This article is sponsored by Labriola
Finding catering for $25 per person or less can feel challenging, especially as menu prices and service fees continue to rise. Luckily, Chicago offers a surprising number of caterers who provide excellent food, and generous portions while staying within budget. Whether you’re planning a corporate lunch, an office meeting, a social celebration, or a community gathering, we have provided a variety of options that account for various dietary needs, while remaining within your budget.
To maximize value, consider a few strategies before choosing your vendor. If going for a boxed meal, keep it simple with 2-3 popular options. Vegan meals tend to cover a variety of dietary needs, so if you’re unsure about the total needs of the group, it’s a good ideas to order a few additional vegan or vegetarian meals as backup. When ordering a buffet-style mean, it’s a good idea to keep menus streamlined with two entrees, a salad, a couple of sides, and one dessert ensures a hearty meal without too many add-ons and costs. To make sure you stay within your budget, always check delivery minimums and fees ahead of your menu selections, as they can vary widely and impact total costs.
With these planning tips in mind, here are Chicago’s best affordable catering options that can typically serve groups at $20–$25 per person for food before tax and service fees, or minimum required guest counts. Each listing includes cuisine type, service area, and budget ranges to help you quickly identify the right fit.
Sponsored Caterer Highlight: Labriola
Labriola is a Chicago favorite, known for its artisan breads, hearty pastas, signature meatballs, and Italian American comfort dishes designed to feed a crowd. With city and suburban locations, Labriola offers catering menus ideal for office lunches, meetings, family celebrations, and corporate events.
Cuisine: Italian American
Areas Served: Chicago and suburbs
Food Range: Pasta trays, salads, sandwiches, and bakery selections can often be curated around $20–$25 per person.
Why Planners Love It: Generous portions, reliable quality, and menus that satisfy a wide range of palates.
Contact
Jessica Millewska: [email protected]
Phone Number: (312) 955-3100
Location: 535 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Beyond Catering
Beyond Catering serves corporate events, social gatherings, and nonprofit programs throughout Chicagoland. Offering everything from boxed meals to hot buffets, they provide flexible packages that scale well for different group sizes.
Cuisine: American and globally inspired
Areas Served: Chicago and suburbs
Food Range: Hot buffets, daytime menus, and drop-off options can often be planned around $20–$25 per person.
Best For: Corporate lunches, holiday gatherings, meetings, and casual celebrations.
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen in Wicker Park offers vibrant, chef-driven vegan dishes inspired by global flavors. Their catering menu includes composed salads, bold entrees, and colorful sharable plates.
Cuisine: Plant-based, vegan
Areas Served: Chicago
Food Range: Platters and shared entrees can often be designed at $20–$25 per person.
Best For: Wellness-focused gatherings, mixed dietary needs, and creative vegan menus.
Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill
Carbon offers street-style Mexican catering with tacos, grilled meats, burritos, rice, beans, and house-made salsas—perfect for build-your-own taco bars.
Cuisine: Mexican street food
Areas Served: Chicago
Food Range: Taco bars and burrito packages typically fall between $15–$25 per person.
Best For: Office lunches, casual parties, and buffet-style events.
Corner Bakery Café
Corner Bakery offers convenient breakfast and lunch catering with pastries, sandwich trays, boxed lunches, salads, and hot breakfast options.
Cuisine: American café
Areas Served: Chicago and suburbs
Food Range: Many packages fall between $12–$22 per person, with expanded combinations nearing $20–$25.
Best For: Morning meetings, staff lunches, training days, and recurring corporate orders.
Goddess and the Baker
Known for creative café fare, Goddess and the Baker offers breakfast and lunch catering including pastries, sandwiches, salads, grain bowls, desserts, and coffee service.
Cuisine: American café with global influences
Areas Served: Chicago and select suburbs
Food Range: Boxed meals, platters, and brunch or lunch combinations often fit within $20–$25 per person.
Best For: Stylish office meals, dessert-forward menus, and brunch gatherings.
Nicole Jordan Catering
Nicole Jordan Catering brings a boutique approach to contemporary American cuisine with globally inspired flavors. They offer both drop-off and full-service options.
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Areas Served: Chicago and surrounding suburbs
Food Range: Casual buffets and drop-off menus can typically be tailored to $25 per person.
Best For: Social events, intimate gatherings, themed dinners, and curated corporate meals.
Olive Mediterranean Grill (OMG)
Olive Mediterranean Grill offers customizable Mediterranean spreads including shawarma, falafel, salads, rice, dips, and warm pita. It’s one of the best value options for large groups.
Cuisine: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern
Areas Served: Chicago and suburbs
Food Range: Many Mediterranean spreads fall between $15–$25 per person.
Best For: Buffet lunches, mixed dietary needs, flavor-forward group meals.
Portillo’s
Portillo’s offers classic Chicago comfort food that feeds large groups efficiently. Italian beef, hot dogs, salads, pasta trays, and sandwich packages remain budget-friendly favorites.
Cuisine: Chicago-style American
Areas Served: Chicago and suburbs
Food Range: Most packages fall between $15–$25 per person.
Best For: Company parties, themed events, casual gatherings, and high-volume catering.
Soul Vegan Catering
Soul Vegan provides plant-based soul food with a deep Chicago legacy. Their catering includes hearty entrees, stews, vegetable-forward dishes, and classic sides.
Cuisine: Vegan soul food
Areas Served: Chicago and beyond
Food Range: Trays and buffet-style selections typically reach $20–$25 per person.
Best For: Inclusive events, cultural gatherings, and plant-forward celebrations.
Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering
Sweet Baby Ray’s Catering brings barbecue-centered menus to corporate events, picnics, and social celebrations. Their smoked meats and comfort-driven sides are designed for flavorful group dining.
Cuisine: American barbecue
Areas Served: Chicago and Chicagoland
Food Range: Barbecue buffets, boxed meals, and picnic menus often land in the $20–$25 per person range.
Best For: Outdoor events, corporate celebrations, and comfort-food lovers.
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