To open one’s home to others and welcome them to share life with you is one of the greatest gifts we have, yet often we allow our house, budget, decor, cooking skills and a host of other excuses get in the way of our hospitality.

Our family has gone through two year long periods of unemployment with the most dramatic occurring years before I began this blog. One of the main things during those times was that I didn’t want the fact that our food budget was basically nil to keep us from opening our home.

While I first l learned the beauty of hosting a Baked Potato Bar Get together as a newly married,  Junior and Senior High Youth Director, it was during that difficult time of unemployment with four little ones, when I truly appreciated how gourmet a simple food bar could become without breaking the bank.

It’s the simplest way to not only feed, but fill up the tummies of a huge group with amazing comfort food, and still stay on a budget. The wonderful thing about creating the ultimate Potato Bar is it doesn’t have to be limited to just traditional toppings.

The photos featured here were taken spontaneously during our huge family reunion last year, and yes,  we really did it up right. You can bet that I didn’t serve steak during those lean years. 🙂

While we didn’t have enough chicken and steak left over from a previous meal to feed our entire group, we had enough to put out as toppings. (And yes, the steak would need to be sliced up a bit more. 🙂

I created “zones” of varying toppings, so one could enjoy a traditional, loaded, veggie, Mexican or all of the above, kind of feast.

If you part of our family, you can find ways to put nearly anything on potatoes. So enjoy digging in the fridge and clearing it out.

Baked Potato Bars are perfect for the upcoming big game, family dinners, pot lucks, graduation parties or even receptions. Every one loves the versatility that they bring.

Yes, I admit. Potatoes are my favorite food. This just makes me happy.

For more great “food bar – entertaining a group with ease” ideas, check out my:
Build Your Own Pizza Bar
DIY Breakfast Burrito Bar

Have you ever served a Baked Potato Bar?

Did I miss any of your favorite toppings?

Sharing over at Surviving the Stores