Analyzing 9,883,4759.9M ReviewsFor 27,84027.8K Experts
Google reviewers rate Nelson's Catering 4.5 out of 5 based on 139 reviews, with the owner responding to 72 percent of comments. Customers frequently praise the punctuality, professional communication, and quality of food served at weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings. However, some low-star reviews criticize inconsistent portion sizes, occasional rudeness from staff, and specific complaints regarding food texture or flavor.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and momentum; weakest: reliability.
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
139 Google reviews we collected
Phrases our text analysis found in 114 written reviews
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
We read 114 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“…Catering for our class reunion event, all the staff was excellent and friendly, our guests had good compliments on the tasty food.…”
“The day after, I had multiple family members share that the catering staff was quite rude and ill-mannered during the night.”
“We chose Nelson's to cater our reunion banquet and they did an excellent job.”
“The presentation of the late-night snack and appetizer was absolutely horrible.”
“The staff were on time, courteous and very professional.”
“I highly recommend Nelson"s if you are looking are looking for a caterer.”
“We felt that the food was reasonably priced compared to other options we looked at.”
“Their staff was friendly , easy to work with and knowledgeable.”
“I loved how transparent everything was when booking all the way up to the week of the wedding.”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
We used Nelson Catering for our class reunion. Everyone said the food was great. Delicious food for sure
Great coordination with Nelson's Catering for our class reunion event, all the staff was excellent and friendly, our guests had good compliments on the tasty food.
As usual the food was very good. We only had 25 people for the reunion but all ate and commented how good it was.
Nelson Catering is a fantastic company to work with! Their staff is friendly, the service is excellent, and the food is delicious. Highly recommend them for your catering needs!
We chose Nelson's to cater our reunion banquet and they did an excellent job. The food was really good and there was enough for many of our members being able to go for seconds. Additionally, the driver who brought the food to the hotel and set the buffet line up deserves two thumbs up. I highly recommend Nelson"s…
Loved everything that I ordered! Plenty of food with leftovers to take home! Will definitely be a repeat customer! THANK YOU!
4.5 ★★★★★ 139 reviews on Google · rating breakdown
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
Driving all over the road and holding up traffic going 10 under the speed limit
We appreciate you letting us know. If you could provide when/where this occurred and time of day, we can address this with our staff as we sometimes have several vans on the road at one time.
We used Nelson Catering for our class reunion. Everyone said the food was great. Delicious food for sure
Larry, thank you for choosing Nelson’s Catering for your class reunion! We’re delighted that the food was a favorite among your guests and helped make the gathering enjoyable. We appreciate you sharing your feedback and hope to serve you again at a future event!
I have no complaints. Staff were wonderful and so was the food! Thank you!
Michelle, thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re happy to hear that both our staff and food left you with such a positive experience. Our team works hard to make every event comfortable and well-served, so it’s especially nice to know everything came together to your satisfaction. We truly appreciate you choosing Nelson’s Catering!
Great coordination with Nelson's Catering for our class reunion event, all the staff was excellent and friendly, our guests had good compliments on the tasty food.
Britt, we’re so glad Nelson’s Catering could help make your class reunion a success! Hearing that the coordination went smoothly, our staff were welcoming and attentive, and your guests enjoyed the food is wonderful. We appreciate you taking the time to highlight the team’s efforts and are grateful for the opportunity to cater such a special gathering.
As usual the food was very good. We only had 25 people for the reunion but all ate and commented how good it was.
Joe, thank you for continuing to choose Nelson’s Catering for your reunion gatherings! We’re pleased to hear that the meal was once again enjoyed by everyone and that your guests had such positive things to say about the food. Even with a smaller group of 25, we’re happy we could provide a meal that made the occasion even more enjoyable. We appreciate your continued trust in us!
Nelson Catering is a fantastic company to work with! Their staff is friendly, the service is excellent, and the food is delicious. Highly recommend them for your catering needs!
Eric, we truly appreciate your kind words about Nelson’s Catering! It’s wonderful to know our friendly staff, dependable service, and delicious food all made a great impression. Providing a smooth and enjoyable catering experience is what we strive for, and your recommendation means a great deal to our team. Thank you for letting us be part of your event!
We chose Nelson's to cater our reunion banquet and they did an excellent job. The food was really good and there was enough for many of our members being able to go for seconds. Additionally, the driver who brought the food to the hotel and set the buffet line up deserves two thumbs up. I highly recommend Nelson"s if you are looking are looking for a caterer.
Greg, thank you for choosing Nelson’s Catering for your reunion banquet and for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that the food was a hit and that there was plenty for everyone to enjoy, including seconds. We also appreciate you recognizing the driver who delivered the meal and took the time to set up the buffet. It’s great to know the entire experience came together so well, and we’re grateful for your recommendation!
For years, the Springfield Urban League had been planning our historic 100th Anniversary Dinner Celebration, held on September 12, 2026, at the Bank of Springfield Center. One of the most important decisions we had to make was selecting a capable caterer who could not only serve the large crowd we anticipated (+1,000 attendees) but also provide the level of food quality, presentation, and service that matched the magnitude of this once in a century celebration. We explored several catering companies throughout Springfield, Illinois, meeting with representatives, listening to presentations, and carefully considering our options. From our initial impression to the final delivery and service on the night of our 100th Anniversary Dinner Celebration, Kim and Mindy of Nelson’s Catering were the epitome of professionalism, class, and quality service. My experience working with them was phenomenal. Kim and Mindy poured their hearts, talents, and expertise into ensuring that our dinner was a success! From recommending food options and helping us strategize the best approach for serving such a large crowd, to ensuring that every plate was hot, fresh, and beautifully presented, their attention to detail was evident throughout the entire process. They also made sure the servers, cooks, and supporting staff were top-tier and worked closely with external partners and the Bank of Springfield Center to ensure everything came together seamlessly. Nelson’s Catering truly shined. Most importantly, our guests raved about the food throughout the evening, with the premium steak option receiving especially high praise. The quality of the meal and service helped elevate the entire experience and contributed greatly to the success of our historic celebration. Thank you Kim and Mindy, along with every member of the Nelson’s Catering team who helped bring our vision for this dinner to life. Their professionalism, dedication, kindness, flexibility, and commitment to excellence were evident from beginning to end, and we are incredibly appreciative of the role they played in helping the Springfield Urban League celebrate 100 years of service to our community.
Zhavi, thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review and for trusting Nelson’s Catering with such a meaningful milestone for the Springfield Urban League. We’re honored to have played a part in your 100th Anniversary Dinner Celebration and are thrilled to hear that the food, presentation, and service helped make the evening so memorable for your guests. Kim and Mindy will be especially grateful to hear your kind words about their dedication, planning, and attention to detail throughout the process. Coordinating a celebration of this size takes tremendous teamwork, and we’re proud of the Nelson’s Catering servers, culinary team, and support staff who worked together with the Springfield Urban League and Bank of Springfield Center to bring everything together. Knowing that your guests enjoyed the meal, especially the premium steak selection, means so much to our entire team. Thank you again for allowing us to be part of this historic celebration and for recognizing the care and commitment our team brought to such an important occasion.
Loved everything that I ordered! Plenty of food with leftovers to take home! Will definitely be a repeat customer! THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you loved everything you ordered and had plenty to enjoy as leftovers. We truly appreciate your support and can’t wait to serve you again!
Nelson’s has catered our brunch event for the past five years. The service and quality of the food is consistently outstanding! We order cheesy eggs, French toast casserole, bacon and fruit. It’s delicious and perfect every time. I highly recommend Nelson’s!
Donna, thank you so much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review! We truly appreciate your continued support over the past five years and are thrilled to know that both our service and food consistently meet your expectations. It’s especially great to hear that your brunch favorites are always a hit. Thank you for recommending Nelson’s Catering and for continuing to trust us with your events!
Analyzing 9,883,4759.9M ReviewsFor 27,84027.8K Experts
