Good catering? (Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus: home, refrigerator, buy)

[alexiskai]

At the end of March, we're hosting some family members for the weekend and need to feed 12 people for one night. I'm thinking I'll get the meal catered, but I'm not sure what my options are. There's the usual Italian places, e.g. Buca or Carrabba's, but I was wondering if y'all know of any other good options, like something Asian/Indian. I'm looking for good value and not too loaded with fat and calories. Bonus points for vegetarian options.

We're located in Emmaus, but I wouldn't mind driving to Bethlehem or whatnot if the food was worth it.

[toobusytoday]

Twelve people? Any Chinese place would take care of that pretty easily. Indian though, that would be harder but isn't there an Indian place right on Main street in Emmaus near the Elephant's Trunk? Or is that just a store?

For catering in general, you've got Lee Gribbens right there in Emmaus - About Us - Lee Gribben's on Main

[Pa Dutch]

Wegman's provides catering. I wouldn't be surprised if they did not offer several vegan choices.

[alexiskai]

Thanks, the Wegmans Asian options look like a good value.

[toobusytoday]

Wow, I never would have guessed that Wegman's would come in as a good value. I always think they're pretty expensive when we do the buffet at lunch time. I'll have to check out their catering menu.

[alexiskai]

I suppose there's two facets to the "good value" - first, I'm comparing them against something like Buca di Beppo, where the baseline price for a catered non-meat entree is about $75. By contrast, Wegmans' "Vegetable Lo Mein party pan" is $20. Second, we're taking each vendor's word for it that the dish really does serve the number of people they say it does. If that lo mein party pan really does serve my 12 guests, it's a good value; if I get it home and it serves five, not so much. On the other hand, I could buy three lo mein party pans for less than the cost of one Buca "Spicy Rigatoni," so maybe it's still a good value regardless.

I think what I'll do is drop by Wegmans and get visual confirmation of how big these things are. I think the "party pans" are probably the same size as their buffet serving pans.

[toobusytoday]

Can you report on what you find out? I like Wegman's food, just had lunch there today, and would be interested in this.

[Pa Dutch]

We used Wegman's several times for catering. The best part is if you have a list of stuff you need from the store, they will have it waiting with your entire order.
Most recently they catered my daughters birthday party. All the drinks, water, and juice boxes were nice and cold waiting in the refrigerator to be picked up.

They really are hard to beat for the overall quality, service, and value.

[alexiskai]

Checked out Wegman's Allentown and things looked good there. The "party pans" are indeed essentially the same as the pans in their buffet; however, the entrees come with an additional pan of rice. Cost: roughly $35. They also have large circular trays of appetizers for about $50.

Interestingly, the lo mein pan does not come with rice and costs $20. I think we'll get this one - after all, I can easily make a bunch of rice.

Also, the catering desk closes at 6pm and they want at least 48 hrs notice.

[alexiskai]

I'm resurrecting this thread because we need to have another party catered and circumstances have changed:

1. We're expecting 20 people rather than 12.
2. The catering is being paid for by an employer, so there's less pressure to go cheap.
3. Wegman's apparently no longer offers their wokery options for catering.

So, again I ask - good catering choices that go beyond pasta and sliders? I'm looking for a place that will drop off the food with trays and sternos.