Auntie Approved: Parkside Catering

When it comes to planning an event, food is one of the biggest pieces of the puzzle.

People may not remember every centerpiece, every song, or whether the napkins were folded just right, but they will remember if the food was good. They will remember if there was enough. And they will absolutely remember if they left happy, full, and already wondering who made the mac and cheese.

That is exactly why this month’s Auntie Approved Vendor is Parkside Catering.

Parkside Restaurant & Bar in Hammond is known by many as a small-town bar and grill, but their catering side deserves its own spotlight. For events where you want good, familiar, crowd-pleasing food without turning catering into the most stressful part of the planning process, Parkside is a solid local option.

How I First Connected with Parkside

I first connected with Parkside as a server and bartender, so I had a front-row seat to how things worked behind the scenes.

One of the things that stood out to me right away was Dusty, the owner. Especially back when I first started there 11 years ago, he was incredibly hands-on. Bartending shifts, kitchen shifts, helping wherever he was needed — he was right there in it.

That has always said a lot to me.

On top of that, Dusty and Parkside have always been big supporters of the community. Sponsorships, team meals, local events — you name it, they were usually finding a way to help.

That matters. Especially when you are choosing vendors for an event.

Why Parkside Catering Stands Out

Not every restaurant is set up to cater, and not every catering option feels approachable for everyday people planning real-life events with real-life budgets.

Parkside does both.

They offer catering and large-order options that work well for graduation parties, weddings, team meals, family gatherings, celebrations of life, community events, business gatherings, and other occasions where feeding a crowd is part of the plan.

One of the biggest reasons I appreciate Parkside as a catering option is value. You really do get a bang for your buck. Their pricing tends to be more affordable than many competitors, while still offering great quality — and depending on who you ask, maybe even better.

And let’s be real: affordable and delicious is a pretty powerful combination.

Favorite Catering Items

If smoked brisket is on the table, I’m paying attention.

Parkside’s smoked brisket is a favorite among those who have tried it, and paired with mac and cheese? Happy camper status achieved.

That kind of food works so well for events because it is familiar, hearty, and crowd-friendly. It does not feel overly fussy, but it still feels special enough for a celebration.

And that is a sweet spot I love for my clients.

Great For Events Big and Small

Parkside Catering is a great fit for events where you want food people will actually eat and enjoy.

Think:

Graduation parties.

Weddings.

Team meals.

Family celebrations.

Community events.

Business gatherings.

Celebrations of life.

Casual backyard parties.

They also have a reservable back room at the restaurant, which can be a nice option for smaller gatherings, but for this Auntie Approved feature, the real spotlight is on their ability to help feed events outside the restaurant too.

I have worked with Parkside numerous times, and they help cater our Chamber Golf Tournament annually. When you see a vendor show up consistently for community events like that, it gives you confidence recommending them to others.

Why I Recommend Parkside Catering

I love recommending vendors who help take stress off someone’s plate — literally, in this case.

Parkside Catering is local, practical, affordable, and familiar in the best way. They are a great fit for people who want good food without needing the catering experience to feel overly complicated or over-the-top.

Sometimes people just want their guests fed well, their budget respected, and their event to feel easy.

Parkside checks those boxes.

What to Know Before Booking

Here is my loving Auntie reminder: please plan ahead.

Could Parkside maybe help you in a last-minute pinch? Possibly.

But it is important to remember that you are not the only person who might be in a last-minute panic. Caterers have to plan around deliveries, product availability, prep time, staffing, and previously booked events.

And if you are thinking smoked food, lead time matters even more. Product needs to be ordered, prepped, smoked, and ready to serve properly.

As a whole, catering takes planning. The earlier you reach out, the better the experience is for everyone involved.

I will never be able to stress this enough: planning ahead is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself, your vendors, and your event.

Final Thoughts

Parkside Catering is a great local option for events where you want approachable, affordable, crowd-pleasing food handled by people who understand the community they are serving.

From smoked brisket and mac and cheese to large orders and community events, Parkside brings the kind of food that feels familiar, filling, and worth talking about.

And that is exactly why they are Auntie Approved.

Auntie Approved Vendor: Minnesota Frost & Flame

My introduction to Minnesota Frost & Flame technically began when my boyfriend tried Andrew’s meat at a backyard Ribfest.

Yes, I’m aware of how that sentence sounds. We’re moving on.

Andrew happens to be his coworker’s son-in-law, and my first experience was actually trying the barbecue sauce by itself. I didn’t even need the meat involved—I was already hooked.

Since those early BBQ-sauce-sampling days, Andrew and Tasha have grown Minnesota Frost & Flame into a catering business that can handle everything from buffet-style meals to serving larger crowds from their food truck.

When the Client Wants Something Different

I booked Minnesota Frost & Flame for a milestone birthday party after the client told me they wanted something different.

Barbecue was the answer.

Andrew and Tasha worked with us to customize a menu from all their delicious options. They also made sure every detail was covered, including the chafing dishes, serving utensils, silverware and napkins.

On the day of the party, setup couldn’t have been easier. They delivered everything, explained how to keep the food warm and provided disposable items that made cleanup a breeze.

It was a drop-and-go catering setup, so they weren’t there to serve guests during this particular event. However, one look at the photos and updates on their Facebook page makes it clear that they know how to have a good time with the crowds they serve from the food truck, too.

Great Food Makes the Event

The detail and care given to every dish stood out immediately.

Food can make or break an event—and great barbecue paired with mac and cheese is pretty tough to beat.

Once I gave Andrew and Tasha the menu, I didn’t have to worry about the catering again. I knew they would arrive with quality food that would impress the guests. From a coordinator’s perspective, having a vendor you can trust to handle their piece without constant checking is a very beautiful thing.

Give Smoked Food the Time It Deserves

Minnesota Frost & Flame would be a great addition to private parties, weddings, community events and town celebrations. There’s really never a bad time for barbecued meat.

As always, plan ahead.

Great vendors book quickly and food vendors need time to prepare. When smoking meat is involved, that preparation can’t—and shouldn’t—be rushed. The deliciousness literally takes time.

More Than Great Barbecue

Plenty of vendors can serve food, but Andrew and Tasha bring personality with it. They’re genuinely great people, and Andrew’s passion for what he does comes through in every dish.

I’ve also seen how much they give back to their community and how deeply they care about the people around them.

You can’t find that kind of passion, generosity and grit in just anyone.

That—and some seriously good barbecue—officially earns Minnesota Frost & Flame the Auntie Approved stamp.

Auntie Approved Vendor: Lindahl Events

I’ve known Isaac since he was a kid playing traveling basketball with my little brother. These days, instead of watching him run up and down a basketball court, I get to watch him run weddings, events and dance floors through Lindahl Events.

And when I say Lindahl Events does a little bit of everything, I’m underselling it.

DJ services? Yep.

Linens, tables and chairs? Yep.

Tent rentals? Absolutely.

Mobile bar? You betcha.

Isaac also hosts karaoke and trivia at local bars. If it’s related to an event, there’s a pretty good chance Lindahl Events can help with it.

From the Ceremony to the Second Reception

We’ve collaborated on several weddings, including ceremonies, traditional receptions and even a backyard second reception and open house.

One thing that stands out immediately is how organized Isaac is before the event. His website makes choosing and entering music for the ceremony and reception incredibly easy. It even walks clients through parts of the day they may not have realized needed music.

Because until someone asks, “What song do you want playing during this very specific portion of your wedding?” you may not realize that’s another decision waiting to be made.

Isaac is also very involved in helping clients refine their plans. He attends venue tours and schedules meetings before the event to ensure everyone understands the timeline, setup and expectations.

There shouldn’t be any surprises on the wedding day—unless, of course, someone intentionally planned one.

Communication Makes Everything Easier

Working alongside Lindahl Events on the day of an event is fantastic.

Isaac communicates. I know where he is, he knows where I am and we both know what’s coming next. That may sound simple, but clear communication is what keeps an event moving without the guests ever realizing how many conversations are happening behind the scenes.

I can’t recall any major unexpected problems during the events we’ve worked together. If something did happen, Isaac handled it without giving me another thing to worry about—which might be an even better compliment.

Isaac and his wife also offer day-of coordination, so they understand the details coordinators are watching for throughout an event. That shared perspective makes collaborating with them incredibly seamless.

Knowing How to Read a Crowd

One of the things that has impressed me most hasn’t happened at a wedding at all.

Isaac volunteers his time to DJ at my Trunk or Treat, entertaining both the kids and the adults. We’ve had some cold and rainy event days, but he still knows how to read the crowd, keep the energy up and make it fun.

I’ve received so many compliments about the music and atmosphere he creates. Getting people excited on a beautiful day is one thing. Keeping them excited when Wisconsin weather decides not to cooperate is a talent.

The Event-Industry One-Stop Shop

Lindahl Events is incredibly versatile.

If you want a music hype squad, they’re your team. If you need quality rentals, they have them. Need a mobile bar? Yep, that too.

From graduation parties to weddings and everything in between, Lindahl Events can do it all.

Plenty of vendors offer one or two similar services—but are they the one-stop shop Lindahl Events is?

Probably not.

As with any great event vendor, their calendar can fill quickly. If you know you want to work with them, don’t wait until the last minute to reach out.

Officially Auntie Approved

Lindahl Events has earned the Auntie Approved stamp for plenty of reasons: versatility, organization, communication and the ability to keep an event moving and a crowd entertained.

But what means the most to me is that Isaac brings the same energy when volunteering his time as he does for a paid event.

That kind of commitment says a great deal about a person and the business they’ve built—and I couldn’t appreciate it more.