Hearty Boys

"Southern-inspired comfort food elevated by modern twists & served with craft beers & cocktails."

Hearty Boys is a Chicago-based catering company led by chefs Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, serving weddings, corporate events, and private parties. The company is known for blending contemporary urban sophistication with casual charm, offering plated dinners, grazing stations, family-style meals, and buffets, alongside a craft cocktail program built around pre-prohibition recipes and house-made syrups. Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh have been catering Chicago events for over 20 years; Smith is also a Food Network host, cookbook author, and chef-owner of three Michelin recommended restaurants, and the pair have published two cookbooks including a cocktail guide titled 'The New Old Bar'. Based in Chicago at 3525 W. Grand Ave. Couples frequently highlight the quality and creativity of the food, attentive coordination from staff members including Alyson, Andy, and Derek, and a collaborative approach to menu planning that incorporates couples' specific preferences.