Plan for Big Cook (~50 people)

[jfmorris]

bbq_esq Cheesesteak sliders are an awesome idea, and a great way to give folks a taste of beef in these days of crazy expensive beef. I may have to give that idea a spin myself. I've got a deli slicer and am wondering if a cheaper cut like bottom/top round could even work, sliced thin before cooking on the griddle. Might be too dry though? Hmmm.

[bbq_esq]

bbq_esq Cheesesteak sliders are an awesome idea, and a great way to give folks a taste of beef in these days of crazy expensive beef. I may have to give that idea a spin myself. I've got a deli slicer and am wondering if a cheaper cut like bottom/top round could even work, sliced thin before cooking on the griddle. Might be too dry though? Hmmm.

I am spending a lot of time on FB marketplace looking at deli slicers, to my wife's chagrin. I worked in delis for years so I do know how to handle the thing (not that I never cut myself on it) and clean it.

The one I did the other week was prime ribeye, which was obviously insanely good, but probably not strictly necessary. I think you need something with a bit of fat. I was trying to think of other options. I think a lesser grade of ribeye would work fine - it's not exactly a "cheap" option, but what beef is these days. You could probably get away with select if you are really shaving it but I don't know where I'd even find that.

I'm curious what other cuts might work. You could probably something very good with a chuck roast honestly - the way I do my cheesesteaks, they are getting chopped up on the grill. You shouldn't be pulling big piece of steak out when you bite, so you just don't want any gristle.

[bbq_esq]

I think I am going to try the nacho bar idea this year, which more than one person suggested. I've already ordered a heated nacho cheese dispenser. Plan would be big tray of tortilla trips, 2 proteins (thinking pulled pork and either a faux-birria smoked and braised beef chuck or chopped marinated steak, flap or skirt). Then go nuts with the toppings - diced onion, pickled jalapenos, roasted corn salsa, pico de gallo, guac, sour cream squeeze bottle, black olives, shredded lettuce, scallions, etc.

I'd still have rolls so if someone just wants a pulled pork sammich they can do that, but now the pulled pork pulls double duty.

So, nacho bar with two proteins, pork belly burnt ends, hot dogs (which I could see getting a trip down the nacho bar line by a creative diner) and then I am thinking I'll just do a big buffalo chicken dip. Easy to have ready to go on smoker, crowd pleaser and leaves me nothing but hot dogs to really attend to on the day. Plus, I've got a Mr. Softee truck arriving so I think that should be plenty of food.

[bbq_esq]

So, final menu, because my wife’s gonna kill me if I change anything:

Nacho bar w/ fixings
-pulled pork (rolls also available)
-grilled/chopped cilantro lime chicken thighs

Pork belly burnt ends

Cheesesteak pull-apart sliders

Hot dogs

wife making her orzo salad and potato salad

Mr. Softee supplying dessert

[Jerod Broussard]

Dang....nice menu!