How many people and what is the size of the grill? It will be hard to do salmon and steak for a lot of people. My cousins try this every year and we all end up eating hours later than planned because they try to grill multiple things.

I would suggest prepping chicken or beef kabobs then focusing on cooking that right. And then do some nice side dishes that do not need to be grilled. Fresh bread, green salad, other salads (maybe something with avocado and tomatoes.). You could add baked potatoes (baked in the oven prior and then kept warm in foil.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surf n turf??

What kind of surf? What would you serve with it for sides?

I don't like lobster but other people do. I guess my grandmother would sometimes make steak and lobster. Sides, idk - corn? LOL.

Me again. I probably personally like the salmon idea suggested here better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surf n turf??

What kind of surf? What would you serve with it for sides?

I don't like lobster but other people do. I guess my grandmother would sometimes make steak and lobster. Sides, idk - corn? LOL.

Tofu grills beautifully if you can keep an area and tools away from meat.

I’d up the hotdogs and burgers to fancier versions if you want to keep the same “feel” - there are Wagyu versions that are delicious and fun. You can make your own fresh toppings. Get high quality buns, not the typical Kaiser style.

Maybe grill some shrimp for a surf and turf feel. Sweet potato fries, lots of fresh salads, fruit kebabs.

Table cloths, nice acrylic “glassware” and decorations go far to giving a nice over all feel. Mood lighting if you’re going into the evening.

Honestly I’d still grill hotdogs and bratwurst just to have the grill going, but I’d bring in fried chicken from a local place. Coleslaw, deviled eggs, jello salad (old folk will love it!), veggies, watermelon, plenty of tasty drinks.

Kabobs with vegetables; steak, shrimp and all veggie. Rice pilaf, pita, tomato, feta and red onion salad, hummus, cured olives, tabouleh. fruit, cookies and baklava.

Vegetarian kabobs, grilled chicken on the bone, grilled oysters, grilled corn on the cob, grilled shrimp. Steak or fish if going fancy or crab cakes

potato salad, deviled eggs, green salad with vegetables, antipasto, macaroni salad or pasta salad

cake and pie, fruit, ice cream

Elevate the buns to something gourmet like brioche; & add a rustic dessert table, maybe pies?

Veggie Burgers, Kabobs, Chicken/fish, grilled portobello mushrooms, salad, pasta/potato salad, coleslaw, fancy potato chips.

Kabobs are easy
Steaks
Pork tenderloin
Grilled oysters

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How will people be dressed? How casual is the group when they get together on other occasions?

Not very fancy. Pretty casual.

Ok. And by cookout do you mean you actually want to be grilling, or is it just a cookout atmosphere with people eating outside?

We want to grill.

If you have an experienced grill cook, I would lean toward steak and salmon. Maybe shrimp on the grill or as an appetizer. Crisp green salad, caprese salad, roasted potato wedges, brioche dinner rolls. Large cheese, charcuterie, and fruit board as one of the appetizers. Special cocktail for the occasion.

+1, though I’d add chicken and lentil & wild rice salad or another vegetarian/vegan option

Chicken to grill, lentil & wild rice salad for vegans

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How will people be dressed? How casual is the group when they get together on other occasions?

Not very fancy. Pretty casual.

Ok. And by cookout do you mean you actually want to be grilling, or is it just a cookout atmosphere with people eating outside?

We want to grill.

If you have an experienced grill cook, I would lean toward steak and salmon. Maybe shrimp on the grill or as an appetizer. Crisp green salad, caprese salad, roasted potato wedges, brioche dinner rolls. Large cheese, charcuterie, and fruit board as one of the appetizers. Special cocktail for the occasion.

+1, though I’d add chicken and lentil & wild rice salad or another vegetarian/vegan option

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How will people be dressed? How casual is the group when they get together on other occasions?

Not very fancy. Pretty casual.

Ok. And by cookout do you mean you actually want to be grilling, or is it just a cookout atmosphere with people eating outside?

We want to grill.

If you have an experienced grill cook, I would lean toward steak and salmon. Maybe shrimp on the grill or as an appetizer. Crisp green salad, caprese salad, roasted potato wedges, brioche dinner rolls. Large cheese, charcuterie, and fruit board as one of the appetizers. Special cocktail for the occasion.