The question we hear most from people ordering catering is not what to get, it's how much. Nobody wants to run out, and nobody wants to pay for three trays of tabbouli that go home untouched. Here's the rule of thumb we use at Royal Palace Grill for party trays, office lunches and family gatherings.
The basic formula
Plan a Middle Eastern spread in three layers: mezze to start, a main (grilled meat or sandwiches), and rice and salad to fill plates. Per adult guest, that works out to roughly:
| Item | Per person | Our tray |
|---|---|---|
| Mezze (hummus, baba, tabbouli) | 2–3 oz of each dip, 1 cup of salad | One Hummus / Baba Tray serves about 15–20 as a starter |
| Grilled meat | 5–6 oz if it's the main event | Mixed grill trays and combos; see below |
| Sandwiches | 1½ sandwiches per person at lunch | One Sandwich Tray feeds roughly 10–12 |
| Rice | ¾ cup | Saffron rice side, ordered by the tray |
| Pita | 1–2 loaves | Comes with the trays; ask for extra |
What to order by group size
Family dinner, 4 to 6 people
Skip the trays. The Combo for 4 ($49.99) or Combo for 6 ($69.99) is a complete spread of grilled meats, rice, salad and pita built for exactly this. More in our combo guide.
Office lunch, 10 to 15 people
One Sandwich Tray ($45+) of assorted shawarma and falafel, one Hummus / Baba Tray ($34+), and a Fresh Arabic Salad. Add a Tabbouli Tray ($40+) if the group skews vegetarian.
Party, 25 to 40 people
The Royal Palace Mix Party Tray Combo ($240) is the full mixed-grill spread that caters a crowd. Add two mezze trays and extra rice. For anything larger, or for a seated dinner, our banquet hall is usually easier than trays.
Three tips from the kitchen
- Order a day ahead. Trays are made fresh, and the mixed grill is cooked to order over charcoal. Call (248) 438-6672 with your pickup time.
- Round up on dips, not meat. Hummus keeps for days and disappears at any hour; leftover kabob is less flexible.
- Tell us about dietary needs. Our falafel, mezze and salads are vegan, and all of our meat is halal, so one order usually covers everyone.
See every tray and price on the menu, or send us the date and headcount and we'll build the order for you.
Questions people ask
How much hummus do I need per person for a party?
Plan 2 to 3 ounces per guest as part of a mezze spread. One Royal Palace Hummus / Baba Tray serves roughly 15 to 20 people as a starter.
How far ahead should I order catering trays?
One day ahead is ideal, especially for mixed grill trays that are cooked to order. Call (248) 438-6672 with your pickup time.
Do you deliver catering?
Catering trays are prepared for pickup at 6123 Haggerty Rd in West Bloomfield. For large seated events, our on-site banquet hall is the simplest option.
