J and L Catering Reviews

Reviews

Awards

39

• Alexa T. Sent on 09/20/2023
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  J&L is the way to go!

  Karly and the staff at J&L were a pleasure to work with from start to finish! From our initial conversations Karly understood the vision of our Indian/Latin fusion wedding and delivered the most creative menu! She was extremely responsive throughout the entire process and made the whole experience seamless. Our guests couldn't stop raving about the food/drinks. The service was impeccable and the staff always made sure my husband and I were fed and had a drink in our hand. J&L went above and beyond to make our wedding so special and unique!

  Karly and the staff at J&L were a pleasure to work with from start to finish! From our initial conversations Karly understood the vision of our Indian/Latin fusion wedding and delivered the most creative menu! She was extremely responsive throughout the entire process and made the whole experience seamless. Our guests couldn't stop raving about the food/drinks. The service was impeccable and the staff always made sure my husband and I were fed and had a drink in our hand. J&L went above and beyond to make our wedding so special and unique!
• Alaina S. Sent on 12/23/2022
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  Heavenly food!

  We booked J&L to cater our 55 person wedding in Chicago in December 2022 and had a fantastic experience! As soon as we met Nit, we knew that he was extremely knowledgeable about food flavors and presentation. At the tasting, he listened to our feedback and gave great suggestions on how we could tweak dishes to our liking. The food quality and taste at the wedding was phenomenal. Many of our guests said it was the best food they'd ever had at a wedding. We also loved doing a "quad plate" where we had 4 small entrees on the same plate. We worked with a venue that didn't have an onsite kitchen, so the food was partially cooked and then finished on site (as explained by Nit). Nit and his team are so skilled that everything came out perfectly. The on-site staff (bartender, servers) were all professional and courteous. J&L was a huge part of making our wedding a success and I highly recommend them!

  We booked J&L to cater our 55 person wedding in Chicago in December 2022 and had a fantastic experience! As soon as we met Nit, we knew that he was extremely knowledgeable about food flavors and presentation. At the tasting, he listened to our feedback and gave great suggestions on how we could tweak dishes to our liking. The food quality and taste at the wedding was phenomenal. Many of our guests said it was the best food they'd ever had at a wedding. We also loved doing a "quad plate" where we had 4 small entrees on the same plate. We worked with a venue that didn't have an onsite kitchen, so the food was partially cooked and then finished on site (as explained by Nit). Nit and his team are so skilled that everything came out perfectly. The on-site staff (bartender, servers) were all professional and courteous. J&L was a huge part of making our wedding a success and I highly recommend them!
• Justin Sent on 07/24/2022
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  Delicious Food and Amazing Staff

  What can we say about J&L Catering and our main contact Jim Bailey for our July 1st wedding at the Newberry Library? Delicious food and top notch kitchen and serving staff. Planning a wedding during a pandemic is no easy task. But Jim made us feel SO supported and was always available via email or phone to guide us along the way and give us his opinion and counsel. We were in great hands with Jim and J&L. From the tasting experience to final wrap up on the night of, we couldn’t have been happier. Everyone raved about the food (and there are definitely some picky eaters on our guest list!) for both the cocktail hour and our sit-down dinner. We’d work with J&L and Jim again in a heartbeat. In particular, we felt so lucky to have Jim as our main contact. Jim’s expertise on the day-of was paramount to the calmness we felt throughout our wedding day. His attention to detail given his years of experience is priceless.

  What can we say about J&L Catering and our main contact Jim Bailey for our July 1st wedding at the Newberry Library? Delicious food and top notch kitchen and serving staff. Planning a wedding during a pandemic is no easy task. But Jim made us feel SO supported and was always available via email or phone to guide us along the way and give us his opinion and counsel. We were in great hands with Jim and J&L. From the tasting experience to final wrap up on the night of, we couldn’t have been happier. Everyone raved about the food (and there are definitely some picky eaters on our guest list!) for both the cocktail hour and our sit-down dinner. We’d work with J&L and Jim again in a heartbeat. In particular, we felt so lucky to have Jim as our main contact. Jim’s expertise on the day-of was paramount to the calmness we felt throughout our wedding day. His attention to detail given his years of experience is priceless.
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• Elysse L. Sent on 06/05/2022
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  Couldn't be happier with J&L!

  Ted and the J&L team were amazing to work with from the tasting through the end of the evening. Everyone raved about the food, appetizers, salads, entrees - everything! The best wedding food we've ever had, and the team provided amazing and attentive service. Can't recommend J&L enough.

  Ted and the J&L team were amazing to work with from the tasting through the end of the evening. Everyone raved about the food, appetizers, salads, entrees - everything! The best wedding food we've ever had, and the team provided amazing and attentive service. Can't recommend J&L enough.
• Gaurang G. Sent on 10/15/2021
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  Delicious food and professional service

  My wife and I had our wedding reception at Cafe Brauer and we hired J&L as our caterer. We had a great time working with Ted and the team at J&L. Since I am a first generation Indian American and my wife is American, we wanted a catering company that could mix and combine the flavors of both worlds. They provided an extensive list of possible appetizers, entrees, desserts that matched that request when they created our initial proposal. They showed us a great time at the tasting and Ted was very thorough, noting any adjustments we requested and even coming up with entirely new options based on our ideas. During the planning portion, they were very accommodating to guests' dietary restrictions. And on the actual day of the event, they executed beautifully and people raved about the quality of the food. I wish I could go back and eat all of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts again!! Again, my wife and I would whole heartedly recommend J&L catering and had a wonderful experience with them.

  My wife and I had our wedding reception at Cafe Brauer and we hired J&L as our caterer. We had a great time working with Ted and the team at J&L. Since I am a first generation Indian American and my wife is American, we wanted a catering company that could mix and combine the flavors of both worlds. They provided an extensive list of possible appetizers, entrees, desserts that matched that request when they created our initial proposal. They showed us a great time at the tasting and Ted was very thorough, noting any adjustments we requested and even coming up with entirely new options based on our ideas. During the planning portion, they were very accommodating to guests' dietary restrictions. And on the actual day of the event, they executed beautifully and people raved about the quality of the food. I wish I could go back and eat all of the appetizers, entrees, and desserts again!! Again, my wife and I would whole heartedly recommend J&L catering and had a wonderful experience with them.
• Jeanie Sent on 02/22/2020
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  Perfect Experience

  Please book J & L Catering with Jim B. as your coordinator right now! We have never dealt with a more accommodating vendor. Our every request (we were reasonable, of course, ha ha) was fulfilled for our daughter’s wedding. The food was a standout; so many guests complimented us. While the meal not only tasted delicious, the presentations were beautiful as well.
  
  Thank you Jim for making this portion of the wedding a breeze to plan. The food was phenomenally scrumptious! You are the VERY best.
  

  Please book J & L Catering with Jim B. as your coordinator right now! We have never dealt with a more accommodating vendor. Our every request (we were reasonable, of course, ha ha) was fulfilled for our daughter’s wedding. The food was a standout; so many guests complimented us. While the meal not only tasted delicious, the presentations were beautiful as well.
  
  Thank you Jim for making this portion of the wedding a breeze to plan. The food was phenomenally scrumptious! You are the VERY best.
  
• Olivia L. Sent on 11/23/2019
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  Look no further- j&l is THE best!!

  Choosing Jim and j&l as our caterer was not one that we did lightly. We love good food, and good drinks, and wanted the food to be a large highlight of our wedding day. We did a first look specifically so that we could enjoy our cocktail hour with our friends and Jim’s delicious food! We had our eyes on another caterer but from the minute we did our tasting with Jim, we knew he was our match made in heaven. He personalized everything exactly how we wanted it, less spice? More spice? Add sauce? Make it gluten free for the celiac grandma? Done. He dealt with our last minute changes, our guests dietary restrictions, our ( well my) OCD with grace and enthusiasm. Every one of our guests raved about the food, and I couldn’t have been happier about it. The food was talked about for weeks, every detail was thought out. I still dream about the gyros late night bites and the homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches- they were to die for. You can’t go wrong with Jim, his food is delicious, his personality will make you want to become his best friend, and his professional manner will ensure your wedding goes smoothly!

  Choosing Jim and j&l as our caterer was not one that we did lightly. We love good food, and good drinks, and wanted the food to be a large highlight of our wedding day. We did a first look specifically so that we could enjoy our cocktail hour with our friends and Jim’s delicious food! We had our eyes on another caterer but from the minute we did our tasting with Jim, we knew he was our match made in heaven. He personalized everything exactly how we wanted it, less spice? More spice? Add sauce? Make it gluten free for the celiac grandma? Done. He dealt with our last minute changes, our guests dietary restrictions, our ( well my) OCD with grace and enthusiasm. Every one of our guests raved about the food, and I couldn’t have been happier about it. The food was talked about for weeks, every detail was thought out. I still dream about the gyros late night bites and the homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches- they were to die for. You can’t go wrong with Jim, his food is delicious, his personality will make you want to become his best friend, and his professional manner will ensure your wedding goes smoothly!
• Erin Sent on 09/11/2018
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  We could not be happier with Jim and the J&L team! Jim's secret power is he includes day-of coordination in the catering package. Every detail is worked out with Jim in advance, and he's great to bounce ideas off of. His positive mannerisms and sense of humor helped make our day seamless.
  
  Jim's team is wonderful. They were able to flip our ceremony room into a reception room for 250 people FAST and able to serve a meal that was both delicious and not super slow. The bartenders kept the drinks flowing, and everything was packaged up (including a bride/groom doggie bag) at the end of the night to take home.

  We could not be happier with Jim and the J&L team! Jim's secret power is he includes day-of coordination in the catering package. Every detail is worked out with Jim in advance, and he's great to bounce ideas off of. His positive mannerisms and sense of humor helped make our day seamless.
  
  Jim's team is wonderful. They were able to flip our ceremony room into a reception room for 250 people FAST and able to serve a meal that was both delicious and not super slow. The bartenders kept the drinks flowing, and everything was packaged up (including a bride/groom doggie bag) at the end of the night to take home.
• Colin Sent on 08/11/2017
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  We worked with Scott and J&L catering for our wedding at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and could not have been happier with the experience. From day one, Scott made us feel at ease and was extremely helpful, accommodating, and kind. The food, service, and overall experience was absolutely fantastic. Just disappointed I didn't get more hors d'oeuvres! Dinner was terrific and delicious, they even made special dishes to accommodate allergies in the wedding. The bar had a great selection and no shortage of supply! J&L was also the most reasonably priced vendor out of all the bids we received, but you certainly wouldn't know it by the quality and service (and they don't charge you for every little modification you want to make). If you are considering J&L for any catering needs, you will certainly not be disappointed. We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Scott and J&L.

  We worked with Scott and J&L catering for our wedding at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and could not have been happier with the experience. From day one, Scott made us feel at ease and was extremely helpful, accommodating, and kind. The food, service, and overall experience was absolutely fantastic. Just disappointed I didn't get more hors d'oeuvres! Dinner was terrific and delicious, they even made special dishes to accommodate allergies in the wedding. The bar had a great selection and no shortage of supply! J&L was also the most reasonably priced vendor out of all the bids we received, but you certainly wouldn't know it by the quality and service (and they don't charge you for every little modification you want to make). If you are considering J&L for any catering needs, you will certainly not be disappointed. We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Scott and J&L.
• Natalie Sent on 06/07/2017
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  We found out about J & L when we were checking out our wedding venue, the Woman’s Club of Evanston. We walked into the ballroom which was already set up for a wedding reception later that day and when my mother saw someone meticulously checking/polishing the silverware at each table, she turned to the WC’s event coordinator Elizabeth and said, “who is catering this wedding? I want to hire them!” Elizabeth said, “J &L! They are the BEST.” So we reached out to Jim Bailey, J & L’s event planner and set up a tasting. From the start, our experience with J & L was great. The tasting with Jim was really fun and an experience all in itself. Even though my parent’s, husband and I have some different food likes and dislikes we all somehow loved everything that was served to us that night. My dad who is a big meat and potatoes guy even enjoyed the vegetarian entree options we tried. Jim was with us every step of the way while we planned our wedding offering advice and help. He informed us at our tasting that he was already committed to two other weddings on our day, so we would be working with someone else on the actual day of. We were introduced to Scott Reichelsdorf at our walk through and I instantly liked him. He stepped up as our “day of coordinator” and he and Jim even helped out with our rehearsal the night before. By helped out I mean they directed the whole thing. Our friend officiated, and it was his first time officiating a wedding. We would have been totally lost without Jim and Scott. My memories of Scott on our wedding day are of him running around doing a hundred things at once with a smile on his face. Scott totally came through. Aside from all the personal care and attention provided by every single staff member that was at our wedding, the food was super delicious. We had vegans, vegetarians, meat eaters and gluten free people at our wedding and everyone raved about their food. I can say without a doubt the reason our wedding day was so seamless and stress fr

  We found out about J & L when we were checking out our wedding venue, the Woman’s Club of Evanston. We walked into the ballroom which was already set up for a wedding reception later that day and when my mother saw someone meticulously checking/polishing the silverware at each table, she turned to the WC’s event coordinator Elizabeth and said, “who is catering this wedding? I want to hire them!” Elizabeth said, “J &L! They are the BEST.” So we reached out to Jim Bailey, J & L’s event planner and set up a tasting. From the start, our experience with J & L was great. The tasting with Jim was really fun and an experience all in itself. Even though my parent’s, husband and I have some different food likes and dislikes we all somehow loved everything that was served to us that night. My dad who is a big meat and potatoes guy even enjoyed the vegetarian entree options we tried. Jim was with us every step of the way while we planned our wedding offering advice and help. He informed us at our tasting that he was already committed to two other weddings on our day, so we would be working with someone else on the actual day of. We were introduced to Scott Reichelsdorf at our walk through and I instantly liked him. He stepped up as our “day of coordinator” and he and Jim even helped out with our rehearsal the night before. By helped out I mean they directed the whole thing. Our friend officiated, and it was his first time officiating a wedding. We would have been totally lost without Jim and Scott. My memories of Scott on our wedding day are of him running around doing a hundred things at once with a smile on his face. Scott totally came through. Aside from all the personal care and attention provided by every single staff member that was at our wedding, the food was super delicious. We had vegans, vegetarians, meat eaters and gluten free people at our wedding and everyone raved about their food. I can say without a doubt the reason our wedding day was so seamless and stress fr
• Cassandra Sent on 10/27/2016
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  We had the pleasure of working with Morgan and Ted for our wedding and I cannot say enough about how amazing their team is! From the moment we knew they were going to be our caterer, we had a stellar experience. They were extremely responsive with any questions, concerns and suggestions and their food and menu options are so incredible. All of our guests are still raving about the dinner and appetizers--it was magnificent. We had a blast during our tasting and knew they would exceed our expectations at the wedding, and they did.
  
  Everyone always says that you never get a change to eat at your own wedding. Well, not with J&L! My husband and I as well as our parents felt so well taken care of by their team. The servers ensured our drinks were full and appetizers were making it to us throughout the cocktail hour and they made sure we got to sit and eat our full meal during dinner. It was a dream!
  
  Their bartenders and servers were very professional, polite and polished and really added another level of class to an already elegant affair. Morgan and Ted made sure everything was executed perfectly and we cannot thank them enough for making our wedding so special. It would not have been the same without J&L Catering.

  We had the pleasure of working with Morgan and Ted for our wedding and I cannot say enough about how amazing their team is! From the moment we knew they were going to be our caterer, we had a stellar experience. They were extremely responsive with any questions, concerns and suggestions and their food and menu options are so incredible. All of our guests are still raving about the dinner and appetizers--it was magnificent. We had a blast during our tasting and knew they would exceed our expectations at the wedding, and they did.
  
  Everyone always says that you never get a change to eat at your own wedding. Well, not with J&L! My husband and I as well as our parents felt so well taken care of by their team. The servers ensured our drinks were full and appetizers were making it to us throughout the cocktail hour and they made sure we got to sit and eat our full meal during dinner. It was a dream!
  
  Their bartenders and servers were very professional, polite and polished and really added another level of class to an already elegant affair. Morgan and Ted made sure everything was executed perfectly and we cannot thank them enough for making our wedding so special. It would not have been the same without J&L Catering.
• Matthew Sent on 08/14/2015
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  This is just based on our tasting. We're probably going with them.

  This is just based on our tasting. We're probably going with them.
• Christine Sent on 05/02/2016
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  Jim Bailey was the head caterer for our wedding at the Women's Club of Evanston. And by head caterer, we mean, he was the head caterer, master organizer, lead contact for all other vendors, and master of easing the mind. We can't really say enough for what he meant for the wedding. He managed almost all aspects and made us feel at ease before and during the event...we didn't need to focus on anything outside of our family and friends because he had the rest covered.
  
  The service for the rest of the catering team was equally as impressive. All staff members were professional, polite and added to the excitement of the celebration. J&L flipped the room during cocktail hour flawlessly and then cleared 5 tables to make room for the dance floor after dinner. It was done to perfection.
  
  Lastly, the food was incredible. We have received so many compliments from so many different people raving about the food. We knew it was good when we went for a tasting, but did not think they were going to replicate it for a huge group...but THEY DID. The next day our family could not get over the tastes they had the night before...hanger steak was amazing and the salmon "made people's mouth water thinking about it".
  
  Overall, we would recommend J&L for any event and all events. Thank you soooooo much Jim and the rest of the J&L crew!
  

  Jim Bailey was the head caterer for our wedding at the Women's Club of Evanston. And by head caterer, we mean, he was the head caterer, master organizer, lead contact for all other vendors, and master of easing the mind. We can't really say enough for what he meant for the wedding. He managed almost all aspects and made us feel at ease before and during the event...we didn't need to focus on anything outside of our family and friends because he had the rest covered.
  
  The service for the rest of the catering team was equally as impressive. All staff members were professional, polite and added to the excitement of the celebration. J&L flipped the room during cocktail hour flawlessly and then cleared 5 tables to make room for the dance floor after dinner. It was done to perfection.
  
  Lastly, the food was incredible. We have received so many compliments from so many different people raving about the food. We knew it was good when we went for a tasting, but did not think they were going to replicate it for a huge group...but THEY DID. The next day our family could not get over the tastes they had the night before...hanger steak was amazing and the salmon "made people's mouth water thinking about it".
  
  Overall, we would recommend J&L for any event and all events. Thank you soooooo much Jim and the rest of the J&L crew!
  
• Lizzy Sent on 11/13/2015
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  Jim from J&L was the MVP for our wedding planning and wedding day. Not only does he serve as the head of the catering on the day of, but he will work with you in lock-step during your entire planning process on the menu, the venue, the decorations, the schedule, etc. He is basically a wedding planner and caterer all in one!
  
  I was planning my wedding from out-of-town and Jim was so easy to get in touch with. We spoke every few months with updates, ideas, changes, etc. and his responsiveness was so appreciated. The menu he helped us select was perfect and the whole look and feel of the event was exactly our taste (no pun intended). His attention to detail in arranging the room and decorations was incredible.
  
  I can not recommend him and his team highly enough. They were delightful to work for. And, to cap it off, the food was delicious!!

  Jim from J&L was the MVP for our wedding planning and wedding day. Not only does he serve as the head of the catering on the day of, but he will work with you in lock-step during your entire planning process on the menu, the venue, the decorations, the schedule, etc. He is basically a wedding planner and caterer all in one!
  
  I was planning my wedding from out-of-town and Jim was so easy to get in touch with. We spoke every few months with updates, ideas, changes, etc. and his responsiveness was so appreciated. The menu he helped us select was perfect and the whole look and feel of the event was exactly our taste (no pun intended). His attention to detail in arranging the room and decorations was incredible.
  
  I can not recommend him and his team highly enough. They were delightful to work for. And, to cap it off, the food was delicious!!
• Christina Sent on 07/09/2015
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  I have never heard so many guests talk about how delicious the food was at a wedding until ours! We were very fortunate to work with Scott because he made the experience so wonderful from the first time we met him. At out first tasting, we tried all different types of dishes for each course with Scott, who explained what the dish was and how it was prepared in great detail. It was very hard to narrow down our choices but Scott helped us by choosing dishes that would compliment and balance one another. We had a few changes and additions along the way and had J&L cater our reception dinner, reception desserts, and even some Chicago style late night snacks! The guests loved the food as much as we did and we can't thank J&L enough for all their hard work for our wedding! We are now craving another plate of all our delicious choices!
  

  I have never heard so many guests talk about how delicious the food was at a wedding until ours! We were very fortunate to work with Scott because he made the experience so wonderful from the first time we met him. At out first tasting, we tried all different types of dishes for each course with Scott, who explained what the dish was and how it was prepared in great detail. It was very hard to narrow down our choices but Scott helped us by choosing dishes that would compliment and balance one another. We had a few changes and additions along the way and had J&L cater our reception dinner, reception desserts, and even some Chicago style late night snacks! The guests loved the food as much as we did and we can't thank J&L enough for all their hard work for our wedding! We are now craving another plate of all our delicious choices!
  
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  User2033519 Sent on 02/07/2015
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  J&L Catering provided catering services for our engagement party in the summer. The catering staff was WONDERFUL and so attentive to our guests and my fiance and I. The food was incredible (barbecue-esque food) and they really did a wonderful job - we couldn't have asked for anything better.

  J&L Catering provided catering services for our engagement party in the summer. The catering staff was WONDERFUL and so attentive to our guests and my fiance and I. The food was incredible (barbecue-esque food) and they really did a wonderful job - we couldn't have asked for anything better.
• Kristine Sent on 05/12/2015
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  I've never been to a wedding before where someone is constantly complimenting the food....it just rarely happens. Well guess what....I can't even begin to tell you how many incredible compliments I got about J&L's food at our wedding. It was crazy!!! From the delicious apps, to the incredible service to the hot dinner...everyone was obsessed and LOVED it!! They are still talking about it in fact.
  
  Ted and his team were just amazing. They are so professional and were beyond attentive to the guests. I really adored working with Ted and his team and he just made the whole catering process a dream.
  
  The food is incredible....your guests will LOVE it! Seriously consider them for your next catering event...you definitely won't regret it!

  I've never been to a wedding before where someone is constantly complimenting the food....it just rarely happens. Well guess what....I can't even begin to tell you how many incredible compliments I got about J&L's food at our wedding. It was crazy!!! From the delicious apps, to the incredible service to the hot dinner...everyone was obsessed and LOVED it!! They are still talking about it in fact.
  
  Ted and his team were just amazing. They are so professional and were beyond attentive to the guests. I really adored working with Ted and his team and he just made the whole catering process a dream.
  
  The food is incredible....your guests will LOVE it! Seriously consider them for your next catering event...you definitely won't regret it!
• Victoria Sent on 06/08/2014
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  I cannot recommend them enough!! Their food was spectacular!! Not only at the tasting but also at the wedding. They worked so nicely with us during our back and forth decision making issues. We had on our team Jim and Can. While Jim couldn't be at the actual event, Cam took the reigns and handled it amazingly! They also functioned as day of coordinators which made it so easy. This was such a key part to our day and I'm so happy they were recommended to me!

  I cannot recommend them enough!! Their food was spectacular!! Not only at the tasting but also at the wedding. They worked so nicely with us during our back and forth decision making issues. We had on our team Jim and Can. While Jim couldn't be at the actual event, Cam took the reigns and handled it amazingly! They also functioned as day of coordinators which made it so easy. This was such a key part to our day and I'm so happy they were recommended to me!
• Katherine Sent on 05/17/2013
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  I highly recommend J & L catering. I worked with Jim Bailey on my wedding this May 4, 2013 at the Woman's Club of Evanston, and he was brilliant. He was the most reliable, most effective, and most helpful of all the vendors I worked with during the wedding-planning process. I honestly can't think of a single complaint. I didn't attend the first tasting with J&L because I'm an out-of-town bride. My parents and grandmothers all attended, and everyone agreed that it was much better than the other, first tasting they had gone to. Later, I was uncertain about which chicken dish to select, and so Jim Bailey arranged a second tasting JUST FOR CHICKEN DISHES! We had already hired them at this point, so this was purely out of professionalism, integrity, and the desire to make things perfect. Jim was also helpful in making linen selections and offered honest and useful feedback. He interfaced with my other vendors and gave advice along the way on topics ranging from candy dishes to champagne. Jim can also serve as your dual wedding planner (while remaining your catering point person), and while I did not go this route, in retrospect I wish I had!!
  
  On the big day, everything was perfect. We had a traditional selection of chicken, beef, or vegetarian risotto entrees, and each of the entrees was absolutely delicious, even better than at the tasting! The wait staff was friendly and I hardly even noticed they were there, they were so good at gliding effortlessly through the room! I worked with Jim Bailey so I don't know anything about the other lead event staff at J&L, but during my chicken tasting I got a really good vibe from the general atmosphere at the J&L offices---laid-back yet professional. J&L is a relatively expensive company, but they are definitely not overpriced, and I get the feeling from other reviews here that they're very happy to work with smaller budgets. 5 out of 5 for sure!

  I highly recommend J & L catering. I worked with Jim Bailey on my wedding this May 4, 2013 at the Woman's Club of Evanston, and he was brilliant. He was the most reliable, most effective, and most helpful of all the vendors I worked with during the wedding-planning process. I honestly can't think of a single complaint. I didn't attend the first tasting with J&L because I'm an out-of-town bride. My parents and grandmothers all attended, and everyone agreed that it was much better than the other, first tasting they had gone to. Later, I was uncertain about which chicken dish to select, and so Jim Bailey arranged a second tasting JUST FOR CHICKEN DISHES! We had already hired them at this point, so this was purely out of professionalism, integrity, and the desire to make things perfect. Jim was also helpful in making linen selections and offered honest and useful feedback. He interfaced with my other vendors and gave advice along the way on topics ranging from candy dishes to champagne. Jim can also serve as your dual wedding planner (while remaining your catering point person), and while I did not go this route, in retrospect I wish I had!!
  
  On the big day, everything was perfect. We had a traditional selection of chicken, beef, or vegetarian risotto entrees, and each of the entrees was absolutely delicious, even better than at the tasting! The wait staff was friendly and I hardly even noticed they were there, they were so good at gliding effortlessly through the room! I worked with Jim Bailey so I don't know anything about the other lead event staff at J&L, but during my chicken tasting I got a really good vibe from the general atmosphere at the J&L offices---laid-back yet professional. J&L is a relatively expensive company, but they are definitely not overpriced, and I get the feeling from other reviews here that they're very happy to work with smaller budgets. 5 out of 5 for sure!
• Lale Sent on 12/28/2012
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  WOW! we are still speechless at the reviews our guests have given us regarding the food and service they received at our wedding!
  
  We had our wedding at Stan Mansion in Logan Square in late September, with both of us working in hospitality management we had both high expectations of our vendors but also we wanted a party!
  
  After several tastings with companies that just did not fit us we ended up at J&L met by Jim Bailey and an amazing staff- we tasted food that was just beyond amazing- we left knowing J&L was for us!
  
  We chose to have heavy passed hors'douvres throughout the night , as our wedding was later in the evening on a Friday and once again we wanted a big party!
  J&L Provided everything we wanted and needed from the bartenders ( even though we provided our own alcohol), to servers- Jim Bailey acted as a wedding planner helping us throughout a majority of decisions and even helping with the rehearsal!
  
  It was such a pleasure working with J&L and we would recommend them to anyone looking for amazing food and quality personalized service. Jim truly made us feel special.
  We hope to work with them again in the future!
  Andrew and Lale Ketcham
  Established 2012

  WOW! we are still speechless at the reviews our guests have given us regarding the food and service they received at our wedding!
  
  We had our wedding at Stan Mansion in Logan Square in late September, with both of us working in hospitality management we had both high expectations of our vendors but also we wanted a party!
  
  After several tastings with companies that just did not fit us we ended up at J&L met by Jim Bailey and an amazing staff- we tasted food that was just beyond amazing- we left knowing J&L was for us!
  
  We chose to have heavy passed hors'douvres throughout the night , as our wedding was later in the evening on a Friday and once again we wanted a big party!
  J&L Provided everything we wanted and needed from the bartenders ( even though we provided our own alcohol), to servers- Jim Bailey acted as a wedding planner helping us throughout a majority of decisions and even helping with the rehearsal!
  
  It was such a pleasure working with J&L and we would recommend them to anyone looking for amazing food and quality personalized service. Jim truly made us feel special.
  We hope to work with them again in the future!
  Andrew and Lale Ketcham
  Established 2012
• Mai Sent on 10/09/2012
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  J & L Catering went above and beyond for our Sept. 22, 2012 wedding at the Nature Museum in Chicago. Our coordinator Evelyn Hitchcock was courteous, helpful and so responsive throughout the entire process. The food and service were impeccable and Evelyn even helped with the processional lineup during the ceremony. Our wedding planner decorated the Nature Museum with amazing detail and J & L helped create memorable table settings. The cocktail hour and dinner service went smoothly and everything tasted fresh and delicious. We chose the hanger steak and halibut as our entree choices and both turned out wonderful.
  
  I am Vietnamese American and my husband is Chinese American and Evelyn addressed our wishes to incorporate flavors from our cultures. Our passed hor'dourves had some Asian influences and we also served mini- banh mi sandwiches as a late-night snack. We were busy entertaining guests and didn't have a chance to pick up all the food, but the head waiter left one of each dessert and two banh mi sandwiches on our table. J & L were thoughtful throughout and provided excellent service from planning to the reception.

  J & L Catering went above and beyond for our Sept. 22, 2012 wedding at the Nature Museum in Chicago. Our coordinator Evelyn Hitchcock was courteous, helpful and so responsive throughout the entire process. The food and service were impeccable and Evelyn even helped with the processional lineup during the ceremony. Our wedding planner decorated the Nature Museum with amazing detail and J & L helped create memorable table settings. The cocktail hour and dinner service went smoothly and everything tasted fresh and delicious. We chose the hanger steak and halibut as our entree choices and both turned out wonderful.
  
  I am Vietnamese American and my husband is Chinese American and Evelyn addressed our wishes to incorporate flavors from our cultures. Our passed hor'dourves had some Asian influences and we also served mini- banh mi sandwiches as a late-night snack. We were busy entertaining guests and didn't have a chance to pick up all the food, but the head waiter left one of each dessert and two banh mi sandwiches on our table. J & L were thoughtful throughout and provided excellent service from planning to the reception.
• 
  User914732 Sent on 08/28/2012
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  J&L far exceeded our expectations. We asked for global style tapas with signature cocktails and they more than delivered. They took our ideas and ran with them, it was hands down the best food we've ever had at any wedding. Rachel at J&L went above and beyond, coordinating not only the meal and setup, but the ceremony, the main events of the evening - she was just as much wedding coordinator as caterer and worth her weight in gold! Everything was perfect, not a single thing went wrong. Their service was unbelievable, courteous, impeccable, and above the standard I've seen anywhere else. They live to serve. They do it incredibly well.

  J&L far exceeded our expectations. We asked for global style tapas with signature cocktails and they more than delivered. They took our ideas and ran with them, it was hands down the best food we've ever had at any wedding. Rachel at J&L went above and beyond, coordinating not only the meal and setup, but the ceremony, the main events of the evening - she was just as much wedding coordinator as caterer and worth her weight in gold! Everything was perfect, not a single thing went wrong. Their service was unbelievable, courteous, impeccable, and above the standard I've seen anywhere else. They live to serve. They do it incredibly well.
• Chris Sent on 09/24/2012
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  We could not have been more pleased with the quality of the food (amazing) as well as the high level of service and professionalism of the staff. Having really great food and a dependable level of service were extremely important to us, and J&L exceeded our expectations on all fronts. To this day our friends and family still rave about the food at our wedding!
  
  During the wedding planning process we met with a handful of reputable catering companies but J&L stood out to us immediately. Our coordinator at J&L, Scott Reichelsdorf, was extremely insightful and flexible when it came to designing our menu. In addition to his insights on food, Scott had done numerous weddings at the Chicago Cultural Center so his experience and understanding of how to effectively cater big events immediately put us at ease. Everything came together perfectly on our wedding day—the food was perfect, the timing of the dishes was on point (no delays), and the staff was attentive and courteous. Scott and his staff definitely went above & beyond - and we couldn’t have been happier with our decision to use J&L. We would highly recommend them to anybody in need of a top notch caterer!
  

  We could not have been more pleased with the quality of the food (amazing) as well as the high level of service and professionalism of the staff. Having really great food and a dependable level of service were extremely important to us, and J&L exceeded our expectations on all fronts. To this day our friends and family still rave about the food at our wedding!
  
  During the wedding planning process we met with a handful of reputable catering companies but J&L stood out to us immediately. Our coordinator at J&L, Scott Reichelsdorf, was extremely insightful and flexible when it came to designing our menu. In addition to his insights on food, Scott had done numerous weddings at the Chicago Cultural Center so his experience and understanding of how to effectively cater big events immediately put us at ease. Everything came together perfectly on our wedding day—the food was perfect, the timing of the dishes was on point (no delays), and the staff was attentive and courteous. Scott and his staff definitely went above & beyond - and we couldn’t have been happier with our decision to use J&L. We would highly recommend them to anybody in need of a top notch caterer!
  
• Nadia Sent on 10/25/2011
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  If you need catering for your wedding or special event, you MUST call J&L Catering. If you like bullet points, here’s why J&L Catering is so great:
  
  - Budget-friendly and cost-conscious
  - Food is creative, diverse, and delicious
  - Extremely professional and knowledgeable
  - Outstanding service from first consult to the day of event
  
  Here is our story:
  We had our wedding at the Ivy Room, and J&L was among the caterers recommended to us by the venue. We contacted Ted Grady, and though we had other catering appointments scheduled, we canceled them all after meeting Ted and Cam. And this is before we even tasted their food.
  
  Ted is very warm and gracious but is capable of cracking the whip to make sure that his customers are happy. There is no denying that the customer experience is important to him. He is organized, attentive, and refreshingly straightforward about the budget. Like most weddings, the catering was the most expensive portion of our budget, and it was important for us to work with someone who would be able to meet our bottom-line, and would be as clear as possible about pricing. Ted did all the above and more! For example, when deciding on furniture, Ted went out of his way to contact the vendors and talk down their prices, so even though the chairs that I really wanted and the lounge sets were beyond our budget, Ted found a way to make them happen for us anyway. It was very important to us to work with someone that we trusted and felt comfortable with – especially for the catering (which these days accounts for waiters, bartenders, linens, furniture, and general organization; much more than just food preparation) – and Ted was a perfect fit. I really can’t say enough about how stress-free this guy made our wedding. He even threw in a few dozen deviled eggs for our send-off party on Sunday so I wouldn’t have to make them myself! If that isn’t excellent service, I don’t know what is.
  
  I was ready to give J&L five stars before our wedding, because Ted was so fantastic, but after the wedding I was even MORE pleased. Ted served as our ad hoc day-of coordinator and, despite unpredictable weather, I never once worried about what was going on because I knew he was totally on top of it. Our lead event coordinator was Cam Harshman, and he was amazing. He seemed to be everywhere at once. He made sure I ate and (together with Ted) handled the annoying weather issues so I didn’t have to worry about a thing. And I haven’t even mentioned the food yet. The food was fantastic, and the service was even BETTER. We have not stopped receiving compliments from guests – not just on the food, but on the staff. One of our guests even got Cam’s card so he can use J&L Catering in the future. Those two were amazing, and I would highly recommend J&L Catering (especially Ted & Cam), for your wedding or special event.

  If you need catering for your wedding or special event, you MUST call J&L Catering. If you like bullet points, here’s why J&L Catering is so great:
  
  - Budget-friendly and cost-conscious
  - Food is creative, diverse, and delicious
  - Extremely professional and knowledgeable
  - Outstanding service from first consult to the day of event
  
  Here is our story:
  We had our wedding at the Ivy Room, and J&L was among the caterers recommended to us by the venue. We contacted Ted Grady, and though we had other catering appointments scheduled, we canceled them all after meeting Ted and Cam. And this is before we even tasted their food.
  
  Ted is very warm and gracious but is capable of cracking the whip to make sure that his customers are happy. There is no denying that the customer experience is important to him. He is organized, attentive, and refreshingly straightforward about the budget. Like most weddings, the catering was the most expensive portion of our budget, and it was important for us to work with someone who would be able to meet our bottom-line, and would be as clear as possible about pricing. Ted did all the above and more! For example, when deciding on furniture, Ted went out of his way to contact the vendors and talk down their prices, so even though the chairs that I really wanted and the lounge sets were beyond our budget, Ted found a way to make them happen for us anyway. It was very important to us to work with someone that we trusted and felt comfortable with – especially for the catering (which these days accounts for waiters, bartenders, linens, furniture, and general organization; much more than just food preparation) – and Ted was a perfect fit. I really can’t say enough about how stress-free this guy made our wedding. He even threw in a few dozen deviled eggs for our send-off party on Sunday so I wouldn’t have to make them myself! If that isn’t excellent service, I don’t know what is.
  
  I was ready to give J&L five stars before our wedding, because Ted was so fantastic, but after the wedding I was even MORE pleased. Ted served as our ad hoc day-of coordinator and, despite unpredictable weather, I never once worried about what was going on because I knew he was totally on top of it. Our lead event coordinator was Cam Harshman, and he was amazing. He seemed to be everywhere at once. He made sure I ate and (together with Ted) handled the annoying weather issues so I didn’t have to worry about a thing. And I haven’t even mentioned the food yet. The food was fantastic, and the service was even BETTER. We have not stopped receiving compliments from guests – not just on the food, but on the staff. One of our guests even got Cam’s card so he can use J&L Catering in the future. Those two were amazing, and I would highly recommend J&L Catering (especially Ted & Cam), for your wedding or special event.
• Claire Sent on 07/02/2008
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  Thank goodness for J&L catering. The food tasted great and was elegantly served. Jim Bailey coordinated our event. Jim offered great advice and took care of everything. He was invaluable. They were reasonably priced too!

  Thank goodness for J&L catering. The food tasted great and was elegantly served. Jim Bailey coordinated our event. Jim offered great advice and took care of everything. He was invaluable. They were reasonably priced too!

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