Catering & events
Real Vietnamese food for the days that matter. Weddings, reunions, work lunches, birthdays, and everything in between.
Tam has been cooking this food since she was a girl in Vietnam, eight years in Oregon and now here in McAlester. Same kitchen, same standards. For bigger events we bring the truck out and cook on site. For smaller ones we cook on the truck and deliver it to you. No MSG, no microwaves.
Start your event See the full menu
Catering details last updated .
What we bring
Our catering menu is a little tighter than what we serve at the window, and that is on purpose. We build it around the dishes that hold their heat and still taste right an hour into service.
Entrees
Fried rice (Cơm chiên) and stir fry (Mì xào) are our workhorses. Both do well in a chafing dish, both feed a crowd, and both take a protein swap without a fuss.
Appetizers
Just about all of them travel. Rocket shrimp, crab rangoon, potstickers, crispy rolls (Chả giò), and kimchi wontons all hold up beautifully.
The one thing we will not cater is the fresh salad rolls (Gỏi cuốn). They are meant to be eaten within the hour of rolling them, and we would rather tell you no than serve you a sad one.
Something else in mind
Ask. We build custom menus for events that call for it, and a custom menu is usually how a plated dinner comes together. Tell us the crowd on the form and we will tell you straight what will land.
Vegetarian dishes go on every menu we build. Put allergies in the comments box when you book and we will work around them.
Catering or vending, which one you want
Our form asks you this, so here is what we mean by each.
Catering. You pay for the food, your guests eat free. Best for weddings, receptions, company lunches, and anything where you are the host.
Vending. We park the truck at your event and your guests buy their own. Best for festivals, ball games, markets, and long days where folks drift in and out.
Not sure which one fits? Say so in the comments box on the form and we will sort it out with you.
How many folks we can feed
25 to 35 guests, we deliver
We cook everything on the truck at our spot and bring it to you by car, hot and ready to serve. No truck to park, no setup on your end.
50 to 75 guests, we bring the truck
Past about 35 people we need the truck on site so we can cook through the event instead of all at once. That is where the food is at its best.
Seventy-five is a comfort zone, not a hard ceiling. If your group is bigger, ask anyway and we will tell you honestly whether we can do it right.
Straight talk: even at 50 to 75, there can still be a wait at the window. Everything is cooked to order and we are not going to rush it. If a fast line matters more than cooked-to-order, tell us up front and we will plan for chafers instead.
What it costs
Most events run $15 to $25 per guest.
Where you land in that range depends on how many dishes you want, whether you add appetizers, and whether we are cooking on site or dropping it off.
Minimums
$300 for delivery inside McAlester. We cook everything on the truck at our spot and bring it to you.
$500 anytime we bring the truck out to your event.
Travel
Outside McAlester adds $50 to $100, depending on how far we are going.
Deposit and balance
Your deposit is the minimum for your event, so $300 for a McAlester delivery or $500 if we are bringing the truck. It holds your date and it comes straight off the final bill. The balance is due the day of the event.
You get a written quote before anything is locked in. No surprises on the invoice.
Where we travel
We are based in McAlester and get out to Checotah, Stigler, Wilburton, and Hartshorne regularly.
We like to stay inside about 80 miles of McAlester. Farther than that, ask anyway. Sometimes the date and the drive work out.
Anywhere outside McAlester adds a travel charge of $50 to $100 depending on the distance. We tell you the number in your quote, before you commit to anything.
What we need from your venue
Nothing complicated. It just helps to know ahead of time.
Space
A flat spot about 40 feet by 15 feet, with room to open the service window on the right side of the truck.
Power
A 50 amp outlet is what we would rather use. If you do not have one, we run off our own generator just fine. One thing to know: on generator power the truck stays hooked up and running the whole time, so we need to hold that spot for all of service.
Water
We bring our own. If you have a spigot nearby, even better.
Setup time
We need to get to the spot 1 to 2 hours before service.
Indoors
If the truck cannot come inside, we set up chafing dishes and run it buffet style.
How to book us
- Fill out the form below. It is the fastest way to reach us and it asks us everything we need to quote you. A phone call means we end up asking you all of it anyway.
- We get back to you in 24 to 48 hours with questions and a rough number.
- We build the menu together. You tell us about the crowd, we tell you what will land.
- A deposit holds your date. $300 for a McAlester delivery, $500 if we are bringing the truck. It comes off your final bill.
- We show up early, cook, feed everybody, and clean up after ourselves.
Give us two to three weeks if you can. Wedding season and the holidays fill up first. If your date is sooner, still ask.
Common questions
How much does Hungry Lotus catering cost?
Most events run $15 to $25 per guest. There is a $300 minimum for delivery inside McAlester and a $500 minimum anytime we bring the truck out. Traveling outside McAlester adds $50 to $100 depending on distance. Your deposit is that minimum, it holds your date, and it comes off the final bill. The balance is due the day of the event.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks is what we like. Wedding season and the holidays go first, but ask anyway if your date is sooner.
Do you cater outside McAlester?
Yes. We travel to Checotah, Stigler, Wilburton, and Hartshorne regularly, and we will go up to about 80 miles from McAlester. Outside McAlester adds a travel charge of $50 to $100 depending on the distance.
Can you cater a wedding?
Yes, and we do. Up to 75 guests is comfortable for us.
Do you provide plates, utensils, and napkins?
We can bring paper plates, utensils, and napkins if you need them. Just say so on the form.
Do you have vegetarian options for catering?
Yes. Vegetarian dishes go on every menu we build. Put any allergies in the comments box when you book and we will work around them.
What if I have to cancel because of weather?
Tell us at least two days before your event and we will work with you on rescheduling. We cannot cancel day of, and a day-of cancellation means your deposit is not refunded. We have already bought your food and blocked the date by then.
What is the difference between catering and vending?
With catering, you pay for the food and your guests eat free. With vending, we park the truck and guests buy their own. Catering suits weddings and company lunches. Vending suits festivals and long events.
Tell us about your event
Fill this out and we will be in touch within 24 to 48 hours. The more you tell us in the comments box, the better the first number we send you will be.
Rather talk it through? Call us at (918) 429-5827. The form still gets us there faster.
