Birthday BBQ, does this seem cheap?

[britfish]

We are having a family party for DD. This usually means about 10-15 family members attend. Instead of doing hot dogs and hamburgers we were thinking of doing a hot dog bar. Like having hot dogs and then set up fixings of sauerkraut, chili, cheese, onions, etc.. We have a few vegeterians so we could do veggie dogs for them. I don't want to seem cheap but when we do hamburgers and dogs or chicken everyone seems to want one of everything. I thought it might be more budget and streamlined if we stuck with one food and then the sides (and we will have salads too). Or we could add brats too? I just don't want people to leave hungry. What do you think?

 

[mjantz]

I think that sounds fine. Everyone is trying to scale back these days & I think as long as it's presented nicely it will be fine. I'd like it!

 

[phred52]

Sounds like a terrific idea to me. Plenty if 'fixings' and veggie dogs for those who want.... perfect!

 

[luvmy3]

I wouldn't consider it cheap, its a cute idea, but I would offer another meat option. I know alot of people who don't eat hot-dogs.

 

[Shleedogg]

It doesn't seem cheap, just inconsiderate. As a child of vegetarians and a former one myself, I think you need a better option than a veggie dog. Have you ever tried one? I did last summer, they're disgusting. Also, there are many vegetarians who don't want to eat things that try to taste like meat, I know my parents don't. As a result they will only eat "Garden Burgers." I agree with them that they are the best veggie burger, Bocas and other brands really don't taste very good.

I think for the meat eaters its a good idea though. If it was me though I'd opt for burgers instead. I think there are more fun toppings options and I do know quite a few people who won't eat hot dogs.

 

[teacup princess]

Throw in some brats and maybe for one of your salad offerings some sort of grilled chicken salad and I think you'll be fine.

 

[dward1961]

How about a taco bar, for those who choose not to eat meat, they can make a taco salad......

 

[SeansMom]

It doesn't seem cheap, just inconsiderate. As a child of vegetarians and a former one myself, I think you need a better option than a veggie dog. Have you ever tried one? I did last summer, they're disgusting. Also, there are many vegetarians who don't want to eat things that try to taste like meat, I know my parents don't. As a result they will only eat "Garden Burgers." I agree with them that they are the best veggie burger, Bocas and other brands really don't taste very good.

I think for the meat eaters its a good idea though. If it was me though I'd opt for burgers instead. I think there are more fun toppings options and I do know quite a few people who won't eat hot dogs.

I agree that veggie dogs taste awful..even my very non-picky child refused to eat them. I'd go for another option with either chicken or no meat. I like the chicken salad idea. Or maybe a mexican bean based dish you could "reserve" for family who doesn't eat meat?

 

[kollerbear]

Throw in some brats and maybe for one of your salad offerings some sort of grilled chicken salad and I think you'll be fine.

I agree with this, but you could even make the salad kind of make-your-own? You could still do it quite cheaply. Boil up a cheap package of cheese tortellini, maybe grill up a breast or two of chicken if you like (although I would think that would lead to people asking for grilled chicken, so maybe don't do that), and offer both as toppings alongside other salad crudites like cucumber and red pepper, and maybe even a can of rinsed black beans or chick peas.This way vegetarians would have another option besides veggie dogs. Add some shredded cheese, and you have a DELICIOUS salad bar with sources of protein for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, and you can do for pretty cheap.

I'm a vegetarian. I agree with the previous poster, I don't like them very much and I prefer Garden Burgers. HOWEVER I don't think it's inconsiderate at all to get veggie dogs, esp. if you're serving hot dogs as the theme of your meal and have a decent salad option, too. A lot of vegetarians who don't like certain products are still grateful that a non-vegetarian has bought an item and created demand for it. I am just grateful when people think of me--I don't expect them to bend over backwards to cater to my preferences, just like it would be inconsiderate to go to a BBQ and expect the host to have picked a certain brand of hot dog.

That having been said, just as you wouldn't be offended if a meat-eater doesn't care for something you've chosen (just like some meat eaters might not prefer bratwurst), don't be offended if the vegetarians opt out of the veggie dogs and choose the salad. You had gone out of your way to give them an option, and that's good of you to have done, but they might prefer a salad, and that shouldn't be offensive. There's nothing more annoying to hear, after I've only eaten one or two Boca burgers, than "Geez, what am I gonna DO with the REST of these!!" (If you don't care for them, it's polite to offer the vegetarian guest the extras to take home, but if they decline, DON'T keep pushing.)

 

[kollerbear]

Also-- I don't know if they sell them near you, but Morningstar Farms makes an Italian Sausage product that tastes delicious with onions and peppers. It would be a good alternative to the veggie dog.

 

[britfish]

I love the tortellini salad idea!

 

[WeekdayDisneyland]

I love it and it doesn't seem cheap at all! For variety, I would offer brats and an easy vegetarian option (do you have a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods nearby?) along side the regular hot dogs.

I second the tortellini salad idea if you don't have access to a store that sells good vegetarian products.

 

[Pigeon]

Honestly, yes, it does seem cheap.

 

[krcit]

There's 5 in my family and 2 of us wouldn't eat a hot dog if you paid us. Not vegetarian just anti hot dog

 

[kennethsrib]

I don't think its cheap to focus on one protein and make it spectacular. However, if you want more people to be happy, you would either need to serve a very high quality beef hot dog with no preservatives, or choose to serve chicken ( which honestly would be comparable in price at that point). Grilled marinated boneless chicken breast,on rolls with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, maybe a chipotle sauce instead of mayo, and salads like you originally planned would be great. Include salads that your vegetarian family would like, maybe three bean salad? a tossed salad with hard boiled eggs for protein might be an idea too. a pasta salad with tricolor peppers, a marinated cucumber salad? Hope this helps.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

I don't think it is cheap at all. I don't know what to suggest for the vegetarians...thankfully we don't have any in my family.

 

[luckyfin]

I don't think it seems cheap at all. Maybe offer italian sausages, as well. I don't think that you can please everyone no matter what you serve. As a vegetarian, I don't find this even a little bit inconsiderate. Make a big pasta salad and another vegetable side and call it a day.

On a side note- I really don't like vegetarian hot dogs. If you are a vegetarian and haven't had the pleasure of a carrot dog, google it. You eat it right in a hot dog bun like a regular hot dog. Delish!

 

[fakereadhed]

It's your party- serve what you want! I would never go to a party and expect people to cater to me. I would never ever think that someone was cheap based on what they serve. If they do, that's their problem. And if I wasn't a carnivore, I would think it considerate that the hostess thought of me and served veggie dogs.

Yes, I HAVE tried them, and they are terrible, and it is fine to tell the OP your opinion in case she didn't know, but she wasn't inconsiderate to think of serving them. She was trying to come up with a vegetarian option and that was very considerate!

 

[mombrontrent]

I am a vegetarian and happen to like veggie dogs They taste good to me! I think your idea sounds great and isn't cheap at all. You can't always please everyone but it sounds like you are doing a great job trying. The hotdogs, veggies dogs, toppings bar and a couple salads sounds like plenty to me.

 

[ilovemk76]

It doesn't seem cheap, just inconsiderate. As a child of vegetarians and a former one myself, I think you need a better option than a veggie dog. Have you ever tried one? I did last summer, they're disgusting. Also, there are many vegetarians who don't want to eat things that try to taste like meat, I know my parents don't. As a result they will only eat "Garden Burgers." I agree with them that they are the best veggie burger, Bocas and other brands really don't taste very good.

I think for the meat eaters its a good idea though. If it was me though I'd opt for burgers instead. I think there are more fun toppings options and I do know quite a few people who won't eat hot dogs.

ITA

I will eat hot dogs but only a few. Most are just gross to me. I find that many serve the cheap ones and I don't touch them.

My DH who loves hot dogs bought veggie dogs to try. He threw them out.

When we have a party variety is a must. No two families eat exactly the same way. I also make sure the vegetarians who attend have a few choices too.