DD's graduation party.. need help!

[JodiR]

Saturday is my dd's graduation party. We are having tacos... hard shell, soft shell, hamburger, lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and taco sauce. Chips and salsa also.

Cake
Dairy Queen dilly bars

Anything else I should add or does this sound good enough. I don't really know what else to add with tacos?

One other thing... is there a formula or something to go by to know much to get? I am thinking 100 to 150 will eat. There will probably be 50 or more kids in her class coming but I don't know if they will eat. I just don't know what to do.

Thanks!

 

[Bastiansmom]

Have you thought of "Walking Tacos?"

Instead of using actual taco shells, you use small bags of Doritos or Fritos and everything (meat, cheese, etc) gets put in the bag. You could save money on paper plates and have less trash.

Maybe include beans (refried?) so if there are any vegetarians, they have some protein too.

Congrats to your daughter!!

 

[Catira]

Saturday is my dd's graduation party. We are having tacos... hard shell, soft shell, hamburger, lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and taco sauce. Chips and salsa also.

Cake
Dairy Queen dilly bars

Anything else I should add or does this sound good enough. I don't really know what else to add with tacos?

One other thing... is there a formula or something to go by to know much to get? I am thinking 100 to 150 will eat. There will probably be 50 or more kids in her class coming but I don't know if they will eat. I just don't know what to do.

Thanks!

Don't forget the guacamole. Maybe another option for those that don't meat is cheese quesadillas. Not sure if you are able to find flour tortillas at your local grocery store.

 

[JodiR]

Everyone seems to do walking tacos, but no one has had a taco bar... just wanted to be different.

Does there seem like enough food? Tacos with chips and salsa?

Have you thought of "Walking Tacos?"

Instead of using actual taco shells, you use small bags of Doritos or Fritos and everything (meat, cheese, etc) gets put in the bag. You could save money on paper plates and have less trash.

Maybe include beans (refried?) so if there are any vegetarians, they have some protein too.

Congrats to your daughter!!

 

[Katy Belle]

I would make Mexican rice and black bean and corn salad. That would make your tacos stretch further and cover your vegetarians.

 

[RUDisney]

Everyone seems to do walking tacos, but no one has had a taco bar... just wanted to be different.

Does there seem like enough food? Tacos with chips and salsa?

I think it depends on where you live. My menu would include roast beef, chicken, pasta, meatballs, salad, and roasted potatoes and a vegetable for the main table. I'd also have a salad and other appetizers.

However, I live in NEPA and this is common for a party here. However, I've been to a wedding in TN where they only served cake and punch, so it's definitely a regional thing about how much people serve for their parties.

How much do others have when you go to their parties, whether they are graduation, communion, etc.?

For the meat, plan on at least 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person and then add more to the pot so you don't run out.

 

[stsomewhere]

jalopenos

fried beans

 

[JodiR]

The party is at noon time so I didn't want anything too "heavy". Roast beef would be more for supper/dinner time (to me anyways).

 

[Minnie824]

what about a fruit salad? just something different.

 

[JodiR]

I am thinking maybe a Mexican corn salad

what about a fruit salad? just something different.

 

[LisaR]

We just did this yesterday but it was for my DD's b'day so we didn't have anywhere near the number of people you will have. I debated long and hard about some of the items I put out for our taco bar. The general consensus was that beef, cheese and hot sauce would be the thing teens liked best. I ended up making Spanish rice, a cold bean/corn salad, fresh tomato salsa and guacamole. The kids ate it up! They did eat the beef and cheese but they seemed to really enjoy the other things as well, especially the rice. I also had a HUGE platter of fruit and every bit of it was gone by the end of the night. Of course, we had dessert and plenty of munchies, as well. Have fun!

 

[Crystal0608]

I might add black or refried beans, guac, and/or rice. Sound good!

 

[TimeforMe]

Like someone else said, I could never get away with serving just that for a party, but again--maybe it's regional? As far as the amounts of everything, that's a tough one.

 

[JodiR]

Can you let me know the recipe for the corn/bean salad? I need something really simple if I am going to be making this for 100 to 150 people. Thanks

We just did this yesterday but it was for my DD's b'day so we didn't have anywhere near the number of people you will have. I debated long and hard about some of the items I put out for our taco bar. The general consensus was that beef, cheese and hot sauce would be the thing teens liked best. I ended up making Spanish rice, a cold bean/corn salad, fresh tomato salsa and guacamole. The kids ate it up! They did eat the beef and cheese but they seemed to really enjoy the other things as well, especially the rice. I also had a HUGE platter of fruit and every bit of it was gone by the end of the night. Of course, we had dessert and plenty of munchies, as well. Have fun!

 

[LisaR]

Can you let me know the recipe for the corn/bean salad? I need something really simple if I am going to be making this for 100 to 150 people. Thanks

This is the one I made and the kids seemed to really like it. They stuffed it into their tacos, over their corn chips and into their burrito shells.

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2010/02/saintly-black-and-gold-salsa.html

 

[lovesmurfs]

Saturday is my dd's graduation party. We are having tacos... hard shell, soft shell, hamburger, lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and taco sauce. Chips and salsa also.

Cake
Dairy Queen dilly bars

Anything else I should add or does this sound good enough. I don't really know what else to add with tacos?

One other thing... is there a formula or something to go by to know much to get? I am thinking 100 to 150 will eat. There will probably be 50 or more kids in her class coming but I don't know if they will eat. I just don't know what to do.

Thanks!

Nacho Cheese Dip! Crock pot makes it very easy, and it's good for those who don't like spicy. I usually double:

1 lb. Velveeta
1 can chili without beans
1 4-oz can chopped chili
4 chopped green onions

I cube the Velveeta and mix with the rest -- cook on low for 2-3 hours. It's great with chips.

In terms of eating, I would plan on 1/4 lb. meat per person. You might want to consider refried beans and tostada shells. I don't like just serving taco meat, and would probably offer shredded chicken as an alternative as well.

 

[klacey1]

I like the idea of shredded chicken, but that might be hard with the amount of people you're having. I would DEFINITELY do a spanish rice-- you can buy a few boxes of Uncle Ben's. Super easy/popular.

 

[RUDisney]

Shredded taco chicken is easy and can be done in batches and transferred to chafing dishes later. You'd have to cook the beef in batches, too, anyway.

Start in your crockpot, sprinkle a packet or two of taco seasoning on the chicken and cover with a jar or two of salsa. After about 4 hours on high, you can shred it with two forks right in the crockpot.

As you're shredding, it mixes the seasoning and salsa into the meat.

 

[Cooky]

.

 

[Misty89]

I am in the middle of planning a open house for 150 persons also -
here is a great resource for planning for 100+ people

http://www.ellenskitchen.com/bigpots/index.html

the entire site is very informative with amounts, including beverages

HTH!

edit: in the selections at the top, there is a section devoted to tacos/tex mex

Tina