With 4th of July landing on a Wednesday this year, festivities are taking place all week long. For some, 4th of July means packing the cooler with sandwiches and drinks and heading straight to the beach all day long. For others, it means gathering all your friends and family over for a BBQ at the house or in the park.  

If you are planning a BBQ, we know hosting can be a handful, especially when it comes to planning the menu. It’s your party! You should be able to mix and mingle freely and not feel trapped in the kitchen.

If you’re familiar with Catering by Michaels, you know seasonality is important to us. Our chefs work hard to put together dishes that not only taste great but plate great as well. Our summer menu offers small bites, side dishes, main dishes, and desserts. So, whether you are interested in a fully catered menu or just some additional side dishes, we will work with you to make sure everything is perfect.

Flavorful Side Dishes To Choose From

If a BBQ means taking out the grill and throwing on some meat and veggies, we can leave the mains to you while taking care of any additional side dishes and apps.

Our summer menu features a variety of fresh, crisp salad options. From our classic BBQ Chicken Salad to our Watermelon & Feta Salad, you’ll be able to satisfy both vegetarians and meat lovers, alike.

If you’re planning a long day of enjoyment, you’ll have no problem keeping everyone’s appetite at bay with our selection of starters. Our customers are loving our Sliced Domestic Cheese Basket, Summer Maki Roll Assortment, and Summer Jump Shrimp Sampler.

Main Dishes That Sparkle

We get it (and don’t blame you) if you don’t feel like cooking. We will happily cater your whole menu! A few recommendations from our staff: Bone-In BBQ Marinated Chicken, Pulled BBQ Pork, and Beef Tenderloin.  Or choose from one of our many other main dish options.

All of our items come already cooked and prepared. All you have to worry about is what to eat first!

Read More…

Summers are made for salads! We’re talking big, green, leafy deliciousness filled with all the great fruits and vegetables the season has to offer. It’s the perfect strategic combination of these yummy seasonal ingredients that result in light salads with BIG flavor. 

With summer officially kicking off, we asked Chef Mike to share his top 10 favorite salads he’s whipping up this season, along with a recipe for one of his personal favorites that you can make at home on your own. These light and fresh salads are the perfect sides for grilled main dishes at picnics and potlucks, and are always a standout at backyard barbecues.

WATERMELON & FETA SALAD

Served on a bed of arugula, garnished with sliced almonds and fresh mint.

Read More…

Summer in Chicago is truly a sight to be seen. It’s the only full 2 months of nice weather we get each year, so we all try our best to make the most of it. In an effort to enjoy the outdoors while the sun is hot enough to allow for cute maxi dresses, shorts, and tank tops, we’ve put together a quick guide to summer outdoor entertaining.

Pick an Occasion

Summertime provides the perfect backdrop for so many different occasions, including:

• Graduation parties
• Picnics
• 4th of July
• BBQs
• Weddings

So whether it’s an official gathering (think wedding or graduation) or just an excuse to bring your favorite people together for a fun time, make an occasion out of it! Pick your theme and hit up the local party store to collect themed plates, utensils, centerpieces, and other fun party pieces. And since it’s summer, we recommend infusing bright, vibrant pops of color if you can make it work with your theme. A little effort goes a long way — and makes for great Instagram photos!

Pick a Location

It might be safe to assume that your summer party will most likely take place at your house, but just remember that you’ll have to plan accordingly if you want to host guests outdoors. Besides needing the obvious chairs and tables, you might also want to consider a tent if the weather is looking iffy. Don’t forget tons of ice to keep drinks cool (most people underestimate this need), and citronella candles/bug spray so guests can fend off any unwelcome additions to the party. And always good to keep sunscreen and water closeby so nobody leaves the party feeling dehydrated or sunburned!

If you’re planning to host a large-scale event, you may want to consider a bigger venue than your own backyard. Take a few moments to browse through our venue partners for some ideas (there are so many amazing options!), and feel free to reach out regarding those that pique your interest! 

Read More…

What could possibly be more fun this summer than a push pop? Nothing really. That’s why we’ve recreated our favorite childhood treat with a variety of fun, colorful, and refreshing fillings that make for a perfect addition to your summer entertaining.

First up is our frozen margarita push pops (adults only) cause no summer gathering is complete without a little boozy treat. And for the kiddos, we have our frozen watermelon push pops that will give your event (and their tongues) a real POP of color.

 Our “fruishi” push pops are a fun fishless and kid-friendly alternative to our traditional sushi push pops, using seasonal ingredients such as kiwi, strawberry, and mango. Or for those that prefer to include a fish option, our ceviche push pops are always a winner.

Read More…

Welcome summer by enjoying a fun-filled day at Independence Grove, a 1,100-acre nature preserve and recreation area located in Lake County. The pristine and secluded forest preserve is situated on a 115-acre lake and features hiking trails, an outdoor amphitheater, a sand beach, marina, and cafe.

The Cafe at Independence Grove

The Cafe at Independence Grove reopens this Friday, May 26th, and is a delicious attraction that you may not have known about. The cafe is run by Catering by Michaels, so the menu is all freshly prepared, made-to-order food. It’s unlike what most people would expect at a park or forest preserve.

Menu items include thin crust pizzas, gourmet salads, and classic Chicago Style Hot Dogs and Italian Beef Sandwiches. Snack on Asian Sesame Chicken Wings or Spicy Onion Straws, topped with parmesan-garlic buffalo sauce. Cool down with an afternoon sweet treat of soft serve ice cream or relax with a glass of wine.

A special ‘Kids Corner’ menu includes a Turkey “Korn-Dog” and PB&J “Uncrustables.” The cafe is open 7 days a week to the public: Mon-Thurs 10:30am to 4pm, Fri-Sun10:30am to 6pm, and until 9pm on concert evenings. 

Free Summer Concerts 

The lake and cafe alone makes your trip worthwhile, but you might as well stay for the whole day. The summer concert series is a guest favorite and begins on June 13th with a live performance by the New Invaders (60’s Rock & Roll). Concerts take place in the preserves outdoor amphitheater, Millenia Plaza, and continue through August 8th. See the full concert schedule.

Read More…