Choosing a caterer is less about finding a “perfect menu” and more about matching your event workflow to how the kitchen takes orders, packages food, and delivers on time. For Not Jus Southern Caterers in Valley Stream, the practical details matter: their website presents catering for private and corporate events, along with clear operational boundaries like a guest-count/order total minimum.
Start with the booking minimums that shape your guest count
One of the biggest planning risks is building a guest list (or package plan) and only then realizing the caterer’s minimums don’t line up. Not Jus Southern Caterers states that they only cater events for 30 or more guests or when the order total is $750 (before catering fees and tax). That means your “real” decision isn’t just taste—it’s whether your headcount or your order value meets the threshold.
In practice, ask your planner or coordinator to translate your guest count into an order plan early. If you anticipate last-minute cancellations, clarify whether the minimum is enforced strictly by final count, by confirmed count, or by the order total at checkout. This is where smaller events often need either a different format (drop-off vs. buffet style) or an expanded scope.
Match the service style to your event schedule (drop-off vs. set-up)
Not Jus Southern Caterers describes catering that can be delivered “for your event or home,” and it also references a drop-off service with set up as well as drop-off service or buffet-style meals. Those distinctions can affect everything from how guests flow through the serving line to how much staff you need on site.
If your event has a tight timeline—like a reception with scheduled speeches—build the meal phases around when food arrives. The caterer should be able to explain what they handle (delivery window, packaging, and on-site setup) versus what your venue team covers. A simple prompt: “For a reception starting at 6:00 pm, when should the food arrive for set-up, and who manages the placement?”
Why “individually packaged” matters for portions and dietary needs
Another operational detail on their site is that items are individually packaged. For catering decisions, that can be a helpful signal for portion control and consistency—especially when you’re planning meals for office events or wedding guests with different preferences.
Even with packaged meals, substitutions and dietary accommodations are rarely one-size-fits-all. If you have vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary needs, confirm how the kitchen executes changes within the same overall production cycle. Ask whether substitutions are handled by replacing specific packaged components, and how late changes affect your final count.
Plan your “order flow”: menu selection, timing, and communication
Operational clarity reduces stress the week of your event. Their website points to online ordering for catering (“Order Catering Online”) and also lists specific contact pathways (including email for sales orders). For decision-making, treat this as a process question: how does the caterer turn your menu choices into a production plan and a delivery plan?
It helps to ask for a written estimate and a simple timeline for the order—from when the menu is locked, to when final headcount is due, to when the food will arrive. Not Jus Southern Caterers also references event catering packages (including a breakfast-to-later-day package range mentioned on the site), so request the package structure in plain language and confirm what is included.
Keep your team aligned on delivery responsibility
Because they cater to both private and corporate events, delivery scenarios vary. Clarify whether you should provide delivery directions, loading dock details, or a set delivery contact at the venue. It’s also reasonable to ask what happens if the venue schedule shifts—since the success of packaged catering depends on arrival timing more than it depends on “last-minute cooking.”
How to vet fit for weddings and corporate lunches in one call
When you contact Not Jus Southern Caterers, the goal isn’t to collect marketing language—it’s to verify that the catering workflow matches your event. Use the following targeted prompts:
1) Do you require 30+ guests or the $750 order total to be met by final count or by scheduled order value? (Their site states both minimum triggers.)
2) For my event start time, what delivery and set-up window should we plan around?
3) Are your individually packaged portions built for substitutions, and how are dietary requests handled when we finalize counts?
If you’re reaching out, the publicly listed details include 70 E Sunrise Hwy Suite 618, Valley Stream, NY 11581 and phone +1 516-612-3898, with the official website at http://notjussouthern.com/. Use those details to confirm service scope, minimums, and the exact delivery setup for your day.
Ultimately, the best caterer decision is the one that protects your event timeline: the guest count works with their minimums, the service style supports your schedule, and the order flow lets you lock the menu without scrambling on dietary accommodations. If those boxes are checked up front, your catering experience will feel far smoother for everyone involved.