A fair look at burger vs BBQ event catering, so you can choose the format that fits your guests, schedule and space.
Burger vs BBQ event catering is a common question in Texas, and it deserves a fair answer. Both are excellent ways to feed a crowd outdoors. Both come from the same cookout tradition. The right choice depends on the meal you want, how your guests will eat and how your event is scheduled. I run a burger catering company, so I will be clear about what we do, but I am not here to argue that barbecue is the wrong choice. Plenty of events are a perfect fit for it.
What each format does well
Barbecue
Barbecue in Texas is a craft built around slow cooking. Smoked meats are often prepared well ahead of service, then sliced or served from a line. That makes barbecue a natural fit for a large plated or buffet meal where guests expect classic smoked dishes. If your guests have their hearts set on brisket, or the event has a strong Texas barbecue theme, barbecue may be exactly right.
Burgers grilled on site
Burger catering is built around cooking during the event. Patties go on the grill as guests come through, so each plate is freshly cooked. Guests dress their own burger at the condiment line, which suits a crowd with mixed tastes. The grill also becomes part of the atmosphere, which many hosts like for backyard parties, company picnics and tailgates.
Questions that help you decide
How will guests arrive and eat?
If guests will arrive gradually over a couple of hours, food cooked through the window keeps the last plate as fresh as the first. If everyone sits down at once, either format can work, and the key is a serving plan that keeps the line moving. One burger station per 75 guests is our planning recommendation.
Who is on your guest list?
Think about children, guests with dietary needs and people who prefer something familiar. The Block Party includes grilled chicken and a veggie burger as well as hamburgers and cheeseburgers, which gives guests options without adding a second menu.
What does your space allow?
Both formats need a safe cooking area and room for a buffet. Ask any caterer what equipment they bring, how much space they need and how they handle setup and cleanup. Our What's Included list below answers that for our packages.
BBQ catering in Fort Worth and burger catering in Dallas
If you are comparing BBQ catering in Fort Worth with a burger cookout, ask each caterer the same questions about pricing, service time, fees and what is included, so you are comparing like for like. For our side, see burger catering in Fort Worth and burger catering in Dallas, or find your city on our service areas page. We serve a 50 mile radius from Arlington.
Combining both ideas
Some hosts want the feel of a Texas cookout without a full barbecue menu. Our shared add-ons include hot dogs and bratwurst, which can round out a burger menu if you want more than one item on the grill. Choose the add-ons that fit your guests rather than adding everything by default.
Current burger packages and shared inclusions
The Cookout and The Block Party
The Cookout is $13 per person for a hamburger or cheeseburger with chips. The Block Party is $16 per person and includes everything in The Cookout plus your choice of two sides: Potato Salad, Baked Pork BBQ Beans, Creamy Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad, Fresh Fruit Salad, Seasoned Vegetables. Choose the combination that fits the meal you want, rather than assuming a larger menu is always necessary.
Gourmet Burger Bar
Gourmet Burger Bar is $19 per person. Includes: Sweet sourdough bun, Swiss & pepper jack cheese, sautéed mushrooms & jalapeños, grilled pineapple, bacon, guacamole, and homemade sauces, plus chips and your choice of two sides. All three packages use the same condiment line: Served with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mustard, mayo, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Compare the three catering packages before making your selections. The Gourmet option uses the same $500 food and beverage minimum and shared add-on list.
The global package terms are the same for all three: $500 Food & Beverage Minimum | 20% service charge | 8.25% sales tax | 2-hour service | Professional on-site grilling and setup. Service charge and sales tax are added on top of the base package price. The Block Party includes a veggie burger option, and other vegetarian and dietary needs can be accommodated on request.
A fair way to compare quotes
Line up each quote with the same guest count, service window and extras. Check whether service charges, tax and equipment are included or added. Then pick the format your guests will enjoy most. If burgers are the right fit, compare our catering packages and request a quote.
Shared add-ons and What's Included
The same optional add-ons apply to every package: Hot Dogs +$3.00 per person; Bratwurst +$4.00 per person; Bottled Water & Assorted Sodas +$3.00 per person; Lemonade and Sweet Tea available for an additional +$1.00 per person; Dessert: Homemade Banana Pudding or Strawberry Shortcake +$4.00 per person. The lemonade and sweet tea option is an additional upgrade to the drinks selection, not a replacement price for bottled water and sodas. Keep your selected extras visible when requesting an estimate.
What's Included applies to all three packages: Tent, Grill, Lights, Buffet tables, Plates, Utensils, Setup, Teardown, Cleanup. Review this list alongside your site arrangements so included catering equipment is not confused with separate guest seating or other event supplies. Setup, teardown and cleanup are included, and the cooking and serving layout should be discussed for your actual location.
Booking and cancellation terms
A 25% non-refundable booking fee (deposit) is required to reserve your date. The remaining balance is due 7 days before the event. Cancel more than 7 days before the event and we refund the remaining 75% (the 25% booking fee is non-refundable). Cancellations within 7 days of the event are not eligible for a refund, but the full amount paid can be applied to a future event date.
Read the Booking & Cancellation Terms before reserving your date. When you are ready, use the quote form to send the date, actual event address, estimated attendance, preferred package, add-ons and meal window. Those details let us discuss a quote for your gathering instead of relying on a generic planning example.