Bites Nearby: Meaty Choices for Feeding 50-100

Itʼs that time of year when attending graduation parties, showers and special gatherings seems the norm. For those of you who are hosting one of these events, Oakdale Patch has a few meaty suggestions to get your party started.

Jordanʼs Shredded Porketta and Baked Beans

For larger gatherings that linger for hours, thereʼs nothing better than shredded porketta meat ($6.49/lb with an order of 8 lbs or more) and sweet and savory, meaty baked beans ($3.29/lb).

“Our seasoned shredded porketta meat is a big seller for gatherings like graduation parties, since it can be kept warm in crock pots,” said general manager Paul Burgoyne. “Itʼs seasoned with a special Italian seasoning, salt, sugar, black, red and lemon pepper, parsley and fennel seed.”

Donʼt walk out without Jordanʼs famous baked beans. Not quite sure what makes these beans so incredibly good and addictive, but we do know theyʼre made with chopped bits of sausage and smoked bacon, and then all tossed together in a homemade sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. All you need to do is reheat and serve.

To feed approximately 100 people, Burgoyne recommends about 15 pounds of baked beans and about 18 pounds of shredded porketta. is located at 6445 Lake Road Terrace in Woodbury. For more information call 651- 578-8677.

Chipotle Burritos by the Box (minimum of six)

If fresh, organic foods are important to you and Mexican fare is your teenʼs favorite, Chipotleʼs Burritos by the Box ($7.80/per person) might be an excellent option.

Choices include ordering an assortment of burritos or you can create your own. Select from naturally raised adobo grilled chicken, steak, braised and shredded pork Carnita or Barbacoa beef and vegetarian. All burritos come with homemade cilantro-lime rice, vegetarian black beans, fresh tomato salsa and grated cheese.

Another perk: one bag of crispy chips and fresh salsa/guacamole, and side of sour cream, comes with every two burritos ordered.

To save money, cut these burritos in half and serve two for the price of one. Serve them from a warm chafing dish. Donʼt forget to mark each burrito with a marker for meat identity once you split them.

is located at 9965 Hudson Place and 7455 Currell Blvd. in Woodbury. For more information call 651-738-9366 or 651-739-1164.

Kentucky Fried Chicken 100-Piece Chicken Meal Deal

According to , 12 million customers are served every day in 109 countries worldwide. In other words, KFCʼs 100-piece chicken meal deal ($225) is an obvious crowd pleaser for the young and old. Daniel Como, a KFC general manager for more than 17 years, said this great deal includes 100 pieces of mixed white and dark meat (your choice of grilled, original or extra crispy), two gallons each of creamy mashed potatoes and crunchy coleslaw, and 50 homemade biscuits.

For 100 guests, simply supplement the biscuits and the mashed potatoes. Como said fresh chicken is prepared every hour. To ensure the freshest fried chicken for your event, pick up your order about an hour in advance.

If youʼre watching the waistline, order the grilled chicken recipe. It has less calories, sodium and fat than the original KFC recipe. Kentucky Fried Chicken is located at 7037 10th St. N. in Oakdale. For more information call 651-735-5407.