Where to buy appetizers for a large Latin fiesta?

We are celebrating a milestone birthday soon and are having a taco truck serve dinner around 8pm. There are about 50 guests and I'm looking for suggestions for where to buy some pre-made appetizers, preferably Latin themed... 

I'd love to have guacamole and elote (mexican street corn in dip form, not on the cob). Maybe empanadas though they can be filling. Will skip the ceviche as this is a backyard party and I can't plan around the temperature... Any other food ideas and suggestions on where to buy?

Thanks in advance!


Which taco truck?  That sounds perfect.  How much is that?  I have a party I'm trying to plan too...


We hired the Hoboken taco truck. Here is a link to their catering page http://www.thetacotruck.com/catering


Anticuchos are really tasy, and they will go with your idea.  http://cookcina.com/2013/09/19/receta-18era-anticuchos-clasicos/  The main difference with a shish kabob is that they use sausage, and the chicken ones also use various internal organs of the chicken such as the liver.


Have you checked out any of the latin stores in the area? I wonder if there's anything in the freezer section (Goya) or prepared foods. Not sure how fancy you're going with your meal

Seabra Foods (they may have a prepared foods section)
150 Galloping Hill Road, Union, NJ

City Supermarket (it's really safe to get here and short drive, I go here anytime I need Latin food ingredients etc)
10 Mill Rd, Irvington, NJ

I recently saw a food party truck in a parking lot for a giant Paella.  It looked delicious. I didn't get the name but maybe you can find it if you google it.


You can also make pebre or buy something like it at Whole Foods:  http://cookcina.com/2013/08/30/como-hacer-un-buen-pebre/  It's great with a crusty bread like a French baguette.


I think Costco might sell guacamole in bulk and they might have some frozen taquito type appetizers.  Here is a link to a yummy elote dip recipe.  I often cheat and use frozen corn instead.

http://damndelicious.net/2014/07/28/mexican-corn-dip/



Try Mi Colombia Bakery in the Elmora section of Elizabeth -- corner of Elmora and Jersey Ave. 908-351-2888.  They have tons of great stuff -- arepas, Cuban sandwiches (that you can cut into minicubanos), empanadas, chorizo, churros, all kinds of things.  Plus if you want a birthday cake, there's no better place to go.  Prices are really good.  

ETA:  At Pathmark in the frozen foods section they have lots of Latin stuff of varying quality -- but the Goya maduros are amazing, they taste like you fried them up yourself, and all you have to do is open and microwave!  (If you have time and want to fool people, fry and burn a couple of them and stick them in the mix, plus that will give a little of that bitter-caramelized thing you want anyway)


If you know someone with a membership, Restaurant Depot has quite a few frozen appetizers by Goya (and similar) sold in large quantity cartons.


There is a Costa Rican luncheonette on Springfield Avenue next to Maplecrest Park across from Walgreens .  Also Inkosi Cafe on Irvington avenue in South Orange.  I'm sure either could make a catering order for you.



In order to add a comment – you must Join this community – Click here to do so.