Whether you're planning a wedding reception, a corporate lunch, a ward party, or a backyard gathering, finding the right food is the decision everyone remembers. Provo's catering landscape ranges from restaurant drop-off orders to full-service caterers who handle everything from setup to cleanup. Here's how to navigate it.
Restaurant Catering
The easiest and most affordable option for most events. Several Provo restaurants handle large orders with advance notice.
Café Rio / Costa Vida
$10-14/person · Mexican · Multiple Locations
The default catering choice for office lunches, ward activities, and casual gatherings in Utah Valley. Both chains offer catering trays of burritos, bowls, salad bars, chips and salsa, and sides. The food travels well, the setup is simple (trays and serving utensils provided), and the per-person cost is hard to beat. Café Rio's sweet pork is the most-requested catering item in Provo by a wide margin.
Best for: Office lunches, casual parties, events over 20 people. Lead time: 24-48 hours for standard orders.
Brick Oven / Nicolitalia
$8-12/person · Pizza
Pizza is the universal crowd-pleaser, and both Brick Oven and Nicolitalia handle large orders for events. Delivery of multiple pizzas with salad and breadsticks creates an easy, no-fuss setup. The per-person cost is the lowest of any quality catering option.
Best for: Kids' parties, casual gatherings, student events, budget-conscious hosts. Lead time: Same-day possible for smaller orders, 24 hours for large events.
Bombay House
$14-18/person · Indian
Indian food caters exceptionally well — curries, naan, rice, and vegetable dishes hold temperature, serve easily from trays, and accommodate vegetarian guests without requiring separate ordering. Bombay House offers catering platters that deliver the same quality as their dining room at scale.
Best for: Events where you want something different, groups with vegetarian members. Lead time: 48 hours recommended.
Cubby's
$12-16/person · Burgers & Chicago Beef
Cubby's catering brings their quality burgers and Italian beef sandwiches to events. The Chicago beef sandwich tray is a crowd-pleaser for groups who want something more substantial than sandwiches but more casual than a plated dinner.
Best for: Game-day parties, office lunches, casual events.
Food Truck Catering
Hiring a food truck for your event adds entertainment value — guests watch their food being made, the format is inherently social, and the variety of available cuisines means you can match the truck to your event's personality.
How it works: Contact trucks directly through social media or local food truck directories. Most charge $12-$18 per person with minimum headcount requirements (usually 50-75 people). The truck handles everything — setup, cooking, serving, and cleanup.
Best for: Outdoor events, weddings with a casual vibe, company picnics, graduation parties.
Book early: Popular trucks book up 2-4 weeks in advance during summer event season. For wedding-season dates (May-September), book 4-8 weeks ahead.
Full-Service Catering
For weddings, formal corporate events, and occasions where you want someone else to handle everything — menu planning, food prep, service staff, setup, and cleanup — full-service caterers are the way to go.
What to Expect
Pricing: $25-$75+ per person depending on menu complexity, service style (buffet vs. plated), staffing, and event size. Plated dinners with service staff cost more than buffet-style setups.
Tastings: Most full-service caterers offer tastings before booking. Take advantage of this — it's the best way to evaluate quality and discuss your vision.
Minimum headcounts: Many caterers require minimums of 50-100 guests for full-service events. Smaller events may be better served by restaurant catering.
Finding Caterers
The Knot and WeddingWire list Utah Valley caterers with reviews and pricing ranges for wedding-specific catering.
Venue recommendations: If you've booked a reception venue, ask for their preferred caterer list. Venues often have established relationships with caterers who know their kitchen and setup.
Word of mouth: In Provo's tight-knit community, asking recently married friends, family, and ward members for caterer recommendations yields the most honest reviews.
Catering for Specific Events
Ward parties and church events: Café Rio or Costa Vida trays are the standard. Pizza from Brick Oven is the budget option. For potluck-style events, coordinate dishes through the activities committee and supplement with one or two catered items.
Office lunches: Café Rio, Cubby's, or pizza delivery. For client-facing events, consider Bombay House or a food truck for a more memorable impression.
Wedding receptions: Full-service caterers for formal events. Food trucks for casual outdoor receptions. Restaurant catering works for smaller, budget-conscious receptions.
Graduation parties: Food trucks are the ideal format — they handle everything outdoors, guests serve themselves, and the casual atmosphere fits the celebration.
Related Guides
- 25 Best Restaurants in Provo
- Best Group Dining Restaurants
- Best Food Trucks in Provo
- Best Pizza in Provo & Orem
Last updated: May 2026. Pricing is approximate — contact caterers directly for current quotes.