FAQ'S

ALLERGIES/DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

NOTE: Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when placing your order. Please note that we are not a gluten-free facility or free of other dietary-restricted items. We take great precaution to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination; however, such items are used in our facility and there is a risk that trace elements may impact your dish. Please contact someone from our catering team with further questions.

When placing your order, please let us know of any allergies or dietary restrictions in your party. Each order that goes out comes with a display menu that notes common allergens and dietary restrictions, such as gluten and dairy.
Each signature buffet offers some vegan/vegetarian options. We also have a variety of vegan/vegetarian options available à la carte, which can be added to any signature buffet! Contact our team for a full list of options!

FOOD & MENU DETAILS

For buffet packages and boxed meals, the minimum order size is 10 guests. If you have a party that is less than 10 guests, we encourage you to order from our a-la-carte menu. Or order meals directly from our restaurant, The Food Shack.
We prepare everything fresh for the best flavors and quality! From sauces and rubs to sides and toppings, most of our menu items are made in-house from scratch. We also slow smoke all meats in-house and carefully test each recipe to make sure you are getting the best of the best.
You won’t find industrial seed oils in our kitchen. No canola. No soybean. No corn oil. Why? Because those oils don’t belong in food that’s meant to nourish and bring people together. We use real fats—like coconut oil, avocado oil, beef tallow, and olive oil—supporting both flavor and wellness. You can learn more in our blogs!

CATERING SERVICES & SERVICE STYLE

All of our food options are presented as a self-serve buffet.
For large events, our team is happy to stay on site to maintain your buffet! We’ll provide everything that goes on top of the table cloth – chafing dishes, serving utensils, plates, cutlery, napkins, and a display menu.
For all other orders, you are welcome to pick up at our kitchen in Middletown, RI. Or we can deliver it right to your door!

Our team is here to help with anything food related. For onsite service, we will set up and break down your buffet station. We do not offer table service or plated dinners.

DELIVERY, PICKUP & SETUP

yes! We have two options for delivery.
  • •All hot items will be cooked and held at a safe temperature prior to you picking up your order.
  •  Ask us about including chafing sets with your order if you have a larger party or if the food will be out for an extended period of time. The fuel will burn for about 2–2.5 hours.
  • If you are traveling a longer distance, we recommend bringing insulated bags or coolers with you for transportation.
  • If you plan to serve/consume items in your order at a later time/the next day, let our team know and we will prepare the items for you to reheat at your convenience.
  • Items should be refrigerated after pick up and consumed within 48 hours.

Yes! These items are not included in the buffet packages, but we can add them to any order. Our buffet supplies include wire racks, steam pans, fuel, and serving utensils. Ask our team about upgrades and set-up options!

Yes! All of the plates and cutlery are compostable. Contact our catering team for additional details.

ORDERING & PLANNING YOUR EVENT

Our platters can be ordered in small, medium, and large sizes with no minimum. Our signature packages can be ordered for parties of 10 or more. There is a $150 minimum on all delivery orders.
We highly recommend placing your order as soon as you feel ready. Our weekend calendars fill up quickly in the summer season! Contact our team for availability.
All final details are due two weeks before your event date. This includes final headcount, any menu adjustments, and final payment.
Not to worry, we get this question all of the time. It’s always worth contacting our team to check on availability.
We’re happy to help you get some of your details in order! Our team has over 10 years of experience and will guide you through the next steps for a stress free planning process.

WEATHER & EVENT CHANGES

If your venue has the space, we can set up a taco station or bar indoors. Otherwise, the cancellation/postponement policy will apply. If opting to move your event indoors, please let us know 24 hours in advance via email or phone call.

CANCELLATION/POSTPONEMENT POLICY

Refunds can be issued as follows:

  • Greater than 10 day notice = Full refund
  • 5–9 day notice = 50% refund
  • 2–4 day notice = 25% refund
  • If you need to cancel your order with less than 48 hours’ notice, we are unfortunately unable to refund the order. We are happy to donate on your behalf.

If the postponed date is already determined or soon to be determined, the current payments will be applied to the new event day. If it is postponed to an undetermined date, the cancellation policy must be applied.

BAR & BEVERAGE SERVICES

Unfortunately, no. Our license allows our team to take care of the Bar & Beverage service for you. We’ll provide everything from mixers, cups, ice, and all the beverages you’ll need to keep the party going!
yes! Our Full Bar package includes our house-list of beer, wine, canned seltzer, liquor and mixers. We will provide a cocktail and mocktail list for your guests to order from! You can also add a signature cocktail or mocktail to your bar.

TASTINGS & FOOD EXPERIENCE

While we do not offer formal tastings, you are welcome to visit our sister restaurant, The Food Shack, at your convenience. Our menus are a reflection of the offerings from the Food Shacks Tacos, BBQ, and Street Eats!

SISTER RESTAURANT – THE FOOD SHACK

Yes! Our menus are a reflection of each other; from recipes and ingredients to quality and attention to detail.
The Food Shack is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday from 11am – 8pm. We offer dine-in services on the patio and in the dining room. Or order your meals to-go to try at home or at the beach!

CUSTOMER SUPPORT & RESPONSE TIME

Our office team works Monday – Friday, but leave a message or submit an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can! If we don’t respond to you that day, we will get back to you within 48 hours.

GIFT CARDS

Yes! You can use your gift card when placing orders online. Or let us know you are planning to use a gift card when you receive your estimate.

CAREERS

We will guide all new staff on the steps to packing and delivering catering orders.
If you are hired for on-site events, we’ll bring you to a few events so that you can fully understand each step of the behind-the-scenes process, from packing up for an event to setting up and maintaining the buffet stations. Our teams are focused on details and creating a seamless experience for everyone involved.

Party Platter Catering

For most platter orders, we can turn things around with as little as 48 hours notice. Larger orders or busy weekends? Book earlier to lock in your date.

Yes! We deliver throughout Rhode Island & Southern New England including Newport, Middletown, Providence, and surrounding areas. Contact us if you’re outside our standard delivery zone.

No minimum on platters and a la carte items. Pre-built packages start at 15 guests. Reach out and we’ll figure out what works for your headcount.

Absolutely. We offer gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and other options. Let us know when you order and we’ll make sure everyone’s covered.

Because we think it matters. Seed oils are loaded with chemicals (bleached, refinded & deodorized) and are found in almost everything in the food industry, and we’ve made the decision not to use them. We cook with better fats, better ingredients, and better practices — because the food we serve reflects who we are.

Yes! Build your own spread using our a la carte options or start with a package and customize from there. We want your party food to be exactly what you’re looking for.

Our sister restaurant is the Food Shack in Middletown, RI. Most items on our catering menu are also available in our restaurant. You can stop by anytime or contact us and we can set up a time to meet with you and try the food.

Drop-Off Catering

Drop-off catering means we prepare everything fresh in our kitchen and deliver it to your location, packaged and ready to serve — without a full on-site catering crew. It’s perfect for events where you want great food without managing staff.

We drop off catering across Rhode Island and Southern New England. All with an affordable delivery fee of just $30 for most of RI! Not sure if we reach you? Just reach out and we’ll let you know.

Most orders can be placed with as little as 48 hours notice. For larger events, holiday weekends, or busy seasons, the earlier the better and we encourage you to lock in your date!

Most orders can be placed with as little as 48 hours notice. For larger events, holiday weekends, or busy seasons, the earlier the better and we encourage you to lock in your date!

No minimum on platters and a la carte items. Pre-built packages start at 15 guests. Contact us and we’ll work with your headcount and budget.

We arrive with everything packaged, labeled, and organized for easy setup, including a setup a guide and how-to video! We can also include serving trays, utensils, and everything you need to put out a clean spread — just let us know when you order.

Yes. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and other options are available. Let us know when you order and we’ll make sure everyone’s covered.

Because we think it matters. Seed oils — canola, vegetable, soybean — are bleached, refined, and deodorized and found in almost everything in the food industry. We made the decision to cook without them, using better fats and real ingredients. The food we drop off at your event reflects who we are as a company.

Absolutely. Our sister restaurant, the Food Shack in Middletown, RI, serves most of what’s on our catering menu. Stop in anytime or contact us to set up a tasting.

Yes — bottled water, seltzers, and full bar packages are available. Ask us about drink options when you place your order.