Appetizers for a crowd: what each tray costs per piece and how to mix them
Appetizers for a crowd start at 64 cents a piece for Cocktail Meatballs ($64, 100 pieces). Cost per piece for every tray, and a 40-guest mix for $202.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
The cheapest appetizers for a crowd are Cocktail Meatballs, $64 for 100 pieces (64 cents each), and the Cheese & Sausage Tray, $79 for 120 pieces (66 cents each). A mix of those two plus a vegetable tray feeds 40 guests for about two hours for $202, or $5.05 a person. Cost per piece goes up from there, and this guide lays out every tray so you can choose where to spend. Call (630) 553-9533.
Cost per piece, lowest to highest
These come from the tray price divided by the piece count on our menu.
- Cocktail Meatballs: $64, 100 pieces, 64 cents each.
- Cheese & Sausage Tray with Crackers: $79, 120 pieces, 66 cents.
- Bruschetta with Garlic Toast Points: $45, 60 pieces, 75 cents.
- Chicken Drummettes: $100, 120 pieces, 83 cents.
- Rumaki: $64, 60 pieces, about $1.07.
- Assorted Cheese Tray with Crackers: $69, 60 pieces, $1.15.
- Boneless Wings: $69, 60 pieces, $1.15.
- Mini Chicken Quesadillas: $69, 60 pieces, $1.15.
- Mini Italian Sausage Kebabs: $74, 60 pieces, about $1.23.
- Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Spears: $74, 60 pieces, about $1.23.
- Pinwheel Sandwiches: $79, 60 pieces, about $1.32.
- Assorted Finger Sandwiches: $89, 60 pieces, about $1.48.
- Antipasto Kabobs: $74, 50 pieces, $1.48.
- Jumbo Chilled Shrimp: $95, 60 pieces, about $1.58.
- Mini Beef Burritos: $69, 40 pieces, about $1.73.
- Bacon Wrapped Dates: $74, 40 pieces, $1.85.
- Open Faced Mini Grilled Reubens: $64, 28 pieces, about $2.29.
Fresh Vegetable Crudités is $59 and serves 25 to 30, so it is sold by the crowd and not the piece.
How to mix them
A crowd tray plan works best when it has three things: a hot item, a cold item, and one you can serve to a vegetarian. Pick the cheap workhorses first, then add one or two special pieces where you want people to notice.
40 guests, two hours, $202. We plan 5 pieces a guest for a two-hour party with no dinner, which is 200 pieces.
- 1 tray Cocktail Meatballs: $64, 100 pieces
- 1 Cheese & Sausage Tray: $79, 120 pieces
- 1 Fresh Vegetable Crudités: $59
That is 220 pieces plus the vegetable tray for $202 total, $5.05 a guest, before 9.25% sales tax.
40 guests, with something special, $276. Add a tray of Bacon Wrapped Dates, $74, which are gluten-free, for 40 more pieces, one for every guest. Now the table has a rich bite at $1.85 and the cost is $276, $6.90 a guest.
100 guests, dinner follows, $325. If there is dinner afterward, 3 pieces a guest is enough, or 300 pieces. Two trays of Meatballs ($128) plus one Cheese & Sausage Tray ($79) is 320 pieces for $207. Add two Crudités trays ($118) to cover half the room with vegetables, and the total is $325, $3.25 a guest. For the pieces-per-person math at other lengths, see how many appetizers per person.
Hot trays need a plan
Meatballs, wings, kebabs and burritos are hot trays. A Chafing Dish Set is $17 per hot dish and yours to keep. Tongs and spoons are $1 each, and Disposable Appetizer Plates & Napkins are $0.99 a person.
How to order
No minimum on trays. We need three days' notice. Pick up in Yorkville or ask for a quote on delivery. Our full list is under hot appetizers and platters, and we have written up every piece count in catered appetizers near Yorkville. Send your count through the quote page.
Questions
What are the cheapest appetizers for a crowd?
Cocktail Meatballs at 64 cents a piece, then the Cheese & Sausage Tray at 66 cents.
Are any of these gluten-free?
Bacon Wrapped Dates, Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Spears, Jumbo Chilled Shrimp, the Cheese & Sausage Tray and Fresh Vegetable Crudités are listed as gluten-free. We handle wheat and other allergens in one kitchen, so we cannot promise a trace-free dish.
Can I order only one tray?
Yes. Trays have no minimum.
Drop-off catering and party trays, priced per tray
