I always appreciate really good coffee, and I always grumble after attending a party where they didn't have it.

Papa John's is just as nasty as Domino's. Same stuff, different box. I liked the sound of Pete's. Or maybe Ledo. Or your favorite local non-chain.

(I know saying "Ledo" around here can be kind of polarizing--people love it or hate it.)

Whatever you have, it's true you have to make clear that the grownups can eat too, so they don't stand back and save it for the kids.

OP here, thanks for all the great advice- will definitely do Papa Johns at a minimum and skip the bagels!

I would serve what you served last year, but make sure to tell the adults that there will be food for them so they don't eat before they come.

At 11:30, I would probably have pizza and then a cold cut tray, array of different breads and fruit bowl. Both adults and kids can choose between pizza or making a sandwich to order. Put the meats, cheeses, condiments and toppings separate and people can make the sandwich the way they want it.

Anonymous wrote:Echo PP. I always make a good friend prepare a plate (even if she won't eat it). People need a cue that it's ok to hit the buffet. One person usually starts the stampede.

+

I personally probably wouldn't eat a bagel at 11:30. I would have already eaten breakfast, and it wouldn't really be an ideal lunch.

Anonymous wrote:Sandwiches and fruit and goldfish and cake and coffee

+1

If I'm at a party from 11:30 to 1, I will need to eat lunch.

Is it clear to the adults that the food is for them? I would hesitate if I weren't sure. Make sure to show them the spread, say it's for the adults, invite them to have some, and eat some yourself.

Also people just might not be hungry yet at 11:30.

At 11:30 I'm fine to eat whatever you are serving the kids, but I always wait since I don't want you to run out with kids still hungry. Just have something to drink that isn't soda or juice. Unsweetened brewed ice tea would be nice.

Hotdogs and cake would be great.

Dominos is just awful.

Anonymous wrote:

If you agree Dominos is bad, then why subject kids to it? Why do they need to eat nasty food. Either get "better" pizza or get something else like sandwiches.

Because the poster asked for "what to realistically offer." Is Domino's pretty bad pizza, yes. Is it edible? Yes. Pizza tends to be the easiest and cheapest thing to do for kids parties. Sandwiches are not as easy as you might think. PB&J you get into allergy issues. Subway, a lot of kids don't want lettuce, tomato, etc on their sandwiches. Your basically left with bologna? Not much better than the Domino's.

We don't always have to serve our kids organic locavore foods. An occasional fast food type meal will not kill them, nor ruin their highly refined 3 yr old palates so they can't appreciate the caviar you serve them for dinner that night.

Kids parties have gone way out of control What ever happened to just having the kids over for hot dogs and cake and playing games in the backyard. Everyone has to go to the moon bounce playgrounds now and expects to be fed gourmet pizza. Get real!

Anonymous wrote:11:30 is basically lunch time and bagels is more of a breakfast food so that may be why people didn't eat so much. Domino's is pretty bad pizza, but for a kids birthday party, perfectly fine. Pete's a Pizza is ridiculously expensive so ignore the previous poster's overly refined palate.

Ultimately, don't worry if they don't eat, but I see what you're concerned about with the waste of food. Just serve something that you wouldn't mind eating yourself if it goes uneaten and just put it out in small amounts so it's still "clean" to be eaten later.

If you agree Dominos is bad, then why subject kids to it? Why do they need to eat nasty food. Either get "better" pizza or get something else like sandwiches.

Sandwiches and fruit and goldfish and cake and coffee