BBQ Catering in Essex County, NJ
Wood smoked BBQ for corporate lunches, private parties, school events, and community gatherings, available for pickup, drop off, and select setup service.
Prepared in our commercial kitchen and delivered hot, with flexible service options based on your event.
Delivered Hot • Pickup • Drop Off • Essex County • Nearby Towns
Where We Cater
Catering Overview
We cater throughout Essex County and select nearby towns in Northern New Jersey. Our core area includes Montclair, Glen Ridge, Verona, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, and Little Falls, with catering also available for many events in Bloomfield, Nutley, Fairfield, Clifton, and West Orange.
If your event is nearby but not listed, get in touch. We may still be able to help depending on the date, size, and format.Catering Towns Include:
MontclairGlen RidgeVeronaCaldwellCedar GroveLittle FallsBloomfieldNutleyFairfieldCliftonWest Orange
How Our Catering Works
A simple process designed to make planning easier, whether you’re feeding an office, a family gathering, or a larger local event.
Choose Your Format
Pick up your order, schedule drop off, or request drop off with setup, depending on the event.
Select Your Menu
Choose from Smokehouse Spreads, trays, starters, and add ons, or browse our Delivery Menu page for the current menu.
Confirm the Details
Share your guest count, event timing, and any dietary notes. Once confirmed, we'll schedule production and delivery around your event.
We typically request at least 72 hours' notice for most catering orders. Larger events, premium items, and custom requests may require more lead time. A $150 minimum applies to catering orders. Final headcount and order details are due 72 hours before the event.
Service Formats
Prepared in our commercial kitchen and delivered hot, with select service options available based on event type.
Pickup
A straightforward option for hosts who want to collect their order and serve on site.
Simple & Efficient
Drop Off
Hot BBQ delivered to your event, packaged for easy service and timed around your schedule.
Delivered hot and ready to serve
Drop Off with Setup
A more polished drop off option for events that need light on-site setup and a ready-to-serve presentation.
Setup available for select events
Custom Catering by Request
For larger events, special formats, or custom menu requests, we can build a tailored plan around your needs.
Best for larger or more specific requests
Prepared in our commercial kitchen and delivered hot, with select service options available based on event type.
Event Types We Commonly Cater
Our catering is designed for gatherings that value great food, easy logistics, and a format that fits the occasion.
If your event does not fit neatly into one of these categories, tell us what you are planning. We're always happy to review custom requests.
Corporate lunches and team meals
A practical fit for offices, team gatherings, staff lunches, and casual company events.
Parties & Backyard Gatherings
A strong fit for birthdays, family celebrations, backyard get togethers, and other relaxed events where easy service and great BBQ matter.
School events and staff lunches
Suitable for school staff lunches, family events, and other organized gatherings that need straightforward service and reliable timing.
Graduation parties
An easy way to feed a group well, whether you need trays, a spread, or a more structured drop off setup.
Holiday get togethers
A flexible option for seasonal celebrations that need comforting food and a format that keeps hosting simpler.
Community events
For local gatherings, neighborhood events, and smaller public-facing occasions where BBQ makes sense and service needs stay manageable.
If you’re not sure which format fits your event, get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Smokehouse Spreads
Our spreads are the easiest way to feed a group well. Each one is built to be simple to order, easy to serve, and flexible enough for real gatherings.
Smokehouse Spreads start at 15 guests.
The Dragon Banquet
Serves 15 to 20
$535
A generous starter spread for smaller gatherings, with brisket, pulled pork, ribs, three classic sides, buns, sauce, and pickles.
Includes:
- Smoked Brisket, about 4 lb cooked
- Pulled Pork, about 5 lb cooked
- St. Louis Ribs, 3 racks
- Baked Mac n Cheese, 1/2 tray
- Baked Beans, 1/2 tray
- Coleslaw, 1/2 tray
- Slider Buns, 24
- House BBQ Sauce, 16 oz
- Pickles
Swap note: Pulled Pork may be swapped for Pulled Chicken on request.
The Grand Dragon Banquet
Serves 25 to 35
$825
A larger mixed-meat spread built for fuller tables, with brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, ribs, three full trays of sides, buns, sauce, and pickles.
Includes:
- Smoked Brisket, about 5 lb cooked
- Pulled Pork, about 5 lb cooked
- Pulled Chicken, about 5 lb cooked
- St. Louis Ribs, 4 racks
- Baked Mac n Cheese, 1 full tray
- Baked Beans, 1 full tray
- Coleslaw, 1 full tray
- Slider Buns, 36
- House BBQ Sauce, 24 oz
- Pickles
Swap note: Sorry, no swaps on this spread.
The Pendragon Legend
Serves 40 to 50
$1,195
Our largest standard spread, built for bigger gatherings with four smoked meats, four sides, buns, sauce, pickles, and a starter tray.
Includes:
- Smoked Brisket, about 7.5 lb cooked
- Pulled Pork, about 7.5 lb cooked
- Pulled Chicken, about 7.5 lb cooked
- St. Louis Ribs, 6 racks
- Baked Mac n Cheese, 1 full tray
- Baked Beans, 1 full tray
- Coleslaw, 1 full tray
- Green Beans, 1/2 tray
- Slider Buns, 48
- House BBQ Sauce, 32 oz
- Pickles
- Dragon Eggs, 12 pieces
Swap note: Sorry, no swaps on this spread.
Additional customizations and larger event menus available by request.
Build Your Own
A La Carte Trays
Prefer to build your own order. Choose from trays of smoked meats, sides, starters, buns, desserts, and event extras to create a menu that fits your group.
-
- Half Trays typically yield 14 to 18 servings, ideal for smaller groups
- Full Trays typically yield 28 to 36 servings, best for larger groups
- Our pulled and chopped meats will usually make about 3 to 4 sandwiches per lb
- A rack of St. Louis ribs includes roughly 12 to 14 bones
- Items are delivered in foil pans, with pan size chosen to suit the order
If you need advice on quantities, we’re always happy to help, get in touch.
Starters
Item
Half Tray
Full Tray
Brisket Dragon Eggs
Jalapeños stuffed with brisket and cheese, wrapped in bacon and smoked
$48
$96
Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Smoked pork belly bites lacquered until sticky and rich
$90
$180
Bratwurst Sausages
Links with a savory, lightly smoky finish
$30
$60
Smokehouse Trays
Item
Half Tray
Full Tray
Beef Brisket
Seasoned simply and served chopped
$170
$340
Pulled Pork
Smoked, pulled and finished juicy.
$90
$180
Pulled Chicken
Smoked with a light, savory finish
$90
$180
St. Louis Ribs
Choose from our house rib selections, Pen's House Ribs, Smokehouse Select, 'The Hungarian' and Dragon's Breath #3
$144
$288
Smokehouse Specialties
Item
Half Tray
Full Tray
Chili Con Carne
Includes rice, sour cream, fresh cheddar and scallions. 1/2 tray feeds 10-12, full feeds 22-24.
$175
$350
Smoked Shepherd's Pie
Wood smoked beef and tender beef cheeks in a rich Guinness onion gravy, topped with buttery Irish cheddar colcannon.
$95
$190
Sides
Item
Half Tray
Full Tray
Baked Mac n Cheese
Creamy baked mac topped with a golden crust
$50
$100
Baked Beans
Slow cooked baked beans with brisket (no pork) for a deep smokey flavor
$65
$130
Green Bean Salad
With shallots, lemon, honey and roasted almonds on the side. (Cold)
$45
$90
House Coleslaw
Green and red cabbage with carrots and our house mayo dressing
$35
$70
Garden Salad
Chopped romaine with baby tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and dressing on the side
$35
$70
Desserts
Item
Half Tray
Full Tray
Blackberry and Apple Crumble
Baked blackberry and apple crumble with a buttery oat topping (GF)
$40
$80
Add Ons & Service Extras
Need a little more than the food itself. Add buns, serving ware, setup items, and select service upgrades to match your event.
Buns, Rolls & Bread
Item
12 Pieces
24 Pieces
Slider Rolls (1.25 oz)
$10
$20
Large Brioche Buns (3 oz)
$16
$32
BBQ Sauces & Pickles
Item
Standard
Large
House BBQ Sauce
$8
$16
Dragon's Breath BBQ Sauce 🌶️🌶️🌶️
$8
$16
Half-Sour Pickles
$10
$20
Serving Ware & Disposables
Item
Standard
-
Chafing Dish with Sternos
$22
Utensils, Napkins & Plates
$1.00
Disposable Serving Tongs & Spoons
$1.50
Delivery, Setup & Service Add Ons
Item
-
-
Delivery
Quoted based on order size, delivery distance, and timing.
Drop-Off and Setup
Available for most orders. Quoted at booking.
Warmer Leave-Behind
Available where hot holding is needed. Drop off and pickup included. Quoted at booking.
Fresh Hold Meat Service
Vacuum-sealed hot hold packaging for select meats, designed to help preserve heat, moisture, and flexibility for later service.
Upcoming Public Events
Find us out in the community at pop ups, markets, fundraisers, and local events across Essex County and nearby towns.
What's Included
Every catering order is planned to make serving easier and reduce last-minute guesswork.
- Clearly labeled trays or packages
- Heating and holding guidance where needed
- Sauce, pickles, and standard accompaniments where applicable
- Pickup or delivery timing coordinated with your event
- Menu guidance before booking
Serving ware, disposables, chafers, and setup items are available separately where needed. More general information on how our BBQ delivery works.
Peace of Mind for Event Hosts
We take planning, timing, and preparation seriously. If your venue or organizer needs documentation ahead of the event, let us know early in the process and we'll confirm what can be provided.
Why Pendragon's for Events
Cherry & Oak Wood Smoked
We focus on BBQ that tastes like it should, carefully smoked, balanced, and tender.
Designed for Hosting
Our menu formats are built to be easy to order, easy to serve, and realistic for gatherings of many shapes and sizes.
Hot Delivery, Thoughtful Planning
We prepare in our commercial kitchen and coordinate timing carefully so your order arrives ready for the event.
Local and Personal
As a family-run business, we stay close to the details and aim to make each event feel well looked after.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few of the questions we hear most often before booking.
How much notice do you need?
We require at least 72 hours' notice for most catering orders. Larger events, premium items, and custom requests may require more lead time. This gives us the best chance to plan your menu, prep schedule, and delivery timing properly.
Is there a minimum catering order?
Yes. Our catering minimum is $150. This helps us cover production, coordination, and delivery planning in a way that keeps the service practical and sustainable.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept credit and debit card payments, which are subject to a 2.99% processing fee. Zelle may also be available for approved catering orders. Deposit and final payment timing will be confirmed during booking.
What service options do you offer?
We currently offer pickup, drop off, drop off with setup, and custom catering by request. The right option depends on your event size, timing, and how much on-site help you need.
Is the food delivered hot?
Yes. Our food is prepared in our commercial kitchen and delivered hot wherever possible. We coordinate timing around your event so the food arrives in good shape and ready for service.
What is included with my order?
That depends on the format you choose, but standard accompaniments and serving guidance are included where applicable. Additional items like buns, desserts, disposables, serving ware, chafers, and setup-related extras can be added separately.
How many guests do your Smokehouse Spreads serve?
Our Smokehouse Spreads are designed for groups starting at 15 guests. Each spread includes a clear serving range so you can choose the format that best fits your event without having to build everything from scratch.
Do you provide chafers, utensils, and setup?
Yes, these are available for select events and formats. If you need chafers, serving utensils, disposables, or light setup, let us know when you inquire so we can quote the right extras for your event.
Can meats be delivered vacuum sealed for later service?
Yes. Select meats are available through our Fresh Hold Meat Service. They can be delivered hot in labeled vacuum sealed bulk bags for maximum moisture and more flexible serving timing.
Can you accommodate allergies?
Yes. Please let us know about allergies when ordering. While we take care in preparation, our kitchen handles common allergens. Much of what we cook is Gluten-Free as standard.
When is final headcount due?
Final headcount and order details are due 5 days before the event. This helps us lock in production, packaging, staffing needs where relevant, and delivery planning.
Do you offer custom catering for larger events?
Yes. For larger events, special formats, or more tailored menu requests, we can review a custom plan based on your guest count, service needs, timing, and location. If you have something specific in mind, tell us what you’re planning and we’ll let you know what’s possible.
Request a Catering Quote
Tell us a bit about your event and we'll point you toward the right format, menu, and next step.
A deposit is required to secure your order. Credit and debit card payments are subject to a 2.99% processing fee. Zelle may be available for approved catering orders.