Nationally recognized for our signature style of blending contemporary urban sophistication with casual charm, The Hearty Boys Caterers is one of Chicago's best known and most sought after catering companies. Chefs Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh have brought their keen eye and trend-setting sensibilities to Chicago events for over 20 years.
Chef Dan; acclaimed chef-owner of three Michelin recommended restaurants, Food Network host, cookbook author, culinary instructor and restaurant consultant; is a passionate chef who runs a tight but comfortable kitchen. As a family run business, Dan and Steve are involved in every step of your event, from your initial menu creation through to your final meal preparation.
Chef Dan; acclaimed chef-owner of three Michelin recommended restaurants, Food Network host, cookbook author, culinary instructor and restaurant consultant; is a passionate chef who runs a tight but comfortable kitchen. As a family run business, Dan and Steve are involved in every step of your event, from your initial menu creation through to your final meal preparation.
Services
Nationally recognized for our signature style of blending contemporary urban sophistication with casual charm, The Hearty Boys Caterers is one of Chicago's best known and most sought after catering companies. Chefs Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh bring their prowess to Chicago events in the same way that they brought to Food Network and their two cookbooks.
Steve has some hard and fast wedding planning rules that he passes along to our clients. Number one is that there is no right or wrong in wedding planning, so release yourself from that fear and relax. The entire event hinges on your priorities. Once you've established what your priorities are, everything from the budget to the menu to the seating arrangement can fall into place.
We believe corporate meals can take you away from your desk even if you're eating at it. We believe the sweet or savory muffins served at your corporate breakfast should be scratch-baked in our own kitchens (our pastry chef Jackie Mendoza has been with Hearty Boys for 10 years).
We believe your delivery should be on time and delivered by a familiar and trusted face (our warehouse manager and lead delivery driver Markiian Kuntyi has been with Hearty Boys for 9 years).We believe that your meals should always look consistent and consistently wow your clients (our Corporate Sales Manager Nicole Mitchell has been with Hearty Boys for 5 years).
We believe your delivery should be on time and delivered by a familiar and trusted face (our warehouse manager and lead delivery driver Markiian Kuntyi has been with Hearty Boys for 9 years).We believe that your meals should always look consistent and consistently wow your clients (our Corporate Sales Manager Nicole Mitchell has been with Hearty Boys for 5 years).
From a post-game Outdoor Lakeview Barbecue to a Vintage Cocktail Party under a late night skyline on the rooftop of a Gold Coast high rise to a Lincoln Park dining room packed with museum benefactors and the exquisite sound of glassware, china and laughter; The Hearty Boys have been there/tasted that!
It's an old Italian toast which translates to "Touch one, touch all" meaning if you clink the glass next to you, you can assume you've clinked with the entire room. Leave it to the Italians to get the toast out of the way and get right to the wine. The bar is absolutely Steve's favorite part of the event.
Reviews (27)
Stefanie Krause
Dec 29, 2021
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I work at Room 1520 and Hearty Boys is one of our preferred caterers. This past weekend we have a wedding that they catered and I can't give enough stars to this caterer. Alyson was very professional and on top of her game to make sure everything was set up and the timeline was strictly followed. The food was perfect and the staff was amazing. I have to spend a special shout out to Liberty, their lead, for her amazing execution throughout the day. Liberty was fantastic to work with and very helpful with the execution of the event. I truly enjoyed working with the entire staff and they really made
Pat B.
Dec 25, 2021
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Due to Covid restrictions in Australia, my friend is unable to come home for her wedding that was planned for December 2022, so she unfortunately had to cancel her ceremony and reception. Hearty Boys Caterers was supposed to provide the food for the reception, and kept $6,000 of payment as a "deposit." I understand them keeping $1000 or so, but given the fact that the service was supposed to be provided over a year out from now, this is extremely unreasonable. My friend asked if they could have $6000 worth of food to be donated to a shelter on Christmas and they refused. In addition,
Emily W.
Dec 23, 2021
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We choose Hearty Boys as our caterer for our wedding due to the food! The salmon wellington was just as good as we remembered at our tasting, the quinoa not as much. Everything else - the appetizers, the coordination, the organization, was all on point thanks to Alyson's hard work.
The reason I am not giving 5 stars:
Unfortunately, there was a clause in our contract saying that the price of food would increase if the guest count dropped below a certain amount. This was not a minor price increase but a 20-30% increase -- so it would be just expensive to cater food for 90 people as it would
The reason I am not giving 5 stars:
Unfortunately, there was a clause in our contract saying that the price of food would increase if the guest count dropped below a certain amount. This was not a minor price increase but a 20-30% increase -- so it would be just expensive to cater food for 90 people as it would
Ashley Hamm Photography
Nov 26, 2021
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From the moment I met with Alyson, I knew she was much more than a caterer. Her kindness, organization, and attention to detail were so appreciated for and on our wedding day. As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many caterers over the years and The Hearty Boys is always a great experience! Their food was delicious and we got received many compliments on the dishes at our wedding! I highly recommend The Hearty Boys! Thank you so much!
Ginger Fraser
Nov 22, 2021
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Demi K.
Nov 02, 2021
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Where to begin with Hearty Boys...it was truly one of the best experiences of our entire wedding planning process! From the get-go, Alyson made the process fun and flawless. We knew we wanted a unique menu for our wedding - their chef proposed a great menu based on some of our favorite restaurants and preferences (family-style, shareable plates). Our tasting was probably one of the best meals we've ever had, and Alyson's attention to detail is impeccable - she noted little things from us that made such a huge impact on our wedding day. Alyson's experience helped us determine how
Katelyn L.
Oct 28, 2021
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If you want the most delicious, beautifully plated wedding food of your life, look no further than Hearty Boys. From day one of planning, this team was on top of it. Alyson went above and beyond throughout the entire journey (which was a long one, thanks to a COVID reschedule!) to answer our questions, offer suggestions and most importantly make us feel relaxed on our big day. Her day-of coordination assistance was a life saver. I cannot thank her enough for all of her support.
The on-site service staff was quick, efficient and polite. Everything seemed to run so smoothly thanks to them.
And
The on-site service staff was quick, efficient and polite. Everything seemed to run so smoothly thanks to them.
And
Jessie B.
Sep 20, 2021
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Working with Hearty Boys for our wedding was awesome! Alyson worked together with us to put together a menu that was both delicious and within our budget. We did a family-style meal, which was great for giving people options of what to eat without the long lines of a buffet. They were great about making sure we had vegetarian and gluten-free options for our guests, and the service was top-notch. Everything ran smoothly all night, largely due to their excellent work. I highly recommend them!
Beth Rockman
Sep 20, 2021
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Thank you Hearty Boys for an amazing catering experience from start to finish! When I first started talking to Alyson, our catering manager, it was clear that she knew what she was doing. She promptly provided us with an extremely thorough proposal, and sent us a large menu of items to choose from. She then helped us narrow down that list to several items for our tasting. After several postponements due to Covid, and lots of emailing back and forth with Alyson, we were so happy when the tasting was finally scheduled and we were able to meet Alyson in person. She was kind, genuine, funny, and a
Olivia Mayer
Sep 04, 2021
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Working with the Hearty Boys team was a GREAT experience. Andy was attentive and wonderful to work with. Being a Covid couple, we went from a seated 230 person wedding, to a small intimate 50 person wedding, to a 100 person cocktail style and food station wedding. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way! Andy and David were super flexible and accommodating to all of our changes along the way and we could not be more happy with how everything turned out! The guests LOVED the food stations and the dessert table. My favorite comment I received from a friend was that they loved the ability to "roam
Susan H.
Sep 03, 2021
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Alyson and the Hearty Boys Team have far exceeded our expectations. Our guests still have not stopped gushing over the food and sharing with us that it was the BEST service and food they have ever had. Not even the best food at a wedding, like the best food they have ever had. We are all just really in awe. Hearty Boys staff was beyond kind, attentive, and everything just went seamlessly. All staff were phenomenal, but I would especially like to point out one person who we received dozens of compliments on. I'm sorry I don't know his name (we never physically made it to the bar - everything
David Litvak
Aug 21, 2021
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Hearty Boys took to our menu prompt - Jewish / Southern fusion - with aplomb, crafting a uniquely delicious menu that effortlessly combined the flavors of our respective backgrounds into a delicious and cohesive whole (Sephardic brisket and hushpuppies, YES PLEASE). Alyson was communicative, thorough, and helpful every step of the way, and we felt well taken care of during the entire planning process - a huge relief considering how important food is to a successful wedding! On the day, Hearty Boys' preparation, service, and professionalism helped ensure that we were well-fed and happy the entire
Bridget Horgan
Aug 05, 2021
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Hiring Hearty Boys was the best decision I made for our wedding! They were amazing from start to finish. We needed to plan our wedding in a rush due to my mom being ill. Nicole Mitchell did everything in her power to make it work for us, and I will be forever grateful to her and the rest of the team. The food, the staff, the setup - EVERYTHING - was just perfect. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Christina R.
Jul 06, 2021
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Hearty Boys catered and coordinated our 200+ person wedding approximately 2 weeks ago, and it was absolutely phenomenal.
We worked closely with Andy Root, who is nothing short of a superstar. He helped us navigate a COVID-related reschedule (twice!), with enormous grace and expertise. Throughout the process, Andy guided us through everything - tastings, linen selection, tablescapes, etc. Honestly, partway through the process my Mom and I exclaimed to each other that Andy was essentially a part-time wedding planner!
The day of our wedding was nothing short of magical. Andy worked closely with
We worked closely with Andy Root, who is nothing short of a superstar. He helped us navigate a COVID-related reschedule (twice!), with enormous grace and expertise. Throughout the process, Andy guided us through everything - tastings, linen selection, tablescapes, etc. Honestly, partway through the process my Mom and I exclaimed to each other that Andy was essentially a part-time wedding planner!
The day of our wedding was nothing short of magical. Andy worked closely with
Tom B.
Mar 23, 2021
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Smith, their owner is a SLEAZE bag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He kept our deposit ($5,333) for a 7/3/20 wedding where EVERYTHING shut down in Chicago due to COVID...
He was the ONLY vendor that NEVER paid the money back...
I going legal and reported his company to the BBB.
TOO bad because the food was good, BUT if your going to get screwed it's not worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He kept our deposit ($5,333) for a 7/3/20 wedding where EVERYTHING shut down in Chicago due to COVID...
He was the ONLY vendor that NEVER paid the money back...
I going legal and reported his company to the BBB.
TOO bad because the food was good, BUT if your going to get screwed it's not worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jennie S.
Dec 13, 2020
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We ordered in during this pandemic Thanksgiving this year and were very excited about Hearty Boys Thanksgiving. We ordered the pre-brined turkey, scalloped potatoes, bourbon sweet mashed potatoes (which came with all the toppers, maccaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, cheddar biscuits, and butternut squash soup. Everything was absolutely delicious.
We were very pleased with the excellent packaging preparation, flavors, and how the leftovers heated up for up to a week afterwards. Ordering from them for Thanksgiving was one of the best decisions we ever made food-wise.
We were very pleased with the excellent packaging preparation, flavors, and how the leftovers heated up for up to a week afterwards. Ordering from them for Thanksgiving was one of the best decisions we ever made food-wise.
Sara Bowden
Dec 09, 2020
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Hearty Boys catered our Aug. 21st wedding and we couldn’t have been happier with the outcome! Because of the times, we had to take extra precautions in how we served food to ensure everyone stayed as safe as possible. Hearty Boys went above and beyond to deliver delicious food in a very safe and effective manner. Bento boxes were ready for our guests to enjoy as soon as the ceremony was over and everyone loved the food! Great quality, quick to respond, and very professional. We highly recommend their services.
Debby T.
Oct 20, 2020
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We signed a contract with Hearty Boys Caterers Inc. on 10/16/19 to cater our daughter's wedding scheduled for 7/11/20. The wedding was planned for 120 guests. Along with the signed contract, we had to give them a deposit of $5,544 which represented 1/3 of the contract total. On 2/21/20, the contract required a second payment of $5,544, another 1/3 of the total. In retrospect, we should have questioned such large deposit requirements.
In mid-March, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency and lockdowns began which closed all indoor dining facilities and prohibited social gatherings
In mid-March, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency and lockdowns began which closed all indoor dining facilities and prohibited social gatherings
Ellen J.
Sep 20, 2020
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If you are hosting a wedding or event, look no further! I can't even begin to describe how wonderful this company has been through the wedding planning process - it feels weird to refer to them in such a formal way because they seem like friends? From the beginning, Alyson has been incredible - super accommodating for the tasting, had great recommendations, was just so warm and welcoming - I instantly felt like she wanted my wedding to be wonderful and exactly how I pictured. Dan popped in during our tasting and was so patient in explaining his dishes and instantly felt like a friend. Not
Jessica L.
Aug 31, 2020
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My husband and I were so impressed with Hearty Boys catering! We worked with Andy Root for our wedding in August 2019 and they made everything so easy for us. We don't live in Illinois, and yet Andy made everything very approachable to coordinate by phone and email, which we really appreciated. In addition to taking care of our catering needs, Andy went above and beyond to help as a day of coordinator, making sure, for example, that I walked down the aisle at the right time to making sure the toasts happened on schedule. There was even a hiccup with where the toasts were meant to occur and
Tonya P.
Jun 28, 2020
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My review is long overdue. Hearty Boys catered my daughter's wedding at Artifact Events in August 2018. It was the most amazing experience! My daughter & son-in-law love breakfast/brunch and Chef Dan was so creative in coming up with breakfast stations! We had chicken & waffles and the most amazing hash station with made to order quail eggs! Not only was the food exceptional, but the care & attention we received from our HB event coordinator Alyson was out of this world. She truly cares about her clients. Her planning experience & attention to detail is unbelievable. One of my favorite photos from
Kate B.
Feb 25, 2020
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We hired Hearty Boys for our wedding and we can't say enough good things about them. From the start, the communication and assistance was outstanding. Before we even hired them they spent time talking through so many details regarding the food and drinks, but also wedding planning in general. They clearly have so much experience with weddings and are able to help you through it all.
The food itself was great. We went with a family style service and were able to offer several options to our guests, as well as passed appetizers and a dessert bar. The quality was great the night of and our
The food itself was great. We went with a family style service and were able to offer several options to our guests, as well as passed appetizers and a dessert bar. The quality was great the night of and our
Jill J.
Jun 12, 2019
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The Hearty Boys will not let you down! We worked with their event coordinator Alyson Green for our recent wedding and from start to finish Alyson was by our side making sure to dot the i's and cross the t's.
There are many things that you, as a bride or groom, are not thinking about but their experience and professionalism prevails.
We had multiple guest at our wedding rave to us how this was the best "wedding food" they've ever had and I would 100% agree. Not to mention their staff on site making sure our day went off without a hitch.
We had our wedding ceremony
There are many things that you, as a bride or groom, are not thinking about but their experience and professionalism prevails.
We had multiple guest at our wedding rave to us how this was the best "wedding food" they've ever had and I would 100% agree. Not to mention their staff on site making sure our day went off without a hitch.
We had our wedding ceremony
Maureen V.
May 07, 2019
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We used Hearty Boys for our wedding catering and had an amazing experience with them.
We only did on tasting as we felt so comfortable and supported by Hearty Boys, specifically Alyson, during our tasting with them. They were so organized, really listened to what we had to say while also offering suggestions.
Leading up to the wedding, Alyson was in constant contact to ensure we were on not forgetting anything. She did a final walk through with us and re-explained everything for us. She was very flexible with our off the wall requests (ie: last minute dessert bar) and helped meet these requests
We only did on tasting as we felt so comfortable and supported by Hearty Boys, specifically Alyson, during our tasting with them. They were so organized, really listened to what we had to say while also offering suggestions.
Leading up to the wedding, Alyson was in constant contact to ensure we were on not forgetting anything. She did a final walk through with us and re-explained everything for us. She was very flexible with our off the wall requests (ie: last minute dessert bar) and helped meet these requests
Ezen C.
Apr 03, 2019
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I'm a fan! We contacted Hearty Boys as a potential caterer for our wedding, had a proposal written up, had a nice long phone call with them, and were invited to come in for a tasting. We ultimately had to reschedule the tasting twice and HB's was really patient and accommodating about it.
The protein dishes really stood out -- such as the Buttermilk Lavender Fried Chicken and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. They lived up to their descriptions and were some of the best I've had.
Overall, they offer plenty of crowd pleasing food options. They also do a good job with thinking about
The protein dishes really stood out -- such as the Buttermilk Lavender Fried Chicken and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. They lived up to their descriptions and were some of the best I've had.
Overall, they offer plenty of crowd pleasing food options. They also do a good job with thinking about
Brad G.
Feb 19, 2019
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Hearty boys are the best. One of my fondest memories from wedding planning was going to their shop for tastings with Dan. The appetizers were a highlight and we selected ones from different countries where we traveled: Japan, Puerto Rico, Spain, etc.
They also served the alcohol (which we bought from Benny's to be cheap) and created a fun bourbon drink for my husbands friends and a non alcoholic version for my non drinking friends.
On our wedding day most of our guests said they loved the food: a chicken dish, risotto rice dish, and fish dish. My husband and I were so excited that we told
They also served the alcohol (which we bought from Benny's to be cheap) and created a fun bourbon drink for my husbands friends and a non alcoholic version for my non drinking friends.
On our wedding day most of our guests said they loved the food: a chicken dish, risotto rice dish, and fish dish. My husband and I were so excited that we told
Jessica M.
Jan 14, 2019
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I wish I could give the Hearty Boys more than 5 stars! My husband and I used them for our November 2018 wedding and we could not have asked to work with a better caterer. Andy was our main man and from the very first email all the way to our wedding day he made sure every little detail was taken care of and that our minds were at ease.
On the day of the wedding, he was a rockstar! Better than a rockstar he was our go to guy for it all. Once the ceremony was over he had my husband and I ushered up to the bridal suite where we had 2 of every appetizer as well as our signature drinks ready for us
On the day of the wedding, he was a rockstar! Better than a rockstar he was our go to guy for it all. Once the ceremony was over he had my husband and I ushered up to the bridal suite where we had 2 of every appetizer as well as our signature drinks ready for us
