Party Poppin’ Gluten Free Catering Options

Hi! Thanksgiving is over. Are you tired of cooking yet?! If that answer is yes, then this is the post for you! If there are already grumblings of your relatives making catering plans with a restaurant that just screams wheat, barley, and rye, then this post is also for you.

After scouring the internet last Christmas for gluten free catering options that would appeal to a picky crowd, I wish I could summon the ghost of Christmas past and give this post to myself last year.  We ended up picking Carrabba’s and we enjoyed it, but it would have been nice to know about all of these options as well.

There are plenty of popular national/regional sit down restaurants which offer gluten free catering as well as some great options from some crowd pleasing fast-casual restaurants. But, don’t forget to also look local and at traditional caterers. In addition to these national/regional choices, I also talk about excellent gluten free catering in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. Everything from local sit down restaurants to food trucks.  

A lot of the ordering for catering now-a-days is done online. Shocker. The majority of the time you can somehow denote gluten free on your order, but still give them a call! It’s important to let them know your order is for a dietary restriction and to discuss cross contamination. No one wants to be puking at Christmas time. 

So, let’s get to it! There’s a little something for everyone, reasonable price points, and all of the options below include a good amount of gluten free menu items, sometimes the whole menu!

Also, to maybe state the obvious, these places aren’t going to be open Christmas Day. This post is intended to help you with those parties leading up to Christmas. Though I suppose it would work to make an order for Christmas Eve and warm it all up in the oven the next day, a lot of things come in foil serving trays you could put in the oven.    

Though super convenient for an easy Christmas party, these are great catering options for birthdays, showers and other get togethers around the year round too.

 National/Regional Chain Sit Down Restaurant Catering Options

Carrabbas – Itailiaaaaannnn, They Tooold Meee, Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum – Carrabbas is a great choice if you have a crowd of picky eaters that likes Italian. We did this last Christmas and it was great! You ca get two different main entrees so there’s something for the gluten free and gluten eaters alike. Though their gluten free pasta isn’t the best, and isn’t on the catering menu anyway, Carrabbas has some delicious entree choices such as the Chicken Bryan and Chicken Marsala. Chicken Bryan is my favorite—it’s grilled chicken with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and lemon butter sauce. Yummmmmmm.  Their best side, I believe, is the garlic mashed potatoes. Among other salads, the Caesar salads can also be made gluten free without the croutons and the Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup can be made gluten free by excluding the pasta. See my whole gluten free review of Carrabbas and visit their site for more information.

PF Changs – Have Yourself a Christmas Story Christmas – I love the idea of doing Chinese for Christmas, it reminds me of the Christmas Story.  The whole menu isn’t gluten free, but there are some quality options which can be made gluten free upon request at PF Changs. The Chang’s Lettuce Wraps appetizer can be made gluten free along with entrees such as Chang’s Spicy Chicken (signature sweet-spicy chili sauce, green onion—delicious!), Ginger Chicken Brocolli, Shrimp with Lobster Sauce (chopped black beans, mushrooms, egg, green onion), Mongolian Beef (sweet soy glaze, garlic, green onion), and Beef with Brocolli (flank steak, ginger-garlic, green onion, Brocolli). I’m getting hungry already. They also can either do large positions for 10 or more, or individual meals. You can check ‘em out here.

Outback Steakhouse– All I Want For Christmas is Meat, Potatoes, and A Superb Gluten Free Dessert – From what’s available to be made gluten free, you’re looking at a very “meat and potatoes” meal here. But on the (very, very) plus side, they have a gluten free dessert! The Chocolate Thunder from Down Under! That’s definitely a dessert I’d eat a slightly boring meal for if the rest of my party was on team Outback. The Alice Springs Chicken is easily the most exciting gluten free entree on the menu which is grilled chicken breast topped with sautéed mushrooms, crisp bacon, melted Monterey Jack and Cheddar and honey mustard sauce.  Outback has THE best honey mustard. Prove me wrong. Get merry down under, here.

Aladdin’s – Hark Aladdin’s Angels Sing Glory to a Healthier Meal – I had a good feeling about this place having a lot of gluten free catering menu options and I was right! This one feels slightly fancier than other big chain restaurants though it is, indeed, still a chain. There are not just one, but 2 GF appetizer choices (dawali and falafel) and the vast majority of the Party Trays, Jasmine Favorite Trays, and Salad Trays are gluten free. The only items that are off the table for gluten free are the pita and the dessert. There are also many vegan and vegetarian options if you have some of those in your party too, I do! The menu also labels items that contain nuts. Each item serves about 10 people, so you are looking at for one appetizer, and one of each kind of tray, you are looking at $255. I’m not sure if you’d be able to get away with just 2 trays or not. This is a good alternative if you are looking for something on the healthier side and are also accommodating other dietary restrictions.  Their catering menus is here.

Fast Casual / Build Your Own 

It’s definitely worth noting that most of these fast casual places will let you create and pickup a catering order within the same day. Some with just an hour or 2 of notice. So if you find yourself in a bind, these may save the day. They are mostly (with the major exception of Condado) very affordable and increase in price with packages with more food/greater options. 

Condado – I Want a Taco Bar For Christmas, Only a Taco Bar Will Do– Who doesn’t love a taco bar? You can get group packages as well as add items a la carte. I love to get the Chipotle Crema and Chipotle Honey sauces together. So flavorful! This is also a restaurant where you could easily get EVERYTHING gluten free—as long as no one wants flour tortillas too badly. If they do, just make sure you go through the taco bar first and get plenty your first time before those gluten eaters contaminate the whole thing.

It’s currently at $346 for a 15 person bundle, and at about $23 per person, it’s definitely the priciest of the Mexican options on this list. This bundle includes a “taco bar and chip & dip party,” with your choice of shells, 2 proteins, 2 sauces, and 3 dips. I do not see where you can select a shredded cheese, which is odd! I guess bring your own cheese and be prepared to pay a little more, but they really are awesome tacos.  

Chipotle – Silver Bowls, Silver Bowls, It’s Christmas Time in the City – Chipotle is always a crowd pleaser, and people just love to make their own burrito bowls and tacos. I won’t go too in-depth here because everyone knows Chipotle, but we did this for our oldest daughter’s first birthday and it was a hit. Their “Fan Favorite” build your own option for $12 per person comes with 2 proteins, 2 bases, 3 toppings, 2 salsas, 1 type of tortilla (hopefully a corn one for your sake!), chips, and choice of guac or queso. The “Single” build your own is the same as above except includes only  1 protein, 2 toppings and no queso or guacamole and comes in at only $8.75 per person. Click here to start building your bowl today.

Bibibop – Do They Know it’s Delicious, Healthy, and Affordable at All? – Courtesy of my little bro, I had my first Bibibop experience the other day and I’m super pumped to get more soon. It’s flavorful, healthy, and entirely gluten free! They have so many vegetables, sauces, and bases to choose from. It can be intimidating so I started with the Fan Favorite with yum yum sauce (so good!) and it greatly exceeded expectations. The catering is SUPER AFFORDABLE too. The Party Pack for 8-10 people includes your choice of 1 base, 1 protein, 6 toppings(!!!!!!), 2 sauces, and 10 cookies for $90. Yummmm, click here to take a look at the catering menu.

McAlisters – Have Yourself a Merry Little Luncheon –  I know, sandwiches may sound a little risky to the gluten free inclined. Luckily, McAlister’s sandwich party trays come with the sandwiches individually packaged. The online catering form has an area for special instructions and you could denote the gluten free bread here. But their website also states to call regarding any food allergies, so I would definitely do that.  McAlister’s gluten free bread does seem to fall apart by the end of the sandwich, but they still have some really delicious sandwich options, so I am still a fan. In addition to sandwich trays, they also have some great GF salads and a baked potato bar on their catering menu!

Chicken Salad Chick – I’m Dreaming of a White (Chicken) Christmas – This one is a little trickier for gluten free because the menu is such a mix of things that are and aren’t gluten free, as well as different ways to order, such as different “Luncheons,” “Trays,” and “Boxed Lunches”.  

The Chicken Salad Chick Luncheon might be a good way to go because this option lets you pick 2 different chicken salad flavors (some of which are GF) for giant bowls of chicken salad and a side (some of which are GF), equaling $86 and serving 10-12 people.   

You can also do Chicken Salad Boxes, which include either a chicken salad sandwich or, in your case, a scoop of chicken salad, with 2 sides, a pickle spear, and a cookie (that you will have to give to your favorite family member because you can’t eat it) for $10-$12 per person.   

If you are a chicken salad lover and are willing to navigate and campaign for the gluten free options available on their catering menu then have at it! 

If None of These Sound Good, There’s Always… 

Your Local Indian – It’s a dream of mine to get about 20 different dishes of some fantastic Indian food to split with a large group and that way I can try some of everything! Always check to be sure, but Indian is typically super safe except for the breads (nan etc.). You’d probably have to get things on the milder side to please everyone, but maybe a few spicy things for the spicy spicy types. 

Your Favorite Trusted Gluten Free Pizza – When in doubt, there’s always pizza. 

Gluten Free Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Catering Options

If you live in the Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky area, like the Gopher, then seriously consider going local with your holiday catering needs. We have some real GF gems around here to enjoy and support. 

Galactic Fried Chicken – Rockin Around the Loaded Fries, at the Christmas Party Hop – It’s kind of casual for Christmas, but who cares if the food is this good?! Plus, everybody loves fried chicken. Or fried jackfruit for vegetarian folk. Galactic Fried Chicken has become such a treasured hot spot for Cincinnati gluten free foodies and regular folk alike. Best of all, with the exception of the Texas toast, which is prepared in a separate area, Galactic’s entire menu is gluten free. My very favorite menu items are the chicken tenders (they are ginormous), loaded fries, fried pickles, and deviled eggs. Definitely get some of the galactic sauce and the ranch!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  

Fried Pickles from Galactic Fried Chicken

Galactic’s entire menu is available for catering, they advise contacting info@galacticfriedchicken.com to come up with a plan.  

Pig Candy BBQ – With Pig Candy Canes and Silver Lanes Aglow – Delicious sauces, tender meat, rich sides, and a gluten free waffle to stack it all on? Yes, please! The vast majority of their menu is gluten free, so knock yourself out!! I recommend trying some menu items before you get it catered, so you can try a bigger variety of sides and sauces and figure out what you want on the big day.  

Meat options include Pulled Pork, Sliced Brisket, Sliced Turkey, and Ribs. Gluten free sides include Cowboy Beans with Bacon and Beef, Green Beans with Sausage, White Slaw, Cheddar Grits, Corn Pudding, and Pickled Peppers and Onions.  Meat and sides vary in price and are purchased by the pound. All of their sauces are also gluten free—the Pig Candy Red and Pig Candy White are my favorite! Go catering hog wild here.

Mazunte – I Saw Mommy Eating Mazunte, Underneath the Mistletoe Last Night- Yummmmmmmm. I recognize this is my third Mexican type option in this post. But in my defense, they are all great in their own way, and I’d be doing you a disservice if I left out Mazunte.  Mazunte is a GF Mexican favorite in these parts and their catering does not disappoint. My picky daughter even ate some at a friend’s get together last year. The taco/tostada bar even has a vegetarian option, which is a bonus. 

Starting at $15 per person you can get a buffet-style taco and tostada bar which includes:

• 3 of the following fillings: chicken, chorizo, pork, or veggie (sautéed mushroom and/or zucchini
• Soft corn tortillas for tacos and whole corn tortilla chips for tostadas 
• The following toppings: fresh spinach, cilantro, black bean purée, pickled red onion, crema and queso
• A complete salsa bar with pick de gallo, roasted tomato salsa, salsa verde, salsa picante and guacamole with corn tortilla chips 
• Rice and pinto bean purée can also be purchased for an extra $2 per person; rice is a must for me! 

Not that the taco bar, and salsa bar, aren’t awesome, but they should really add sheets of enchiladas to their catering menu, because those things are so dang delicious. Try some for yourself at their restaurant next time!  

Caveman Crepes – Love and Joy Come to You, and a Merry Food Truck Too – Have a BIG event? How about renting a food truck that’s 100% gluten free? “Eating gluten-free can most definitely be tasty,” says Blake Ruff of Caveman Crepes, and with this menu, he’s spot on. I haven’t had the pleasure yet, but all of Caveman’s crepes sound so good, I’d have trouble choosing just one, or two. Luckily there are both savory and sweet crepes, so you have an excuse to get at least two. The savory choices include some of my most favorite flavor combinations:  

• Buffalo Chicken Crepe – seasoned chicken, buffalo sauce, mozzarella, celery, ranch dressing
• Ham and Swiss Crepe – ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, tomatoes
• Caprese Crepe – tomatoes, balsamic glaze, mozzarella, pesto

Once you’ve eaten your way through these, make sure you save some room for some sweet crepes:  

• Nutella Crepe – Creamy Nutella, powdered sugar, whipped cream, with options to add strawberry and/or banana
• Cinnamon Crepe – Cinnamon powdered sugar, butter, whipped cream
• Lemon Butter Crepe – Powdered sugar, fresh squeezed lemon, whipped cream

It varies from event to event, but Caveman Crepes usually does parties with no less than 40 people unless a dollar minimum amount is met. But, how much fun would this be for a large extended family event or office Christmas party?! I’m in!

Here’s Caveman Crepe’s Facebook page for contact info.

Nutella Crepe from Caveman Crepes

No Matter What you Decide, I Hope it’s Merry Bright and Delicious

So there you have it. If your family, friends, or coworkers can’t all rally around something on this list then Santa help you my GF friend, you are in worse trouble than I thought.  

Good luck! Please subscribe to my newsletter for the extra, all important gluten free info and a heads up via email for when new posts are released. All the cool kids are doing it. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!