Malone's Catering

Disclosure: I'm a friend of one of the owners. But I did eat at one of their recent events, and *paid* for the privilege, so I believe I can legitimately report on the food, the service, and what other customers were saying. (And he did not ask me to write any reviews.)They had a "tasting" event on March 16, 2010 at the Indy West Conference Center, http://www.malonescatering.net/main/indy-west-conference-center/They cater food at their own venues, and can cater food to your event at other venues of your choosingThis venue, Indy West Conference Center, can hold over 500 people according to the fire marshall sign on the wall, and to me and the other customers that night, it looked like it easily could.Very large and clean men's room, with lots of "stations". Each toilet had its own cubicle with closing door, but there were no privacy dividers between the urinals.The chairs were nicely padded, and had springy backs. Very good quality, that you could sit on for hours. They were not like "conference room" chairs at all. They have rectangular tables and circular tables.Tonight's event was for prospective bride/groom customers to check out the venue and taste the menu, and if they booked a catered event, they got credit for the cost of the evening's buffet. But since I'm not getting married any time soon, I just paid outright for the buffet. And it was great.Really good quality multi-ingredient salad, and what seemed like home-made raspberry vinagrette dressing. I liked it so much I did not even try the white creamy salad dressing.Dinner rolls were good, not industrial-tasting stuff out of a bag.Veggies were good. New red potatoes, scallopped potatoes, corn, green beans, and a very light and well seasoned vegetable medley. Nothing tasted canned.Meat dishes were lemon chicken, chicken marsala, roast pork loin, fried chicken, and prime rib. The prime rib was excellent! My favorite was the lemon chicken.They didn't have the chocolate fountain (chocolate fondue sort of thign) there this evening, but I've seen it at previous events and it's something that was well appreciated by the guests whenever I've seen it.The two brides-to-be at my table were very complimentary of Malone's, and it sounded like they were going to use Malone's services.

Never thought of reviewing the caterer, but Malone's is top notch professional and inexpensive. They cook most of your food onsite with their mobile kitchens and always make more than you paid for in order to serve everyone that is around. Their food is good! I personally have had their fried chicken and their lemon-pepper grilled chicken. Both were juicy and the lemon-pepper seasoning/sauce was not overpowering, but added the perfect compliment to the chicken. Their green beans were fantastic, seasoned and not soggy, but still had flavor inside and out. The side dishes were good as well and no one ever had to wait for the buffet to be refilled or the drink fountain to be replenished. I have recommended them to several people but I think the best compliment is the largest employer in Indiana uses them every year without a doubt for their yearly barbecue. Bonus: They donate leftover food to the local homeless shelter (at least they did in 2003) so kudos to a company that does not waste!