Tasty Tuesday: Best Office Lunch Caterer
If you work downtown like me, you might have the option once in a while to order in lunch for the office. I love those days since budget and distance can be less of an encumbrance than it would be if I was just going out to grab something quick and cheap.
At my company, our old standbys have tended to be Austin Java or Do Good Deli. What we loved about Do Good Deli is that they offered tasty, locally-sourced lunches and 100% of the proceeds went to Caritas. Sadly, Do Good Deli was not economically sustainable and they closed at the end of July. Word is that their former manager is now operating “The Deli Downstairs” out of that location. Has anyone tried it?
Last week, we had a new intern training and we had the opportunity to order lunch for those involved. I was hoping for something healthy and light so I asked if we could try my friend Jon’s place, Leaf. He had told me that they were now doing delivery at lunchtime and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to check it out.
Most of my colleagues ordered one of their “Big 12″ and I put together my own based on the yummy list of possibilities. It included fresh shrimp, cherry tomatoes, avocado, edamame, asparagus, and more. I loved every bite! I opted for plain oil and vinegar but wished I had tried some of their wonderful-sounding house made dressings like organic sesame ginger, honey-tangerine vin, or strawberry-balsamic vin.
Leaf’s produce is amazing and Jon told me he uses local wholesaler Cawoods for the bulk of it and Farm to Table, a local middleman who connects small farmers to restaurants to supplement.
From Tuesday, Sept. 14 through Tuesday, Sept. 22, Leaf will be offering a special for my readers — No delivery charge if you tell them you heard about Leaf on Tasty Touring.
Normally, there is a $5 delivery fee with a $30 minimum. They deliver by bike and their boundaries are Cesar Chavez, Lamar, 15th, and I-35.Feel free to peruse the menu online for your next office lunch meeting and call or fax in your order.
After that long intro, here is the question for this Tasty Tuesday: What is the best place to order in lunch when you’re on the boss’ AmEx? Who has the healthiest, most interesting, most delicious dishes around and will deliver at a reasonable amount that won’t make the accounting departments eyebrows raise in shock? Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.
Tags: Austin Java, caritas, caterer, delivery, do good deli, Leaf, lunch, salad















