Salad Trays vs. Sandwich Platters: What Should You Order for a Group?

Planning a birthday lunch, family reunion, graduation celebration, or weekend gathering on Oahu? One of the first food decisions is whether to serve something guests can enjoy on a plate or something they can easily pick up and eat.

At Aloha Salads, our catering menu includes signature salad trays and a sandwich platter, giving hosts different ways to plan a shared meal.

The short answer: Choose salad trays when you want a variety of greens, toppings, and dressings that guests can serve onto their plates. Choose a sandwich platter when you want individually portioned sandwiches that are easy to pick up. For gatherings with different meal preferences, consider combining both.

Here's how to decide what works for your group.

Salad Trays vs. Sandwich Platters: A Quick Comparison

The right catering choice depends on how guests will eat, what they enjoy, and how the food fits into the gathering.

These are serving-style recommendations, not fixed catering rules. The number of trays or platters you need will depend on your guest count and what else you plan to serve.

When Salad Trays Make More Sense

Salad trays work especially well when guests will be sitting down or helping themselves from a shared food table.

They also allow you to offer different flavor combinations without asking everyone to eat the same salad.

Our catering menu includes several signature options.

Aloha Passion Tray

Mixed greens with mango, apples, red grapes, cranberries, blue cheese, candied walnuts, and passion orange vinaigrette. A fruity option with sweetness and crunch.

Kamuela Cobb Tray

Mixed greens with avocado, grape tomatoes, egg, bacon, blue cheese, chicken, and herb ranch. A hearty choice for guests who prefer a salad with chicken and savory toppings.

Ono Island Ahi Tray

Mixed greens with ahi tuna, mango, avocado, coconut, strawberries, green onions, bean sprouts, and passion orange vinaigrette. An option for guests who enjoy ahi and fruit-forward flavors.

Our other published salad catering options include:

For example, combining the Aloha Passion Tray with the Kamuela Cobb Tray gives guests two contrasting flavor profiles: one with fruit and candied walnuts, the other with chicken, bacon, and herb ranch.

Hosting tip: Think about contrast rather than simply choosing the most familiar salads. A mix of flavors can make the food table more interesting for guests with different preferences.

When a Sandwich Platter Is the Better Choice

Not every gathering has a full dining table.

For a casual family get-together, an afternoon celebration, or an event where people will be moving around, sandwiches may be more convenient than a shared salad tray.

Our catering menu includes a Sandwich Platter priced at $85, with a choice of six sandwiches.

That gives hosts a way to include sandwich options without planning an entirely separate meal.

Sandwiches are worth considering when:

• Guests may eat at different times rather than sitting down together.
• You want food that can be picked up without assembling a plate.
• Several guests prefer bread-based meals over salads.
• The event has limited seating or table space.

The exact sandwich choices available for the platter should be confirmed with your selected Aloha Salads store before ordering.

Explore Our Sandwich and Wrap Menu

If you're comparing flavors before contacting the store, our regular menu offers a useful starting point.

Chicken Pesto Sandwich Club Sub

Caprese Sub Curried Chicken Wrap

These are regular menu examples to help you explore flavors, not a confirmed list of choices for the catering platter.

You can browse more options on the Aloha Salads website.

Why Combining Salad Trays and Sandwich Platters Can Work

For mixed social gatherings, you don't necessarily have to choose one over the other.

A combination can be useful when some guests want a salad as their main meal while others prefer a sandwich.

Consider these situations:

These are menu combinations to consider, not fixed catering packages. Confirm portions and ordering arrangements with the restaurant before deciding on quantities.

Don't Forget the Pita Bread

Our catering menu also includes a Tray of Pita Bread for $24.

It may be worth considering when you are building a spread around several salad trays.

Ask your selected store what comes with the catering trays before adding extra pita bread to your order.

How to Plan Catering for Different Guest Preferences

The most useful starting point is not the number of menu items. It's understanding who will be eating.

Before selecting your trays and platters, consider the following.

1. Will guests sit down or eat casually?

A seated gathering makes it easier to serve salads from shared trays. For guests mingling or moving between activities, sandwiches may be more practical.

2. Do guests prefer lighter or heartier meal styles?

Some guests may want greens with fruit and vinaigrette. Others may prefer chicken, cheese, or a sandwich.

Choosing contrasting options can make the menu more accommodating.

3. Are there dietary restrictions or ingredient concerns?

Review the ingredients of each menu item and speak with the restaurant about specific needs before ordering.

Do not assume a particular catering tray or sandwich is suitable for a dietary restriction based only on its name.

4. What other food will be served?

A gathering with several additional dishes may need a different quantity of catering food than one where salads and sandwiches are the main meal.

5. How many people are attending?

Have an estimated guest count ready before contacting the restaurant. The store can help clarify its catering portions and available ordering options.

Questions to Ask Before Placing Your Catering Order

A little preparation can prevent uncertainty on the day of your gathering.

Because catering details can vary by order and store, confirm the following directly with your chosen Aloha Salads location.

These details are important because published catering information does not specify standard tray serving counts, order minimums, or lead times.

Order Catering From Your Aloha Salads Location

Aloha Salads has six locations on Oahu. Choose the restaurant that works best for your gathering and contact the team to discuss your catering needs.

Whether you're planning a birthday lunch, a graduation celebration, or a weekend get-together, our salad trays and sandwich platter give you different ways to put together a group meal.

Start by choosing the flavors your guests will enjoy, then confirm portions and ordering details with your preferred store.

Explore Aloha Salads Review the menu and select your preferred Oahu location to discuss catering.