Mexican Independence Day Catering

The Spirit of the Celebration

Mexican Independence Day, celebrated on September 16th, is often marked with color, sound, and food. It’s a day full of energy and flavor, rooted in tradition but open to interpretation. In New York City, where cultures meet and meals often become moments of connection, it’s the perfect excuse to gather friends and share something meaningful around the table.

You don’t have to host a full-scale party to honor the occasion. Whether it’s a rooftop dinner, a quiet gathering of close friends, or something in between, the food can carry the spirit of the celebration. Bold spices, vibrant produce, and the kind of recipes that invite guests to build their plates and stay a while.

Susan brings this mindset into her own Mexican Independence Day Catering offerings—plant-forward, festive, and thoughtfully built around the season. It’s a menu designed to reflect both heritage and the ingredients available right now.

Mexican Independence Day Catering Menu

Corporate Packages

Fiesta Lunch Package

Perfect for team lunches, meetings, and casual office celebrations.

• Mini Elote Cups (grilled corn, cotija, crema, chili-lime)
• Tomato & Avocado Salad with Chili Salt and Cilantro
• Build-Your-Own Taco Bar (one protein selection)
• Mexican Red Rice & Braised Black Beans

Executive Reception Package

Ideal for evening receptions, client events, and networking gatherings.

• Chicken Tinga Tostaditas with Pickled Red Onion
• Roasted Poblano Rounds stuffed with Black Beans & Rice
• Build-Your-Own Taco Bar (two protein selections)
• Grilled Street Corn off the Cob
• Mango-Lime Slaw

Signature Celebration Package

Designed for full-scale holiday events and VIP celebrations.

• Mini Elote Cups & Tomato–Avocado Salad
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chili-Lime Dust
• Build-Your-Own Taco Bar (three protein selections)
• Mexican Red Rice & Braised Black Beans
• Assorted Mexican-Inspired Desserts

Build-Your-Own Taco Bar

Choose your proteins and let your guests customize.

Protein Selections:

• Citrus-Marinated Chicken
• Slow-Cooked Beef Barbacoa
• Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Includes:

• Warm Corn Tortillas
• Charred Peppers & Onions
• Shredded Lettuce & Cotija Cheese
• Fresh Pico de Gallo & Salsa Verde
• Crema and Lime Wedges

Signature Sides

• Mexican Red Rice with Fresh Herbs
• Braised Black Beans with Garlic and Smoked Paprika
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chili-Lime Dust
• Grilled Street Corn off the Cob

Salsas & Garnishes

• Salsa Roja & Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde
• Quick-Pickled Red Onions
• Mango-Lime Slaw

Desserts

• Mini Lime Cornmeal Cakes with Citrus Glaze
• Mexican Chocolate Bites with Sea Salt & Cinnamon

Beverage Add-Ons

• Agua Fresca Bar (Hibiscus, Cucumber-Lime, Pineapple Mint)
• Signature Margaritas or Zero-Proof Mocktails with Spiced Rim

A Seasonal Lens on Mexican Flavors

One of the best parts of hosting this time of year is the produce. September in New York is generous—tomatoes are still sweet, corn is abundant, and peppers are just hitting their stride. Add fresh herbs like cilantro and oregano, and you’ve got a table full of ingredients that feel right for the occasion without needing to import a thing.

These ingredients are the heart of a good Independence Day spread. A tomato salad with lime and chili salt. Grilled corn slathered with crema and cotija. Roasted poblano peppers stuffed with beans and rice. These aren’t just side dishes—they’re the core of a memorable meal.

Susan’s Cinco de Mayo Catering Menu shares this same love of seasonality. Though it’s written for a spring holiday, the framework applies here too: choose what’s fresh, build layers of flavor, and let the ingredients do most of the talking.

Building the Base: Tacos, Rice Bowls, and More

When feeding a group, it helps to think in formats. Tacos, rice bowls, or tostada stations offer flexibility while keeping things organized. Guests can build their own plates, and you can prepare components ahead of time. This is especially helpful when working with a small kitchen or hosting solo.

Plant-based mains are easy to scale and full of flavor. Think braised black beans with garlic and smoked paprika. Roasted sweet potatoes with chili-lime salt. Mushrooms sautéed in olive oil and cumin. Each one can serve as a base for tacos or be layered over rice with salsas and greens.

For more inspiration on layout and structure, Susan’s Taco Bar Catering guide offers plenty of ideas. It’s designed to help hosts think like a caterer—without needing to hire one.

Salsas, Sweets & Standouts

It’s the details that elevate a table. A spoonful of bright salsa verde, a quick-pickled garnish, a drizzle of crema—all of these bring freshness and contrast. You don’t need dozens of options. Just a few well-made toppings that tie everything together.

Desserts can follow the same thinking. Something citrusy, something spiced, something simple. A cornmeal cake with lime glaze or dark chocolate with sea salt and cinnamon makes a quiet but elegant finish.

One of Susan’s staples is her method for quick-pickled red onions, which she uses not just for tacos, but in grain bowls, salads, and sandwiches. It’s the kind of small detail that feels thoughtful, not fussy—and guests always notice.

Hosting or Catering? Why Not Both?

There’s no one right way to celebrate. Some hosts thrive on doing everything from scratch, while others prefer to bring in support so they can focus on guests. In Susan’s world, both approaches have value—and they can even blend beautifully.

You might make the salsas and sides yourself, then bring in professionally prepared mains. Or reverse it: order the fillings and fresh tortillas, and finish the table with homemade garnishes and dessert. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Susan shares this hybrid approach in her Mexican Fiesta Catering NYC offerings, which are built to be flexible, seasonal, and tailored to real-life hosting. Whether you need the full menu or just a boost, the goal is the same—to bring people together with food that feels full of care.

Small Space, Big Energy: Tips for NYC Gatherings

New York apartments weren’t designed for dinner parties. But that’s never stopped anyone. With the right setup, even a tiny space can hold a vibrant celebration. Taco bars and buffet-style menus are ideal here—they don’t require sit-down seating or formal service.

Use your kitchen counter as the base, or clear a bookshelf and turn it into a taco station. Stack plates, layer serving boards, and use tea towels to wrap tortillas and keep them warm. The charm of city hosting is in its creativity, and guests appreciate the intimacy of a space that feels lived-in and real.

Susan’s ideas in Nacho Bar Catering NYC take this even further, showing how thoughtful presentation and smart prep can elevate any size gathering. It’s not about making things perfect—it’s about making them feel good.

Bringing It All Together

Mexican Independence Day is about more than just a date—it’s about celebrating culture, community, and the joy of sharing a meal. In NYC, where so many traditions come together, it's a chance to cook with intention, to source locally, and to feed people in a way that feels personal.

Whether you’re hosting ten guests or just two, whether you’re cooking everything yourself or ordering in parts of the menu, the spirit remains the same. Use what’s in season, choose flavors that reflect your style, and set a table that feels like an extension of your kitchen.

When someone searches for Mexican Independence Day Catering, they may be looking for convenience—but what they really want is connection. Susan’s approach delivers both. With warmth, creativity, and respect for the season, it turns one night into something worth remembering.