Help! Catering/food ideas for a small party in 1 week!

[Anonymous]

My birthday party is next saturday, it's a very casual pool party/mexican fiesta... we have planned to have Guapos come cater, but they require a minimum of 30 people to come out and do their thing (grill on site, fajitas, provide all plates, napkins, etc.) They do everything, which I love. But due to vacations, etc, a number of my friends can't come, so I think the total at the party will be around 18 or so.

Any other ideas for food? It's my 40th, so I really don't want to have to do any work and I like it being a little special that there are caterers on site.. that's what I loved about Guapos. For example, I don;t want to pick up platters, food, at a restaurant and set it all up myself.

Any other similar catering options that don't have that kind of 30 person minimum? Perhaps even a personal chef type who could just come to the house and pull together a meal for 20 people? it's a very casual get together, my only requirement is that the food is Mexican, tex mex, etc.

Considering they do eveything, the Guapos option is really reasonably priced. The whole package, incl. set up, food, staff of two, plates, etc, comes to Just over $600. So that's my budget. One option I have is just to keep Guapos and pay for 30 people even tho that many people wont' be there. Well just have plenty of leftovers. But wanted to ask the group here for any other ideas.

Thanks !

[Anonymous]

We just used Purple Onion in Vienna for our parents' 40th anniversary. They were fantastic, the food was good, my contact was easy to work with, and the servers (we had a bartender and a server for passed apps and she also got food ready for the buffet) were polite and efficient. I found it to be very reasonable, but it depends on your definition for that. Our party was for 20 people. Only issue is that I don't know what their schedule is like 1 week in advance (I contacted them very far in advance). But it can't hurt to try!

[Anonymous]

Uncle Julios? California Tortilla?

[Anonymous]

Red Hot & Blue? They have BBQ catering packages and typically do a really good job.

[Anonymous]

Second Red Hot & Blue and they do deliver. there are services online where you can hire waiters, bartenders, etc. Get something like that and a margarita machine rental and go.

[Anonymous]

Uncle Julio's, Moe's, California Tortilla

[Anonymous]

I love tex mex. I'd be happy to come over to get you closer to that 30th guest. Gosh, I'd even bring you a nice present.

Happy 40th.

[Anonymous]

we are a small catering company contact us if you'd like. [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Star Catering...the group that owns Buzz Bakery, Vermilion, Tallula, Birch & Barley. I used them for a business lunch that was only for 8 people. Delicious food and very pleasant to work with.

[Anonymous]

$600 sounds really reasonable - I'd just go for that and freeze leftovers!

[Anonymous]

District taco

[Anonymous]

What about one of the food trucks that are downtown? Wonder what they'd charge to come out and do your party? Don't have any names per se but I know some of them are Tex Mex and on Saturday, they won't be catering to the business crowd.