9 Grocery Store Chains With The Best Party Platters & Game Trays

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Catering for a large crowd can be overwhelming, and when you're hosting a celebration or game day gathering, there isn't always time to prepare everything from scratch. That's where premade platters come in. These party-ready trays come loaded with crowd-pleasing, easy-to-eat foods, with options ranging from mini sandwiches and wraps to cheeses, charcuterie, fruit, and bite-sized snacks. Opting for a selection of platters takes the hassle out of hosting and ensures your guests won't go hungry. You don't necessarily have to seek out a specialty caterer to source a high-quality spread, either. Various grocery chains offer an impressive selection of party platters and game trays, making it easy to pick up everything you need in one place.

These nine familiar chains have earned a strong reputation for their party food options, with countless satisfied customers praising the variety, quality, and convenience of their platters. So, if you've got a big event on the horizon, these are the grocery stores worth checking out for all of your entertaining needs.

It's no secret that Costco is a go-to destination for feeding a crowd. The chain offers an incredibly wide selection of prepared foods, and its party platters and trays are particularly well suited to large gatherings. Here, you'll find everything from sandwich trays to shrimp cocktail and mixed platters of meat, fruit, and cheese. The general consensus amongst customers is that these party platters are very much worth buying, especially if great value and generous portions are your top priority.

While many Costco platters can be picked up in store, there's no guarantee that your local warehouse will have everything you're looking for in stock. It's therefore best to order your party platter in advance, either in person at the deli kiosk or via the Costco app. The former requires at least 24 hours of notice, while app orders should be placed at least three days ahead of time.

A noteworthy customer favorite at Costco is the artisan bread sandwich platter, which comes with pickle chips and a garlic herb aioli, and serves up to 20 people. "We buy these trays for work events and they are a hit," wrote one fan in a Reddit discussion, while others highlighted the moreish taste of the accompanying aioli. Costco also sells assorted cookie trays during the holiday season, which are eagerly anticipated by shoppers each year.

Wegmans is another top pick for anyone putting on a celebratory spread. This chain has built a loyal following, thanks to its selection of fresh, high-quality products, and its party platters are no exception. There's a vast array of trays on offer, with options including pizza and wings, sliced buffalo chicken, and decadent sushi selections. Wegmans is frequently recommended online for its excellent sandwich and cheese platters, too.

One Facebook reviewer had nothing but praise for their Wegmans feast. After enjoying a selection of wraps, fruit, veggies, and pasta salad for their daughter's bridal shower, they wrote, "Online ordering was easy and customizable, and everything was fresh and yummy and ready for pickup on time." The chain's cheese trays have also received plenty of glowing reviews. The caprese salad tray, for example, was described as, "Fresh, wholesome and absolutely delicious!" by a customer on the Wegmans website, who added that the product was their "go-to starter."

The Wegmans Meals 2Go app makes it easy to order party platters and other dishes from the chain's catering menu. Most trays, such as the 24-piece turkey trio sandwich platter and the 36-count meat and cheese skewer collection, must be ordered at least 18 hours in advance. However, some of the sushi trays only require 6 hours of lead time, and other, smaller sandwich selections can be picked up just 90 minutes after ordering. Home delivery may also be an option, depending on your location.

It might not be the most budget-friendly option, but there's no denying the quality and variety of Whole Foods' party platter selection. This grocery chain is a fantastic choice if you want your spread to feel that bit more elevated, and the selection of goodies can be browsed and ordered online. The Whole Foods ethos is all about responsible sourcing, minimal processing, and natural ingredients, and this shines through in the chain's platters, many of which showcase fresh produce, quality cheeses, and premium meats and seafood.

Fan favorites include the classic antipasti platter, which comes with a variety of flavorful cured meats, creamy, nutty cheeses, and marinated olives, plus the fresh fruit platter — a vibrant medley of strawberries, melon, pineapple, blueberries, and grapes. One customer, who ordered a variety of trays for their grandma's birthday celebrations, took to Reddit to share their enthusiasm for the Whole Foods catering service. "I couldn't help but think how convenient this would have been for my wedding," they shared, noting the abundance of vegetarian-friendly choices and confirming that "the guests complimented all the options."

In another Reddit discussion, a user explained that after serving Whole Foods platters at their wedding rehearsal dinner, they'd been delighted with the quality. They also noted the professional presentation of the food, which arrived so beautifully arranged that it could be served straight from the trays. Elsewhere on Reddit, customers raved about the Whole Foods sushi platters, with one proclaiming, "Whole Foods sushi is literally so good. ... Compared to other chains, the quality is so much better."

While Trader Joe's doesn't offer a dedicated catering service, it's a great place to pick up prepared foods if you're feeding a slightly smaller crowd. In terms of party-style trays, there are a handful of options to consider. A great pick is the antipasti platter, which was a new addition in 2026. This contains prosciutto, salami, calabrese nuggets, Castelvetrano olives, and provolone cheese, and it'll feed up to five people served as is. 

There's also the classic cheese party tray, with perfectly portioned slices of Colby-Jack, Swiss, mild cheddar, and pepper jack. This comes well-reviewed by taste testers, and it's an excellent candidate for jazzing up with extra ingredients. In fact, this is a popular approach amongst customers, who like to use the Trader Joe's trays as a base for building a more elaborate charcuterie board. The meats and cheeses are perfect for pairing with crackers, crudites, nuts, dried fruits, olives, and chutneys, if you want to make things stretch a little further.

At Sam's Club, the sushi platters are a real standout. These vibrant assortments deliver fantastic value for money and the fresh flavors to match, as confirmed by the many glowing customer reviews. One product in particular — the 44-piece FujiSan Akita sushi roll party tray — is a notoriously popular option. Priced at around 25 dollars, it's a cost-effective, party-worthy treat that reviewers on the Sam's Club website website have described as "delicious and fresh" and a "magnificent meal."

And it's not just the sushi that's impressing shoppers at this membership-only chain. There are plenty of other top-rated, party-worthy trays to choose from. The assorted pinwheel wraps party tray has also earned over 400 five-star reviews on the Sam's Club website. One fan remarked, "Oh my goodness why haven't I tried these before?! I recently had a party and these were a fan favorite!!" and another dubbed the wraps "huge, stuffed full, and so fresh!" There are also sweet treats aplenty, such as donut and cookie trays, and even a breakfast pastry platter, which one customer called "addicting," warning others to "buy with CAUTION."

Kroger might already be your go-to for weekly groceries, which is all the more reason to check out its party platters, too. Some products, like the cheese and cured meats trays, are widely available in store, but most must be ordered online at least 48 hours before. The chain offers an array of savory appetizers, such as dips and deviled eggs, as well as salads, sandwiches, and desserts (the mini cupcake tray looks especially tempting). You can order party subs by the foot and hot fried chicken in quantities of up to 96 pieces, so there's really something for everyone here.

Sporked ranked Kroger as its number one choice for affordable party platters, highlighting the cocktail shrimp platter and veggie tray with dip amongst its favorites. And customers seem to agree. In a Facebook comment, one repeat-orderer of the tea sandwiches, chicken wings, and chicken tenders said the platters were, "Always a hit!" Another post saw praise for the party subs, which many taste testers dubbed as excellent in terms of both flavor and cost-effectiveness.

This grocery store chain boasts an impressive selection of fresh, natural, and organic groceries, and Sprouts Farmers Market's party food is equally varied. Its range of trays covers all of the familiar favorites, like sandwiches, seafood, fruits, veggies, and cheeses. Everything is beautifully presented and crafted with fresh, quality ingredients, making Sprouts a brilliant option for anyone who wants something a little more polished.

Standouts include the cooked shrimp platter, which sees succulent, tail-on jumbo shrimp accompanied by cocktail sauce and lemon wedges. The All Wrapped Up sandwich tray is another favorite. This can be customized with up to five different fillings, including turkey, roast beef, and hummus. "Wonderful pinwheel sandwiches loved by everyone" was the verdict from one reviewer on the Sprouts website, and another fan praised the "spectacular presentation." There are more compact tray options, too, perfect for serving two to four people. Or, if you fancy something sweet, pick up one of the chain's muffin or cookie trays. Just make sure to place your order online at least 48 hours in advance to avoid disappointment.  

The deli and catering platters at Publix are another safe bet for gatherings of all occasions, with a wide range of options to suit everything from casual get-togethers to large-scale celebrations. You can choose from classic sandwich and wrap trays, colorful vegetable selections, fresh charcuterie platters, and more. The chain also gives you plenty of flexibility when ordering (24 hours' advance notice is required), with options to customize certain trays. The subs, for example, can be made with various types of bread, and filled with your choice of meats, cheeses, and veggies.

Feedback from Publix customers is overwhelmingly positive, and the chain's platters have been recommended in multiple Reddit discussions. Trays that feature Boar's Head brand meats are particularly popular, and the turkey bacon avocado pinwheels, Mediterranean chicken lettuce wraps, and Cubanitos all received honorable mentions. The portion sizes are generous, too. When discussing the chain's fruit and cheese platter, one Redditor remarked, "I am always amazed how BIG the platter is."

Publix's dessert platter selection is also arguably the most varied of any chain in this lineup. The mouthwatering, shareable treats include chocolate-covered strawberries, fudgy brownies, elegant petit fours, and decadent mix-and-match platters, so your sweet-toothed guests are sure to be impressed.

Albertsons' party trays are freshly prepared, carefully styled, and packed with delicious, crowd-pleasing ingredients. These striking creations come is various sizes, and each tray is often enhanced with decorative touches, like vibrant green lettuce leaves and plump cherry tomatoes. Beyond their pleasing presentation, the platters also deliver on flavor, having earned the approval of countless customers. They can be ordered in person at the counter, over the phone, or online through the Albertsons catering page.

When one Reddit user sought fruit tray recommendations for an Easter brunch, Albertsons was a top mention. "That is where we get them from at work and they're really good," one commenter confirmed. If you're after something heartier, give the deli spinach dip large boule tray a try. This features a rustic bread bowl filled with spinach dip, plus small slices of crusty bread for dipping, and it would make a wonderfully comforting addition to a game day spread. The fried chicken pieces are also worth adding to your order, according to another Reddit user, who claimed that Albertsons' 100-piece chicken platter easily offered the best value of any chain. 

With so many chains catering to party hosts, we looked to customers to find the grocery stores that truly stand out. Using platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram, we scouted out party platters and game trays that had gotten customers talking for all the right reasons. The review sections of grocery store websites were also useful sources for feedback, helping us to get a feel for the overall quality, variety, and value provided by each chain. These nine top picks are the stores that received the strongest praise overall, with many offering products that were repeatedly singled out by happy customers.