Most Popular Wedding Food Items of 2023

Jen Oceana

If you booked your wedding at Rock Island Lake Club, it’s probably because you’ve heard glowing feedback about the food, whether it was from past couples, friends who have attended weddings here, or vendors that we’ve worked with. Aside from the service and the stunning setting, couples choose Rock Island for the delicious menu!

The extensive menu includes a cocktail hour with lite bites, small plates, live stations, and so much more, followed by dinner and desserts during the reception. Oh, and late-night snacks to send your guests off with!

Need help selecting your wedding day menu? Keep scrolling to see which dishes couples chose the most in 2023, as well as recommendations from the Rock Island team!

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Lite Bites

Top 3 (Land): Buttermilk Chicken & Waffles | Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls | Rock Island Sliders & Fries

Top 3 (Sea): Mini New England Lobster Rolls | Mini Lump Crab Cakes | Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Top 3 (Field): Risotto Bites | Buffalo Cauliflower Bites | Baby Brie & Strawberry Maple Bites

Small Plates

Top 3: Mini Beef Wellington | Mini Crispy Bruschetta Chicken | Braised Pork Belly

Cast Iron Fillers

Top 3: Mezze Penne Alla Vodka | Traditional Fried Calamari | Rock Island Braised Short Ribs

Live Stations

Top 3: Fajitas & Margaritas | Nonna’s Italian Kitchen | Slider Shack

Tip: Select foods that tell your love story. Is hibachi your favorite date night? Pick the Hibachi live station!

“My guests have been raving about the food. (Nonna’s Kitchen and the Hibachi were a crowd favorite in the cocktail hour).”

— Jenna V.

Butcher Blocks

Top 3: Smoked Beef Brisket | Chipotle Lime Skirt Steak | Loin of Tuna

Salad

Top 3: Strawberry Fields Salad | Caprese Salad | Rock Island Salad

Entrees

Top 5 (one from each category):
Filet Mignon | Rock Island Chicken | Pan Seared Salmon | Risotto Primavera (not pictured) | Braised Lamb Shank

“They were super accommodating for anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions.”

— Vivian T

Late Night Snacks

Top 3: The Brick Oven | The Drive Thru (McDonalds & Wendy’s) | Midnight Diner Stop

The Chicken Shack and Chinese Takeout are newer items. We expect to see these two late night snacks at lots of weddings in 2024 and beyond!

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“The food selection is incredible, everything was delicious and there was such a wide variety of menu options to choose from. Our guests left with clean plates and are still raving about [the Fajitas & Margaritas] live station and [the Brick Oven] we had for our late-night snack.”

— Jennifer I.

Want the inside scoop from the Rock Island staff? Here are some menu items that we recommend :)

• Jill's Favorites

  Lite Bites
  BBQ Jackfruit Taco
  Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls
  Pear & Brie Wonton
  Tuna Tartare Taco

  Small Plates
  Grilled Cheese Tomato Dumpling

  Cast Iron Fillers
  Dynamite Calamari
  Eggplant & Roasted Pepper Ravioli

  Live Stations
  The Beach Shack
  Hibachi

  Butcher Blocks
  Chipotle Lime Skirt Steak
  Bourbon Infused Pork Belly

  Salad
  Caprese Salad

  Entrees
  Prime Rib
  Chicken Lobosco
  Shrimp Risotto
  Portobello Wellington
  French Pork Chop

  Late Night Snack
  Chinese Takeout
  McDonalds

• Mary's Favorites

  Lite Bites
  Buffalo Chicken Spring Roll
  Coconut Shrimp
  Wild Mushroom Ravioli

  Small Plates
  Grilled Cheese Tomato Dumpling

  Cast Iron Fillers
  Dynamite Calamari
  Eggplant & Roasted Pepper Ravioli

  Live Stations
  The Beach Shack
  Hibachi

  Butcher Blocks
  Chipotle Lime Skirt Steak
  Bourbon Infused Pork Belly

  Salad
  Caprese Salad

  Entrees
  Prime Rib
  Chicken Lobosco
  Shrimp Risotto
  Portobello Wellington
  French Pork Chop

  Late Night Snack
  Chinese Takeout
  McDonalds

• Elaine's Favorites

  Lite Bites
  Bacon Mac n Cheese Bites
  New England Lobster Rolls
  Parmesan Risotto Bites

  Small Plates
  Mini Beef Wellington
  Grilled Cheese Tomato Dumpling

  Cast Iron Fillers
  Rock Island Braised Short Ribs
  Dynamite Calamari

  Live Stations
  Ravioli Bar
  Don’t go Bacon my Heart

  Butcher Blocks
  Pepper & Coffee-Crusted Tri-Tip
  Rock Island Salad

  Salad
  Rock Island Salad

  Entrees
  Prime Rib with Mashed
  Chicken Rossini
  Shrimp Risotto
  Vegan Stuffed Pepper
  Braised Lamb Shank

  Late Night Snack
  Wendy’s
  Chinese Takeout

• Stephanie's Favorites

  Lite Bites
  Mini Chicken Pot Pies
  Bacon Wrapped Scallops
  Parmesan Risotto Bites

  Small Plates
  Braised Pork Belly

  Cast Iron Fillers
  Traditional Calamari
  Polish Style Perogies
  Four Cheese Mac

  Live Stations
  Mandarin Square (previously Dim Sum)
  Tuscan Flatbread Bar

  Butcher Blocks
  Chipotle Lime Skirt Steak
  Stuffed Porchetta

  Salad
  Wedge Caesar Salad

  Entrees
  NY Strip Steak
  Chicken Lobosco
  Pan Seared Salmon
  Vegan Stuffed Pepper
  French Cut Pork Chop

  Late Night Snack
  Brick Oven Pizza

• Anastasia's Favorites

  Lite Bites
  Tuna Tartare Taco
  Bacon Wrapped Scallops
  Mini Beef Empanadas
  Mini Chicken Pot Pie

  Small Plates
  Mini Ceviche

  Cast Iron Fillers
  Traditional Calamari
  RI Braised Short Ribs
  Cape Cod Mussels

  Live Stations
  Bourbon Street
  Middle Eastern Mezze
  Idaho Baked Potato Bar

  Cast Iron Fillers
  Chipotle Lime Skirt Steak
  Bourbon Infused Pork Belly

  Salad
  Strawberry Fields (for spring and summer weddings)
  Wedge Caesar Salad

  Entrees
  NY Strip Steak
  Chicken Bonadies
  Seared Mahi Mahi
  Risotto Primavera
  French Pork Chop

  Late Night Snack
  Brick Oven Pizza

The stats above are from weddings in 2023. Check out the 2024 wedding package below!

2024 Wedding Package ⟡

2024 Wedding Package ⟡

See more food photos on the Rock Island Pinterest!