Did you know that Chicago was voted best big city in the US for five consecutive years? It’s clear how genuinely well-loved the city is by locals and tourists alike. With its unique neighbourhood and spaces with an amazing vibe and personality, it’s also no surprise that it is a hotspot for events by clients and event planners alike. So, if you’re planning an event in Chicago and you need an affordable event caterers in the area, we have listed down your top 10 options below:
If it’s a trusted event catering you want with 50 years of experience, then Jewell Events and Catering is the right caterer for you. They offer their services for special events and weddings. Their clients range from corporate, philanthropic, social and arts organisations/individuals. They provide creative, cutting edge cuisine paired with seamless execution.
For information about their packages and menus, you may contact their team.
The Hearty Boys is a nationally recognised catering company, mainly attributed to its signature style that blends contemporary urban sophistication with casual charm. One of Chicago’s best-known catering companies headed by Chefs Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh – a couple for 25 years. It’s a family run business with both the chefs involved in every step of your event, from initial menu creation to final meal preparation.
Below are the packages/menu they offer:
- Weddings
- Passed Hors d’ Oeuvre
- Stationed Hors d’ Oeuvre
- Seated Dinners
- Buffet Stations
- Speciality Stations
- Late Night Bites
- Sweets
- Corporate
- Social
- Beverage
With more than ten years of experience, Cocina Fusion is a full-service Chicago catering company that specialises in a wide array of culinary expressions. They cater to events such as weddings, corporate, non-profit, and social. In addition, they offer complete dinner services, interactive dinner stations, brunch menus, bar services, and late-night snacks.
Below are the packages/menu they offer:
- Latin & American Fusion
- stuffed chicken
- chimichurri steak
- cod au lemon
- stuffed poblano pepper; and more
- Traditional Mexican
- Taco Bar
- Italian
4. Unforgettable Edibles Catering
This full-service catering services company has been a certified women-owned business for over 30 years. They can create custom menus for various events, such as corporate, weddings, or social events, to fit the client’s budget, unique taste, and dietary requirements. They provide delicious food, beautiful presentation, and friendly staff to complete the recipe of a successful event.
Below are the packages/menu they offer:
- Social Packages
- Breakfast
- Boxed Lunches
- Display Sandwiches
- Pre-Set Menus and Ala Carte Items
- Buffet, Entree and Sides
- Hors D’oeuvres
- Sweets, Snacks, and Beverages
- Wedding Packages
- Corporate Packages
Naveen’s Cuisine is Chicago’s best recreational cooking school. But, of course, they also provide catering services to events that need it. The team, headed by Chef Naveen, will be happy to help you prepare the right menu then prepare and serve them during your event. In addition, as they have been in the industry for 16 years, the team is well-experienced to cater private parties to large events.
For more information about their catering packages and menus, contact them over their website.
For over 35 years, Blue Plate Catering has been one of Chicago’s most trusted catering services, with approximately 186 square metres of service facility. It’s in this state-of-the-art facility that they cook safe and healthy food for their customers. In addition, they have a team of specialists that will help cater for events of all shapes and sizes, from corporate meetings to galas and other social occasions.
For more information about their catering packages and menus, contact them over the phone (312.421.6666) or connect with them through their social media accounts, such as Facebook or Instagram.
7. J&L Catering
Owned by Ted Grady and Chef Kevin Kelly, J&L Catering is another long-reigning catering services company in Chicago. It has been in the industry for more than 31 years with the goal of bringing freshness and creativity to each client’s custom catering needs. They also work closely with local and organic vendor partners, ensuring that their ingredients are sustainably and responsibly sourced.
Below are the packages/menu they offer:
- Weddings
- Spring Wedding Menu
- Summer Wedding Menu
- Fall Wedding Menu
- Winter Wedding Menu
- Globally-inspired Wedding Menu
- Social Events
- Corporate
Honest Foods catering offers inventive and intuitive menus to events. Whether it be private dinings, extravagant weddings, or regular corporate events and meetings, the team will make sure you will enjoy only delicious and fresh food. They also offer onsite catering through their Step-Van that boasts two full-size ovens, ready to cook good food.
For more information about their catering packages and menus, contact them over their website.
D’absolute Catering can accommodate events ranging from 15 to 1000 guests. Since all events have their own catering needs, they take their time to customise and personalise menus and services for each event. They offer Full-Service Catering, Outdoor Events and Picnics, Drop Off and Set-Up Services, and Premium Bar Service.
Below are the packages/menu they offer:
- Full-Service Catering
- Hors D’oeuvres
- Stations
- Salads
- Entrées
- Late Night Snack
- Bar Selection
- Buffet Menu
- Seated Dinner
- Stations Menu
- Drop Off and Set-Up Services
10. Pinstripes
Pinstripes offers dining, bowling and bocce all in one location. The space can host events, and you can also hire them for catering services. However, they are also not remiss in offering catering services to various events all over Chicago. They are deemed a local lunch catering company in the city for their selection of menus that can be customised through its Create A Plate Packages.
Below are the packages/menu they offer:
- Breakfast
- Breakfast Bagels
- Breakfast Platters
- Breakfast Sandwich Platters
- Individual Items (e.g., Fruit bowl, granola and yoghourt parfait)
- Lunch
- Party Platters
- Create A Plate
As a bustling city, it is no surprise that Chicago is filled with events big and small. As an event planner, you need to have event caterer partners that you can trust to provide delicious food for your clients with due diligence when it comes to requirements, special diets, and more. With that, we hope that our list above can help you find the best caterer for your future events.
