Best Catering Companies in Memphis

Originally opened as a fast food take-out restaurant in 1983, A&R Bar-B-Que grew into a dine-in and catering business based in Memphis. The company’s catering menu includes rib tips, homemade hot links, chicken, pork shoulder, beef brisket, turkey brisket, sweet potato pie, butter cookies, fried peach pie, apple pie, whole pecan pie, whole strawberry or lemon cake, whole chocolate cake, whole peach cobbler, whole German chocolate cake, whole red velvet or caramel cake, and more.

An upscale restaurant based in Memphis, Automatic Slim’s serves the surrounding areas with over 20 years of experience specializing in American cuisine that has a Southern flare. The company provides private and party catering services on- and off-site at Café Ole, Ubee’s Dyer’s On Beale, Automatic Slim’s, Alfred’s On Beale, or an offsite location.

Serving slow smoked Memphis-style BBQ since 2002, Central BBQ caters to the midtown, downtown, and East areas of Memphis. The company provides full-service catering services for weddings, business luncheons, private parties, and more. Their menu includes pulled pork or chicken, beans, slaw, sauces, appetizers, sides, BBQ entrees, beverages, desserts, buns, paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, and serving utensils. They are certified by Project Green Fork and featured by The Food Network’s On The Road TV show.

Based in Memphis, Cheffie’s Café offers made-to-order cuisine since being founded in 2011. The company’s catering menu includes sandwiches, sandwich trays, pinwheel trays, boxed lunches, salad bowls, salads, appetizers, beverages, and desserts.

Serving the Memphis area since 1989, Draper’s Catering of Memphis is a family business that originally started out as a deli and has transformed into an off-site catering company. They provide full-service bar and catering services for company parties, corporate events, galas and large events, holiday parties, corporate drop off catering, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions, and more. The company holds WeddingWire’s Couples’ Choice Award in 2014, are voted “Favorite” by Memphis Most, is a preferred vendor by the Charity Wedding Gown Sale and Bridal Show, and is a member of the Memphis Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events.

Serving the Memphis and surrounding areas, Elwood’s Shack specializes in creating their food from scratch since being founded in 2013. The company’s catering menu includes beverages, bread pudding, banana pudding, blue cheese coleslaw, smoked sausage and cheese, pecan pie, smoked turkey, potato salad, side salad, nachos, pork dry ribs, Texas beef brisket, authentic jerk wings, pulled pork, and Elwood’s Slather Sauce.

A banquet and conference center, Esplanade caters to in-facility events, homes, offices, or other special venues in the Memphis and surrounding areas. The company’s catering menu includes carving stations, desserts, pasta, plated dinners, buffets, three-course dinners, appetizers with a full bar, boxed lunches, sandwiches and trays, plated lunch, heavy buffet, appetizer buffet, waffle stations, omelet station, hot breakfast buffet, continental breakfasts, and more.

Founded in 2007, One & Only BBQ serves the Memphis and surrounding areas with daily hickory smoked meats. The company’s catering menu includes smoked whole briskets, smoked whole cut hams, smoked whole turkeys, family packs, party packs, desserts, sides, hamburgers, hot dogs and specialty dogs, BBQ nachos, smoked or fried chicken drummies and whole wings, sliced beef brisket, Memphis-style smoked beef back ribs, pulled pork shoulder, Memphis hickory smoked BBQ baby back ribs, and special orders on request. They offer delivery and curbside pickup services in two locations in the Memphis area. They hold a Certificate of Excellence in 2014 by TripAdvisor.

Based in Memphis since 1982, Panini Catering specializes in custom menus and action catering, where everything is prepared on-site. The company provides catering services for holiday parties, birthday parties, anniversaries, weddings, holiday meals, corporate events, employee appreciation, picnics, craft services for the movie industry, and more. Their corporate services include event specialists that will plan entertainment, games, and fun for any event. Their menu includes a cappuccino bar, smoothies, milkshakes, hors d’oeuvres, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, ice cream sundae bars, fajita bars, box lunches, flatbread and sandwich bars, pasta and Panini bars, omelet bars, waffle bars, and more.

Founded in 1988, Sanders Catering specializes in catering for corporate and special events for the Mid-South and Memphis areas. The company provides formal and casual catering services for home dinners, formal dinners, weddings, trade shows, conventions, executive lunches, company picnics, wedding receptions, church banquets, family reunions, class reunions, butler style service, breakfast meetings, corporate luncheons, box lunch events, and more. They are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and named Business of the Year by the Memphis Business Journal.

A specialty caterer with a multi-cultural background, Simply Fabulous serves the Memphis and surrounding areas since 1995. The owner, Fabiola Francis, was born in Lebanon, raised in Guatemala, and is a second generation chef and caterer that combines Guatemalan and Southern culinary influences. The company’s catering menu includes hot hors d’oeuvres, cold hors d’oevres, boxed lunches, breakfast, vegetables and salads, lunch, dinner, breakfast trays, fruit and cheese trays, sandwich trays, cheese trays, meat trays, fruit tray, veggie tray, cookie trays, fish entrees, chicken entrees, pasta, lamb entrees, beef entrees, pork entrees, vegan and gluten free options, and desserts.

Serving the Memphis, Franklin, Germantown, Southaven, and surrounding areas with four locations, Swanky’s Taco Shop focuses on upscale and quick service since being founded in 2004. The company’s catering menu includes a taco bar, fajita bar, starters, burritos, chips and dip, and a build-to-taste bar.

A premier boutique baked goods and catering business, Sweet Potato Baby serves the Memphis and surrounding areas since 2014. The company provides bar service, catering, and drop-off catering services for a range of events that include weddings, small backyard get-togethers, picnics, corporate events, office lunches, wedding receptions, birthday parties, graduation celebrations, rehearsal dinners, business meetings, company barbeques, employee appreciation parties, and other special events and occasions. They also provide event planning services and professionals to help plan any event. They hold the Best of 2015 and 2016 award by Thumbtack.

Founded in 1943, The Cupboard Restaurant serves the Memphis area with “down-home cooking” and daily specials. The company’s catering menu includes special entrees, daily specials, entrees, sides, desserts, beverages, breakfast platters, a la carte items, breakfast specials, omelets, rib eye steak and eggs breakfast, and other breakfast food. They hold first place for Best Down-Home by Memphis Magazine and first place for Best Don-Home/Soul Food by The Memphis Flyer.