Lox ordering help needed

Okay: I don't like lox. Never have. But we're having about 10 folks (all adults, no kids) over for brunch with lox and bagels, whitefish, sable, etc. And I fully realize that I'm a minority of one, here. My problem: I have no notion of how to estimate how much lox to buy. Given that there will be other things to nosh on, two pounds seems about right. But it doesn't freeze so I'd prefer not to have much in the way of leftovers. Is two pounds right or too much (or, god help me, too little)? Help!

I'd say 2 to 2.5 lbs (depending on the size/appetite of the eaters) should be plenty.

You can always use mini bagels to make a lesser amount of lox to appear to go further---

Seriously, 2-2.5 lbs should be adequate. Lox can be frozen, but the texture will be compromised.

2 lbs of lox is more than enough for 10 people, especially if there are other options there as well.

Unlike a deli sandwich, where you would typically pile on a minimum of 4oz of meat (usually more), on a typical lox and bagel sandwich you would probably be using closer to 2oz per sandwich.

You can definitely freeze lox. Later on, use it as an ingredient - for instance in a smoked salmon spread, or in a creamy pasta sauce (just take into account that it will be salty and don't add salt without tasting the finished product!)

I would actually say 2 lbs of lox is way to much for 10 people unless it was all you were eating!
(or if you want the leftovers)
I usually do about 1/8ish lb pp if there is a "spread"
also if you are just going to do a fish tray- the place you order from will take care of all the calculations.
I'm in Deerfield, and Upper Crust Bagels does a great tray, as does Once Upon a Bagel in HP.
Further south, you have Kaufmans in Skokie, now back in biz, plus lots of other spots.
They will be happy to make it easy for you.

I don't know if they can do it, but the prettiest lox plate I've ever seen is at Tweet. Everyone I've ever dined with said it was buttery, delicious, & way too much lox.

Give them a call, maybe they can make a pretty party platter for you.

[ url=http://www.tweet.biz/]Tweet[/url]
5020 North Sheridan RD
773 728 5576

Thanks all for weighing in (pun intended). It's been a big help. (I appreciate the local recs but this brunch will be in Rochester NY and I will probably be ordering the lox, sable, etc. from Russ and Daughters in NYC.)

Oh, well, Russ & Daughters is no slouch-
just tell them the # of people and stop worrying.

Russ & Daughters is the BEST as previously Posted!
Lox can be frozen with little loss of quality, in fact I expect most of what is on sale in the Midwest was previously frozen, just ask your purveyor. I have frozen lox from Russ & Daughters many times with no effects that I can discern. They also do a fine job on slicing whole side,. Bagels, cream cheese, half sour and sour pickles can't be beat.-Dick

What about brownstien's deli in Brighton.
I always loved his food when I lived in rochester.