Taco Monday AND Taco Tuesday is another factor you must consider during your hunt for a quick and delicious meal and if you are like us, you probably would love to celebrate Taco Monday THROUGH Sunday! In any case, as you and your family dress up as Stranger Things characters, buy those overpriced bags of candy (AGAIN!) and devour Modern Tortilla’s tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, these last minutes before the candy storm promise to bring you peace and flavor! Stop by Modern Tortilla on Arizona Halloween night and take a few minutes to breathe!

Modern Tortilla Participating in the Devour Culinary Classic

Our taco catering in Phoenix AZ

“Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. And we nourish all those things when we eat well.”
-Michael Pollan

There are some experiences in our lives that are so special, it’s hard to find the right words to express the significance of those moments. The impact of a meaningful conversation can’t be summed up. The flavors of a special meal prepared for you can’t be recreated. The lyrics of a monumental song can’t move you the same way nor can the paint on a canvas hit the light just so that it speaks the same words to your soul once again. Perhaps these moments can’t be perfectly recreated, but to have these moments at all is the most important thing.

11th Annual Devour Culinary Classic

This February, the annual Devour Culinary Classic has set the stage for all of your senses to be inspired. It is the region’s most anticipated culinary event because it does not just feed your body the best local foods prepared by the best local chefs, but it is sure to feed your soul as well. Every ticket holder will gain passage to the Desert Botanical Garden, where they can sample the best local restaurants. Live music and art will guide your experience through the garden as your taste buds sing. You’ll have access to Chef Demos as well as the Hensley/Quench Beverage Garden and Wine Sales Area. At the end of the day, you can take home your commemorative wine glass and yolk as you have the option to catch a discounted ride with Lyft.

Looking to make it even more special? Upgrade to the VIP Package and you’ll enjoy even more benefits, such as VIP 90-minute early admission, access to ALL tastings and experiences, as well as access to the 2020 Devour VIP Dorrance Hall Lounge featuring immersive experiences with special guests, celebrities, media and food judges. You’ll leave with your commemorative wine glass and yolk, as well as two return tickets to the Desert Botanical Garden. All while catching a discounted ride with Lyft Plus.

100% of the proceeds from Devour Culinary Classic will benefit the community efforts of: Local First Arizona, Desert Botanical Garden, and Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA).

The Best Part

Modern Tortilla will participate in the Devour Culinary Classic on February 23. We specialize in tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, which means we’re behind the scenes creating a dish that will have you singing a Mexican love serenade you didn’t know you knew the words to. El amor de mi vida… In other words, look no further. You’ve found the love of your life.

The Details

DATE | Saturday, February 22 (featuring our sister food truck, Aioli Gourmet
Burgers)
Sunday, February 23 (featuring us, Modern Tortilla)

TIME | VIP: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
General Admission: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION | Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

TICKETS | Can be purchased at dbg.org or devourphoenix.com

Get Free Dessert for Your 2019 Christmas Food Truck Party

food truck catering in Phonix

The holiday season has come barreling upon you like an out of control freight train, and now it’s almost too late to get everything done in time! In the next few weeks, you need to start your decorating, shop for your family and friends, and throw a Christmas food truck party for your loyal employees that have worked so hard to make your business a success. Planning where to hold it, how to cater it, and what gifts or bonuses you want to offer your people is almost a full-time activity in itself, but if you are starting to feel overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe, and then connect with Modern Tortilla to take advantage of our free dessert offer!

Free Dessert? Where Do You Sign Up? – Food Truck Party

Free is a word that isn’t tossed around lightly these days, but we figure there’s no better time to do so than at the holidays! Of course, you will need to purchase a minimum of $600 in food plus tax and tip, but with the number of employees in your employ, that should be easy enough to reach. And when said employees walk into your conference room/holiday winter wonderland and experience the scents, sights, and sounds of this special celebration, they will all realize exactly how much you treasure all their hard work.

The scent of tacos and burritos wafting through the air will only be topped by the taste; our foods are locally sourced whenever possible and prepared with creativity, spice, and a lot of love. Your first bite of the Modern Mayan may not inspire visions of sugar plums, but this is Arizona—we like our food spicy and with a little heat! And what are sugar plums anyway? Turn up the Christmas carols, lower the temperatures for a little holiday ambience, and loosen up your belts; this party is about to get crazy, and when the free dessert is released, the evening will be complete!

We Can’t Help With the Bonuses

But our free dessert offers you a bit of a bonus at the time of year where every little bit helps! Give us a call or fill out the information on our catering page today; Christmas isn’t that far away, and you don’t want to miss out on this terrific deal! Contact us!

Book Modern Tortilla’s Catering in Phoenix AZ for Your 2019 Halloween Party

catering in Phoenix AZ

We don’t want to alarm you or anything, but we were looking at the calendar this morning and came to an important realization: Halloween is LESS THAN 100 DAYS AWAY! Yes, the sizzling days of summer are speeding by and the cooler fall season is just around the corner, bringing relief and happiness to every desert-dweller in the valley. If you’ve been toying with the idea of throwing a party for Halloween this year, Modern Tortilla can make your Halloween bash even easier thanks to our delectable catering in Phoenix AZ services. Parties don’t get any better than this!

We Do the Work

No, we’re not going to clean your house or buy those new curtains you need to make your décor perfect, but we will do the food prep, setup, and cleanup, leaving you free to work out the details of your dream Halloween costume! Take your time with your make-up, add an extra curl to your Rapunzel hair, or change your mind about your costume altogether; the final minutes before the beginning of your bash will be calm and relaxing as we do all the work!

And although you may not think of tacos as your typical Halloween food, your decision to use Modern Tortilla will make your party the most talked about in the neighborhood—in a good way, of course! Your guests can choose from our spooktacular southwest steak quesadillas, terrifying tacos, or beastly burritos, all created from locally sourced ingredients that are both fresh and delicious. Fill a small casket with churros, enjoy our eerie elote, or simply munch on our Modern Mayan tacos. The best part of your bash is being able to truly enjoy the party without worrying about how your guests are enjoying their food. Watching the smiles on their faces as they chomp on chicken burritos is all the proof you will need, but we do hope you taste the food as well!

Never Too Soon

As the holiday season ramps up, our catering services often get booked up, so give us a call today or fill out the form on our catering page for a free quote. 100 days may seem like an eternity, especially when dealing with the heat outside, but experience shows the days will simply fly by, and we don’t want you to miss out on the party of the decade simply because you waited too long to book your caterer!

Your Taste of America 2019 Arizona Champion

taste of america

We’re always happy when something good happens to people in our home state, but when it’s one of our own? Well, we like to shout it from the rooftops, and that is just what we are going to do about Vivianna D’Ambrosio, the taste of America 2019 Arizona Champion! Vivianna’s creativity and work ethic are admired by all, and we expect that things are just going to keep getting better. We are so lucky to have her on board!

What is the Taste of America Competition?

Well, it is exactly what it sounds like it should be, a competition that pits America’s home cooks and restaurant chefs against each other in an online contest that uses specific American-branded foods in their recipes, garnering the winner accolades and a magical golden ticket. This year’s brands included these three brands that Vivianna specifically used in her recipe: Red Gold tomatoes, Springer Mountain Farms chicken, and Challenge butter. Other ingredients featured in the competition included Wampler’s Farm sausage, Fiesta brand peppers, Celebrity Wine & Spirits, and a selection of Great Value and Marketside products, allowing for an imaginative and innovative entries from all over the United States.

Each state has their own winner, but of course, Arizona and our own Vivianna D’Ambrosio are our chief concerns! Her winning entry was a simple but tasty chicken sandwich she calls the Rolling Italian, featuring the products listed above intermingled with fresh spices and crisp greens placed atop a golden grilled roll. Obviously, there’s more to this gourmet masterpiece, but if we gave out the recipe, well, it just wouldn’t be special anymore now would it? In any case, this contest is an important step towards another goal we have in mind: winning the World Food Championship held in October in Dallas, Texas! The gold ticket we talked about earlier grants access to this prestigious culinary competition and we can’t be more excited!

Modern Tortilla is a Family

When you work closely with the same people over an extended period of time, if you’re lucky, you begin to think of your co-workers as family, and that’s what we have here at Modern Tortilla. Today we are crowing about the accomplishments of Vivianna, but every member of our team is an important link towards the great and tasty food you’ve come to expect from our food trucks. Stop by today and see how good teamwork tastes!