We are looking to have a reunion catered in our backyard for approximately 50 people. Very informal and nothing fancy. Burgers, hot dogs, etc...

Any recommendations?

(We need to keep costs in check)

Portillo's/Barnelli's. They've got the catering thing down to a science and since they have the best dogs and burgers around, seems like the perfect choice to me! Have fun!

I'll back up a place like that. My neighbors had True do there 4th....burgers, brats, wieners, etc.....and it was 3-4 times the price you'd pay at a place like Portillo's. I think the phrase, "That's the last time for that" was uttered once or twice.

Of course, St. Hubbins could just do it himself.

Augustinos', especially their massive 3-6 foot subs. They come wide! Even pre-sliced if you want, but I like the fact you can do 1/2 & 1/2 (American and Italian) and are arond 5-6" wide. Also have great traditional side and italian side dishes.

We would do it ourselves. It is so much easier to just hit Costco and buy in bulk, plus preformed burgers at McChesney. I would however hire someone to serve it so I could visit.

Next door neighbor had Uncle Bub's Catering in Westmont. Great.

I have always thought about that Salt Creek BBQ place. Might be messy though.

You can't go wrong with Portillos.

We have done Maggiano's a couple of time as well and have been happy.

Westie, I used Frankie's Deli in Lombard the last time I had to have a lot of people over. Did Italian Beef and their awesome lasagna. IMJ turned me on to them and I'm glad he did. They were VERY reasonable for the quality and couldn't have been more accommodating. That store has to be one of the cleanest I've ever been in too.

When is the party? Should we all just bring a dish to pass and make it easier on you?

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I am taking them all into consideration.

I think we are leaning towards picking up a lot of stuff ourselves to save some $$$ (portillo's is great idea), but we don't want to man the grill ourselves... Anyplace we could just hire someone do the grill? And since people will be arriving at different times, we don't want hot stuff to sit around too long.

Ruydah...you have connections for servers. Who are they?

Westie, try checking out Craig's List <www.chicago.craigslist.com> and see if there is anyone advertising servers. Worth a shot.

Is there a flag that proclaims my heterosexuality? I always feel the need to let people know how I roll

You might want to check with Technology Center of DuPage in Addison. They have a culinary program for high school students and they may have a list of students with their sanitation licenses who are looking for your kind of job. My school has its own culinary program. I can ask the teacher if she can recommend any students. Just let me know if you would like that. (Just so you know, it's a great program and the kids have sanitation licenses and often take the course two periods a day for two full years. We've had lots of really talented kids come out of that program.)

I think this is the proposed Straight Pride flag. Looks kinda gay if you ask me. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Looks like David St. Hubbins just lined up his brother to man the grill. Thanks for the suggestions on where to find someone though!

Since we'll probably be picking up sides, keep the ideas coming...

Thanks everyone.

Have Jeremy St. Hubbins make everything. Sides, mains, tending bar. Problem solved.

quote:

Is there a flag that proclaims my heterosexuality? I always feel the need to let people know how I roll

I'm not going to go too deep into this, but since gay folks had been made to be 'closeted' in life up until quite recently, proclaiming pride in ones sexuality <i.e. displaying a pride flag> is something that has brought being gay more mainstream and makes a person <especially gay youth> feel like they don't have to hide.

I highly suggest reading Bishop Gene Robinson's new book "In the Eye of the Storm" to gain a better perspective on this topic.

GER: I read the Ketuba at our gay friends' wedding at their Congregation. They felt there would be some offbeat charm to have a divorce lawyer read it. Of course, as a Catholic, I inadvertently changed his father's name from Saul to Paul. GASP.

We should legalize gay marriage if only to facilitate my kids' college tuition payments with divorce retainers.

Ron, before Fish goes ghetto on your a**, it's KETUBAH! I could be wrong, but I think it is wrong with the 'h' is missing.

I would have loved to have been there when you said Paul instead of Saul...I'm sure there was an 'audible' gasp. If you would have said that during the Hora, the bride and/or groom would have surely been dumped off their chairs.

Oh, and Jewish Wedding = best reception and food, IMHO.