To attract top talent, companies like Google, foursquare, and Sony are offering more unconventional office perks—free food being one of them. While catered office meals are seemingly commonplace in Silicon Valley, the idea hasn’t quite taken off in Chicago…yet.
At Zerocater, we believe the best ideas happen over food. The day when your workplace provides you with free catered lunches is fast approaching, and we want you to chow down on the best Chicago has to offer. From an impromptu meeting meal to a weekly catered lunch, we’re here to help, so we’ve compiled a list of our most popular caterers in Chicago. We think lunch should be as fresh and diverse as our local food scene, so you won’t see any chains on our list. Some of these vendors are actually exclusive to Zerocater.
Here’s our list of the top Chicago catering vendors we’d love to bring to your office.
Interested in trying them? Click here to request a free office catering consultation!
Jarabe Mexican Street Food
Address: 2255 W Taylor St Chicago, IL 60612
This place truly shines when it comes to office taco bars, you’ll nosh on the tastiest carne asada burrito you could ask for. With an average 4.5 star rating on yelp, we knew we had to bring a taste of Jarabe to our loyal clients.
3202 N Broadway
Lakeview was in need of a great falafel spot, and now they have it. Lunch from a chain restaurant doesn’t hold a candle to pitas, fresh hummus, and Mediterranean favorites. Spice up your lunch with a spread from Falafill!
The Smoke Daddy
1804 W. Division Street
A Zerocater favorite, this Wicker Park staple does barbecue like nobody else. We always double-up on the mac-n-cheese tray, as it seems to bring out our inner child’s appetite. Pair it with a sweet and sticky pulled pork sandwich, and you’re guaranteed to have an office lunch nirvana.
Bountiful Eatery
3312 North Broadway
Looking for a healthy lunch? With an extensive menu, you could order Bountiful Eatery every day for months and lunch would still be exciting. Our favorites include their mindful wraps, bowls or salads, finished off with a refreshing smoothie.
Machu Picchu Restaurant
3856 N Ashland Avenue
While our office is partial to the paella, there is something for everyone with Machu Picchu. Your office mates will be fighting for seconds over their colorful assortment of tamales, plantains, and seafood.
Orso’s Restaurant
1401 N. Wells Street
Orso’s is a top choice for Italian catering in Chicago, with a near-perfect 5 star rating at Zerocater. They are an easy way to make lunch hour exciting again, with dishes ranging from chicken vesuvio, to jalapeno gnocchi.
Tiparos Thai Cuisine & Sushi Bar
1540 N. Clark Street
When a client requests a unique catering idea, we always recommend Tiparos. Their Thai catering spread includes pad thai, chop suey chicken, roasted duck, and yakisoba. Rated over 4 stars on Zerocater, Tiparos always impresses!
The Goddess & Grocer
1649 N Damen Avenue
A staple of the Chicago, The Goddess & Grocer offers everything from breakfast to boxed lunches. The owner, Debbie Sharpe, has been cooking her entire life and has even served stars like Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Paul Simon, Miley Cyrus, and more.
A Baker’s Tale
2127 W Division Street
Located in the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood, A Baker’s Tale has quickly become a client favorite for sweet treats. If you’re in the mood for something more savory, their quiche menu offers a delicious spin on breakfast too.
Simply It
2269 N Lincoln Avenue
Simply It’s Vietnamese menu is colorful, vibrant, and a feast for the senses. Healthy and light, Simply It offers dishes ranging from various bahn mi sandwiches, pho, and even appetizer friendly bites like skewers and eggrolls.
This is just a taste of the top caterers in the Chicago area that we offer. Here at Zerocater, we offer corporate meal planning to companies looking to feed their people. Food is meant to be shared—bring your employees together by requesting a free consultation today!
