As a restaurant patron, you may have seen large party platters or “whole lotta” platters on the menu and wondered exactly what they contained. These platters are designed to feed a crowd by providing a variety of foods in large quantities. But what exactly comes on these platters that promise so much food? Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from a whole lotta platter.
Appetizers and Finger Foods
Many whole lotta platters start off with a robust selection of appetizers and finger foods to give your guests a variety of small bites to enjoy. Here are some of the appetizers you might see:
- Buffalo wings – The platter may contain traditional fried chicken wings tossed in spicy buffalo sauce and served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.
- Mozzarella sticks – Breaded and fried mozzarella cheese sticks are a crowd-pleasing appetizer. They are typically served with marinara sauce.
- Potstickers – These Chinese dumplings are pan-fried and may be filled with pork, chicken, shrimp or vegetables. They are served with soy sauce.
- Vegetable spring rolls – Crispy fried rolls wrapped around vegetables are a lighter appetizer option. Sweet chili sauce is the typical dipping sauce.
- Chicken tenders – Breaded chicken breast strips fried until crispy are easy to pick up and dip in condiments like barbecue sauce, ranch and honey mustard.
- Nachos – Corn tortilla chips piled high with melted cheese, jalapenos, salsa, guacamole and sour cream make for a shareable starter.
- Quesadillas – Grilled flour tortillas filled with cheese, veggies and chicken or beef are cut into triangles for bite-sized portions.
- Sliders – Small sandwiches like mini cheeseburgers and barbecue pulled pork sliders are easy to eat by hand.
This wide array of appetizers provides a solid base of snacks to accompany drinks and start the feast off right.
Main Entree Options
No platter would be complete without some hearty main entrees. Whole lotta platters typically provide an array of proteins and sides to satisfy big appetites. Here are some popular mains:
- Fried chicken – A mix of breast, thigh, drumstick and wing pieces fried to golden perfection. This Southern staple is a crowd-pleaser.
- Baked chicken – Boneless chicken breasts or thighs seasoned and oven-baked for a lighter option.
- Chicken parmesan – Chicken cutlets breaded and fried, then topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
- Meat lasagna – Layers of pasta, ground beef or sausage, tomatoes, cheese and sauce make this Italian favorite a satisfying entree.
- Baked ziti – Ziti pasta mixed with tomato sauce, cheese and sometimes meat, then baked bubbling hot.
- Pulled pork – Slow-cooked shredded pork barbecue seasoned with spices and barbecue sauce.
- Ribs – Fall-off-the-bone beef ribs or pork baby back ribs glazed in sticky barbecue sauce.
- Shrimp scampi – Plump shrimp sautéed in garlic butter sauce for a rich flavor.
- Crab cakes – Lump crab meat mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings, then fried into savory patties.
- Salmon – Flaky salmon fillets cooked on the grill or baked with lemon and herbs.
You can expect to find anywhere from 3-5 of these hearty protein and entree selections on a whole lotta platter. It provides options to suit any taste while delivering plenty of food.
Classic Side Dishes
No platter is complete without traditional side dishes to complement the main entrees. Here are some classic sides you’ll often find on a whole lotta platter:
- Potato salad – Chunks of potato mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, onions, eggs and other vegetables.
- Pasta salad – Rotini, spirals or penne pasta tossed in an Italian dressing with veggies like bell peppers, onions, olives, etc.
- Coleslaw – Shredded cabbage and carrots mixed in a creamy dressing.
- Corn on the cob – Grilled ears of corn slathered in butter and seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Cornbread – Sweet cornbread either baked into a loaf or muffins.
- Baked beans – Navy beans cooked with onions, bacon and brown sugar for a sweet, smoky flavor.
- Collard greens – Slow-cooked collards stewed with ham hocks or bacon.
- Mac and cheese – Everybody’s favorite comfort food of cheesy noodles.
- Mashed potatoes – Fluffy spuds mashed with butter, milk and seasonings.
- Rice pilaf – Rice cooked in seasoned broth with vegetables like peas and carrots.
A mix of 3-4 classic side dishes gives guests more options and the ability to try a bit of everything that accompanies the main course.
Breads
Breads are essential for sopping up all those delicious sauces and gravies from the platter entrees. Here are some breads you can expect:
- Dinner rolls – Soft, fluffy rolls like yeast rolls, Hawaiian rolls and buttermilk biscuits.
- Garlic bread – Loaves or rolls spread with garlic butter or oil for tons of flavor.
- Cornbread – Moist squares or muffins with a hint of sweetness.
- Breadsticks – Crispy, chewy baked breadsticks for dipping in sauces.
A variety of breads will likely be displayed in baskets or lined up in rows along the edge of the platter for easy access to every meal.
Desserts
No platter is truly complete without something sweet at the end! Whole lotta platters typically deliver an assortment of desserts like:
- Cookies – Chocolate chip, sugar and other classic cookie varieties.
- Brownies – Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with or without nuts.
- Apple pie – Traditional two-crust apple pie slices.
- Cobbler – Fruit-filled cobblers with sweet, cakey toppings.
- Cakes – Sheet cakes, cupcakes or cake pops in flavors like vanilla, chocolate and red velvet.
- Pudding – Individual cups of creamy chocolate or vanilla pudding.
Dessert provides the final touch of indulgence to leave your guests satisfied with their incredible platter experience.
Quantity and Portions
Whole lotta platters truly live up to their name in terms of abundant quantities of food. The exact amount will vary by restaurant, but most aim to serve anywhere from 10 to 30 people with a single platter.
Here are some example portion sizes you might see on a whole lotta platter designed to serve 20 people:
| Food Item | Sample Portion |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Wings | 40 wings |
| Spring Rolls | 30 rolls |
| Fried Chicken | 10 pieces |
| Baked Ziti | Two 9×13 pans |
| Meat Lasagna | Two 9×13 pans |
| Pulled Pork | 10 pounds |
| Coleslaw | Two quarts |
| Mac and Cheese | Two 9×13 pans |
| Dinner Rolls | 40 rolls |
| Brownies | 50 brownies |
As you can see, the quantities are generous to allow at least a taste or full serving of everything for each guest, with plenty of leftovers to spare.
Platter Presentation
In addition to ample food, whole lotta platters deliver an enticing visual presentation. The foods are artfully arranged in rows, sections and piles across large, flat platters. Here are some presentation tips:
- Appetizers go around the edges to encourage snacking first.
- Entrees are prominently featured in the middle.
- Sides surround the main entrees.
- Breads fill in gaps to complete the bountiful display.
- Desserts create a sweet finish at the ends.
The platter has a balanced, eye-pleasing look that adds to the excitement and indulgence of the massive meal.
Ordering Tips
Whole lotta platters require some strategic ordering to ensure you get one suitable for your event. Here are some helpful tips:
- Know your headcount – Give the restaurant an accurate number of guests so they can recommend the right platter size.
- Order in advance – Platters require lots of preparation, so order 1-2 days early at minimum.
- Discuss menus – Talk to the restaurant about customizing entrees, sides and desserts if you want.
- Clarify delivery time – Confirm when the platter will be delivered if catering an off-site event.
- Ask about service – See if the restaurant provides serving utensils, plates, napkins, etc.
- Have a serving space – Make sure you have an empty table or counter to display the platter at its full glory.
With smart ordering, you’ll guarantee an amazing whole lotta platter experience for any big gathering.
The Whole Lotta Benefits
Ultimately, whole lotta platters provide a range of benefits that make them a fantastic choice for large parties and events:
- Abundant, diverse foods provide options for all preferences and appetites.
- Large quantities mean all guests can enjoy seconds and leftovers.
- Cost effective for budget-friendly catering compared to individual entrees.
- Minimal work for the hosts – no prep or cleanup needed.
- Impressive, photogenic presentation wows guests.
- Easy for guests to share and mingle over the large platters.
The bottom line – whole lotta platters offer delicious abundance in beautiful presentations for crowd-pleasing meals.
Conclusion
When a restaurant offers a whole lotta platter, you know you’re in for a treat – and a lot of food! These over-the-top platters provide endless portions of crowd-favorite appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts artistically arranged for a show-stopping presentation. With savory and sweet foods piled high in generous quantities, whole lotta platters guarantee satisfaction for any big gathering. Next time you need to serve up a feast, say yes to the whole lotta platter!