Menus for buffet?

I think the chalk board is a good idea, as well as a small label next to each item.

A chalkboard menu at a buffet tends to slow things down because people double back to look. I would suggest instead having small tent cards in front of each dish that also lists any common allergens like gluten, dairy, nuts, etc. your caterer and/or venue may have these readily available for you.

My caterer printed a menu for us and set it up on the buffet. Talk to your caterer and see if they offer that or if they will do it for you.

I wouldn't do a chalk board at the beginning of the line, as PP said it will slow things down. Instead, you should do a small tented card in front of each item stating what it is.

Little cards near the dish themselves is better cause its right there in front of them.

There is no other way to let them know whats on the menu before they get up there? If I'm walking down a buffet line, and I won't like some of the choices, I'd like to know to get more food of what I do like instead of getting down to the end and disappointed at my little portions.

We are also having a southern style BBQ buffet and I will have a sign near the table listing what we have and also have small cards at each item so everyone knows what it is.

It won't be expensive to print out menu cards. I would suggest having them available at the table.

Definitely don't rely on just a chalkboard at the beginning of the line. My nephew did this and I didn't see that the mac and cheese contained lobster, which I am allergic to. There should be a card in front of each dish and be sure to point out items with common allergies like shellfish, eggs, and nuts.

We will be having a buffet, and I am planning on doing menu cards at each table. I want everyone to know what is being served before they get in line.

I went to a wedding recently where the serving staff went to each table and described the food as they dismissed them to the buffet line.

Thanks y'all! I just talked to our wedding planner. The caterer does put little signs in front of each item but it's also a served buffet so the servers can answer questions and are very personable. Guess I'll skip the added cost of paper! Thanks for the input!

I don't see a menu as a necessity. Just make sure your dishes are labeled, like pp have recommended.

We also had a served buffet. The menu was displayed on a large chalkboard placed in the courtyard where cocktail hour was. It was visible and next to the escort table so people could see what was to be served. Then, at each table, there was a little tent card menu to remind everyone of what was on the menu prior to them being called by table to the buffet line.

Our food will have little labels next to each item so people know what it is

If you're doing a program, you can put the menu in there. Even though your are doing a buffet, you can print out menus and have them at the seat or at each table. Have the sign very visible during cocktail hour. Lots of options.

I am doing one menu per table so people will know what's coming before dinner. Mine is also buffet style.

We did a mounted printed menu. The menu was printed on a thicker stock paper and having it mounted was cheaper than a chalkboard or mirror option. It was large too (about two feet tall).

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Agree with this idea as this question tends to come up allot re: common allergens.

I fell in love with a cute idea on Pinterest before we decided on a buffet style dinner and I just don't want to give it up! So it might be silly for a buffet but each place setting will have a menu of the choices. We have 4 meats, 2 potatoes, 2 veggies, 3 salads and 2 desserts. So it seems nessicary to let people know ahead of time. The menus are round and will go on top of the plate with the napkin between the plate and menu. I'm printing them at home and cutting them out on my cricut so other than the $15 for a jumbo pack of grey cardstock it won't really cost me much extra!