Mash-a-tini or Taco Bar?

How formal is the wedding? I do agree tacos are messy but delicious. The martini glasses with mashed potatoes don't sound like the most appetizing option to myself but I do understand that would be easier for most to eat. Are there other options? What type of venue?

I would find it very strange to be handed mashed potatoes in a martini glass. Tacos are delicious but also messy. Taco salads (the fillings of the taco in a bowl with extra shredded lettus) are slightly less messy as they are not finger food. Less chance for drips on your fancy clothes and no need to wash your hands afterwards. This is obviously less of an issue if you are having a more casual wedding. Just my opinion.

We did mashtinis at our wedding and all our guest loved them and thiught they were so fun and yummy! We had russet potatoes, purple potato, and a sweet potato option and guest could choose and out the toppings they wanted on them. It was also easy for guests to walk around and mingle too than to have a plate of apps. But I don't think you could go wrong either way!

While they are popular are on Pinterest as being “black tie formal” appetizers not everything there translates well to real life. It depends on your crowd. Which would they prefer?

Either of those would be a novelty for our circle. Half would prefer tacos and half the potatoes.

Tacos all the way!

What is your main meal? If your entree includes a potato, I’d go with the tacos.

One of the best receptions I ever attended had a mashtini bar (sides to add included bacon bits, cheese, sour cream, chives, etc.). You can get tacos anywhere/anytime but a mashtini is fun and unique.

I'd prefer tacos

Neither choice is elegant (your word), but whether food should be elegant definitely depends on the type of wedding. I don't like to eat messy food if I am dressed up for a wedding (though if I am at a very casual backyard event, that's fine), so that leaves out tacos. And mashed potatoes are a delicious side dish/offering with a buffet dinner, I don't think they "fit" as an appetizer for cocktail hour.

For cocktail hour, food that can be eaten in one or two bites without utensils works well in passed and/or stationary formats. People are standing up, mingling, with a drink in their hands. Trying to eat a taco without making a mess or juggle a martini glass, fork or spoon, napkin, and a drink all sound awkward.

I prefer martini bars over taco bars. Because, like you said, tacos can get messy when using your hands. But the martini mashed potatoes would have a fork or spoon to use.

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If you’re also holding a drink, then you need a third hand for the fork/spoon which you don’t need with the tacos

View Quoted Comment That’s true! But then I also just thought about holding the plate for the taco while taking a bite, along with holding a drink. Since neither option are appetizers that you can just pop into your mouth, having pub tables around might be helpful

My vote is tacos!!!

Mashtinis all the way!

Tacos! Who doesn’t love a taco.

I've seen both at cocktail hours, and while I love a good taco, I would go with the mashed potatoes. Yes, you need a fork or spoon, but there is less fear of spilling it all over yourself. Typically, cocktail hours have cocktail tables, so guests aren't walking around trying to eat and drink all at the same time. At least not the weddings I've been to.

Mashtinis! They're cute and "classy". Tacos are way too messy in my opinion. Neither are really appetizer/cocktail hour food if we're being honest, but I could eat mashed potatoes any time of day

Are these the only 2 options? I never understood mashtinis. Mashed potatoes are a side dish, not an appetizer. And why are they served in a martini glass? They make as much sense as donut walls, but that's just bah humbug me.


If you like cute and quirky, and potatoes are not a part of your entree, go with mashtini. If you want more filling food, and you expect guests to be dressed more casually, go with taco