When you have a party...

[disykat]

Well I have only had one party that big and got giant pizzas of all kinds and chips and dips. I can't cook well and am super picky. This was for my sons 16th birthday and all teenagers like pizza I think.

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See, people do this all the time and no one blinks an eye. That's why I don't get why brats are so differnet. Drives my oldest son crazy since he doesn't like pizza, but he lives with it and doesn't expect an alternative.

 

[bumbershoot]

OP I think your menu is fine - what does it matter if there are 10 or 100 as long as you have enough to go around, who cares. The argument that it is "thin" for 100 people makes no sense to me........if someone would like to explain what the difference is, I am curious.

I think it's the percentages. With 10 people, there's less chance of people being on ends of the spectrum than there is with 100. 100, you're more likely to have a vegetarian, someone who eat kosher, etc etc etc.

I agree. My wife is a big grilled portobello fan, but I think there hasn't been a single time that she's had that for dinner somewhere and not commented on how hungry she was afterward. Grill portobello isn't a real substitute for a hamburger. Stick a slab of mozzarella on top, and then perhaps you have something (but not vegan!)

Strange! One of the better meals I've had was a grilled portobello, and I was very very full after. Cheesecake Factory has a portobello "burger" type sandwich and I coudln't even finish it. I don't remember if I had cheese on the CF mushroom, but I know I didn't with the first thing I mentioned.

I
I have no idea what you mean by the snowflake comment.

I guess if you have thoughts about what you do and don't like you're a snowflake?

... bacon potato salad.


We know everyone that is coming very well and no one is a vegetarian

Might want to make a second, vegetarian, potato salad. Because even omnivores might not like bacon potato salad (I could never have had that, would not have tasted good to me!).

Hope no one has changed! One Thanksgiving, I ate turkey. Then I watched my stepmom clean a bunch of shrimp (had stopped eating them for another reason, but watching this process solidified it for me) and then scooped out a turkey vertebrae along with the stuffing, and as of that moment (when I realized what was in my mouth) I gave up turkey as well. In the next two years I gave up ALL meat. This is a college graduation party, and it's not unheard of that you might not have seen all of these people every single day...when I was in college, people at home thought I still ate meat (b/c I didn't broadcast it) but when they saw me, they found I did not anymore. It was a surprise to many.


When I think of Chicago, sure I think of lots of meat, but I also think of many cultures, of many traditions, types of foods and people. So I imagine having lots of different sorts of food, when I think of a party in Chicago.

 

[disfan07]

In my family we always have enough food for twice as many people as are coming...and we still have few leftovers....

For Passover there were 8 of us. We had 3 types of chicken (3 whole kosher chickens), 2 types of potatoes, 2 types of salads, veggies, fruit and 5 different desserts.

For Thanksgiving, there were 25 of us. We had 4 Turkeys, 6 potato dishes, 3 types of breads, 10 different veggie dishes, plus 13 different desserts.

We like variety in our family and the menu that you listed would be about have of the variety and about half of the amount of food we would have for 90 ppl

 

[smidgy]

I agree with the OP. People are just way too fussy these days. the more of a variety, the more you nedd to buy, "just in case" everyone wants that.
re: if you have 90 people, you need 90 Italian sausage, just in case everyone wants that. pick 2 or 3 meats, 2 or 3 sides. that's it.
If someone is a vegetarian, or on a diet, etc,. that is their choice. (ok,if a close family member is diabetic, or a vegetarian, just make sure you have a pasta salad or fruit salad. ) when I was on Nutri-system years ago I didn't expect everyone to cater to me. I brounght my own food.

beer? sheesh. you can't please everyone. nowadays, everyone expects you to have afully stocked bar! "what? you don't have mgd64? I like heinekins! I only drink becks! draft beer gives me a headache. I like vodka, but only, Grey goose. I only drink Absolute"
back in 1997, I had a keg of Miller Lite, coolers stacked with Old Style, and a few bottles of vodka, whiskey, rum. and mixers. I let it be known. if someone had other "needs", they could bring their own.
I used to plan family dinners with pans of lasagna and catered fried chicken, a few sides.
NOW, I have a daughter in law who won't eat chicken, a son who won't eat either, and 2 neices who are vegans (one is a "raw" vegan). no wonder I don't "entertain" anymore!

 

[daughtersrus]

In my family we always have enough food for twice as many people as are coming...and we still have few leftovers....

For Passover there were 8 of us. We had 3 types of chicken (3 whole kosher chickens), 2 types of potatoes, 2 types of salads, veggies, fruit and 5 different desserts.

For Thanksgiving, there were 25 of us. We had 4 Turkeys, 6 potato dishes, 3 types of breads, 10 different veggie dishes, plus 13 different desserts.

We like variety in our family and the menu that you listed would be about have of the variety and about half of the amount of food we would have for 90 ppl

I can't imagine having that much food for so few people and not having a ton of left-overs!

Well, since you asked... My DH loves beer - microbrew, standard - doesn't really matter (although if you had a keg of newcastle or anchor steam, he's be a happy man), but I rarely drink beer, or sweet cocktails, and prefer a glass of wine.

I am planning on have some wine but I always have a hard time picking them since neither DH or I drink it. Can you offer any affordable suggestions?

Well I have only had one party that big and got giant pizzas of all kinds and chips and dips. I can't cook well and am super picky. This was for my sons 16th birthday and all teenagers like pizza I think.

I can't stand picnic food, thats just me. I am super picky and nothing on your menu would I eat. I think you need some more plain jane things.

One year at my husbands grandmas house she made a huge batch of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. That is about the only picnic I enjoyed.

I'm not a big fan of pizza (I know, crazy coming from someone in the Chicago area). When we go to parties like this, most of the time they forget to order a plain cheese or cheese and sausage so I usually end up picking everything else off. I'm not upset but it feels wasteful throwing all of the toppings in the garbage.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I'm not fussy but there are certain foods that I cannot tolerate (mayo and all forms of pasta). I would probably eat half a hot dog and some watermelon. I'm not a big fan of processed meat and can't tolerate too much. We wouldn't be staying long because there would be no food available to me. I never ask for accomodations, we just plan accordingly. And if I really like the people that are having the party, I bring a protein bar that I can eat. This makes me fuller longer and we can stay.

So while your menu sounds fine, please remember that not everyone has your taste buds. We always serve a large variety of food and either give away the leftovers or freeze what we can. I have no problem giving away food from a party. In fact, a friend gave me leftover eggplant last night from her party. Maybe it's just the thing we do in my neighborhood. Rather have people eat it then have it spoil.

Enjoy your party!

 

[Hoodie]

Normally I'd say less is more, but I also wouldn't eat anything on your list (except the smores!). If you do opt for something additional, the last thing I'd add is another sausage (and yes, hot dogs are a sausage) or mayo-based "salad". Go for chicken or maybe a burger. And a simple tossed salad - I think just reading that menu clogged my arteries!

 

[loveadobie]

I think your meat selection is just fine.

I would fill it up with alot more salads, large bowl of lettuce or spinach with salad fixins,
or maybe have on hand some baked potatoes with fixin table,
or ground beef for a taco fixin station. People may like to make their own.

Large tubs of ice cream for dessert.

 

[gregokdisney]

I prefer to have a lot of variety because I look forward to trying lots of things! That being said, though, I don't go for variety in the main dish. I usually offer two main dish type things (hot dogs & hamburgers, or Italian Beef & fried chicken, cold cuts for sandwiches & chicken salad) and then make up the variety in the side dishes. That way, even if someone hates both main dish choices, there is still lots of food to choose from.

 

[TinklednPants]

Definitely more food. A hot dog or a brat is more like an appetizer that you munch on than dinner. Maybe do the hot dogs/brats for starters and come back with steaks and grilled chicken.

 

[MarilIncredible]

I read your update and I think it sounds better, now tat you've decided to add chicken. I know I personally do not care for brats or hot dogs much, so if I were a guest I would definitely appreciate the chicken.

I thought the rest of your menu looked good. The bacon potato salad sound delish!

As far as wine goes, for a large group, I'd probably go to Trader Joe's and get a mixed case of bottles of white and red. Their Two Buck Chuck is not bad for cheap wine, IMHO.

 

[EllenFrasier]

Definitely more food. A hot dog or a brat is more like an appetizer that you munch on than dinner. Maybe do the hot dogs/brats for starters and come back with steaks and grilled chicken.

Steaks for 90 people?!?!?!? Oh wait, she said 50% were children, but even 45 people would be expensive to provide steaks for.
I am a hamburger or hotdog person at these events. If it's really hot, I skip the meat and and just eat some salads and dessert.
Whatever you choose to have it will be fine. Have a great time!

 

[SpecialK]

***I thought the steaks for dinner comment was meant as a joke.

OP - As long as you have enough food for everyone you'll be fine. I'm from Chicago, too, and we love our dogs and brats! But just a note - if offered a choice between a dog and a brat, my kids will always choose brats. You might want to prepare for that in your numbers.

 

[daughtersrus]

Definitely more food. A hot dog or a brat is more like an appetizer that you munch on than dinner. Maybe do the hot dogs/brats for starters and come back with steaks and grilled chicken.

Steak for 90?!

I did post an update yesterday saying that we were going to add boneless chicken breast.

I thought the rest of your menu looked good. The bacon potato salad sound delish!

Let me know if you'd like the recipe.

As far as wine goes, for a large group, I'd probably go to Trader Joe's and get a mixed case of bottles of white and red. Their Two Buck Chuck is not bad for cheap wine, IMHO.

I was thinking Trader Joe's but Merlot? Chardonnay? Zinfandel?...

 

[TinklednPants]

Steak for 90?!

I did post an update yesterday saying that we were going to add boneless chicken breast.

Ummmm....yeah. It's no harder to cook than a brat and much tastier.

 

[NikitaZee]

Ummmm....yeah. It's no harder to cook than a brat and much tastier.

And much more expensive.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I agree with the OP. People are just way too fussy these days. the more of a variety, the more you nedd to buy, "just in case" everyone wants that.
re: if you have 90 people, you need 90 Italian sausage, just in case everyone wants that. pick 2 or 3 meats, 2 or 3 sides. that's it.
If someone is a vegetarian, or on a diet, etc,. that is their choice. (ok,if a close family member is diabetic, or a vegetarian, just make sure you have a pasta salad or fruit salad. ) when I was on Nutri-system years ago I didn't expect everyone to cater to me. I brounght my own food.

beer? sheesh. you can't please everyone. nowadays, everyone expects you to have afully stocked bar! "what? you don't have mgd64? I like heinekins! I only drink becks! draft beer gives me a headache. I like vodka, but only, Grey goose. I only drink Absolute"
back in 1997, I had a keg of Miller Lite, coolers stacked with Old Style, and a few bottles of vodka, whiskey, rum. and mixers. I let it be known. if someone had other "needs", they could bring their own.
I used to plan family dinners with pans of lasagna and catered fried chicken, a few sides.
NOW, I have a daughter in law who won't eat chicken, a son who won't eat either, and 2 neices who are vegans (one is a "raw" vegan). no wonder I don't "entertain" anymore!

I don't think anybody here has said they expect anything when they go to parties. Most here are giving suggestions of what they would do as hosts or hostesses.

I have never had a guest demand anything, nor do I ever expect my needs to be catered to at a party. If they have something that appeals to me, I will eat. If not, I will eat when I get home. Not a big deal. I don't know of anybody in real life who would think badly of a friend if they served something they didn't like. The only snowflake guests I have ever encountered are the ones posting here "I can't believe so and so only served xyz."

However, as a hostess, I do like to think about my guests and how to be a good hostess that offers a variety of food that will appeal to most. I will ask my vegan friend for a good recipe for something, have a gluten free offering etc.

Offering the OP suggestions of how to expand her menu does not mean that anybody here expects that as a guest. I have only read suggestions of what they do as HOSTS.

 

[Jennasis]

I think the OP's original menu sounds fine and dandy. I'd be happy to chow down on all of that (except watermelon....I don't do watermelon).

Have a great party!

 

[daughtersrus]

Ummmm....yeah. It's no harder to cook than a brat and much tastier.

It's no harder to cook but some like it walking off the table and some want it burnt. Also, we're not cooking during the party. We want to be able to enjoy the party so everything will be made shortly before and kept warm. I can't imagine that steak will taste good out of a warmer. Honestly, I'm not sure that our budget can handle steak for 90 people.

 

[luvmy3]

Now see, last weekend we went camping the menu one night was Brats, Italian sausage and Hebrew hot dogs. We also had chili, grapes and green salad, I would never think to mix up burgers with that, we had the burgers the night before and the chicken the night after.

I know some things are regional and customs vary depending on where one is.

To answer the OP's original questions, I am siding with her, I think her menu is fine just up the quantities a bit

When I fix dinner for our family, or when we have another family over I will stick to one type of meat however when hosting a party for many people I offer a variety. I always have hotdogs, burgers, a chicken and a beef choice.

OP, I think adding chicken is a good choice. If you didn't want to do breats, you could always do a leg and/or thigh. They are very economical choice when you need to feed a large number of people. I do mine in the crockpot and then pop them on the grill for a few minutes just to crisp up, very quick.