Pot Luck Dinners

My wife's birthday party is this weekend. Last year we had a pot luck dinner party and it was so successful we figured we'd do it again this year.

I love how simple pot luck dinners can be. Show up, bring a dish you've prepared, everybody eats. It appeals to my love of friends and of food both at the same time! With so many people bringing different things, there's bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.

We're not picky with what gets brought; main courses or deserts are all good in our book. Lots of our friends who don't have time to cook anything will just bring some snacks they've picked up on the way out. We don't even ask that everyone who comes brings something. We just like having a good time and sharing good food with our friends.

This year I'm thinking of doing a chili or maybe a jambalaya. I'm good at both. I think my wife's going to make her chocolate and peanut-butter cheesecake and possibly a custard pie. My problem is that I want to just cook so many different dishes.

Have any of you gone to a pot luck dinner? Do you have some favourite dishes that you've brought along, or think would go down well?