Everyone in Northwest Indiana has been to an open house where the meat and cheese deli tray is the star and the dessert platter is the sweet finale. These trays are part of the Region’s hosting culture, offering convenience, variety and enough food to keep guests happy without hours of prep. Whether you’re planning a graduation celebration, family reunion, office event or weekend gathering, platters and trays make feeding a crowd easy as pie. This guide covers what’s included, how many people each size serves and what they cost. Of course, the best place to order them in Northwest Indiana is at your local Strack & Van Til.

What comes on a party tray?

A party tray is a prepared platter of ready‑to‑serve food assembled by a deli or catering department. Trays arrive covered with a lid, portioned for groups and ready to set out as soon as guests arrive. Strack & Van Til offers a wide selection of trays for everything from casual get-togethers to milestone occasions.

Meat and cheese snackers

A classic option featuring sliced deli meats and cubed or sliced cheeses. “Pair them with a variety of bread and crackers to round out your spread,” notes Strack & Van Til Deli Director, Kristin Snow. “These trays are the perfect main attraction, as they provide protein to anchor your menu.”

Sandwich and slider trays

Options include junior King’s Hawaiian sandwiches, mini croissant sandwiches, mini pretzel sandwiches, Italian subs, ham or turkey subs and combination trays. These are easy to serve and popular with guests of all ages. The Hawaiian rolls add a touch of sweetness, while croissants and pretzels offer variety in texture. The Deli Department at the Strack & Van Til near you knows how to do sandwich and slider trays right!

Wrap and pinwheel trays

The Strack & Van Til Deli’s Hy Rollers and pita party trays feature bite‑size wraps filled with deli meats, cheeses and vegetables. They’re ideal for lighter spreads or occasions where guests mingle casually and snack leisurely. Pinwheels are colorful, easy to pick up and often combine flavors including turkey or ham with romaine lettuce and cheddar.

Veggie trays

These are often the first platters to be finished because guests who appreciate a lighter option can grab a guilt-free handful and snack away.

Garden veggie trays include fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, broccoli and peppers arranged with dip. They balance heavier trays and work well for showers, birthdays and office gatherings.

Fruit trays

Fresh fruit trays include seasonal fruit with dip. They’re refreshing, colorful and pair well with sandwich or dessert trays. Fruit varieties often include strawberries, melon, pineapple and grapes, among others, making these trays versatile across seasons.

Cheese trays

Cubed cheese trays offer bite‑size portions arranged for easy serving. They’re often paired with fruit or headline a charcuterie board and are a staple for wine tastings, office receptions or holiday hosting.

Chicken trays

Boneless wings and chicken tenders are hearty options for game days, tailgates and casual gatherings. They hold up well outdoors and provide a filling choice when guests want something more substantial. At Strack & Van Til, “Our Own Fried or Grilled Chicken” is a customer favorite and its enticing aroma is known throughout the Region.

Seafood trays

Want to serve a real treat? Strack & Van Til’s deluxe shrimp trays and seafood combo trays offer chilled shrimp and seafood salad options sized for groups. These trays elevate your menu and are popular for holiday hosting or milestone occasions.

Charcuterie trays

Add a charcuterie tray to your next gathering and let your sophisticated side shine through. The charcuterie boards in the Strack & Van Til Deli feature a curated assortment of meats, specialty cheeses and accompaniments such as olives, nuts, fresh fruits and berries, dried fruits, honey, bruschetta, fruit preserves, toasts or crackers. Or pick up your choice of ingredients and create your own charcuterie masterpiece.

Brunch trays

There’s something romantic about enjoying a leisurely brunch out on the patio, but even if your ideal meal is hosting the family around your kitchen table, the combination of breakfast and lunch is a lot of fun. Brunch trays may include fruit and breakfast‑style sandwiches from the Strack & Van Til Deli and sweet pastries from the bakery.

Bakery platters

Have a sweet tooth? The Strack & Van Til Bakery features custom order platters filled with mini cream puffs, mini eclairs, dipped mini cannoli, lemon bars, pie tarts, carrot cake bars, marshmallow-dipped treats and chocolate cake bars. “Our everyday party platter options include pumpkin bars, brownie bars, homestyle cookies and tea cakes,” says Bakery Director Stephanie Flynn. “These trays add a delectable finish to any celebration and come in 12‑inch and 16‑inch sizes.” Special orders require 48-hour notice.

How many people does a party tray feed?

Serving counts vary by type and size. Choose from the following Strack & Van Til Deli Department tray sizes when feeding a crowd:

• 14‑inch trays: Serve 10 to 20
• 16‑inch trays: Serve 20 to 30
• 18‑inch trays: Serve 30 to 40

Bakery platters tend to feed a smaller range of guests, so make sure you pick up enough to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth:

• 12‑inch bakery trays: Serve 6 to 10
• 16‑inch bakery trays: Serve 12 to 18

For example, a gathering of 30 guests might include:

• One 16‑inch meat and cheese tray
• One 16‑inch garden veggie tray
• One 18‑inch fruit and dip tray
• One bakery cookie or brownie platter

This mix offers variety without overbuying.

Tray planner by headcount

Tray Type	Small / 14‑inch	Medium / 16‑inch	Large / 18‑inch	Order Notice
Meat & Cheese	10–20	20–30	—	24 hours
Fruit & Dip	10–20	20–30	30–40	24 hours
Cubed Cheese	10–20	20–30	30–40	24 hours
Veggie	10–20	20–30	—	24 hours
Chicken Wings	10–20	—	—	24 hours
Chicken Tenders	10–20	—	—	24 hours
Sandwich Trays	6–12 (count‑based)	—	—	24 hours
Hy‑Rollers	—	15	—	24 hours
Mini Croissants	8–13	—	—	24 hours
Mini Pretzels	9–13	—	—	24 hours
Italian Sub	—	20	—	24 hours
Shrimp	10–20	20–30	30–40	24 hours
Seafood Combo	10–20	20–30	30–40	24 hours
Charcuterie	10	—	—	24 hours
Brunch	—	—	15–20	24 hours
Bakery Platters	6–10	12–18	—	48 hours

Is it cheaper to make your own party platters?

For small gatherings, building your own platter can save money. However, once the guest list reaches 15 to 20 people, prepared trays usually win. Here’s why:

• Prepared trays typically cost between $2 and $6 per person depending on type.
• Bakery platters range from $15 to $50 depending on size and selection.
• Creating your own party platters requires buying full packages of ingredients, serving platters and lids.
• Prep time can take hours, especially for multiple trays.

Curating your own trays or platters makes sense for small headcounts, single‑item spreads or when you want to showcase a signature homemade dish alongside purchased trays.

Matching trays to the occasion

Different events call for different combinations of trays. These suggestions focus on what guests tend to eat most.

• Graduation open houses: Sandwich trays, fruit trays and cookie platters. Guests graze over several hours.
• Holiday hosting: Charcuterie, shrimp trays and bakery pie tarts that supplement a cooked meal.
• Game day and tailgates: Wings, chicken tenders and brownies that hold up outdoors.
• Showers, birthdays and office events: Veggie trays, fruit trays and cream puffs for lighter spreads.
• Funeral luncheons and receptions: Simple sandwich trays and homestyle cookie platters families can order on short notice.
• Office events: Lunch meetings, retirements, team celebrations and more.
• Tailgates (football season, local high school sports).

How far ahead should you order?                                                    

The Strack & Van Til Deli Department requires 24‑hour notice for party trays and shoppers are advised that Bakery platters require 48 hours for special orders. During holiday weeks, order several days to a week ahead because graduation season, Thanksgiving and Christmas book up quickly.

You can order:

• In store at any deli or bakery counter
• By phone
• Online at strackandvantil.com/catering, with both pick-up and delivery options
• For questions or special requests, call 219‑961‑9119

Keeping party trays fresh

To keep trays at their best:

• Refrigerate the trays until 30 minutes before serving.
• Keep the tray lids on until your guests arrive.
• Perishable food should be kept at room temperature for no more than 2 hours.
• Use cooler bags to keep food cool during long drives.
• Transport trays flat on a seat-belted surface or trunk floor.
• Sandwiches and wraps will stay fresh for one to two days, while fruit and veggie trays are best eaten the same day.
• Bakery cookies and brownies last longer, while cream‑filled pastries should be eaten quickly.

Party trays from Strack & Van Til in Northwest Indiana

Strack & Van Til’s deli and bakery trays are prepared fresh in store and offer one of the Region’s most complete lineups:

• Meat and cheese trays
• Sandwich and slider trays
• Wrap and pinwheel trays
• Veggie trays
• Fruit trays
• Cheese trays
• Chicken trays
• Seafood trays
• Charcuterie trays
• Brunch trays
• Bakery platters

Stores across Lake and Porter Counties — including Highland, Munster, Crown Point, St. John, Schererville, Valparaiso and Hobart — offer these trays daily. Orders can be placed in store, by phone or online with pickup and delivery available.

Order your party tray ahead of time!

Party trays simplify hosting by providing ready‑to‑serve food sized for your guest list. Remember the sizing rules of thumb, place orders 24 to 48 hours ahead and let Strack & Van Til do all the work, so you don’t have to. Order at your nearest Strack & Van Til Deli or Bakery counter or visit strackandvantil.com/catering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Strack & Van Til locations offer party trays? All stores across Lake and Porter Counties — including Highland, Munster, Crown Point, St. John, Schererville, Valparaiso and Hobart — offer deli and bakery trays.

Where can I order party trays in Northwest Indiana? Order at any Strack & Van Til Deli or Bakery, by phone or online at strackandvantil.com/catering. Stores across Lake and Porter Counties offer pickup and delivery options.

When should I place my order? Deli trays need 24 hours’ and bakery platter orders require 48 hours’ notice. During graduation season, Thanksgiving and Christmas, ordering several days ahead is recommended.

How many people does each tray size serve? Strack & Van Til’s deli trays serve 10 to 40 guests depending on size. Bakery platters serve 6 to 18 guests. See the serving ranges listed in the tray planner section above.

Can I customize a tray? Yes. Speak directly with the Deli or Bakery team. For special requests, call 219-961-9119.

Do Strack & Van Til trays come ready to serve? Yes. All trays arrive covered, portioned and ready for your guests.

What occasions are party trays best for? They’re perfect for graduation parties, holidays, office gatherings, birthdays, showers, tailgates, funeral luncheons and weekend events.

Is it cheaper to make my own platters? DIY works for small groups, but for 15-20 guests or more prepared trays are usually more cost‑effective and save significant prep time.

How do I keep trays fresh before serving? Refrigerate trays until 30 minutes before serving, keep lids on until guests arrive and don’t leave perishable foods out for more than two hours. Transport trays flat and use cooler bags for long drives.

By Karyn G. Zafran