Kelly’s O’Deli Catering

I just used Kelly’s O’deli for the 2^nd time and I couldn’t be more pleased. Both functions were for a lunch for 30 – 35 people. One time I went with their lasagna option and this last time I went for the enchilada option. Both are very good. Very good value for the money. For my most recent lunch with enchiladas, there was also mexi rice, beans and a ginormous garden salad with tons of veggies, chips and salsa, beverages, plates, napkins and utensils. Everyone was full and happy and there was quite a bit left over. Trust me, people will not go hungry! I also got their dessert platter which was a huge assortment of homemade YUM. Four or five different kinds of mini-​cupcakes, chocolate peanut butter balls, rasberry coconut bars, just to name a few. Sooo good!
The owner and employes were all very nice, helpful and professional. Dependable and punctual, which is HUGE for me when hosting a function. Very quick to set up the lunch and then they come back and clean it up as well.
I will definitely be using them again. I highly recommend them for your catering needs.

So I hate to be a lead balloon and leave a not so glowing first review for a local established business, but I figure that’s what this site is for, right?
I’ve heard of Kelly’s O’ Deli because I grew up in B’ham and they’ve been around a long time and the name is familiar to me. This was my first experience with them directly.
They recently catered a wedding I attended as a guest. Everyone is freaking out because the caterer is late. Late late late. We were all sitting there waiting for a long time after the ceremony ended and the caterers were nowhere in sight.
Thankfully the bride took it all in stride. When they finally show up I’m pretty surprised at what they bring. Some of it looked lovely but the chicken was pretty plain. In fact, I commented to my husband that I’ve seen those little frozen chicken pieces at Costco before and it looks like they just threw them in some cheap sauce and heated them up.
Despite the fact that the guest count was 20 – 30 people below what was paid, there wasn’t nearly enough food for everyone and it wasn’t because people were pigging out.
I have encouraged the bride to let Kelly’s know about the discrepancy of what was promised vs. received. I hope she does.