What is a easy and cheap way to feed a group of 20 people?

I would reccomend, "Roll Your Own Burrito" get ground beef, cheese, dice some tomatoe and lettuce, salsa.. For 20 people its quite inexpensive, and everyone is satisfied. I think this meal could actually be put together for $25.
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Done it lots of times. sloppy jo sloppy sloppy jo ya

If you have a Sam's Club or BJ membership get a bag of frozen chicken breast (the larger ones not the strips) thaw, slice in halve and put them on the grill. Make a pasta salad with sweet red & yellow peppers, olives, tomatoes, and toss with itlian dressing. Cut up a whole watermelon, grill hot dogs for the kids, a bowl of salsa & chips and cool drinks and of course a cake for the birthday boy.
I did a single serve cake for my son's 1st last year & made cupcakes for everyone else. I did the same menu for 20 people for about $75.

Good luck & Happy Birthday to your son.

Coldcuts and rolls. Have everybody make their own sandwiches. Pizza or finger food like chicken strips which are easy for youg children to handle and enjoy eating.

How about tacos and different rollup sandwiches with different meats in each.

You take flour torlillas or wraps any flavor, then I mix 8 ounces cream cheese, half cup of mayo, chopped pepperoni, ham or any other meat, these things are optional, since kids sometimes don't like (green onions, pimentos, black olives, any other veggie), spread evenly on tortilla, roll up like a burrito, wrap in plastic wrap tightly and let sit over night, then slice and eat, yummy!

I would do a baked potato bar and add chili and cheese. That way, you can deck out your potato with whatever you want or you could have chili and cheese. Those always go over really well. You could have broccoli, cheese, chili, onions, bacon bits, ranch dressing, whatever you deck out potatoes with.

Then have watermelon and vanilla icecream for dessert.

Potlucks are always a great hit. You could provide the drinks and a birthday cake! POTLUCK!

one word: Potluck.