Ordering lunch for an office sounds simple until you have to account for everyone’s preferences. One person wants pizza, another prefers a sandwich, someone else wants a salad, and there may be employees looking for vegetarian or gluten-free choices. Add different appetites, schedules, and dietary needs, and choosing one meal for an entire workplace can quickly become complicated.
The key to a successful office lunch food order in Chicago is variety. Offering several types of meals allows employees to choose what works for them while keeping the ordering and serving process manageable.
Start With Variety Instead of One Main Dish
The easiest way to accommodate a group is to avoid building the entire order around one type of food. While pizza is a convenient choice for sharing, not everyone wants the same meal every time.
A mixed order can include sandwiches, salads, pasta, entrées, and pizza. This gives employees the flexibility to choose something that matches their appetite.
Variety can be particularly helpful when organizing a lunch for a larger office. Rather than asking everyone to agree on one menu item, you can provide several options and let people make their own selections.
Consider Individual Portions
Individual meals can simplify office lunches because each person receives a clearly defined portion. This can be especially useful when employees have different schedules or preferences.
Boxed lunches are one practical approach. They can be prepared individually and distributed without requiring everyone to gather around a shared serving table at the same time.
For workplaces with employees who have different dietary requirements, individual meals also make it easier to identify which option belongs to each person.
Include More Than Pizza
Pizza remains a practical choice for office gatherings because it is easy to share and can accommodate different topping preferences. A Chicago tavern-style pizza with a crisp crust and party cut can be particularly convenient for a casual group lunch.
However, pizza does not have to be the only food on the menu.
Adding sandwiches, salads, pasta, or entrées creates more choices for employees who may not want pizza. It also gives the lunch a more complete feel when the gathering lasts longer or includes a larger group.
Make Room for Dietary Preferences
Dietary needs should be considered before placing a large office order. Employees may have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or simply prefer certain types of meals.
Including gluten-free options can give employees with gluten-related dietary needs an alternative rather than leaving them out of the main meal. Vegetarian choices can provide another important option for mixed groups.
The best approach is to collect dietary information before ordering. A quick message or form can help determine how many people need specific options and prevent unnecessary food from being ordered.
Choose Foods That Are Easy to Serve
Office lunches work better when food is easy to distribute and eat. Complicated meals that require extensive preparation or individual assembly can create unnecessary delays.
Sandwiches, boxed lunches, salads, pasta, and pizza can all work well when organized properly. The right combination depends on the size of the group and how the lunch will be structured.
For a larger gathering, consider how much table space is available and whether employees will be eating together or picking up meals throughout a specific period.
Here are several approaches that can make ordering easier:
Pizza and salads: A simple combination for groups that want shared food with a lighter option.
Sandwiches and entrées: Useful when employees have different appetites.
Individual boxed lunches: Convenient when everyone needs a separate meal.
Pasta and pizza: A filling combination for larger gatherings.
Gluten-free and vegetarian selections: Helpful when accommodating dietary preferences.
Offering a few carefully selected categories is generally more manageable than ordering too many different dishes.
Make Office Lunch Ordering Easier
At Phil’s Pizza D’Oro, we offer options designed for different office preferences, including sandwiches, entrées, salads, pasta, pizza, and gluten-free boxed lunches. We make it easier to organize a workplace meal with choices for individual diners and larger groups.
If you are planning to order lunch for the office in Chicago, need pizza catering, or want a dependable pizza place for your next workplace gathering, order online to explore your options.