The Build-Your-Own Burger Bar: A Fun, Customizable Catering Idea
Catering a build-your-own burger bar for your next event is a fun choice that provides guests with more opportunity to customize their meals to their preferences. As you start searching for build-your-own burger bar catering near you, you may even discover that this catering option is available from your favorite restaurant. Keep reading to learn more about build-your-own burger bars and tips for setting up this dining experience!
What is a build-your-own burger bar?
Whether you put one together yourself or have it catered, a build-your-own burger bar is designed so that guests assemble their own burgers. Instead of presenting burgers that are already prepared in a certain way, guests can add their choice and preferred amount of condiments and other toppings. They may even be able to choose from an assortment of buns or burger patties. Whether you elect for the burgers and other buildable components to be prepared and set up by on-site catering staff or order burger bar catering for pickup or delivery, guests at your next event will surely be excited by this meal selection and approach to its service.
What is included with build-your-own burger bar catering?
The specifics of what’s included with a build-your-own burger bar may vary according to the choice of caterer, service style and more. At Freddy’s, we offer two different build-your-own burger bars – a Standard Burger Bar and a Deluxe Burger Bar. Both of these burger bars are available for carry-out or delivery. They are also intended to feed 10 guests, as they each include 10 doubles (with cheese). While the provided topping assortment varies, each order also comes with 10 servings of Freddy’s Kettle Chips. That way, in addition to providing the build-your-own burger experience, guests will also have a side to enjoy as part of their catered meals.
How do you set up a build-your-own burger bar?
Even if you use an on-site catering service, you’ll likely want to be involved in setting up your burger bar and any other features of your event space. After all, you may be more familiar with the wants and needs of your guests and plan to incorporate special extras to make their experiences memorable. Here are three things to think about as you design your event space for the build-your-own burger bar catering:
1. Optimize traffic flow and the meal construction experience.
Build-your-own burger bars are intended to be interactive, not only in terms of burger assembly but also due to the informal chats between guests that may occur during the process. As you set up your buffet tables, think about how using both sides of a table or multiple tables for different parts of the meal might help make the burger bar experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. As you put yourself in your guests’ shoes to envision how their experiences might unfold, also consider the table design. Would you want to hold napkins and silverware while trying to also scoop and stack your burger? Do you typically put condiments on the bun before or after the burger, cheese or other toppings? Reflecting on these kinds of details and strategizing accordingly will help ensure a fun and delicious dining experience.
2. Use signs and labels for guidance.
From arrows or other indications specifying where the build-your-own adventure begins to food labels and allergen information, signs can be extremely useful and beneficial. They might entice people to try a condiment on their burgers with which they are unfamiliar or help ensure that they avoid selections that may not be appropriate for their health considerations. Check out this list of more than 10 different ways to include labels on your upcoming party or build-your-own burger bar buffet tables from Taste of Home.
3. Provide curated burger ideas for your guests.
In addition to any other signage, you might consider including a few burger assembly ideas for your guests. As recommended in this burger bar guide from Parade, one way to support your guests in their burger creation is to include suggestions for specific burgers to put together. For example, if there is a special guest of honor at the event, you might provide an explanation of how to make that individual’s favorite burger. Does your party have a theme? You might offer a few combinations that align with it.
At the Freddy’s near you, build-your-own burger bar catering is not the only fun and customizable catering idea available. In fact, our hot dog bars and sundae bar catering are two other opportunities for guests to make savory or sweet dishes just the way they like them. As you start planning for your next event, check out our catering menu or contact our team with any questions!