Business Details
Trusted Catering & Event Venue in Santa Ana, CA
Country Garden Caterers has been a trusted name in the catering industry since the late 1970s, specializing in weddings, corporate events, picnics, and holiday celebrations. Our historic Santa Ana facility, originally built in 1930, offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern amenities, providing an ideal backdrop for any event. With nearly five decades of experience, our team combines culinary excellence with personalized service to create unforgettable experiences. We pride ourselves on offering customizable menus ranging from Mexican and Italian to themed events, complemented by award-winning dcor and full-service rentals. Our commitment to quality is evident in every detail, from tuxedo-uniformed servers to meticulously curated beverage packages.Recognized by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association for 12 years, we maintain a legacy of excellence while adapting to contemporary event trends. Our clients consistently praise our ability to transform visions into reality, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional guest satisfaction. As a family-run business, we emphasize personal attention and reliability, making us a preferred choice for both intimate gatherings and large-scale events. Our venue accommodates up to 175 guests indoors, with additional outdoor options and partnerships for larger celebrations. From initial planning to final execution, we strive to exceed expectations through creativity, expertise, and unwavering dedication to client needs.
Services
Wedding Catering
Corporate Event Catering
Venue Rental
Custom Decor
Themed Menus
Highlights and features
- We offer nearly 50 years of event production experience in Orange County.
- Our award-winning chefs create customizable menus for any theme or cuisine.
- We provide full-service event rentals and dcor solutions.
- Our historic Santa Ana facility accommodates up to 175 guests with unique charm.
- We maintain a 12-year award-winning reputation from the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association.
Associations and certifications
- ABC Licensed
What people say
Food was awesome
Exceeded expectations
Stress-free planning
Beautiful decor
Professional staff
Services
Wedding Catering
Our wedding catering service combines gourmet cuisine with personalized planning to create unforgettable celebrations. We offer customizable menus featuring international and regional specialties, paired with professional service and elegant presentation. With experience in ceremonies from intimate gatherings to large receptions, we ensure every detail aligns with your vision while maintaining strict food safety and quality standards.
Corporate Event Catering
We specialize in creating sophisticated catering solutions for corporate functions, from breakfast meetings to holiday parties. Our menus accommodate diverse dietary needs while maintaining gourmet quality, supported by professional service staff and comprehensive event coordination. Our proven track record with businesses in Orange County ensures seamless execution for events of any scale.
Venue Rental
Our historic Santa Ana facility offers a unique venue with rustic charm and modern amenities. The space includes tables, chairs, and a full bar, accommodating up to 175 guests. Features like the mezzanine area and antique oak bar create distinctive photo opportunities, while flexible rental options allow customization for weddings, receptions, and special occasions.
Custom Decor
We provide award-winning dcor services that transform spaces to match your event's theme. Our team specializes in creating cohesive visual experiences through lighting, linens, and custom installations. With expertise in both traditional and contemporary styles, we ensure every element complements your vision while maintaining practical functionality for guest comfort.
Themed Menus
Our culinary team creates immersive dining experiences through themed menus ranging from cultural specialties to historical recreations. Whether planning a 1920s Great Gatsby party or a tropical luau, we develop menu concepts that align with your event's atmosphere while maintaining exceptional flavor profiles and presentation standards.
People
Barbara DesRochers-Lyons
Founder
Founded Country Garden Caterers in the 1970s after a teaching career, transforming a restaurant into Orange County's premier catering destination. She grew the business while raising three children who later joined the family enterprise. Recognized for her innovative event concepts and accordion performance with The Doors, she led the company until her passing in 2022.
Questions
What catering packages do you offer?
We offer a $49.95 per guest package including venue rental, meals, and basic setup, with options for sit-down service and custom menu development.
Can I rent your facility without catering services?
Yes, venue rental is available separately with pricing starting at $450 for events up to 99 guests.
What event types do you specialize in?
We specialize in weddings, corporate events, picnics, holiday parties, and film shoots with customizable décor and menu options.
Do you provide event planning services?
Yes, our experienced coordinators offer full-service planning, from menu selection to rental coordination and timeline management.
What is your maximum capacity?
Our Santa Ana facility accommodates up to 175 guests indoors, with partnerships for venues hosting up to 650 attendees.
Are beverage packages available?
We offer ABC licensed bar packages including host/no-host options, specialty drinks, and wine selections.
Reviews (7)
Lena E. Mendoza
Jun 19, 2022
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What a great place, hidden away and it looks like a brick building, but you get inside and it was great. The food was really tasty and I do know the bride and groom where in a tighter budget so we always think the food will not be that good. They had appetizers and they where very good and the waiters where all amazing. The DJ was not good at all, literally no one really danced. Not sure if the DJ was given to them but typically it's not at venues. All in all this place is really nice and it had upstairs and downstairs. The bartender was great. All in All, I'd use this facility and give it all 5 stars
Cassandra Perez
May 08, 2021
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I was very excited to view this venue but was extremely disappointed in the event person's professionalism. After a few e-mails and phone calls, Diana finally responded to me and I made an appointment for a Sunday in May 2021 and even sent an e-mail to confirm. I show up for the appointment and no one was there. I even left a voicemail and email letting her know I was there for our appointment, and never even got a call or email with an apology. If a business is this unprofessional with a tour, then I would never trust them with my business. Very, very disappointed.
Jewel Myhand
Apr 10, 2019
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Co-workers wedding and reception at this place. Cute little place. The chicken, mashed potatoes and string beans were delicious. I missed the wedding but reception was beautiful.
Michael Domingo
Dec 05, 2018
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Staff is awesome here, and don't be fooled by the seemingly smallish look of the place, as the venue can handle a pretty large group! I'm not too certain what the parking situation is during the weekdays, but on weekends there is lots of parking within walking distance that is safe and easy to get to.
Daniel Vaughn
Nov 16, 2018
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Beautiful venue they have a friendly and very accommodating staff. We worked with Lori to plan our Reception and she was absolutely amazing we couldn't have asked for a better planner, she made the whole experience feel effortless. We were very pleased with how everything turned out.
Lisa Rittenhouse
Apr 29, 2018
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Country Garden provided outstanding service and excellent food for my daughter's wedding. The presentation was delicious and they were wonderful to work with. Thank you Andy and Team for creating such a beautiful experience for our family and guests!
Introspect Incorporated
Dec 10, 2017
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CGC is such a lovely and rustic venue with an old school restaurant vibe. It winds up and down and it's a smaller venue with a tight fit but the staff works wonders with what they have available. Lorri is an amazing front of staff and a pleasure to work with.
