Block Party


 
E

Erik G

TVWBB Pro
We recently moved to a new neighborhood. Since this is the first 4th of July where all the newly developed houses have been purchased, the neighbors have decided to have a block party.

We're getting together on Friday to decide on who will be making the food. Since I will most likely be making either Tri Tip or ribs, I am wondering how much to make? One of my neighbors will be making kebabs, the other will be making chicken, we have some making sausages, so basically all animals will be eaten at the block party. I have around 20 family members and friends coming by, and around eight neighbors. My neighbors don't know how many guests they're having. So how much do I cook?

Erik
 
I would skip the ribs if you are trying to do any kind of quantity unless you have the smoker space to do a bunch of racks at once and you have cooked that many at once. You will get much more return on your effort with tri-tips, and since they will take a much shorter time to cook it will be much less stressful (imagine 28 hungry people looking on as you put your ribs back on the smoker and say 'just a little bit more and they will be perfect').

I also think tri-tip for a large party is also flexible in terms of how you want to serve it - on the plate with a Santa Maria style rub, with tortillas with a more mexican style rub, etc. The point being you can then tailor your flavor profile more harmoniously with other sides and proteins present. And you can cook them in smaller batches over the course of the day as the guest count ebbs and flows and people get hungry, digest, and get hungry again.

In my short experience, I find that an average tri-tip feeds 4-6 people when it is the main protein. Given all the other foods that you say will be there,I wouldn't plan on more than 1/4lb per person - but that might even be too much.

Anyway, that's just my opinion - ribs are fun to share with family but stressful to do in quantity with out the proper equipment.
 
Eric,

My experience with block parties is that there is always too much food. If everyone brought food for 80 people, there would be a tremendous excess. I would take a quantity that you are comfortable cooking. For a block party of 80, I would consider taking a quantity that would serve only 25 to 35 people.

Good luck,

Ray
 
Thanks for the advice. If I decide to smoke tri tip, I still don't know how many to cook since I am uncertain about the amount of people attending. Since my neighbors will also be cooking, should I grill enough tri tip for just my family and friends (around 20) and assume that will be enough for everyone? Maybe around 3-5 tri tips.

Erik
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Maybe around 3-5 tri tips. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Eric,

IMO, that would be perfect.

Ray
 
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