Planning an office lunch or a family gathering doesn't mean you have to cook everything yourself. Giant Food Stores offers a comprehensive catering menu designed to take the stress out of feeding a crowd, featuring everything from classic meat-and-cheese platters to warm finger foods and custom sandwich trays. If you're hosting an event and wondering what options are available, how much it costs, and how far in advance you need to order, you're in the right place.
Unlike generic grocery roundups, this guide breaks down the actual structure of Giant's catering service, portion guidelines, pricing expectations, and step-by-step ordering instructions so you can plan your next event without second-guessing.
Understanding Giant's Catering Menu Structure
Giant structures its catering selections around convenience and variety. You won't find overly complicated gourmet menus here; instead, you get reliable, crowd-pleasing party food that feeds groups ranging from five people to over fifty.
Most items are sold by size or by the tray rather than by individual head counts, which makes budgeting simpler once you know your guest count. The menu is typically split into a few core categories:
- Breakfast Platters: Assorted pastry trays, bagel boxes, and breakfast sandwich assortments.
- Cold Deli Platters: Traditional meat-and-cheese arrangements, slider trays, sub sandwiches, and wrap platters.
- Finger Foods and Appetizers: Chicken wings, meatballs, shrimp cocktail rings, and vegetable or fruit trays.
- Bakery and Dessert Trays: Cookie platters, brownie bites, and custom-ordered celebration cakes.
Popular Platters and Estimated Head Counts
Knowing which tray to buy is usually the hardest part of grocery catering. Order too little and guests leave hungry; order too much and your fridge is packed with leftover ham rolls for a week.
Here is a breakdown of the standard platter styles you'll find on the menu and how many people they typically serve:
Sandwich and Wrap Platters
Giant offers pre-sliced sub trays, mini croissant sandwiches, and wrap platters cut into convenient finger-food sizes. A standard wrap tray featuring turkey, roast beef, and vegetarian options usually feeds between 10 and 15 people. If you choose the classic sub sandwich ring or sliced meat trays with dinner rolls, plan for about one to two rolls or slider portions per guest.
Meat and Cheese Trays
Classic deli boards feature roasted turkey, roast beef, ham, and cheeses like cheddar and Swiss. Small trays usually serve 8 to 12 people, while large trays can accommodate up to 25 guests. You'll need to order a separate bag of Giant bakery rolls if you want guests to make their own sandwiches.
Fruit and Vegetable Trays
Fresh produce platters are essential for balancing out heavy party foods. Vegetable trays come with ranch or dill dip, while fruit trays feature seasonal melons, grapes, and strawberries. A medium fruit tray comfortably serves 12 to 15 people as a side addition.
Pricing Realities and Budgeting
Grocery store catering is one of the most cost-effective ways to feed a group. While exact prices fluctuate based on seasonal produce costs and local store pricing, you can generally expect predictable tiers:
- Small Platters (8–12 people): Usually range from $30 to $50 depending on whether you choose standard deli meats or premium roast beef and specialty cheeses.
- Medium to Large Platters (15–25+ people): Typically range from $55 to $95.
- Hot Appetizer Trays (Meatballs, Wings): Sold by weight or tray size, generally running $40 to $70 per hot pan.
To put this in perspective, feeding a casual office party of 15 people with a wrap platter, a vegetable tray, and a cookie box will usually cost between $120 and $160 total—far cheaper than hiring a traditional catering company. You can check official promotions and rewards programs on the Giant Food website before placing your order to see if any deli specials apply.
How to Place Your Giant Catering Order
Ordering grocery catering isn't complicated, but it does require following a specific timeline to ensure the deli department has your items ready.
- Review the Menu Online: Visit the entertaining or deli section of your local store's website or pick up a physical catering brochure at the customer service desk.
- Determine Your Guest Count: Count your attendees and factor in heavy eaters or children. It's always safer to round up to the next tray size if you're right on the boundary.
- Select Pickup Date and Time: Choose a pickup window that gives you enough time to get the food home and set up before guests arrive. Keep in mind that cold platters need to stay refrigerated until shortly before serving.
- Submit Your Order Early: While you can sometimes grab pre-made platters out of the case on the day of an event, custom catering orders require at least 24 to 48 hours notice. For large holiday orders, give them up to a week.
- Pick Up and Inspect: Head to the deli counter at your scheduled time. Double-check that all dressings, condiments, and paper goods you requested are included in the box.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a straightforward catering menu, a few common pitfalls can trip up party planners. Keep these tips in mind to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Forgetting Paper Goods: Giant's catering trays include the food, but they rarely include plates, napkins, or forks unless explicitly added to your cart. Don't get caught without them.
- Ignoring Dietary Restrictions: Always ask your guests about allergies or dietary preferences ahead of time. Ordering only heavy meat-and-cheese platters leaves vegetarian guests with very few options.
- Cutting it Too Close on Pickup: Give yourself a buffer of at least two hours between picking up the food and your event start time. Traffic, lines at the deli counter, or last-minute seating arrangements always take longer than expected.
- Leaving Food Out Too Long: Perishable deli items, especially mayo-based salads and sliced meats, shouldn't sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Set out smaller portions and keep the rest chilled in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize the meats and cheeses on a platter?
Yes. While standard platters come with a preset mix of turkey, ham, and roast beef, most deli departments will accommodate requests to swap items if you order in advance.
Do Giant catering platters come ready to serve?
Most cold platters come arranged on disposable plastic party trays with clear plastic lids. You can pull them straight from the fridge and place them directly on your food table.
How far in advance do I need to place my order?
You should place your catering order at least 24 hours in advance. For large weekend gatherings, graduations, or major holidays like Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday, try to order 3 to 5 days ahead.
Can I get hot food catered, or is it only cold items?
Giant offers select hot items through their deli and prepared foods section, such as wings, meatballs, and fried chicken. Availability varies by location, so check with your local store's deli manager when ordering.
