Frequently Asked Questions

We specialize in authentic Texan-style BBQ and southern sides with a distinctive regional flavor that simply cannot be matched. Our meats are slow-smoked over hickory and apple wood for 6-14 hours using family recipes that have been perfected over 40 years. Our southern sides are specifically selected to complement your meat selections and please the most discriminating guest.

At Mike's Smokehouse BBQ, catering your next event isn't just a sideline, it's our passion! Because we don't run a restaurant or mobile food operation, we are able to focus exclusively on the details of your event. Your food is prepared fresh and specifically for you and your guests with meticulous care. Great food and southern hospitality has been a family tradition for over 50 years and we look forward to serving you!

We cater all kinds of corporate, civic and private events. Whether you're planning a wedding reception, office gathering, church/civic function, neighborhood or backyard party, you can't go wrong with Texas-style BBQ and genuine southern sides.

The maximum number of guests we can serve depends on the type of event and the menu selections. To provide the highest level of quality and service, we prefer to limit our maximum number of guests to 300.

We provide Full Service, Buffet Delivery and Delivery Only options. Go to our catering Details for more information about each level of service.

For our Full Service catering, we can provide everything you need to serve your guests. We have buffet tables (includes table cloths, skirting and table decorations) and popup canopies for rent. For Buffet Delivery, we have reusable chafers and sterno for purchase.

Our primary areas of service are Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky including the counties of Boone, Kenton, Campbell and Hamilton. Our extended areas of service include the counties of Gallatin, Grant, Pendleton and Clermont.

Our commercial kitchens are located in Newport, Kentucky.

It is a common misconception that because you paid for it, you should get it. Let’s look at why your caterer CAN’T or SHOULDN’T leave it for you and why our general policy is not to leave leftovers for our clients. You Actually Didn’t Pay For The Leftovers When you hire a caterer, you basically tell them how many to feed and for how long. Most caterers will bump the number up by 10% to cover unexpected guests, second servings, and feeding the staff that is working the event. Most caterers don’t want to have the reputation of running out of food, so there is always extra. So, in this case, you didn’t pay for it. The caterer is taking this out of their profit margin. Liability Issues Come Into Play Most state food service codes include the following or similar statement: "Once served to a consumer, portions of leftover food shall not be served again, except that packaged food, other than potentially hazardous food, that is still packaged and is still in sound condition may be re-served." If you think about it, the food may have been sitting out for two or more hours, and by the time you package it, leave it in your car while you drive home, and get it in the refrigerator, you may be looking at it being out for more than three hours. The industry standard is any food left out for two hours must be destroyed, even if it looks good. At that point bacteria is growing at a very fast pace. The last thing a caterer wants is for someone to get sick from food that has been left out too long. At one time, we could have the host/hostess sign a waiver, releasing the caterer from liability. That does not hold up in court, as the argument against the caterer is that they must have known the food was no good and that’s why they made you sign a release.

You can begin the process by completing our online Request a Quote form. Feel free to call us at 859-363-6900 if you have any questions or are a repeat customer and already know what you need. You can also use our handy Contact Us form.

It's as simple as answering a few questions. Start by taking just a few minutes to complete our Request a Quote form and we'll take it from there. Feel free to call us at 859-363-6900 or use our handy Contac Us form if you have any questions.

Sure, we are more than happy to work with you to find the perfect combination! Just give us an idea of what you are looking for by completing the online Request a Quote form and we'll go from there. Make sure to select CUSTOM from the drop-down options. Feel free to call us at 859-363-6900 or use our handy Contact Us form if you have any questions.

We will be more than happy to provide a tasting by appointment for up to four adults after a preliminary quote has been provided to you.

We prefer to have two weeks notice so we can provide the best service possible but we'll do our best to work with you if you have last minute needs.

The amount of food you need will depend on what type of event you are planning and the demographics of your guests. Generally, we recommend 5oz of each meat, 2-3 ribs and 1/2 to 3/4 cup of each side per person.

A 50% deposit is required to hold your date and time. Payment in full is required not later than 7 days prior to your event to to confirm your order.

A 50% deposit is required to reserve your date and time.

The balance of your invoice is due not later than 7 days prior to your event.

Mike's Smokehouse BBQ accepts cash, check and all major credit cards.

For our primary areas of service, we charge a $25 delivery fee. For our secondary areas of service, we charge a $35 delivery fee. Setup fees are $35 for Buffet and $75 for Full Service. For Full Service, an attendant is provided for $20 per hour with a two hour minimum. See GENERAL questions for our areas of service.

Some catering companies include the cost of vehicle maintenance, gas and insurance, plates, napkins and serving utensils in the price of their food. We choose to price our food separately and include those costs in a delivery fee that averages $1.00 or less per person served. For our primary areas of service, we charge a $25 delivery fee. For our secondary areas of service, we charge a $35 delivery fee.

We add a 10% gratuity for Buffet Delivery and a 15% gratuity for Full Service Buffet orders. The gratuity is added pre-tax to the final invoice. Customers also have the opportunity to add additional gratuity to those orders as well as to Delivery Only orders when paying the final invoice.

Deposits are non-refundable within 30 days of the event. The balance of the invoice total for cancellations made within seven days of the event is non-refundable. A 15% service fee will be applied to all cancellations regardless of when they occur. At the discretion of Mike's Smokehouse BBQ, a credit for the balance of the invoice may be given for a future event.