Chicken Crack 30th B-Day

So, Hubby and I have bellies full of take out chicken crack and we were thinking..

Hubby's 30th is on Easter this year so we were thinking of going out on the Sat night. So here are my questions:

1. I we invited 15 to 20 people (kids included), would the Downers Grove location be better?

2. Is is possible without being a jerk to invite people and kind of let them know that everyone is paying their own way? (We can't afford to treat everyone.) If so, how would you phrase it?

3. Would be better off going to a Chinese buffet? Is there one out there that could even be in the same ballpark as Lao Sze Chuan?

Any help would be appreciated.

BTW: All of the people invited are family and they are spread out between, Niles, Skokie, NW Chicago, Schaumburg ans Naperville.
Thanks

JeanneBean wrote:Is is possible without being a jerk to invite people and kind of let them know that everyone is paying their own way? (We can't afford to treat everyone.) If so, how would you phrase it?

Just say you're organizing a family get-together and would people like to join you, dutch treat? Don't mention the birthday, since that makes it more like a party you're hosting and implies attendees should bring gifts. (Or since it's family, you could say, "Would you like to join me in treating hubby on his birthday?")

JeanneBean wrote:Would be better off going to a Chinese buffet? Is there one out there that could even be in the same ballpark as Lao Sze Chuan?

No.

JeanneBean wrote: Is is possible without being a jerk to invite people and kind of let them know that everyone is paying their own way? (We can't afford to treat everyone.) If so, how would you phrase it?

I felt compelled to comment on this even though i am sure it is the wrong forum for doing so....this should probably be in "other culinary chat"

Anyway, this is a conundrum that always bothers me. I suppose the answer really has to do with what stage of your life you are in...Certaintly LSC is not "The Pump Room" (as my parents would have said in 1977) but I have always felt that when I invite people to any type of celebration of a life cycle event, mine or theirs, it is on my dime. If I cant afford it, I dont make the invite. Is this snobery, I dont know. It just feels wrong to invite people to an event and expect them to pay their own way. That having been said, I felt entirely different about this scenario when I was 25.

BTW, this is a totally different scenario then just grabbing a birthday bite with your friends...It sounds as if you are definitely planning an "event" In this context you mention, I think it is appropriate for the party throwers to throw the party.

That is why I wasn't sure. Basically my hubby and I were going to plan to go and then I was going to call my 3 siblings and their families and see if anyone wanted to go.

That's why I asked because I wasn't sure what to do because the only time I ever have "events", they are at my apartment!

Thanks for the advice though.

The one thing I still am not sure of is if the DG location would be better for my group/ 10 adults- 10 kids ranging from 8 months to 10 years.

Hi,

The advantage of Downers Grove over Chinatown is parking. From seating your group, it probably does make any difference as long as you call in advance.

Regards,

thanks!

Ok I give. What is chicken crack? Is it some sort of addictive chicken???

Here comes Chicken Crack... (scroll down for the photo)

Mhays wrote:Here comes Chicken Crack... (scroll down for the photo)

The actual name of the dish (at Lao Sze Schuan) is Tony's Three Chili Chicken.