Skip to main content
Sandwiches and a salad in a box

R&DE Budget-Friendly Catering

Your go-to catering partner for every campus occasion

Stanford Catering’s Budget-Friendly Catering offers departments, faculty, and student groups a reliable, cost-conscious solution for campus events. We make it easy to plan memorable gatherings with thoughtfully designed menus that balance affordability, quality, and sustainability.

 

 

Supporting Stanford

R&DE Stanford Dining, Hospitality, & Auxiliaries’ Budget-Friendly Catering approach is designed with departments, faculty, and student groups in mind—providing a reliable, costconscious solution for campus events. This ensures that affordability never comes at the expense of flavor, quality, or variety. Whether you are planning a casual meeting, a student gathering, or a departmental event, our structured and convenient catering packages make it simple to serve meals that are both delicious and budget-friendly.

Salad bowl icon

Affordable Menus

Thoughtfully designed menu packages offer satisfying options at a price point that works for any budget.

Food take-out bag

Pick Up or Drop Off Formats

Perfect for smaller meetings or quick-turn events, our pick up options from our cafes or drop off options from Stanford Express Catering selections provide efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Money icon with check mark

Stanford Departments Benefit Even More

When paying with a PTA, catering orders are exempt from the standard 9.125% sales tax—saving your team money while directly supporting the Stanford community.

   Proceeds from R&DE catering help offset increases in room and board, and support student programs.

Stanford Express Catering

For group lunches on campus, Stanford Express Catering is your go-to solution. From sandwich and salad box combos to chef-curated seasonal options, our express drop off service ensures your group (of up to 100 people) stays satisfied.)

View Menu

Place Order

Forbes Family Café Express Catering

Need budget friendly, delicious hot entrées for your next event? We’ve got you covered with our tasty and affordable Express Catering option at Forbes Family Café. Perfect for lunch meetings of 20 - 100 guests!

View Menu

  • Orders require 24 hours of advance notice.
  • Plates, napkins, utensils, and serving utensils are included with your order.
  • Pick-up only | No substitutions
Place Order

TAP Big Box Meals

Craving gourmet burgers or crispy chicken strips from TAP? We’ve got you covered with our delicious and affordable Big Box Meal — freshly made, crowd-pleasing favorites packed with flavor and convenience. Perfect for events, gatherings, or meetings of 10 guests or more!

View Menu

  • Please allow 20- minutes for orders depending on order size.
  • Pick-up only | No substitutions
Place Order

Olives Panini Box

Fresh, flavorful, and easy — enjoy a handcrafted panini sandwich box made with quality ingredients and sides that satisfy. Perfect for meetings, events, or gatherings of 10 guests or more, it’s an affordable and convenient way to serve fresh café favorites everyone will love.

View Menu

  • Please allow 20-30 minutes for order fulfillment.
  • Pick-up only | No substitutions
Place Order

Cardinal Café Express Catering

Based at the Stanford Redwood City campus, Cardinal Café Express Catering makes lunchtime effortless for small on-campus gatherings. With a simplified menu, convenient ordering, and sustainable packaging, our express service offers fresh, high-quality meals that fit your schedule and budget. Designed for groups up to 100, it’s the ideal choice for team meetings, department lunches, or casual get-togethers — so you can focus on connecting while we handle the food.

View Menu

  • Orders require 72 hours advance notice.
  • Ecofriendly plates, napkins, utensils, and serving utensils are included with your order.
  • Questions? Email cardinalcafecatering@stanford.edu
Place Order

Ready to Order?

Work with Stanford Catering to plan an event that fits your vision and your budget.

Submit a request through our Catering Order Form or contact our team at catering@stanford.edu to get started.