If you’ve spent time in noon board meetings or luncheon team strategy sessions, you’ve likely suffered through the traditional buffet of cold cuts and stale cookies that have seemingly become the norm for these occasions. But rejoice: Like all things Texas, boxed lunch options in our state are far from standard. Here are a few standout caterers that offer creative menus, seasonal fare, and a commitment to satisfying every palate by offering gluten-free, dairy-free, keto-friendly and vegan selections.
Alonti
Most Popular: Premium Sandwich Box Lunch (starting at $13)
This box features house-roasted lean meats and premium garnishes topped with fresh daily produce. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available. Each box also comes with a bag of chips and a daily baked jumbo cookie (house-made pistachio oatmeal bars are available for gluten-free boxes).
Fan Fave: Keto Southwest Chicken with Mexican Vegetable Powerbowl (starting at $15)
This bowl includes zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, poblano peppers, red bell peppers and cauliflower, and it’s certified as a keto diet plan meal. The bowl comes with a side salad with sugar-free, roasted tomato and jalapeño vinaigrette. It’s delicious, well-balanced and served warm.
Competitive Advantage: Alonti prides itself on quality ingredients in all of its sandwiches, “powerbowls,” salads and hot plates. The caterer provides warm pressatas (European flatbread pressed sandwiches), pita sandwiches, salads, and gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Alonti revisits its menu seasonally to ensure customers are receiving only the best and freshest ingredients. This summer, it will be launching fresh-baked, artisanal cookies, featuring six custom flavors because “everyone needs a sweet treat with their meal.”
Wendy Krispin Caterer
Most Popular: Turkey Club on Croissant (pricing not provided)
The most popular item on Krispin’s menu is the turkey club on a croissant with bacon and cheddar potato salad. Gluten-free and vegan items are gaining popularity, and the menu caters to these customers, as well. All sandwiches are available as a wrap or on croissants, hoagies, biscuits, or sourdough, wheat or gluten-free bread.
Fan Fave: Gourmet Boxed Lunch (pricing not provided)
These are specialized boxed lunches where customers can choose from premium ingredients like pickled shrimp, sliced filet mignon, baguettes and caviar sour cream. They come with unique side items like bacon and cheddar potato salad, five vegetable slaw, pasta salad and Mandarin wild rice salad.
Competitive Advantage: In addition to the premium ingredients used in all of her sandwiches, salads and side items, Krispin pays particular detail to the sweet side of life. Her dessert menu rivals most five-star restaurants with offerings like chocolate decadence with raspberry sauce, seasonal trifles, individual chocolate pecan, peach and apple pies, and panna cotta.
Compleat Cuisine
Most Popular: Turkey Croissant Club ($12.25)
The turkey croissant club comes with turkey, bacon, tomato, provolone cheese, lettuce and dijonnaise. Also, customers receive Compleat’s signature pasta salad, strawberry, pineapple and grapefruit medley, and a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie.
The most popular item off its seasonal menu is the Cinco de Mayo: Quinoa Taco Bowl ($12.95), which comes with diced chicken, charred corn and poblano peppers, cherry tomato pico, arugula, cilantro, and avocado with a chipotle lime dressing. That box comes with street corn, chips and guacamole, and Mexican wedding cookies.
Fan Fave: Seasonal “Traditions” Sandwich
Every November customers look forward to the Traditions sandwich box, which comes with roasted turkey, bread stuffing and mixed greens on honey wheat bread with cranberry mayo. It’s served with a pear, apple and walnut fruit cup, fresh green bean salad with feta and almonds, and a slice of pecan pie.
Competitive Advantage: The executive chef and general manager come up with new menus every month, so there’s always a chance for seasonal creativity, fresh produce and imaginative sides. The caterer’s presentation with ribbon and tissue paper catches the eye immediately and is remembered by clients all over Houston. Compleat also offers boxed lunches with no minimum and a two-hour lead-time.
Beyond the Box Catering
Most Popular: Turkey Sandwich (starting at $8.95)
Beyond the Box’s most popular box is the roasted turkey sandwich, which comes with Swiss cheese, shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes served on thick-cut wheat bread. Every sandwich is served with a pickle, fruit, brownie and a bag of chips.
Fan Fave: Themed Boxes (starting at $13.95)
The caterer’s themed boxes are ideal for a meeting coordinator who wants something different from the ordinary ho-hum boxed lunch. These boxes have something for everyone, but one of the most popular is the Sushi Box, which includes a California roll, tropical fruit salad, wonton chips, wasabi, pickled ginger, ponzu and coconut cookies for $14.95.
Competitive Advantage: In addition to its gluten-free and vegan options, Beyond the Box’s themed boxes seem to stand out. The innovation is clear—whether it’s a Mediterranean Wrap Box with homemade pita chips, a Moroccan Box featuring a mouthwatering Tagine Chicken Wrap with almond-raisin couscous and hummus, or a Slider Box with a choice of grilled chicken club, roast beef and cheddar, or sliced turkey and swiss.
Get Connected
Alonti
alonti.com
Beyond the Box Catering
foodbeyondthebox.com
Compleat Cuisine
compleatcuisine.com
Wendy Krispin Caterer
wendykrispincaterer.com
