Cost effective catering

Hi all!
Looking for the most cost effective way (polite way to say cheapest ) to feed guests at a first birthday party. Most likely at a hall or our house. Any suggestions for Nassau County? Roughly 50-60 guests (that includes children)
The best price I've found so far is $20 a foot for heroes from Tulip Caterers. Any other ideas/suggestions welcomed and appreciated.
(Also looking for cheap halls if anyone has any good experiences!)
Thanks so much!

Message edited 1/10/2019 9:05:55 PM.

Cost effective catering

$100 a foot?!

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Message edited 1/10/2019 9:08:38 PM.

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Message edited 1/10/2019 9:11:56 PM.

Cost effective catering

Hahaha, I couldn't stop laughing.

I have had Greek food catered and it was delicious and cheap. On my list for my next party is a burrito/taco bar from Fat Boy Burrito in Bellmore.

Cost effective catering

I was going to suggest sandwich platters and salads...check out Capo Panini in Floral Park, his prices are very reasonable. If you want to go a different route, look into Q'Doba....I order from them a lot for work. I get the hot taco bar...chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, guac, salsa, etc... and I think it's about $11 pp and they give you a nice quantity of food.

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Costco

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Check Fairway. Their hero is also $20 per foot, but sometimes they send coupons.
Their fajita package is very reasonable. It says it feeds 10 for $60, but it's really more like 20. They send a ton of food.

Also- check your local grocery store for catering!

Message edited 1/10/2019 10:15:51 PM.

Cost effective catering

Tacos. We catered from Moe's for a birthday party and it was the cheapest catering we have done and the food was delicious. It also covered all the bases for us - gluten free and vegetarian option.

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Fairway catering. And bjs for heros.

Cost effective catering

If you're considering a hall, the Knight of Columbus is Seaford is very reasonable and the food has always been good. We did both my showers (bridal and baby) and a first birthday there. I don't remember the exact numbers, but I'm pretty sure it was less than $30/person including beer and wine, and they just take care of everything for you, which made my life a million times easier.

Our first son, we rented a hall $500 and then brought in food about $700 and then bought all the beer, wine, soda, juice boxes, water, paper plates, napkins, plastic silverware, etc. probably about another $400, and then we had to set up the hall and clean up after. It was a long day, and I barely enjoyed the party because I (and my DH and the grandparents) was running around the whole time cleaning up, getting things for people, watching the kid, etc. etc. etc. It was cheaper than the hall, but not by the much and it was definitely more work.

For our second, we rented the Knights of Columbus and it was so much more enjoyable. We booked it, gave our menu choices a week before, showed up and decorated. No coordinating when the food would arrive, no estimating how much people would eat or drink, no cleaning up because you have a waitress, etc. It was so much easier, and really only cost a little extra.

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Tulip Caterers is really good, I've used them in the past and they've been around forever.

If you really want to go less expensive, then pizza and salads is by far the most economical.

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If you are looking for heros- King Kullen always has good prices on by the foot heros- comes with all the salads, pickle tray etc
And it's all boars head

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Posted by mrsrainbow

Posted by luvbuffet

Fairway catering. And bjs for heros.

BJs heros are frozen and gross

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I find trays of Italian to be cost effective. When ordering I usually count kids as .5 person

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Tulip Caterers also offers good trays, in case you're interested in not just having heroes.

Cost effective catering

Mexican tend to be very cost effective. I have order for fajitas bar from the local Mexican restaurant and tons of food and great price

Re: Cost effective catering

Posted by LuckyStar

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by LuckyStar

Posted by NYCGirl80

Tulip Caterers is really good, I've used them in the past and they've been around forever.

If you really want to go less expensive, then pizza and salads is by far the most economical.

I think pizza could be a good idea if the party is at home. You could get a bunch of fun specialty pies, salad, garlic knots, etc.

I personally detest premade heroes. They are always slathered in mayo and have at least one type of cold cut I hate on them. I’ve never been able to understand what would possess anyone to assume 50 people will all like the same type of sandwich.

Not a huge fan of heros either but I do have to say that anytime I have gotten them or had them served at a party they always were dry- mayo, mustard, dressing etc was always on the side.
What I hate about them is the bread is always so hard and the meat always slips off of it the way the slice is cut.
Just messy....

I’m sure you can order them dry but the American ones I’ve seen have always had mayo.

I feel like if you want sandwiches that bad at least get an assorted platter or something so there are options.

I don’t know, I just have an irrational hatred towards them

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Try Jackie Reillys in Bethpage. Their prices are very reasonable. I've had two parties there.

If you are catering yourself then can't go wrong with hero's from BJ's. They are around $27 for 3 feet and they are good! You just have to cut them yourself.

Message edited 1/12/2019 8:10:19 AM.

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Pizza sounds very economical. Get a few salads and garlic knots to go along side of it.

Is there any chance you could make something? Maybe like a tray of meatballs in sauce and guests can make their own meatball heroes? Slice up some nice Parmesan cheese to add to it. Or maybe order a tray of meatballs?

If not, then do a hero or a wrap platter. I’m suggesting meat because there are some people that need to have meat with their meal.