# How The Foodtruck List Works

Booking a food truck with The Foodtruck List takes three steps: send one free request, we match it with up to three vetted local trucks, and they quote you directly. Most hosts hear back within one business day.

## 1. Send one request

Tell us about your event on our [free quote form](/get-quotes/). We ask for the date, serving time, city and ZIP code, headcount, budget, and whether there's parking and power for a truck. It takes about two minutes.

## 2. We match up to three trucks

A real person on our team reads your request, usually within one business day. We pick up to three vetted local trucks that fit your date, crowd size, budget and food preferences, and send them your details.

## 3. Trucks quote you directly

Each truck contacts you with its own menu and price. Compare them, ask questions, and book the one you like. You pay the truck directly, on its terms. There's no obligation to book.

## How we look at each request

Trucks answer requests that are clear and workable. So before we send yours, we check a few things:

- **Budget.** Does it fit what trucks typically charge for your headcount? Most charge $15 to $40 per person, with a minimum of about $800 to $1,500. See our [food truck cost guide](/food-truck-cost/).
- **Headcount.** Is the group big enough for a truck's minimum to make sense?
- **Lead time.** Is there enough notice for a truck to plan staff and food? Two weeks or more is best.
- **Parking.** Is there a legal, flat spot for the truck to park and serve?
- **Location.** Is the event in a city where we have trucks?

Strong requests go straight to trucks. If yours is a tight fit, we'll suggest what tends to work: a guests-pay format, a smaller truck, a dessert or coffee truck, or a later date.

## How we use AI

Research and drafts on this site are prepared with AI tools under human editorial control. People on our team decide what we publish, check prices against their sources, and do every match by hand.

## Your details

Only our team and the trucks we match you with see your request. We never sell your data. Read our [privacy policy](/privacy/) and [terms](/terms/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Foodtruck List really free?

Yes. During our pilot it's free for hosts and for trucks. You pay the truck you book, at the price you agree with them.

### Does sending a request book a truck?

No. A request doesn't hold a date. You're booked once you accept a truck's quote and meet its deposit terms.

### Where do you match trucks?

Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles for now. If you're somewhere else, send a request anyway and we'll tell you what we can do.

Canonical: https://thegoodeatsguide.com/how-it-works/

Updated: 2026-09-26