Got a big shindig coming up? Whether it’s a birthday party, baptism, graduation, or getting together for the big game, sometimes you just want to leave the cooking to someone else. Once again we crowdsourced our readers for their advice on solid, affordable catering options from local restaurants right here in Lake County. You guys did not disappoint! Check out our “Fan Favorites” for Best Party Catering in Lake County. Get out of the kitchen and get in on the fun!
Best Catering in Lake County
The Picnic Basket and Gourmet Food Works
501 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville | (847) 367-8336
The Picnic Basket is a family-owned and operated restaurant in the heart of Libertyville. They offer family dinners, boxed lunches, gourmet catering, party trays, party subs, sandwich trays, and more.
BBQ’d Productions
34121 N. US 45, Third Lake | (847) 543-1234
BBQ’d Productions is an independently owned restaurant located in Third Lake. They offer large pickup orders/small catering orders (meat by the pound, large sides), as well as true on-site catering for large or small events. BBQ’d is a local restaurant striving for the best BBQ around accompanied by unmatched customer service.
Amazing! ~Facebook Reader Mande
Olando’s
843 W. Rollins Rd., Round Lake Beach | (847) 546-2378
They offer ribs, sub trays, Italian Beef, pizza, as well as pasta trays, and desserts.
Great salad and lasagna! (other stuff too) plus pick-up or delivery ~ Facebook reader Alice
Awesome food at awesome prices! ~Facebook Reader Christina
Oregano’s Corner Café
119 West Gilmer Rd., Hawthorn Woods | (847) 556-3003
An Italian restaurant that loves serving delicious comfort food to its guests. Offering many Italian favorites for groups of all sizes.
Delicious, reasonably priced, and generous portions. ~Facebook Reader Maureen
Mambo Italiano
748 S. Butterfield, Mundelein | (847) 281-9100
a family-owned establishment dedicated to providing you and your families with the best traditional Italian Cuisine. As seen on WTTW’s Check, Please!
The best food, great process, and awesome service! ~Facebook Reader Wendy
Taste of Paris
161 N. Seymour Ave., Mundelein | (847) 949-9991
Taste of Paris is a traditional French restaurant, bakery, and catering service with over 40 years of experience bringing a little bit of Paris to Lake County. They offer catering for all types of events and have a food truck. Read about Chef Claude and Taste of Paris in our previous stories.
Eduardo’s Catering
427 Liberty St., Wauconda | (847) 526-7515
Eduardo’s Catering is committed to providing you the highest quality cuisine, exceptional value, and professional service. They offer drop-off or full-service catering for groups of 20 to 5,000.
The food is incredible! ~Facebook Reader Jacinda
Big Ed’s BBQ
4030 Northpoint Blvd., Waukegan | (847) 473-5333
Locally owned and operated, Big Ed’s food is made fresh to order and can feed a crowd.
Luke’s of Mundelein
300 N. Lake St., Mundelein | (847) 566-9788
Luke’s of Mundelein catering is not only custom made in 24 hours, but you can also cater from their menu, yep Chicago style dogs and more! Perfect for that Kindergarten Graduation Celebration.
Ron’s Italian Ovens
Rte 83, Round Lake Beach | (847) 231-6269
Ron’s Italian Ovens offers catering for lunch or dinner with two different menus.
The usual suspects were also of course mentioned, Portillo’s, Mariano’s, and large subs from Walmart and Jason’s Deli.
Where do you order from when you need to feed a crowd?
By Loralie
Hainesville
When Loralie isn’t out exploring with her two pint-sized adventurers you’ll often find her in front of her computer plotting to take over the world (or at least Lake County.) She appreciates good friends, good food, expensive shoes and parents who make two lanes in the drop-off/pick-up line at school. Her spirit animal is The Hobbit. She invites you to join her on her quest for unique distractions, diversions and deliciousness in this county we call home.
We had an event catered by Chef Paul in Gurnee in 2019 and he was fabulous. I was surprised it wasn’t mentioned on the list.