Ask them what they eat. College guys can be vegetarians, have allergies, etc...

Assuming they are "typical" I would have:
- Breakfast: fruit, bacon and/or eggs, Kodiak frozen protein waffles and syrup and a can of whipped cream and maybe some peanut butter, some oatmeal, maybe bagels and cream cheese one day
- Lunch: sandwich stuff (more meat than you think you need), a variety of chips, a variety of salsa/guac/hummus, more fruit
- Dinner: order pizza one night and have a salad or veggie or raw veggies, if you grill have burgers and/or brats with whatever fixings and sides that you normally have but more
- Snacks: some protein bars (ask him what kind), ramen, chips, ice cream or ice cream bars
- Drinks: milk, coffee, gatorade are pretty standard but ask the specifics here for each kid if you're so inclined (my son and his friends are drink-loyal...maybe Sprite, maybe Coke Zero, maybe Powerade?)

Ask what meals they might be there for. You don't want to buy a ton and have them order DoorDash every meal.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for these ideas. They will be here mostly on weekdays so I can’t make them breakfasts as I’ll be working. I plan to have cereal, bagels, fruit, eggs, yogurt and they can help themselves. It’s easy enough for me to stock up on extra deli meats in case they have lunch here, but I agree they likely will eat breakfast (at whatever time that may be) and then head out. I do think they’ll come back for dinner before going out at night (the reason they are staying here instead of a hotel is to save money!), but who knows not always. I guess I’ll just plan to grill burgers and chicken and maybe make lasagna another night (I can freeze the second one if they don’t join for dinner) and the night of the concert I imagine they’ll eat dinner out.

I'd still leave them eggs, english muffins, cheese, ham and a frying pan. They will probably eat a big breakfast and take some portable snacks if they are trying to save money. I bet they can make their own egg sandwiches.

“Offer butter, red sauce, pesto, and maybe alfredo.”

Jeezus. Three types of sauce?

We were just at the beach with my college aged nephew and his friends. Frozen waffles were a big hit, as well as pizzas (order a lot), steaks and a taco bar. I’d add a Costco sized thing of eggs to your fridge because if they are athletes, they might be eating a LOT of protein.

OP here. Thanks for these ideas. They will be here mostly on weekdays so I can’t make them breakfasts as I’ll be working. I plan to have cereal, bagels, fruit, eggs, yogurt and they can help themselves. It’s easy enough for me to stock up on extra deli meats in case they have lunch here, but I agree they likely will eat breakfast (at whatever time that may be) and then head out. I do think they’ll come back for dinner before going out at night (the reason they are staying here instead of a hotel is to save money!), but who knows not always. I guess I’ll just plan to grill burgers and chicken and maybe make lasagna another night (I can freeze the second one if they don’t join for dinner) and the night of the concert I imagine they’ll eat dinner out.

I would plan on cooking big hearty breakfasts: lots of pancakes, French toast, breakfast casseroles, make a big batch of homemade granola etc. and have fruit, Eng muffins/bread always available. Past that, they will probably be out of your house for lunch and most dinners. I don’t imagine they will spending much time with you and your elementary school daughters. They will be sightseeing and hitting the bars in the evening. If they will be home for dinners just play by ear. Burgers, brauts, corn on the cob, bbq chicken are all easy and you can make a ton.

Anonymous wrote:Hamburgers and Busch light

Haha
Light beer? Not.

I’d ask. I do this with my teens friends, I ask and then list options. Some have food sensitivities and needed nut-free or hated garlic or were vegetarian. I’d also take them to a grocery store and let them shop with their own money, so they could get whatever. I put mini frig and extra hot water pot/coffee maker in their room. I always added a Dundee cake in case they felt hungry

Definitely ask for their plans. They might sleep till 11 head in to DC and then not come back till 9 pm having eaten or not. Your dinners might be more like. Hey guys...there is leftover pizza in the fridge. We are heading up to bed.

Hamburgers and Busch light

Ask them.

I would go with easy stuff.

Stouffer's party size lasagna or maybe 2-3 family size ones.

Pasta bar. Boil a lot of one type of pasta. Offer butter, red sauce, pesto, and maybe alfredo.

Hamburgers - about 1.5 to 2 per adult. Preformed patties to avoid mess.

Red Baron Classic Crust frozen pizzas (3 for all, 2 cover the 3 guys)

Lunchmeat, bread and cheese

Ask ahead what type of cereal they eat. Also get eggs, bananas, and English muffins.

Green salad mixes

Grapes, apples, and tangerines

Pulled pork from the cold meat section might be good with sandwich buns.

Rotisserie chicken is good hot or cold.

Of course, please check on special diets, vegetarianism, religious constraints. Above are mainstream innocuous ideas.

For portion size, I think you need 3 of each thing to have enough. 3 rotisserie chickens should have leftovers but maybe not a ton. If you allow open access to fridge snackers the leftovers will go quick. Assume each guest will eat as much or more than your husband.

Ask him which meals they will eat at your house. They may be planning some out.

Have some portable snacks -- fruit, peanut butter crackers.

If they are eating meals with you, think of things like burgers, tacos, chicken breasts that you can grill easily. Then do some salad or green beans and fries or roasted potatoes. I have an 18 year old and he'll easily eat two burgers or 1.5 chicken breasts with sides (tonight it was about 9 slices of steak, a pile of roasted potatoes and the green beans "that no one else seems to want").

If you have breakfast for them, I'd say eggs, english muffins, peanut butter and maybe some coffee/juice? But you'd be awesome! Granola bars and bananas also work! Pancakes disappear around here likeyou wouldn't believe.

Mom of 2 elementary school girls here.

My college aged nephew and his 2 friends are staying with us for several days to see a concert and sightsee.

I am excited to host them but not sure how to stock my fridge/pantry and what to make for dinners (menu and quantity).

I’m sure I’m making a bigger deal of this than I need to but my nephew has never asked to do this before and I want him and his friends to enjoy themselves.

Please help! Thanks.