Catering By Max’s

At Catering by Max’s You Taste
the LOVE in Every Bite!
(773) 989-4488

Catering by Max’s enjoys the distinction of being a select caterer for Chicago’s First Lady Cruises. For over fifty years you have enjoyed the tradition of Max’s Italian Beef on Western Avenue and now you can enjoy our catering aboard Chicago’s very own cruise ships. We are a family owned and operated company that offers a catering menu that will WOW your guests and still be kind to your pocket book! The following are our menus created especially for Chicago’s First Lady, Chicago’s Little Lady, and Chicago’s My Fair Lady. Give us a call and we will make your vision come alive. Explore our menu options below or download a printer-friendly PDF of our full cruise menu here: CBM Cruise Menu 2007 Please visit our Photo Gallery for event pictures.

	This package brings you and your guests unique foods that can only be found in the city of Chicago.	This flavorful package features food from South of the Border and includes a themed display of Mexican hats and blankets.

	This package is presented on platters for guests to create their perfect sandwich combinations.	This package features fresh from the ocean specialties uniquely displayed and complimented with our special in house sauces.

	This package is full of bite-sized delicious morsels for every part of the meal.	This package treats your guests to an unforgettable evening of elegant cuisine.

	This package focuses on the signature foods that have become classics across the country.	This package is a cornucopia of mouthwatering comfort foods.

	This package is a combination of passed hors d’oeuvres and buffet style treats. Your guests can drink in the splendor of the river cruise while enjoying this bountiful display.	This package is another opportunity for unforgettable elegance and delicious cuisine.


	Chicago’s First Lady Cruises sail on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan for two, three, or four hour trips. Chicago’s First Lady is perfect for 30 to 225 guests, Chicago’s Little Lady for 10 to 100 guests, and Chicago’s My Fair Lady for 25 to 125 guests. No minimum number of guests required. Packages include standard buffet table linens and disposables. Specialty linens are available upon request. Pricing does not reflect current sales tax, staffing, gratuities, or delivery fee. Additional menu items, a la carte selections, and more are available. A la carte selections include coffee service, hot chocolate, tea, and Oberweiss Milk (white and chocolate). Please inquire about these items to compliment your package.

	$12.99 per guest This package brings you and your guests unique foods that can only be found in the city of Chicago. Max’s Famous Italian Beef Thinly sliced roast beef in Italian style gravy served with hot and sweet peppers on fresh French bread. Max’s Private Recipe Italian Sausage Mildly seasoned and charbroiled served with hot and sweet peppers on fresh French bread. Memorable Chicken Breasts Marinated boneless, skinless, charbroiled chicken breasts served with BBQ sauce, honey Dijon mustard, chopped onions, and sliced tomatoes on tasty soft rolls. Dynamic Caesar Salad Fresh romaine lettuce is chopped to bite sized pieces, tossed with our own Caesar dressing, and garnished with Parmesan cheese and house made croutons. return to top

	$13.50 per guest This package is presented on platters for guests to create their perfect sandwich combinations. Begin with your choice of corned beef, turkey pastrami, and roast beef. Next add American, Swiss, or pepper jack cheeses. Finish your gourmet sandwich with the right blend of shaved onions, lettuce, tomato, and deli style mustards. Package includes potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream, coleslaw, and dill pickle spears. Add Chicago’s very own Eli’s Cheese Cake for the complete deli experience. Just $3.50 additional per guest. return to top

	$12.59 per guest This flavorful package features food from South of the Border and includes a themed display of Mexican hats and blankets. Sensational Guacamole Platter Our guacamole platter is a masterpiece of flavors. We start with ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, special spices, and a hint of lime juice. Shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and chopped onions complete this masterpiece with crispy tortilla chips for dipping. Chef Ed’s Special Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas Chef Ed has been with our company for 15 years so he is part of the family too! This is his tempting creation: giant flour tortillas are filled with zesty chipotle chicken, a mixture of grilled chayote squash, onions, and peppers, and shredded Chihuahua cheese. We heat them at the buffet while chatting with your guests and serve them with salsa for dipping. Plain quesadillas (without chicken) are available too. Sassy Chicken Fajitas Our fajitas are made with chicken tenders, yellow, red, and green peppers, sliced onions, and tomato wedges cooked in a spicy sauce and served on grilled flour tortillas. Yellow Spanish Rice The perfect blend of seasonings compliments this rice making it the ideal side dish. return to top

	$15.50 per guest This package is a cornucopia of mouthwatering comfort foods. Selections include de-boned turkey breast with gravy and cranberry chutney, smashed potatoes seasoned with roasted garlic, sautéed seasonal vegetable medley, and a basket of fresh hot bakery rolls and butter. Add beef tenderloin with au jous, horseradish sauce, and caramelized onions for an additional charge. return to top

	$33.95 per guest This package treats your guests to an unforgettable evening of elegant cuisine. A Masterpiece of Roasted Vegetables Assorted, seasonal roasted vegetables are prepared with olive oil and fresh basil, served room temperature, and garnished to perfection. Each platter is a masterpiece of taste and design. Chef’s Choice Shrimp Fresh from the ocean shrimp are marinated, grilled, chilled, and ready to be enjoyed. Our chef creates the marinade from the season’s freshest herbs and spices. Gourmet Norwegian Smoked Salmon Delicate wafers are spread with a dollop of our whipped chive cream cheese then topped with irresistible Norwegian smoked salmon and garnished with our caper cucumber relish. Substitute belini pancakes for and additional $0.25 per guest. Magnificent Beef Tenderloin Dry aged, prime, whole beef tenderloin cooked to a medium rare is served room temperature on soft egg buns. Sauces include our own sour cream horseradish and sun dried tomato mayonnaise. Irresistible Chopped Salad Our irresistible chopped salad starts with crisp romaine lettuce, cucumbers, assorted bell peppers, tomatoes, and green onions that are chopped fine. We add crumbled smoked bacon, bleu cheese, and pasta and toss it with our very own honey Dijon dressing. return to top

	$13.95 per guest This package is full of bite-sized delicious morsels for every part of the meal. Mini Sandwiches include Max’s famous burgers, Max’s famous dawgs, Max’s famous Italian beef, and Max’s soon to be famous grilled cheese with tomato. Mini Sides include macaroni and cheese cupcakes, shoestring potatoes, and veggie nests. Mini Desserts include lemon squares, cookies, and brownie bites. return to top

	$9.89 per guest This package focuses on the signature foods that have become classics across the country. Sumptuous Hamburgers Fresh charcoal broiled hamburgers, 1/3 of a pound, served with all of the trimmings on sesame seed buns. Add Merkt’s Original Cheddar Cheese for $0.89 per guest. Chicago’s Favorite Vienna Hot Dog Vienna pure beef hot dogs served from our tabletop hot dog cart on poppy seed buns with all the trimmings. Lee’s Baked Beans One of our dear friends created this recipe and we had to take it from our home to your guests! Vegetarian or pork baked beans are seasoned with brown sugar and spices and mixed with corn kernels, chopped tomatoes, and sliced onions. Timeless Potato Salad and Cole Slaw Both dishes are prepared in house, creamy, fresh, and delicious. You can surely taste the love we add to these favorites! return to top

	$21.50 per guest This package is a combination of passed hors d’oeuvres and buffet style treats. Your guests can drink in the splendor of the river cruise while enjoying this bountiful display. Select three Starter Teasers from cheese quesadillas, chicken satay, chicken wings, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, pot stickers, puffed cocktail franks, bruschetta, foccacia, or garlic bread. Select two more for the Main Fare from beef satay, fondue bread, spring rolls, stuffed mushroom caps, shrimp, guacamole, salmon belinis, hummus canapé on a cucumber disk, or grilled cheese tomato shooter (shooters can be served hot or cold). Select three Sweets to finish from assorted specialty cheesecakes, homemade cookies, brownies and lemon squares, or fresh fruit. Or select Premium Sweets from baked in the bag apple pie, ice cream sundae bar, or petite bread pudding with brandied caramel for $1.99 additional per guest. return to top

	$43.95 per guest This package is another opportunity for unforgettable elegance and delicious cuisine. A Masterpiece of Roasted Vegetables Assorted seasonal roasted vegetables are prepared with olive oil and fresh basil, served room temperature and garnished to perfection. Each platter is a masterpiece of taste and design. Legendary Hummus Platter Chef Ed really puts the love into this dish! Chick peas, garlic, Tahini, lemon juice, and spices are blended together for a smooth and delicious treat. Garnished with fresh parsley, it begs you to dip the accompaniment of cucumbers, carrots, celery, and our unprecedented house made pita chips. Chef’s Choice Shrimp Fresh from the ocean shrimp are marinated, grilled, chilled, and ready to be enjoyed. Our chef creates the marinade from the season’s freshest herbs and spices. Gourmet Norwegian Smoked Salmon Delicate wafers are spread with a dollop of our whipped chive cream cheese then topped with irresistible Norwegian smoked salmon and garnished with our caper cucumber relish. Substitute belini pancakes for and additional $0.25 per guest. Elegant Stuffed Chicken Breast We de-bone whole chickens, stuff them with your choice of basil pesto, Porcini mushrooms, or zesty sun dried tomatoes, roll them up and roast them to a golden brown. This trio of chicken medallions is bursting with color and flavor. Magnificent Beef Tenderloin Dry aged, prime, whole beef tenderloin cooked to a medium rare is served room temperature on soft egg buns. Sauces include our own sour cream horseradish and sun dried tomato mayonnaise. Irresistible Chopped Salad Our irresistible chopped salad starts with crisp romaine lettuce, cucumbers, assorted bell peppers, tomatoes, and green onions that are chopped fine. We add crumbled smoked bacon, bleu cheese, and pasta and toss it with our very own honey Dijon dressing. Assortment of Fancy Pastries Served on silver trays our fancy pastries include chocolate macaroons, crème brûlée tarts, strawberry pyramids, coconut almond bites, shortbread tuxedos, chocolate raspberry shortbreads, rum balls, raspberry cream puffs, and chocolate mousse cups. return to top

	MARKET PRICE This package features fresh from the ocean specialties uniquely displayed and complimented with our special in house sauces. The seafood selection includes Fresh Shucked Oysters, Steamed Crab Claws, Lobster Claws, Mussels, Shrimp Cocktail, and Clams. Dipping sauces include classic cocktail sauce, smooth mayonnaise, spicy Tabasco, minette, and fresh lemon. Served alongside is a basket of our bakery fresh warm garlic pull-apart rolls and our zesty jicama slaw. Minimum number of fifty guests please. return to top

About us :: Menus :: Get a Quote :: Contact Us