Memorial Day Cookout Catering in Northern Virginia
Shawarma platters, falafel trays, hummus dip stations, and hand-formed meat pies for your Memorial Day cookout. Taza is open 7 days a week — 100% halal, cooked fresh to order, delivered across NoVA.
4.8 stars on Yelp (92 reviews) -- Open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Why Mediterranean Food Belongs at Your Cookout
Burgers and hot dogs have been the default for Memorial Day since anyone can remember. Shawarma, falafel, and a full dip station from Taza are what Northern Virginia cookouts are switching to — and the reasons are practical.
Made for Outdoor Eating
Shawarma wraps, falafel bites, hummus and pita, and meat pies are all designed to be eaten standing up or sitting on a blanket in the backyard. Nothing requires a plate. Nothing falls apart in the heat. This food was built for warm-weather gatherings centuries before American cookouts existed.
Every Guest Eats Without Asking
Half your guests eat halal. A few are vegetarian. Someone avoids gluten. A single Taza catering order covers all of it — chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, falafel, hummus, bowls, and gluten-free sides — without ordering from three separate places.
100% Halal — No Exceptions
Every protein at Taza comes from halal-certified suppliers. There is no pork anywhere on the menu. Order for a diverse group and every guest eats freely without reading ingredient labels or asking questions at the grill.
No Grill Needed, No Chef Required
Traditional cookouts demand someone standing over a hot grill for hours. A Taza catering order arrives ready to set on the table. Unwrap the platters, fan out the pita, open the dip containers, and you are done. The host actually gets to enjoy the party.
Travels Well in the Heat
Hummus, baba ghanouj, pita bread, shawarma wraps, and falafel all hold up at outdoor temperatures for hours. There is no mayonnaise-based potato salad going bad in the sun. No raw burgers that need to stay cold until the grill is ready. Mediterranean food is heat-friendly by design.
Feeds a Crowd for Less per Head
A shawarma platter that feeds 12 to 15 guests costs less per person than buying the equivalent in burgers, buns, condiments, and side dishes — before you even count the charcoal. Add a falafel tray and a dip station and you still come in under what a typical cookout costs per head.
Sliced Fresh Off the Rotisserie
Chicken and beef shawarma cooked on a vertical spit and sliced to order for your Memorial Day platters. Nothing is pre-made. Nothing sits in a warming tray.
Best Cookout Menu Items for Memorial Day
Every item on this list is designed to be eaten outdoors, standing up, or sitting on a blanket. No plates required. No grill required. Fork completely optional.
Chicken Shawarma Platter — from $9.95
Slow-roasted chicken shawarma sliced fresh off the vertical rotisserie and arranged on a platter with warm pita, garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and a full toppings spread. This is the centerpiece of every Memorial Day cookout order we fill. Feeds 12 to 15 guests per platter.
Beef Shawarma Platter — from $9.95
Marinated halal beef, slow-roasted until deeply caramelized, sliced to order. Rich and savory — the second platter every large cookout includes. Pair it with the chicken so guests can alternate between proteins throughout the afternoon.
Falafel Tray — from $8.95
Crispy, herb-packed falafel fried to order and served with tahini dipping sauce on the side. This tray sits on the picnic table and empties before the host finishes greeting everyone. Vegetarians and meat eaters both reach for it first.
Hummus Dip Station — $4.95
House-made hummus from dried chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic. Served in catering-size portions with warm pita bread, a drizzle of olive oil, and a dusting of paprika. Add baba ghanouj and labneh for the full three-dip station that anchors the spread.
Shrak Wraps — from $11.45
Thin, chewy shrak flatbread wrapped around chicken or beef shawarma with garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, fresh greens, and tahini. Pre-wrapped and ready to grab with one hand. The grab-and-go option that keeps guests moving between the yard and the table.
Sfiha Meat Pies — $2.95
Hand-formed Lebanese meat pies filled with seasoned ground beef, onion, and spices. Baked until golden and compact enough to eat in three bites. Order by the dozen and scatter them across the table — these are the first things kids and adults both grab.
Build the Full Outdoor Dip Station
Three dips side by side with a stack of warm pita on a picnic table. This is the setup that keeps guests coming back between conversations, lawn games, and trips to the cooler.
Hummus — $4.95
The foundation of the dip station. House-made from dried chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic. Finished with olive oil and a dusting of paprika. Holds up perfectly in warm weather.
Baba Ghanouj — $4.95
Fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini and lemon. Smoky, creamy, and a natural contrast to the hummus. Guests who have never tried it always come back for seconds.
Labneh — $4.95
Strained yogurt drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with dried mint. Tangy, cool, and lighter than the other two dips. A refreshing choice on a warm Memorial Day afternoon.
Cookout Catering Packages by Group Size
Use these guides to build the right spread for your Memorial Day gathering. All estimates assume a full meal, not just snacking.
10–15 Guests
Backyard Cookout
- 1 shawarma platter (chicken or beef)
- 1 falafel tray with tahini
- 1 large hummus with pita
- 6–8 sfiha meat pies
- 1 Arabic salad
~$80–$130
Place your order 2 to 3 days ahead. Enough for a full meal with variety. Ideal for a family gathering or small get-together.
20–30 Guests
Neighborhood Cookout
- 2 shawarma platters (one chicken, one beef)
- 1 large falafel tray
- 2 large hummus with pita bread
- 1 baba ghanouj + labneh dip set
- 1 dozen sfiha meat pies
- 1 fattoush salad
- Extra pita and shrak bread
~$200–$320
Call by Wednesday before Memorial Day weekend to lock in your order. Pickup or ask about delivery options.
40–50+ Guests
Large Memorial Day Party
- 4 shawarma platters (mix of chicken and beef)
- 2 falafel trays
- 3 large hummus portions with pita
- Full dip station (hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh)
- 2 dozen sfiha meat pies
- 2 salads (Arabic and fattoush)
- Rice sides
- Baklava dessert tray
~$400–$650
For 40+ guests, order by Monday or Tuesday of that week. We package everything for easy outdoor transport. Call to discuss delivery.
Not sure what size order to place?
Call with your headcount and we will put together the right combination for your Memorial Day cookout. We handle catering orders every day and can build a recommendation in two minutes.
Call (703) 340-1014
The Tray That Empties First
Herb-packed, crispy falafel fried to order. At every outdoor gathering we have catered, the falafel tray is the first thing guests finish.
Mediterranean Cookout vs. Traditional Grill Cookout
A side-by-side look at what each option delivers when you are feeding a crowd on one of the biggest outdoor gathering days of the year.
| Category | Taza Mediterranean Cookout | Traditional Grill Cookout |
|---|---|---|
| Prep time for the host | Zero — platters arrive ready to set on the table | Hours of grilling, marinating, and prep work |
| Dietary coverage | Halal, vegetarian, vegan-friendly, gluten-free sides | Limited — burgers and hot dogs leave many guests with no options |
| Finger food variety | Pita pockets, falafel, meat pies, shrak wraps, dips with bread | Burgers and hot dogs in buns — limited handheld variety |
| Cost per head (20+ guests) | $8–$12 per guest at catering quantities | $12–$20+ per guest after meat, buns, sides, condiments, charcoal |
| Heat tolerance outdoors | Hummus, pita, falafel, and wraps hold up for hours in warm weather | Potato salad, mayo-based slaws, and raw meat require constant cooling |
| Equipment required | A table — no grill, no charcoal, no propane, no tongs | Grill, charcoal or propane, coolers, utensils, thermometer |
| Freshness | Cooked to order on pickup day, never pre-made | Depends entirely on who is grilling and how long they have been at it |
| Cleanup | Dispose of catering containers — done in minutes | Scrub the grill, clean coolers, wash serving dishes, bag the charcoal |
| Next-day leftovers | Hummus, shawarma, and pita reheat well for Tuesday lunch | Day-old burgers and dried-out hot dogs rarely get eaten |
Pricing estimates based on Northern Virginia market rates as of 2026. Call for current Taza catering pricing.
How Much Cookout Food to Order Per Guest
These per-person estimates assume a full outdoor meal with variety. Scale up if your crowd skews hungry or if kids are in the mix — they eat more falafel and meat pies than adults expect.
Shawarma (chicken or beef)
3–4 oz of meat per person
One platter feeds about 12–15 guests. For 30 guests, order two platters.
Falafel
2–3 pieces per person
A standard falafel tray covers about 10–12 guests. Vegetarian-heavy groups need extra.
Hummus and dips
2–3 tablespoons of each dip per person
One large hummus serves 10–12. For a full dip station, add baba ghanouj and labneh.
Pita bread
1.5–2 pita per person
Order extra if you run a dip station. Guests always eat more bread outdoors than you expect.
Meat pies (sfiha)
1–2 pieces per person
Order by the dozen. These disappear fast — especially with kids around.
Salad
A small side portion per person
One large Arabic or fattoush salad covers about 10–15 guests.
Your Memorial Day Order-Ahead Timeline
Four steps between now and your cookout. Follow this timeline and your Memorial Day spread handles itself.
5 Days Before: Browse the Menu and Count Heads
Look at the Taza menu online and decide which platters, trays, and dip stations you want for your Memorial Day gathering. Count your confirmed guests. Use the portion guide on this page to estimate quantities. Write down your order before calling.
3 Days Before: Call and Place Your Order
Call Taza at (703) 340-1014. Tell us how many guests, what platters you want, and what time you need everything ready. We will confirm the order, give you a total, and lock in your pickup time for Memorial Day weekend.
Morning Of: Pick Up Before Your Guests Arrive
Arrive at 5820 Seminary Rd in Falls Church at your scheduled pickup time. Everything is packaged in containers designed for transport. Drive to your cookout location and set it out. The food holds perfectly at outdoor temperatures.
Party Time: Unwrap, Spread, and Enjoy
Lay out the platters on the picnic table, open the dip stations, stack the pita bread, and fan out the meat pies. Your guests serve themselves all afternoon. You sit in the sun and enjoy the company. No grilling, no cooking, no stress.
Fresh Ingredients, Every Single Order
Every topping, every sauce, and every protein is prepared fresh the day you pick up. No heat lamps. No warming trays. No reheated leftovers from the day before.
Taza Menu Items for Memorial Day Catering
The items most commonly ordered for Memorial Day cookouts. Individual item prices shown — call for platter and tray pricing at catering quantities.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
from $9.95Marinated chicken shawarma in fresh pita with garlic sauce and pickles.
The most-ordered Memorial Day catering item. Get a full platter.
Beef Shawarma Pita
from $9.95Marinated roasted beef in fresh pita with tahini and fresh veggies.
Rich, marinated halal beef. The second platter every cookout orders.
Falafel Pita
from $8.95Crispy chickpea falafel in fresh-baked pita with veggies and tahini.
Vegetarian crowd-pleaser. Fried to order with tahini on the side.
Hummus
$4.95Creamy chickpea dip with tahini, lemon, and olive oil.
House-made daily. The anchor of your outdoor dip station.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
from $12.45Chicken shawarma over your choice of base with fresh toppings.
For guests who want a full bowl instead of finger food.
Sfiha Pie
$2.95Pastry dough with ground beef, tomato, and spices.
Hand-formed meat pies. Order by the dozen — kids clear them fast.
Pita Bread
$0.95Fresh-baked pita bread, warm from the oven.
Extra pita for the dip station. Order more than you think you need.
Open on Memorial Day — 11 AM to Midnight
Taza is open from 11 AM to midnight every day, including every holiday on the calendar. Memorial Day is no exception. Whether you need an early morning pickup before your afternoon cookout or a late-evening order for a nighttime gathering, we are here and cooking.
Most traditional catering companies require weeks of advance notice and charge delivery fees that add up fast. Taza takes catering orders with as little as a few hours notice for smaller groups, and 3 to 5 days for large orders. That flexibility is why families and offices across Northern Virginia keep coming back every Memorial Day weekend.
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Open 7 Days a Week — including Memorial Day
Memorial Day Catering Delivery Across Northern Virginia
Pickup is always free at our Falls Church location. For delivery, call to discuss your area and timing.
Not listed? Call (703) 340-1014 and ask. We accommodate delivery across the greater Northern Virginia area for large Memorial Day orders.
What Customers Say About Memorial Day Orders
"We ordered for 35 people at our Memorial Day backyard cookout. Two shawarma platters, falafel, the full dip station, and meat pies. Everything held up perfectly outside in the heat for over three hours. Guests were eating from noon through the evening. Several people asked where we ordered from."
Sarah M.
Memorial Day Cookout, Arlington
"We switched from grilling to Taza catering last Memorial Day and it changed everything. I actually got to sit down and enjoy the party instead of standing over the grill. The food was better, the cost was about the same, and cleanup took five minutes."
David L.
Memorial Day Cookout, Fairfax
"Half our group keeps halal and the other half includes two vegetarians. Taza was the only option where every single person could eat everything without compromise. The falafel tray and the hummus dip station were the favorites by a wide margin."
Amira T.
Memorial Day Gathering, Falls Church
Shawarma Wraps: The Finger Food Your Cookout Needs
Shrak wraps are thin, chewy flatbreads rolled around generous portions of chicken or beef shawarma with garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, and tahini. They arrive pre-wrapped and ready to grab with one hand. No plate, no fork, no napkin crisis.
At a Memorial Day cookout, wraps solve the core problem of outdoor eating: people want to hold food in one hand while they talk, play, or hold a drink in the other. Pita pockets work the same way. So do meat pies. The entire Taza menu is built around food you can hold and eat while moving.
For large groups, order a mix of chicken and beef shrak wraps alongside shawarma platters. The wraps are the grab-and-go option. The platters are for guests who want to build their own at the table. Both options work together and give your guests the freedom to eat however they want.
Why Families Choose Taza for Memorial Day
Repeat customers come back every year because the experience is consistent: fresh food, easy setup, broad dietary coverage, and a price per head that stays reasonable.
Consistent Quality Every Order
Every shawarma platter, falafel tray, and dip container is prepared to the same standard whether you order for 10 or 50. The kitchen uses the same recipes, the same suppliers, and the same prep methods year-round. Memorial Day orders receive the same attention as a Tuesday lunch order.
Scales from 10 to 50+ Without Stress
A cookout for 10 needs one platter and a dip station. A cookout for 50 needs four platters, two falafel trays, and a full spread. The math is straightforward and the kitchen handles both with the same turnaround. Call with your headcount and we size the order in minutes.
Clear Pricing, No Hidden Fees
Menu prices are listed. Platter quantities are defined. You know what you are paying before you place the order. There are no surprise service charges, no fuel surcharges, and no minimum spend requirements that inflate the total at checkout.
Delivery Across Northern Virginia
Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, McLean, Tysons, Springfield, and more. Pickup is always free at our Seminary Road location. Delivery is available for most of Northern Virginia — call to confirm your area and timing for Memorial Day weekend.
Memorial Day Catering — Frequently Asked Questions
For groups of 20 or more, we recommend placing your order 3 to 5 days before Memorial Day weekend. For groups under 15, same-day orders placed 2 to 3 hours before your desired pickup time usually work, but pre-ordering guarantees your preferred timing. Memorial Day weekend is one of our busiest catering periods.
For 25 guests, we recommend: one chicken shawarma platter, one beef shawarma platter, one falafel tray, a full dip station (hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh), one dozen sfiha meat pies, and extra pita bread. That combination covers all proteins, vegetarian options, finger food, and dips — roughly $200 to $300 depending on exact quantities.
Yes. Taza is open every day of the year from 11 AM to midnight, including Memorial Day. Whether you need an early pickup before your afternoon cookout or a late order for an evening gathering, we are here. Holiday hours do not change.
Mediterranean food is naturally suited for warm weather. Hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, pita bread, falafel, and shawarma wraps all hold their quality at outdoor temperatures for several hours. There is no mayo, no raw meat, and no ingredients that spoil quickly in the sun. This is one of the main reasons families across Northern Virginia choose Mediterranean catering for their Memorial Day cookouts.
Pickup is always available at our Falls Church location at 5820 Seminary Rd. For delivery on Memorial Day weekend, call us at (703) 340-1014 to discuss your location, order size, and timing. We serve Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, McLean, Tysons, Springfield, and surrounding areas across Northern Virginia.
Yes. Every item on our menu is 100% halal. All chicken and beef comes from halal-certified suppliers. There are no pork products on the menu. This is a permanent policy, not a special request or accommodation. Every guest at your Memorial Day cookout can eat freely.
The falafel tray, hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, pita bread, Arabic salad, fattoush, and rice are all vegetarian. We can build an entirely plant-based cookout spread, or mix vegetarian trays into a larger order that also includes shawarma platters. Vegetarian guests get a full meal — not an afterthought.
Plan for about 3 to 4 ounces of shawarma per person, 2 to 3 falafel pieces, 2 to 3 tablespoons of each dip, and 1.5 to 2 pita per guest. For a party of 20, that translates to roughly two shawarma platters, one falafel tray, a full dip station, and a dozen meat pies. Call us with your headcount and we will give you exact quantities and pricing.
Pick Up Your Memorial Day Order from Falls Church
Located on Seminary Road in Falls Church — quick access from Route 7, I-395, and I-495. Pick up your Memorial Day catering order and be at your cookout in minutes.
Address
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
Hours
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Phone
Ready to Feed Your Memorial Day Cookout?
Call (703) 340-1014 or order online. Taza is open 7 days a week in Falls Church, Northern Virginia — including Memorial Day. Order 3 to 5 days ahead for large groups and your spread handles itself.