Narrowed down the menu...

[kirstenb1]

OP, maybe you could consider just having Dickie's provide the BBQ? I'm just trying to picture how many pork butts you'd need to stockpile, and then cook etc.

I really do understand being on a budget, but my compromise is often to buy some prepared foods, and then do some myself.

 

[marcyinPA]

OP, maybe you could consider just having Dickie's provide the BBQ? I'm just trying to picture how many pork butts you'd need to stockpile, and then cook etc.

I really do understand being on a budget, but my compromise is often to buy some prepared foods, and then do some myself.

$13.99/lb. Checked into it already. That's about $12 more per pound than it would cost for me to make it. Eh- I think I'd rather slave over the oven for a while...

 

[marcyinPA]

Ok- question. Soda for the party. Cans or 2 liter bottles? I can get Coke products for 88c a bottle this week at Bottom Dollar. But when I go to a party, I prefer cans. I know people do either. Not sure which to do...

 

[kirstenb1]

Ok- question. Soda for the party. Cans or 2 liter bottles? I can get Coke products for 88c a bottle this week at Bottom Dollar. But when I go to a party, I prefer cans. I know people do either. Not sure which to do...

I might do 2 liters, and then some giant containers of lemonade or iced tea. With cans, I find after the party, I'm emptying out 50 cans of soda that each have a sip taken out of them, agghh!! But then you have to find space for ice buckets if you do 2 liters, which is also a pain. I think I've talked myself back into cans, lol!!!

 

[DebD4T]

I prefer cans, but they are a bit wasteful since people tend to drink some, put it down and forget about it.

With regards to the catering, I would cater for 50 people if you invited 100.

 

[marcyinPA]

I prefer cans, but they are a bit wasteful since people tend to drink some, put it down and forget about it.

With regards to the catering, I would cater for 50 people if you invited 100.

Is that pretty much the rule of thumb? About 1/2 show? I know people don't RSVP anymore, which is a bit frustrating. We have about 40 confirmed so far...party is July 13.

And I know what you mean about the cans. I need to think about this soon- sale ends Saturday and I can only buy 4 at a time. Need to send my friends in this week to help me out

 

[lovemygoofy]

I wouldn't serve sodas at all to be honest. If you are going to serve sodas, I would serve from 2 liters.

I would serve lemonade, tea(even flavored fresh fruit teas), water(fresh fruit water), and some fruit punch if you want.

So many drinks and food are wasted at parties that people will take a drink from a can and put it down and likely not get it again. It also cuts down on the amount of trash you have to clean up afterwards.

 

[Bob NC]

I feel like I say this on every food thread, but I would add a plain green salad. Everything on this list is very heavy, especially for summer.

Also salsa, guac, or blue cheese dip for the chips.

I feel like no matter how long the list of what someone says they are serving their guests, someone posts that it's not enough and they need to serve other stuff.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Is that pretty much the rule of thumb? About 1/2 show? I know people don't RSVP anymore, which is a bit frustrating. We have about 40 confirmed so far...party is July 13.

And I know what you mean about the cans. I need to think about this soon- sale ends Saturday and I can only buy 4 at a time. Need to send my friends in this week to help me out

My DW and I own a bunch of restaurants that do a lot of catering for graduation parties and while we're not active in their management, what we've learned from watching their operation is that at graduation parties people usually don't eat a lot because they are typically set up as open houses and people tend to drop in and then move on, versus a traditional party, e.g. a birthday or anniversary celebration, where people are there for a meal. As a result, our catering staff have learned they can close a lot of sales by helping people not "over order" which brings their price down compared with the bids from our competitors. But if your event will be an all-day party where people will expect to be fed a full meal, then you probably don't want to cut it super close. Again, however, people generally eat less at open houses than you'd expect, so think about your guests and plan accordingly.

 

[marcyinPA]

My DW and I own a bunch of restaurants that do a lot of catering for graduation parties and while we're not active in their management, what we've learned from watching their operation is that at graduation parties people usually don't eat a lot because they are typically set up as open houses and people tend to drop in and then move on, versus a traditional party, e.g. a birthday or anniversary celebration, where people are there for a meal. As a result, our catering staff have learned they can close a lot of sales by helping people not "over order" which brings their price down compared with the bids from our competitors. But if your event will be an all-day party where people will expect to be fed a full meal, then you probably don't want to cut it super close. Again, however, people generally eat less at open houses than you'd expect, so think about your guests and plan accordingly.

We worded the invite as an open house- come and go- from 4-8.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

We worded the invite as an open house- come and go- from 4-8.

I think people will eat less than you expect, but again, it's a game of budgetary chicken so only you can determine how comfortable you feel with potentially running low on food.

If your guest list is comprised of 100 high school football players, you may want to go heavy, but if it's a mix of 33 aunts, uncles and grandmas, 33 parents of high school friends, i.e. adults, and 33 high school grads with big appetites, don't aim your food ordering for 100 at the 33 big eaters! Average it out and remember that many will graze and a few won't eat at all...And so those people average out the five linebackers who will each take three sandwiches and half a bag of chips, so don't plan on three sandwiches and a half a bag of chips for 100 people. Unless you want massive leftovers.

Just my opinions from watching my staff make a lot of money sell catering by being honest with the customer.

 

[Janepod]

I feel like no matter how long the list of what someone says they are serving their guests, someone posts that it's not enough and they need to serve other stuff.

Yep. It's pretty much me saying I need a salad. Because I don't eat pork or starches.

But since the point of the post was to ask what was missing, I stand by my response.

 

[bedogged]

For my son's graduation party

I was going to have it catered by Dickie's BBQ, until I called for the price. $9.50 per person?! We are having close to 100 people. No way can we afford that, no matter how good it is, or how easy it would be. So, I will cook.

Pulled Pork with rolls and BBQ sauce
BBQ meatballs (the kind with the grape jelly/chili sauce)
Hot dogs cooked in the crock pot, with rolls and condiments
Pasta Salad
Cole Slaw
Potato salad
Baked beans
Chips
Philadelphia Pretzel "rivet" tray with dips
cheese tray
veggie tray
fruit tray
pickles and olives
assorted desserts (friends offered to bring)
cupcake tower with assorted decorated cupcakes
soda and water

Does this sound like enough food? Am I missing anything? Party is in July, food will be inside (air conditioned), party will be in and out (there is a pool where we are). I don't want to mess with dips and stuff- too hot. Time frame is 4pm-8pm.

I am trying to figure out how many pork butts to roast. We invited 100- but I haven't received a lot of responses yet. I am thinking 2- possibly 3. Not sure?!

It seems to me that my local Costco had discounted Dickie's BBQ gift cards. If that is the case, you could purchase those and use them to pay for the party. It would significantly reduce your cost. You might want to check into it?

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

By the way, I think the menu looks good. Sure, there are always things that can be added or subtracted, but you know your guests and so you should make those additions or subtractions based on what you think they'll want. The menu would certainly appeal to me for an "open house" type event.

 

[DebD4T]

Is that pretty much the rule of thumb? About 1/2 show? I know people don't RSVP anymore, which is a bit frustrating. We have about 40 confirmed so far...party is July 13.

And I know what you mean about the cans. I need to think about this soon- sale ends Saturday and I can only buy 4 at a time. Need to send my friends in this week to help me out

I don't think it's that only half will show, but not every one will come wanting to eat a full meal. Most will probably pick, especially if it is an open house. Maybe some will be party hopping and have already eaten. I know that will be the case with DD#1's graduation party next weekend.

 

[marcyinPA]

It seems to me that my local Costco had discounted Dickie's BBQ gift cards. If that is the case, you could purchase those and use them to pay for the party. It would significantly reduce your cost. You might want to check into it?

No Costco around here

 

[Katy Belle]

Sounds YUMMY! I'm hungry now! Have a great time!

 

[Social Worker Sue]

I feel like no matter how long the list of what someone says they are serving their guests, someone posts that it's not enough and they need to serve other stuff.

Well, the OP did ask "Does this sound like enough food? Am I missing anything?"

OP, it looks great to me. I do like a green salad myself. Something light. I always order salad trays from our local deli for events. They go very fast.

But if you decide against adding anything else, it still looks like a great menu!

 

[mjkacmom]

I feel like I say this on every food thread, but I would add a plain green salad. Everything on this list is very heavy, especially for summer.

Also salsa, guac, or blue cheese dip for the chips.

And dare I ask ... no beer/wine? Gotta have beer with pulled pork.

My first thoughts were where is the green salad, wine and beer (unless folks were asked to bring wine and beer - I'd still make some sangria and get a keg).

 

[marcyinPA]

My first thoughts were where is the green salad, wine and beer (unless folks were asked to bring wine and beer - I'd still make some sangria and get a keg).

I posted on page 2 I think....can't have alcohol at this place. Which is a bummer, because I like my adult beverages! But, my mom will have the "after party" at her place, where we will have plenty of cold ones. I will need it after this party is over!

oh, and veggie tray, green salad- same thing...LOL