Catering vs restaurant takeout for a party of 30
Takeout is fine for a small group and a short fuse. For 30 guests, a tray order here is $442 before tax, written in advance with serving counts.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
Catering vs takeout for a party depends on the number of guests and the clock. For 6 to 10 people and an order placed today, restaurant takeout is usually the easy choice. By 30 guests, a restaurant may not be set up for a party order, and a caterer's trays come with serving counts, a written price and a pick-up time. Upper Crust trays for 30 guests come to $442 before tax, about $14.73 a guest.
What you get with Upper Crust
- Food cooked from scratch in one licensed, inspected commercial kitchen in Yorkville, packed by the tray with the serving count on the menu.
- No minimum on trays, no small-party surcharge, and no service charge on pick-up or drop-off orders.
- A written quote before you commit, from one planner who is on the phone the morning of your event.
- Three days' notice, pick-up at the kitchen, or delivery quoted when you order.
- Plates, napkins and silverware at $1.50 a person, tongs and spoons at $1 each, and a Chafing Dish Set, $17 each, yours to keep.
What to check with restaurant takeout
- Can the restaurant handle 30 portions at once without slowing the dining room, and how much notice does it want?
- Is the food packed so it holds heat and stays good for an hour or more, and does it reheat well?
- Are the portions listed per tray or per person, so you can tell if 30 is enough?
- Will it supply serving spoons and heating pans, or is that on you?
- Is there a party price, or is it the regular menu price for each item?
- Can you get a written total, with tax, before you pay?
- Does it know about allergies in the kitchen, and can it tell you what is in each dish?
Where takeout is the better choice
Takeout is the better option for plenty of parties. At 6 to 10 guests, ordering a few entrées is likely cheaper than any tray order. If you decide at noon and want dinner at 6, a restaurant can often do that and we cannot, since our notice is 3 days. If the group has a favorite place and wants those exact dishes, nothing replaces it. And a walk-in lets you see the food, ask questions and pay in person. For a casual night with friends, takeout is simple.
A real example: 30 guests, pulled pork
- BBQ Pulled Pork, $95 a tray, serves 20, 2 trays: $190
- Baked Macaroni & Cheese, $59 a tray, 2 trays: $118
- Creamy Cole Slaw, $55 a tray, 2 trays: $110
- Slider Sandwich Buns, $12 a tray, 24 count, 2 trays: $24
That is $190 + $118 + $110 + $24 = $442, which is about $14.73 a guest before tax. With 9.25% sales tax, about $483. Two trays of each item serve 40, so there is room for seconds with 30 guests. To compare, ask the restaurant for its price for 30 portions of the same food, with tax, any delivery fee and tip, and divide by 30.
Browse the trays menu or ask for a quote. See also catering vs cooking for a party yourself and grocery store party platters vs catering.
Questions
How much food do I need for 30 guests?
A tray serves 20 as listed, so two trays of each dish covers 30 with extra. We keep the math in our how-much-food guide.
Can I order for 30 and pick it up?
Yes. Pick-up is at the kitchen in Yorkville, and there is no service charge on pick-up or drop-off orders.
Do I need to order a full buffet?
No. Buffets start at 20 guests, but trays have no minimum, so you can pick just a few dishes.
What if I need to change the count?
Guest count can go up any time before the balance is paid. Call (630) 553-9533.
From an intimate dinner at home to a hall of 200
