What to Expect From Backyard Taco Catering

Planning food for a group should not feel complicated.

Whether you are feeding an office, school, team, wedding party, family gathering, or community event, Backyard Taco catering makes it easy to serve fresh Mexican food with bold flavor, generous portions, and options your guests can customize.

From taco bars and burrito trays to boxed meals, chips and salsa, drinks, dessert, and event setup options, Backyard Taco brings the same mesquite-grilled flavor people love in our restaurants to gatherings of all kinds.

Because let’s be honest: any event gets better when tacos al carbón show up.

Why Catering Is Part of the Backyard Taco Story

Backyard Taco started with family, friends, and fresh tacos cooked in the backyard.

Before there were multiple Backyard Taco restaurants across Arizona, Ruben and Marisela Alvarez were cooking tacos al carbón over mesquite and sharing that food with the people around them. In fact, catering was part of the story from the very beginning. The Alvarez family catered an event for Tyler Robison, where Steve Beck attended and helped connect the vision for what would eventually become Backyard Taco.

So when we say catering is part of who we are, we mean it.

The same authentic mesquite-grilled flavor that started in the backyard is still what makes Backyard Taco catering special today. Whether you are planning a small team lunch or a larger celebration, our goal is simple: make the food fresh, flavorful, and Mexcellent.

Not Sure What to Order? Start Here

If you are planning catering and are not sure which option fits your event, here is a quick guide.

Feeding a larger crowd?
Choose the Taco Bar.

Planning an office lunch or staff meal?
Try boxed meals or burrito trays.

Need easy grab-and-go meals?
Boxed meals are a great fit.

Hosting a casual party at home?
Add family packs, chips and salsa, drinks, and flan.

Want guests to build their own plates?
The Taco Bar gives everyone more ways to customize.

Planning a wedding, party, school event, or larger celebration?
Ask about delivery, setup, patio hosting, or on-site catering options when available.

If you already know what you want, you can explore Backyard Taco catering options and start planning your order. If you need help deciding, our team can help you choose the setup that makes the most sense for your event, headcount, and location.

The Taco Bar: Backyard Taco’s Most Popular Catering Option

The Taco Bar is one of the most popular Backyard Taco catering options, and for good reason. It gives your guests the chance to build their own tacos with fresh meats, tortillas, toppings, salsa, and sides.

It is flavorful, flexible, and perfect for groups that want a true Backyard Taco experience.

Best For:

What’s Included:

The Taco Bar typically includes:

Choose Your Meats

Backyard Taco catering offers a variety of carnes al carbón so your guests can enjoy the flavors they love most.

Options may include:

The meat is the heart of the Taco Bar, but the toppings and salsas are where guests get to make each taco their own.

Tortilla Options

Guests can choose from:

This gives your group more flexibility and helps accommodate different preferences.

Toppings and Salsa Bar Options

A Backyard Taco Taco Bar is not complete without the salsa and toppings.

Depending on your order, catering salsa and topping options may include:

The salsa bar gives your guests options for every spice level. Some people like it mild and fresh. Some go smoky. Some go straight for the heat. We respect all salsa strategies.

Burrito Trays for Offices, Teams, and Easy Group Meals

Burrito trays are another great catering option, especially when you want something simple, filling, and easy to serve.

They work well for office lunches, team meals, staff meetings, and events where guests want a complete meal without building tacos one by one.

Best For:

Why Guests Love Burrito Trays

Burrito trays are:

Available burrito options may include:

Depending on your order, you may also be able to request salsa bar favorites or add extra salsas to enjoy with your burrito trays.

Boxed Meals for Grab-and-Go Catering

If your event needs individually packaged meals, Backyard Taco boxed meals are a smart choice.

Boxed meals are especially helpful when you are feeding people in a setting where space, timing, or setup is limited. They are easy to distribute, easy to plan around, and great for groups that need to stay on schedule.

Best For:

Why Boxed Meals Work

Boxed meals can help make catering easier because they are:

Boxed meal options may include:

Depending on your order, you may also be able to add individually packed salsa bar items like guacamole salsa, jalapeño salsa, or other favorites.

A La Carte Catering Items and Add-Ons

Sometimes you need a full catering spread. Other times, you just need a few extras to complete the meal.

Backyard Taco offers a variety of a la carte catering items and add-ons to help you customize your order.

A la carte options may include:

Family Packs

Family packs can be a great option for smaller groups, casual gatherings, or anyone who wants to add more tacos to an existing order.

They are also helpful when you want a simple way to feed a group without ordering a full Taco Bar setup.

Beans and Rice

Need extra sides? Beans and rice trays can help round out the meal and give guests more to enjoy with their tacos, burritos, or plates.

Chips and Secret Chip Salsa

Do not overlook the chips and secret chip salsa.

They are a great appetizer, add-on, or snack for the group. Just be careful: guests may start filling up before the main meal even begins.

Cheese and Sour Cream

Cheese and sour cream are easy add-ons that give guests even more ways to customize their meals. They are also helpful for balancing out spicier salsas.

Don’t Forget Drinks and Dessert

If you are already planning food for a group, drinks and dessert can help complete the event without adding another stop to your to-do list.

Drink Options May Include:

Aguas frescas are especially popular for events because they are refreshing, flavorful, and pair perfectly with tacos al carbón.

Dessert

Backyard Taco also offers housemade flan for catering.

Flan is a classic way to end a Mexican meal, especially when your guests have already enjoyed tacos, salsa, chips, and all the extras.

Pickup, Delivery, Setup, and Event Options

Backyard Taco catering can work for many different types of events, whether you want to pick up your food, have it delivered, or plan a more complete setup.

Depending on your order, location, and event needs, catering options may include:

For some events, pickup may be the easiest option. For others, delivery and setup can help make the day smoother.

If you are planning a larger event, wedding, office meal, school event, or community gathering, it is always a good idea to contact Backyard Taco ahead of time so the team can help recommend the best catering setup.

Catering for Weddings, Parties, and Larger Event

Backyard Taco catering is not just for office lunches.

Our catering options can work for all kinds of events, including:

For larger or more customized events, the best approach is to contact the Backyard Taco team ahead of time. Let us know your headcount, event type, date, location, and any special requests so we can help you plan the best option.

Host Your Group at Backyard Taco

Not every event needs catering delivered somewhere else.

Sometimes, the easiest option is to bring your group to Backyard Taco.

All seven Backyard Taco locations offer dine-in patio seating, and groups can reserve patio space for free for certain gatherings and events. This can be a great option for team parties, school groups, family celebrations, church groups, club meetups, fundraisers, and community events.

Some groups have even used our patios for Dining to Donate fundraisers, school events, student performances, and community nights. When a group brings in live music or a school jazz band, the gathering becomes more than dinner. It becomes a fun way for family, friends, and supporters to come together.

Our patios are also dog-friendly, so your four-legged familia is welcome to join you outside. During the hotter months, patios may include fans and misters to help keep guests more comfortable. In cooler weather, heaters are also available.

If your group is interested in reserving patio space, contact Backyard Taco ahead of time so the team can confirm the best location, availability, and setup for your gathering.

What Customers Are Saying

Backyard Taco catering is made to be fresh, flavorful, and easy to enjoy. But do not just take our word for it.

Customers have shared that they love:

Here are a few things catering customers have said:

How to Order Backyard Taco Catering

Ready to plan your catering order?

Start by reviewing the Backyard Taco catering options and choosing the path that fits your event.

For quick catering orders, you can use the current online catering order path when available.

For custom events, larger orders, patio events, or questions, submit a catering inquiry or contact the Backyard Taco team directly.

To help us recommend the best setup, include:

Whether you need a Taco Bar, burrito trays, boxed meals, drinks, dessert, or a more customized catering setup, Backyard Taco is ready to help make your event Mexcellent.

Explore Backyard Taco catering today and let us help feed your crew.

*Editor’s Note: This article was originally published March, 2025 and has been updated July, 2026.