Imagine the sweet aroma of freshly baked cupcakes, the tantalizing scent of warm waffles, or the irresistible allure of creamy, cold ice cream. Now, picture all of these delightful treats available right at your doorstep, served from a vibrant, bustling vehicle.
Over the past decade, dessert food trucks have revolutionized the culinary scene, bringing a unique blend of convenience, creativity, and mouth-watering flavors to streets across America. These mobile dessert trucks offer a diverse range of treats that cater to every sweet tooth, from traditional pastries to innovative dessert fusions.
Whether you’re a dessert aficionado seeking the next sugar rush or an entrepreneur looking for the next big thing in the food industry, dessert food trucks present an exciting opportunity. They offer a fresh, dynamic approach to enjoying and delivering desserts, transforming ordinary sweet treats into extraordinary culinary experiences. In the past, we covered some of the best japanese deserts you can find in NYC. In this post, we’ll talk about dessert food trucks and at the end – a list of some of our favorite dessert food trucks in NYC.
So, are you ready to embark on a delicious journey? Join us as we delve into the sweet world of popular food truck dessert, exploring their rise and popularity, the business side of running these mobile dessert paradises, and some of the top dessert food trucks that have captured New Yorker’s heart (and stomach!). Let’s get started!
The Business Side of Dessert Food Trucks
Operating a dessert food truck is an exciting venture, but it’s not without its complexities. Let’s delve into the financial aspects of running a dessert food truck, from rental costs to factors that influence these prices, and explore some alternatives to traditional food truck catering.
The Cost of Renting a Dessert Food Truck
Renting a dessert food truck for a party or special events is a popular trend, but the costs can vary significantly based on several factors. On average, the rental cost for a dessert food truck, such as an ice cream truck, can range from $800 to $1,500 for an event. The per-guest pricing typically falls between $10 and $25 per person. However, these costs can fluctuate depending on the location, type of dessert offered, and the popularity of the food truck.
For instance, if you’re hosting a party for 80 guests and you want an ice cream truck that charges $10 per person, you’ll meet the minimum cost of $800. If you have fewer guests, say 50 people, you’ll still need to pay the minimum of $800. It’s also important to note that additional fees may be included, such as service fees, state taxes, and travel fees. Beverage costs are usually separate and can range from $1-$5 per person.
Factors That Affect Food Truck Rental Prices
Several factors can influence the cost of renting a dessert food truck. Here are a few key considerations:
- Type of Event: The nature of the event and the anticipated number of guests can significantly impact the rental cost. For instance, corporate events that require multiple food trucks will likely have a higher cost per person.
- Location: The location of your event can also affect the rental cost. Major cities like New York and Chicago tend to be more expensive due to city restrictions. The distance a truck needs to travel can also influence the cost.
- Date of the Event: The date of your event can impact the cost. During popular holidays or peak seasons, zwide range of trucks get booked, leading to increased prices.
- Duration of the Event: The length of your event and the time the truck is needed on-site can also affect the cost. Most food truck caterings last 2 hours, regardless of how long your event is. If the truck is needed for longer than 2 hours, or if the event is late-night, additional fees may apply.
- Popularity of the Food Truck: The popularity of the food truck you want to rent can significantly impact the cost. More famous food trucks often have higher rental minimums.
Alternatives to Food Truck Catering
If you’re looking for more affordable catering options, consider booking a food cart instead of a food truck. Not only are they a cost-effective alternative, but food carts can also fit into smaller spaces, indoors, and in backyards. For example, the average prices to rent a food cart for catering can range from $300-$800, depending on the type of delicious food offered. If you’re considering this option, you might also be interested in exploring some of the best tools for making desserts, like this top-rated crepe pan that could help you create delicious treats.
Best Dessert Food Trucks in New York
1. Wafels & Dinges
Wafels & Din
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ges is a awesome food truck in New York City that specializes in authentic Belgian waffles. Founded by Thomas DeGeest, a former IBM consultant from Belgium, Wafels & Dinges has been serving up delicious waffles since 2007. The truck offers a wide variety of toppings, or “dinges” as they call them, including whipped cream, strawberries, and their famous spekuloos cookie spread.
Location: Various locations around NYC, click here for the current locations.
Top Dishes: The “WMD” (Wafel of Massive Deliciousness) which is a waffle with your choice of dinges (toppings).
Prices: $7 for a waffle with one topping, additional toppings are $1 each.
Opening Hours: Varies depending on location
2. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
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Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is a beloved food truck that serves artisanal ice cream made from scratch in New York City since 2008. They offer a variety of unique flavors, including vegan options. Started by brothers Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and friend Laura O’Neill, the company has grown from a single buttery yellow truck in Brooklyn to 22 scoop shops in NYC and LA, and their products can be found in 700 grocery stores across 35 states. Despite their growth, they have remained committed to their original mission of creating high-quality ice cream with exceptional ingredients, free of stabilizers, gums, corn syrup, milk powder, and condensed milk.
Location: Various locations around NYC, click here for the current locations.
Top Dishes: Honeycomb, Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Prices: $5.50 for a single scoop, $7.50 for a double scoop.
Opening Hours: Varies depending on location
3. Big Gay Ice Cream
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Big Gay Ice Cream started as a seasonal food truck in 2009 and quickly gained popularity, earning accolades as one of the best ice cream parlors and food trucks in the country. The founders, Douglas Quint and Bryan Petroff, have since expanded the business to multiple storefronts in New York City and Philadelphia. They have also taken the ice cream truck on tours across the country and put on Big Gay Ice Cream pop-ups at festivals around the world.
Location: Various locations around NYC, click here for the current locations.
Top Dishes: The “Salty Pimp” which is vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt, and a chocolate dip.
Prices: $5-$7 for cones and sundaes.
Opening Hours: Varies depending on location
4. Chip City
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Chip City Cookies is a breathtaking food truck Desert in New York, known for its hand-crafted, ooey-gooey cookies. With multiple locations across the city and a rotating menu of 18 flavors, they offer a fresh and exciting experience for cookie lovers. Their standout Chocolate Chip Cookie is a must-try. They also provide nationwide shipping for those outside New York.
Location: Various locations around NYC, click here for the current locations.
Price: Varies by cookie type
Top Dish: The Chocolate Chip Cookie and the unique weekly rotating flavors
Opening Hours: Varies depending on location
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, dessert food trucks have made a significant impact on the culinary world, revolutionizing the way we enjoy and experience desserts. These mobile delights have brought gourmet treats to the streets, making them accessible, affordable, and exciting for food enthusiasts.
They have fostered a culture of innovation and provided a platform for culinary entrepreneurs to showcase their creativity. The future of dessert food trucks looks bright, with the potential for more diverse and innovative dessert options. As we continue to embrace the convenience and mobility of food, these trucks will undoubtedly play a prominent role in shaping the dessert landscape, bringing sweetness and joy to communities around the world.
Anthony is a passionate food enthusiast living in the bustling food scene of New York City. With an insatiable curiosity for culinary exploration, he loves exploring the city’s diverse eateries, seeking out unique flavors and sharing his gastronomic adventures with fellow food lovers.
