Ideas for cocktail hour with taco bar dinner

How about fruit? It sounds like you want to keep the apps simple and inexpensive, right? A fruit platter would go with cheese and crackers. Otherwise, does the caterer offer app options you can add?

@michelle - fruit sounds good! We were iffy about it. Our caterer does have some apps, but would be too heavy for cocktail hour. Thanks! =)

Do you want to stay with the Mexican theme to match the taco bar? You could do different types of guac and different dippers. Same with salsa. Stuffed jalapenos, mexican corn...

I think cheese and crackers is enough, since your cocktail hour is starting at a non-meal time. Your dinner sounds amazing though!

ETA: You may get more responses if you change your avatar! Spammers tend to stick with the rings avatar.

We are having a fajita bar/taco bar and for app we are having a 7 layer mexican dip with chips. I think chips and salsa might be cool too! Since your cocktail hour is a little longer I would do something with a tiny bit more density.

Staying with the Mexican theme sounds good. The caterer has included chips and pico de gallo salsa with the buffet and will be presented with the dinner. The 7 layer dip might be a good idea! Would that be fine alone or with the cheese and crackers?

And thanks, Princess Conseula, I changed my avatar. =)

I went to a wedding where they had chips and salsa waiting for you on the tables when you sat down and waited for dinner. I could literally just eat that for my meal, I think people will be really excited about the chips and pico de gallo! I would see if they could do some for cocktail hour as well as have it with the dinner.

I agree with the chips and salsa. Maybe some fried plantains to break it up as well for something sweet?

FutureMrsT - hmmm, I'll have to think about that. If I can't find anyone to do the 7-layer dip, more chips and salsa would be good.

@duales -- Aaah! I didn't even think of fried plantains!

If you do a cheese board, you can go with Spanish cheeses. Manchego is really popular right now to start with. You can add serrano ham and chorizo. We usually see strawberries and grapes but you could do sliced oranges or skewers of papaya and mango. We get mango cheese on occasion.

Oh, also just for snacking food, one of our friends made roasted Mexican chickpeas, they're just dusted in chili powder and salt then roasted in the oven until crispy, so good.

Omg this sounds amazing! I wanted a taco bar so bad, but H wasn't having it

I agree fruit sounds good with cheese and crackers.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! We went with the taco bar because FH is Mexican and both our families just wouldn't be full from seated plated dinner. Here's to hoping they're satisfied at our wedding!

Like the jalapeño poppers idea! Some other ideas: Mexican sweet corn croquettes, maybe some shrimp and chorizo skewers, queso, Mexican rice, or Mexican shrimp cocktail. Or how about dessert first with some churros?

Ooooh that sounds yummy just for this coming weekend, Samantha! =P

How about some Mexican corn on the cob?