Birthday BBQ, does this seem cheap?

[HookdonWDW]

Another not-a-vegetarian-but-not-a-hot-dog-eater here. I will very occassionally eat an all beef, preservative and nitrate free, no filler dog (is that picky enough???) but not on a regular basis. With that said, as long as you offered some type of salad, I wouldn't be upset. I'd just fill up on that. I know that my diet is a little "different" from the norm, and I usually bring a dish with me (pasta or fruit salad) that I know I will eat. I think you will find that most people on a restrictive diet will do the same.

Enjoy the birthday party!

 

[Lees3rwe]

Wow... I have to admit, I am kind of surprised at some of the comments.

I don't think it sounds cheap and I think you are very considerate to be planning for the vegetarians at the event.

I think you CAN get the boxes of frozen burgers at Sam's Club for not much more than hotdogs. (If you wanted to try a burger bar instead).

I hope you have a fun party.

 

[Colleen27]

I do think you need to offer more than just hot dogs and veggie dogs simply because a lot of non-vegetarians don't eat hot dogs, especially if you're going with the cheapie version. And plenty of vegetarians don't care for "fake meat" products.

An inexpensive way to shore up the offerings might be baked potatoes with a nice array of 'fixins', since that can make a second entree option by the time you add chili, bacon bits (or Bac-Os, which are meatless), cheese, sour cream, chives, etc. Since a lot of the toppings overlap it isn't a huge additional amount of work or money, and it gives a better option than veggie dogs for the vegetarians as well as something for meat-eaters who just don't care for hot dogs.

 

[luvmy3]

OP you can do chicken and veggie kabobs, and just a veggie kabobs. That would still be very budget friendly and give non hot dog eaters and vegetarians other options.

 

[swilshire]

I'm not sure you'll come out much cheaper. Good hotdogs cost a mint. Even on BOGOF they aren't cheap. If you don't have the burgers, the men may eat three hotdogs instead. Buy lots!

Sheila

 

[nsmith]

It doesn't seem cheap, just inconsiderate.

Whuck???

 

[nsmith]

I do this every Halloween and the guests I invite look forward to it every year. I love hotdogs but don't indulge very often. These are some of the toppings I provide:

Hot "spicy" canned chili
spicy nacho cheese dip
french's french fried onion

coleslaw
sauerkraut
difference types of mustard
relish
pickles

hot peppers

onions raw and cooked
salsa
shredded cheese

serve w/ a green salad and a starchy salad (potato, tortelli)

 

[mom2val]

2

 

[RooRach0906]

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?

I think it is a wonderful idea! It would be fine! In fact I went to a Family Birthday Party today that just served Hot Dogs with chili and relish being the only topping besides ketchup and mustard and the only sides were chips and I was good with that, so yours sounds awesome!

 

[richmond282]

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.

Really only YOU know if your family is going to think this is cheap, but I think it's a great idea. And, honestly, it's your party and you should serve whatever YOU want.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

IMO, the OP is not inviting aquaintences that she doesn't know well. We're talking FAMILY members that I would assume she has spent time with. I love the hotdog bar idea along with the baked potatoes and some salads. I wouldn't think you were trying to be cheap, just a little creative!

 

[amamax2]

I agree with the PP, the OP said it is family members and that she always serves hot dogs and hamburgers, every one wants one of each, so sounds like her family has no problem eating hot dogs!

OP, I love the idea - I think it sounds very creative and a lot of fun. I don't see where cheap comes in at all - sounds like there will be tons of food.

I am a vegetarian and agree with many of the others - the veggie hot dogs are blecky. My suggestion would be to make a bigger batch of the chili you are planning on serving as a topping, but make it a vegetarian chili to serve as the main course for the veggies in the group. I would be thrilled to see that on the buffet. (BTW, I am making vegetarian chili for dinner tonight, so I guess it is on the brain )

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you have a BJs wholesale club nearby they have a box of Oscar Meyer hotdogs containing 30 hotdogs for $3.00. If you are not a member go on their website and print a free pass.

I would make a pasta salad too. I made one for DH office party and it cost me $13 and it made a lot of salad. Noodles boiled and drained, cut up carrots, onions, broccolli, califlower, and a large bottle of italian salad dressing. I went to the dollar store got a kids plastic sand bucket and served it in that.

 

[Kycha]

There are a lot of great ideas posted already. I'm going to add my 2 cents.lol. I think a hot dog bar sounds like a great idea. I'm not a hot dog eater though. I would suggest offering a couple of side dishes that double as main dishes for the vegetarians and non hot dog eaters. Maybe a pasta salad or mac n cheese or garden salad.

I love the idea of a baked potato bar too. A lot of the same condiments you would use on a hot dog, you can use on a potato...chili, onions, cheese, hot sauce.

 

[kkacar]

You know your family. Who cares if its cheap. If they like hot dogs then make hot dogs. Believe me there is not one vegetarian in my family so I would not have even thought about having an alternative. So you are a step up from me.

Make some potato salad or some pasta salad for them, just don't make mine cause they have meat in them, LOL!

kelli

 

[pospisil]

I don't think it sounds cheap at all, just laid back and fun. I may steal your idea.

 

[sk!mom]

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![/QUOTE

Agreed! Serve whatever you want and whatever fits your budget. If there are salad choices then everyone should be fine.

That being said, I agree that offering lots of choices tends to add to the cost as some people will take one of each. If I was trying to offer one thing to save money, I'd do a burger bar rather than hot dogs. I like expensive dogs only so burgers would be comparable in cost.

 

[kirstenb1]

Honestly, if I just did hot dogs, I'd wind up making so many sides, I'd spend more $$ than if I just did dogs/burgers/chips/1 side dish/birthday cake in the first place.

However, obviously you know your family better than any of us. If everyone likes dogs (I really don't like them) then go for it. For the vegetarians, I'd buy Boca Burgers, or Morningstar veggie burgers.

Another budget option might be the hot dog bar, with a couple of frozen or takeout cheese pizzas.

 

[Anne34]

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.

Personally can't stand hot dogs -- please think about offering another meat option.

 

[smokeyblue]

Personally I would just stick with the hot dog bar. It sounds good to me. However, I would have some really good veg. friendly salads, veggies/chips and dip that everyone could enjoy.

Another idea that might not be too much more is to do a fajita bar. Just keep the chicken separate from the pepper/onion mix and everyone would be able to enjoy them. I went to a party last summer where they did this and it was so good!