How Much Does Kabob Catering Cost Per Person in Los Angeles

Planning food for a group in Los Angeles always comes back to one question: what is this going to cost? Whether you are feeding a team of thirty at the office, hosting a graduation party in the backyard or celebrating Nowruz with the whole family, you want a meal everyone loves at a price that fits the budget.

Kabobs are one of the smartest choices for group events. They are hearty, crowd friendly and naturally fit a wide range of diets, from high protein to gluten conscious to keto. But kabob catering cost per person can vary a lot depending on what you order, how it is served and how many guests you are feeding. In this guide, we break down typical catering costs in Los Angeles, what drives the price up or down, how much food to order and how to get the most value from your kabob catering order.

Typical Catering Costs in Los Angeles

Catering prices in LA cover a wide range because the term includes everything from a simple tray drop off to a fully staffed dinner with servers. A 2026 cost guide from ZeroCater offers a useful reference point for the Los Angeles market. It puts drop off buffet catering at roughly $26 to $48 per person, family style service at roughly $36 to $68 per person, and staffed buffets at roughly $42 to $80 per person, while fully plated, full service events can climb far higher.

Most kabob catering orders fall into the drop off buffet or family style category. You order trays of skewers, rice and sides, pick them up or have them delivered, and serve buffet style. That format is one of the most affordable ways to feed a crowd a complete hot meal, which is a big reason kabobs are so popular for office lunches and parties.

Keep in mind that these are broad market ranges, not quotes. Your actual kabob catering cost per person depends on the specific restaurant, menu choices and event details. For current Massis Kabob catering pricing, reach out to our team or order through our online ordering page.

What Affects Kabob Catering Cost Per Person

Several factors shape the final price of your order. Understanding them helps you plan a menu that fits your budget without sacrificing quality.

Your Choice of Protein

Protein is usually the biggest factor in kabob pricing. Ground meat kabobs such as koubideh, made from beef or chicken, are typically the most budget friendly options and are also among the most popular with guests. Boneless chicken kabob and chicken breast barg sit in the middle. Premium choices such as beef shish kabob, salmon kabob and especially lamb chops generally cost more per skewer.

A smart approach for most events is to build the menu around one or two crowd favorites, such as chicken kabob and beef koubideh, and add a smaller tray of a premium option like lamb chops or salmon for variety. If you are new to these cuts, our article on the difference between kabob, kebab and kabab is a helpful primer.

Guest Count

Larger orders often lower your cost per person because sides, rice and bread trays stretch further across more guests. Small gatherings, on the other hand, may be better served by family meal packs designed for a handful of people.

Sides and Extras

Rice, salads, dips and bread round out a kabob spread and keep guests satisfied. Adding more side trays raises the total, but it can also reduce how many skewers you need, since guests fill up on fresh sides like Shirazi salad, hummus and taboule.

Service Style, Delivery and Setup

Picking up your order yourself is usually the most economical choice. Delivery, setup, serving staff, chafing dishes and disposable serveware can all add to the bill. Ask what is included when you request a quote so there are no surprises.

Date and Timing

Holidays, graduation season and large weekend events are busy times for caterers. Ordering early helps you lock in your preferred menu and pickup or delivery time.

What Massis Kabob Catering Includes

Massis Kabob offers several ways to feed a group, depending on the size of your event.

Family Meal Packs are ideal for smaller gatherings. Each pack feeds four to five people and combines skewers of chicken koubideh, beef koubideh, chicken kabob or beef shish kabob with rice, pita bread, Shirazi salad, hummus and taboule. They are a simple way to feed a small team meeting, a family dinner or a game night.

Party and Catering Trays are built for larger groups. Each order includes ten skewers, and most come with a tray of rice, broiled tomatoes and pita bread. Choices include Persian koubideh luleh in beef or chicken, boneless chicken kabob, beef shish kabob, chicken breast barg, chelo kabob, Cornish game hen, salmon kabob, tilapia fillet, whole trout and lamb chops.

Party Size Side Dishes each serve about eight to ten guests. Options include Persian basmati rice, Shirazi salad, cucumber yogurt dip, eggplant dip, hummus, taboule, baba ganoush, red cabbage salad, Russian red bean salad, falafel and french fries or garlic fries.

Everything is grilled fresh using the same care that goes into every plate we serve in our restaurants. Learn what sets our cooking apart in the secret to our food.

How Much Kabob Should You Order Per Person?

Ordering the right amount keeps your cost per person under control while making sure no one leaves hungry. A common rule of thumb for a full meal is about one and a half to two skewers per adult, paired with rice and at least two or three sides. Lighter appetites, lunchtime events and gatherings with lots of appetizers may need less, while dinner parties and hungry crowds may need more.

Here is how that looks in practice for an event of about thirty adults. Three to four party trays of ten skewers each will typically cover the main course, especially when you mix two or three proteins. Add three or four party size sides, such as extra rice, Shirazi salad, hummus and a dip, and you have a complete, generous buffet. For a group of ten, two party trays or a couple of family meal packs plus a side or two is usually enough.

Always consider your guests. Teenagers and athletic groups eat more, while office lunches and afternoon events often run lighter. If you are unsure, our team is happy to help you estimate quantities when you place your order.

Ways to Get More Value From Your Catering Order

You do not have to overspend to serve a memorable meal. These strategies help you keep kabob catering cost per person reasonable.

• Mix proteins strategically. Build around popular, value friendly options like koubideh and chicken kebab, then add one premium tray for variety.
• Lean on sides. Fresh salads, dips and rice stretch the meal and keep the spread colorful and satisfying.
• Pick up your order. Collecting it yourself from a nearby location can save on delivery and setup fees.
• Order the right amount. Accurate planning prevents both waste and last minute shortages.
• Book early. Ordering ahead gives you the best chance at your preferred date, time and menu.

Why Kabobs Work So Well for Group Events

Kabobs are one of the easiest foods to serve to a mixed crowd. Grilled meats, fresh salads and fluffy basmati rice appeal to nearly everyone, and the menu adapts easily to different needs. Guests watching carbohydrates can skip the rice and enjoy protein with salad, which we explore in our article on Massis Kabob's keto plates. Vegetarian guests can enjoy falafel, hummus, eggplant dip and fresh salads.

Kabobs also hold up well on a buffet, stay flavorful at room temperature longer than many dishes and are easy for guests to serve themselves. They feel special enough for a celebration yet simple enough for a casual office lunch. If you want to know why grilled kabobs are such a satisfying choice, read fresh grilled kabobs as healthy comfort food and how Persian kabobs fit modern healthy eating.

Popular Events for Kabob Catering in Los Angeles

Across Los Angeles, kabob catering is a favorite for:

• Office lunches, team meetings and client events
• Birthday parties and family celebrations
• Graduations and school events
• Nowruz and holiday gatherings
• Bridal showers, engagement parties and baby showers
• Sports team parties and community events

With locations in Culver City, Century City, Sherman Oaks, Canoga Park at Westfield Topanga, Arcadia and Glendale, Massis Kabob makes it easy to pick up fresh catering near your home, office or venue. If you are in the Valley, our Persian kabob restaurant in Sherman Oaks is a convenient stop.

Plan Your Kabob Catering With Massis Kabob

The true kabob catering cost per person in Los Angeles depends on your proteins, guest count, sides and service style, but kabobs remain one of the best values for feeding a crowd a fresh, complete and satisfying meal. With smart menu planning and the right quantities, you can serve an impressive spread without overspending.

For decades, Massis Kabob has served authentic Persian flavors across Southern California, guided by our founder's commitment to quality, which you can read about in Hacop's rules. Discover more about our story in authentic Persian kabob experience in Los Angeles.