A Long Tradition of
Catering Large Events
The man behind the logo, Charles “Jug” Eckert started his catering career feeding co-workers and friends in the small garage in which he worked. People enjoyed his cooking. Word spread and soon, his services were being sought for picnics and barbecues.
In 1967, Jug bought a used truck and converted it into his first mobile kitchen, capable of serving as many as 3,000 people. With ovens, cookers, refrigeration and more, a catering business was born, one that would gain state-wide fame for food quality, service and value.
Jug enjoyed personal recognition, too, as people appreciated the man who invented a new way of feeding people. Among the hundreds of accolades, Jug was named a Sagamore of the Wabash (Indiana’s highest honor bestowed by the governor), received the Horatio Alger Award honoring hard work, integrity and perseverance, as well as multiple awards from charitable organizations which Jug sponsored. A big man with a big heart, he believed in giving back to his community.
Jug’s Catering has likewise been rewarded with recognition, having been named “Indy’s Top Caterer” and “Preferred Caterer of the IMS Museum.”
Today Jug’s can serve thousands (5,000+/day during events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway!). In fact, Jug’s recently served nearly a quarter million meals during a two-day event in downtown Indy.
Putting the “family” in family business, catering is in the DNA of Jug’s, as second- and third-generation Eckerts keep the vision alive and growing. Family-owned and operated since its inception, Jug’s has continued to evolve as each generation adds novel ideas and approaches to satisfy the ever-changing appetites of people in Indiana. Yet with all the changes over the years, Jug’s belief in treating people fairly and feeding them well has remained steadfast and in place.
Now with 57 vehicles in their large fleet, Jug’s has the capacity of serving events of virtually any size. Recognized as one of Indiana’s best caterers, Jug’s has fed millions over the past 55+ years, with an ongoing presence at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other large sporting events. Virtually every large-scale sporting competition hosted in Indiana will find Jug’s people doling out tasty, nutritious goodness, prepared on-site.
Notable events through the years include:
- Indy 500 races (1972-present)
- Pan-Am Games (1987)
- PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in Carmel (1991)
- Brickyard 400 (inaugural event in 1994-present)
- The first F1 Race at IMS (2000)
- Superbowl (2007)
- NBA Finals (2025)
And the list continues to grow!
