Sweet 16 party food ideas: a menu teens will eat, with costs for 40

Sweet 16 party food ideas that teens actually eat are handheld and familiar: boneless wings, mini quesadillas, pinwheel sandwiches, mac and cheese and brownies. At Upper Crust a menu with all of those, plus soft drinks, feeds 40 guests for $444.60 before tax, or $485.73 with 9.25% sales tax, about $12.14 a guest. Pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville, or ask for quoted delivery.

The menu for 40

• Mini Chicken Quesadillas, $69 for 60 pieces.
• Boneless Wings, $69 for 60 pieces.
• Pinwheel Sandwiches, $79 for 60 pieces.
• Baked Macaroni & Cheese, $59 a tray.
• Pretzel Brownies, $69 for 40 count.
• Soft Drinks, $2.49 each, one per guest: 40 x $2.49 = $99.60.

The math: $69 + $69 + $79 + $59 + $69 + $99.60 = $444.60. Tax of 9.25% adds $41.13, so $485.73.

That is 180 savory pieces, or 4.5 a guest, plus mac and cheese and a sweet. Teens at a three-hour party eat more than you think, so we plan about 6 to 8 pieces a guest for that long. Add a second Boneless Wings tray at $69 for 60 more pieces, and you are at 240 pieces and $513.60 before tax. Check: $444.60 + $69 = $513.60.

Other things to add

• Mini Beef Burritos, $69 for 40 pieces.
• Cocktail Meatballs, $64 for 100 pieces, the cheapest hot tray per piece.
• Chicken Drummettes, $100 for 120 pieces.
• A slider table: BBQ Pulled Pork, $95 serves 20, with Slider Sandwich Buns at $12 for 24.
• Fresh Vegetable Crudités, $59, serves 25 to 30, for the parents and the guests who want something lighter.

Dessert

Pretzel Brownies are a good party tray: sweet and salty. Mix with Assorted Home Baked Cookies, $45 for 40 count, to cover everyone. For 40 guests that is two trays and 80 pieces: $69 + $45 = $114. See all the desserts in our dessert trays guide.

We do not make birthday cakes or sell decorations, so a cake from a bakery and your own decor go with the food.

Drinks

One soft drink per guest is $99.60 for 40. For a larger crowd or a longer party, Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade is $89 for 50 six-ounce servings with cups included. We do not serve alcohol.

Serving it

Hot trays like quesadillas and wings stay warm in a Chafing Dish Set, $17 per hot dish. Disposable Appetizer Plates & Napkins are $0.99 per person, so 40 guests is $39.60. Serving Tongs & Spoons are $1 each.

Trays and platters have no minimum and no small-party surcharge. Standard orders need 3 days of notice. For more birthday menus, see the birthdays and anniversaries page and the party food guide. Call (630) 553-9533 or use the quote form.

Questions

How much food for a sweet 16 with 40 guests?

Plan 6 to 8 pieces a guest over a three-hour party, plus a side and a sweet. Our 40-guest menu is 180 pieces to start, with one tray to add if the crowd eats a lot.

Do you do a taco bar or pizza?

No. Our menu does not have a taco bar or pizza. Mini quesadillas, mini burritos, wings and sandwiches are the nearest handheld choices.

Can I order for just 15 teens?

Yes. Trays have no minimum. Order one or two trays and the cookies.

Can you deliver to a hall or a backyard?

Yes, within our service area. Delivery is quoted when you order.