Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Go with the fried chicken, and when they've eaten themselves into a food coma, bring out an astonishing dessert.

Go with something on the grill... I am thinking Green Chile Cheeseburgers, Steaks or fajitas.

I'm with nommuh. Steaks would go over well, I'm thinking. You can pick your favorite cut, prepare them in your signature way, and have amazing onion rings or homemade fries or seasonal vegetables on the side. For people that eat meat, steak is a safe but dazzling bet. You could even have something like shrimp on the side for surf and turf...

If they're not foodies, I would shy away from pizza, given that sometimes people feel that any homemade pizza, however high-quality isn't good because it doesn't resemble their fast-food favorites.

If you want to do chicken, but want to take some of the pressure off, you could make fried chicken, barbecued chicken, and ribs, along with coleslaw, biscuits, and mashed potatoes, so there are some other distractions from the fried stuff.

Fancy hamburgers, burritos if you want to go Tex-Mex, if you don't want to go the steak route.

I would definately go with something grilled, even if you're fried chicken is perfect, chances are you'll still get "its not like my mom's grandma's " whatever. One thing I've learned is that southern boys almost always stick up for mom's fried chicken. lol ;-)

I think the suggestion for some sort of extra special burgers, served with shrimp skewers and sides, is fantastic. It's not too complicated, most of it can be done ahead of time, it's filling, pretty hard to screw up, and delicious. Some sort of stuffed burger with condiments, the shrimp skewer recipe listed above, a potato salad and maybe corn on the cob?

I agree with avoiding a meal that would be competing with memories of their mom's/families' cooking. Maybe grill a flank steak and some shrimp for tacos, it's surf and turf but with a little twist. In this case, make your own pico (lime juice, tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro, hot peppers, let sit a few hours to soak in) and some guac/cheese/sour cream/fresh limes, serve with rice and beans (easy enough!) or spanish rice (which is also easy and doesn't require tons of active cooking time.

i think you should definitely cook something that your boyfriend loves {which means it's time and taste proven} and that you can do easily. you don't want to stress yourself out making something unfamiliar and complicated, and young men are generally enthusiastic, hungry eaters and therefore not very fussy anyway. they'll probably be very happy to be cooked for {who doesn't love a nice, homemade meal?} and delighted to be served, hearty, uncomplicated, delicious dishes by a RELAXED and GRACIOUS hostess who isn't making herself {and everyone else} crazy by fussing and fretting unnecessarily over the food. make things that you can do mostly in advance that you don't have to do anything major to at the last minute aside from heating them up. they will appreciate your ease and welcoming nature a thousand times more than if you make a complicated dinner and are a wreck.

btw, your job here is not to get them to adore you. your job is to be your normal, adorable, sassy self and provide them with a nice meal. trust me, it's better if you don't try too hard.

save the culinary pyrotechnics for another occasion, is my advice. when i have friends over, they all remark how easy i make it look. no secret -- i shop carefully, use good ingredients, prepare things that are seasonal and naturally delicious, and don't serve anything that needs a lot of last minute attention, so that i can spend time with my guests.

if you really want to knock yourself out, bake a chocolate layer cake.

I like all the grilling ideas but am partial to roast chicken as well. With a few sides, it is always a winner. I also love braised short ribs but it is really more of a winter dish. Btw, I would not bother with a dessert that is too fussy. I find men are not as wowed by dessert as women. Good luck!

slow cook a pork shoulder carnitas-style for amazing pork tacos. serve with homemade tortillas and fixins.

First of all, the idea of having a bunch of big guys helping in the kitchen is something that I find quite appealing...at the risk of offending you (not trying to), can I ask why you're marking them as 'clumsy' and refuse to let them in the kitchen? I can't think of a more social activity! Unless you're going to be completely uptight about it, put them to work! (with drinks, of course)
Btw, how old are these guys? I can't decide if they're 22 or in their 40s based on your post, and suggestions might vary if we knew.
I'll add my vote for braised short ribs, btw...do whatever sides you want to, but trust me--they'll SWOON, and you won't spend the night at the stove.

Depending on the guys, grilling might backfire a little. I know plenty of otherwise open-minded guys that just aren't totally convinced of women grilling.

And if they're grilling enthusiasts, they might encroach on your turf.

But if you want to grill, by all means, go for it.

I'm going to suggest lasagne too, for all the reasons @shalomblack and @renzata gave. If you grill, they're going to stand around it and give you advice, and you don't want to lose control.

I also agree with the nix on trying to emulate a southern dish for them, for all those reasons.

Whatever you do...rehearse it first unless its an "old reliable" you know like the back of your hand. Easy and pre-prepared is your friend here. The secret of entertaining is making it look effortless, even if it's not.

May want to set up a big fan to handle the excess testosterone that will be in the air.

I never met a man that didn't like a steak and potatoes dinner. Seeing as it's the end of summer I'd serve corn on the cob, sliced heirloom tomatoes (Caprese salad is good, but so is just salted and peppered) and salt roasted potatoes. Don't forget all the condiments: steak sauce, hot sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, bacon bits, grated cheddar, and lots of butter.

For dessert I'd go with an apple pie a la mode, even if it's frozen pie. Remember, smell is a direct route to the emotions. The smell of warm apple pie, cinnamon in particular, is the most arousing scent to men. They probably won't know why they like you so much, only that they do. Oh, and the food was good!

Another final suggestion that is non-Southern but 'man friendly' and doesn't require a lot of babysitting is making a big pot of Italian tomato sauce with sausage and meatballs to put on torpedo rolls. It's slow cooking, and you can prepare it beforehand.

For appetizers, chicken wings might be easy and hold well and/or potato skins, served with blue cheese dip, sprinkled with crumbled bacon.

I love the brownie sundae idea--for a twist, instead of vanilla, you could also serve it with butter pecan ice cream or vanilla fudge ice cream

Like most men, they are impressed by good food...

Unless they're all Frasier Crane, I'd keep it simple. If you have a specialty over which everyone goes apesh*t, I say pull that out and get cooking! Glove boning a bunch of Cornish Hens and filling them with foie gras might wow those who are gourmets but I think a simple, hearty dish will get lots of mileage.

If you do a great chili or stew, roast beef, turkey or a fantastic ham, add some great sides and you're there. For dessert, a nice cheesecake or brownies should do the trick - Have ice cream on hand for variety if you like.

...and I think the easiest way to get them to adore me is by cooking for them.

It's always worked for me ;)

You don't say whether you are a serious cook or just like to eat -- so my go-to suggestion would be "Enchilda Pie" - layered like a traditional lasagna but using flour tortilla (which should be softened with a little water before layering them with taco meat and cheese). I have never met a big guy who didn't love this dish... If you want to hold your own as a girly girl then add sliced mandarin oranges and slivered almonds to a basic salad with vinegarette to accompany. No man will leave your house hungry after this meal and they'll love you forever for not making them decorate anything-

Moibec is the man pleaser in this thread. Red meat and potatoes. Men love to eat but Mama may have spoiled them by not making them try new things ( sound familiar to anyone?) and you can't lose with the basic standards.

I'm Italian, and Italian food is my favorite thing to eat. If I went to someone's house, however, and they served lasagne, I would be disappointed. How could their lasagne possibly be any better than my nonna's, or my mom's, or even mine, for that matter?

My point is, why try to beat people at their own game? That's like when a friend from Germany comes to the States for a vacation, and you prepare and serve weisswurst. The intention is great - "You like this, so I will make it for you, because I want you to like what we're serving." It's super nice of the cook. But a major tactical error, in my opinion.

That's my number one rule in cooking for people - don't try to top their grandmas. It ain't gonna happen.

I was going to give peanut butters exact suggestion. Something simple, homey, easy and crowd pleaseing. And it can all be done mostly in advance with simple recipes (use Joy of Cooking.) Make lots!

I disagree with the keg. I mean you're not trying to replicate their days in college, right? I think if the guys are beer drinkers, a selection of their favorite bottled beer iced down is the way to go.

Set out some nibbles like: wasabi peas or any spiced nuts, something similar to a ploughman's platter would be great: dry cured sausage, some cheese, oh! a beer-cheese dip in a ceramic fondue dish, with crusty bread or doughy pretzels for dipping. Shoot, the cheese fondue might even make a few veggies ok!

You've got so many suggestions for dinner! I think the meat and potatoes idea is probably the way to go. What guy doesn't like a steak house experience? If you or your husband aren't comfortable grilling, maybe consider a roast. Prime rib or standing rib roast. Potatoes can go in the oven, too. There is nothing better than a baked potato, hot out of the oven. Oooh, unless it's a twice baked potato!!! Whip up a rich creamed spinach with bacon. Steam some jumbo asparagus spears, or heck you could even roast those, too. Caesar salad or a classic wedge salad...homemade croutons--guys are so impressed by the simple things.

I am reading, "How I Learned To Cook" which is a compilation of various chef's essays on their beginnings and revelatory moments. In the chapter 'That's Entertaining' by Mark Bittman, he sagely wrote, "...they were just happy to be at someone's house, eating a nice dinner, and enjoying all the relaxed goodness that a meal at a restaurant can never offer. It's comfort and hospitality-not perfection-that home entertaining is really all about." I totally agree. Remember, your boyfriend loves you so much that he's introducing you to his 4 oldest friends! They're going to love you & anything you cook as well. So, with that in mind-don't do fried chicken or grilling or anything that will make you anxious. Pick out a favorite, easy recipe that you love, make it and enjoy the evening! My go-to recipe is out of the 'I Hate To Cook book' by Peg Bracken-it's actually called Old Faithful-ha.

4 med.-thick lamb or pork chops
1 c. raw rice
1 can consumme or broth or bouillon (chicken is best)
1 pinch marjoram
1 pinch thyme
1 Lg. onion
2 ripe tomatoes
1/2 green pepper, cut in rings
Salt, Pepper
2 Tbl fat
Brown the pork chops in the fat in a pan. While they're browning, put the rice in the bottom of a greased casserole dish, and then slice the vegetables. Next, lay the chops on the rice and top each one with slices of onion, tomato and green pepper, salting and peppering a bit as you go. Pour consumme in, add the marjoram and thyme, and let it fend for itself in a 350°F oven for an hour.

Or you could just bake a very large cake and jump out of it-always a safe bet. ;) Have fun!

All of you are so kind! Thanks for all of your suggestions! I'm going to take everything into account before I decide, I've got a rather large list of ideas going thanks to all of you.

I'll let you know what I make and how it goes. Thanks again!