The Windy City was known for its food long before The Bear ever gave us “yes, Chef.” And when it comes to corporate catering Chicago style for your next meeting or in-office event, you have a world of options to pick from before you resort to another office pizza party (although may I suggest deep dish?).
The good news is you’ll never be lacking in catering options that will wow both the out-of-towners and the townies. But unless you’re using a partner like Fooda to filter and organize lunch options for you, trying to pick just one go-to spot can take extra time. And when you’re trying to plan the perfect team onsite, client happy hour, or office holiday party, the last thing you need is more on your plate.
Here’s a roundup of 10 corporate event catering options in Chicago that will fuel your next onsite brainstorm and will get your team talking about more than just KPIs.
Great food can bring people together at the kitchen table…or, in this case, the boardroom table. Whether it’s your turn to plan happy hour or you just need office lunch ideas for your quarterly team brainstorm, the right corporate catering Chicago businesses can help elevate any gathering.
The details: Their catering menu is made for groups of 8-10+, requiring 24-48 hours notice.
Best for: Elevated team lunches, leadership meetings, small-large corporate celebrations in the office.
A staple of Chicago’s Fulton Market and downtown area (and a Fooda partner), Beatrix Market is a well-known and popular local spot. It’s high-end enough for a nice team dinner or lunch (can attest to this), but laid back enough to grab a Caesar wrap on-the-go. From salads and hearty sandwiches to fresh-baked pastries and snacks, Beatrix’s catering menu is fresh and serves up something for everyone.
Beatrix also makes bringing top-notch food to your team easy, so all you have to think about is making sure your event or meeting goes smoothly. Their Market catering menu offers delivery or pick-up, and is designed for groups of 8-10+ people, making it a strong and, trust me, delicious option for your next team onsite, brainstorming lunch, and more.
The details: Catering package serves 10 people for $179.50 (pre-taxes/delivery fees) + increments of 5 people for an extra $17.50/person.)
Best for: Onsite team meetings and events, small happy hours, small networking events.
From a small, word-of-mouth business, to a thriving food truck and permanent Chicago fixture with multiple brick-and-mortar locations, 5411 Empanadas brings Argentinian flair and faire to the Windy City.
Touting high reviews across food ordering sites, this Fooda partner serves up gourmet (and affordable) empanadas worthy of any team meeting or happy hour. Plus, their catering page leads with “get your meetings catered,” meaning corporate catering that will “wow” your team is as top-of-mind for them as it is for you.
The details: For team and corporate events big and small, we’ve got you covered.
Best for: Everything from daily lunch delivery, to Popup restaurants onsite, catered events, happy hours, and more.
Finding the right corporate event catering service in Chicago can take any office event from just another day to a memorable moment. But finding a single caterer that pleases everyone can be a challenge.
So why choose just one?
Fooda brings a daily variety of meals from local hotspots, hidden gem mom & pop shops, and minority owned restaurants directly to your team, on-time. Fooda takes the restaurant search off your (and your team’s) plate by offering up something for everyone. Think of it like a custom cafeteria featuring local favorites, right at your fingertips.
Fooda sets a gold standard for corporate food delivery, offering a variety of catering options built around your budget, from employee-bought lunches, to in-office staffed Popup restaurants or catered meetings with a 99% on-track time record. And Fooda’s account executives ensure your meetings and events go off without a hitch.
Give your team an extra reason to get excited about coming into the office. Get to know Fooda, and how we can take coordinating catering off your plate.
The details: $250 subtotal minimum, and many delivery items have a 10-count order minimum. They’ve done corporate events from 10-10,000 guests. Orders must be placed by 12 PM the previous day.
Best for: High-end in-office corporate lunches, but with an emphasis on larger-scale events meant to wow Think: Galas, board dinners, company-wide celebrations, and holiday parties.
Whether you need full event support from food to flowers or you just need an upscale team lunch that will get to your door tomorrow, Blue Plate has you covered.
While this Fooda partner’s emphasis is on larger-scale events (notice: The Field Museum on their catering page), Blue Plate has some of the most versatile options of the Chicago corporate catering picks on this list.
And with seasonal specials like Thanksgiving, Fall specials, and seasonal menus on the table, now’s a great time to surprise and delight your team, company, or your board with corporate holiday catering. And fun fact: they also highlight their green-minded approach, highlighting their conscious, eco-friendly catering practices.
Ideal sizing: Catered sandwich bundles can feed between 6 and 10 people.
Best for: Any size in-office corporate event, lunch parties, casual company gatherings, lunch meetings.
In my opinion as a local, no list of Chicago corporate catering options is complete without Potbelly in the mix. While Potbelly has grown nationwide, it got its start right here in Chicago and is as much a staple of Windy City lunchtime dining as deep dish pizza is to our city.
Potbelly’s smorgasbord of hearty (and delicious) subs, sandwiches, and salads are always a satisfying choice, especially for those lunchtime meetings and long team planning sessions. Throw in a selection of crunchy Zappos potato chips and a selection of their delicious, chewy cookies, and you’ve got a happy board room.
The details: 24 hours advance notice for weekday orders, 48 hours for orders of 80+ guests. Offer “mini catering” for under 20 guests. Delivery minimum for DIY catering is $250.
Best for: Small company gatherings, larger team meetings, small client mixers, office happy hours.
With locations in Wicker Park and Bridgeport, Antique Taco is a beloved staple of Chicago’s west side and adds a delicious flair to any lunchtime event.
Antique Taco makes fresh pressed corn tortillas every day, practices eco-friendly composting weekly, and sources ingredients from local farms whenever possible.
Their catering menu is based on 2.5 tacos per person, making them the perfect pick for an in-office team lunch or brainstorm, happy hour, or small company event.
The details: They offer several catering packages, including “fast packs” for easy sandwich serving, a buffet-style party package, and large events from 50-50,000 people
Best for: Team or company gatherings, office meetups and happy hours, and large corporate events (with a Chicago touch)
You can’t have a list of the top corporate event catering that Chicago has to offer without mentioning a staple of the area, Portillo’s. This classic Windy City spot serves up classic flavors from Chicago dogs to Italian Beef sandwiches.
Portillo’s is a crowd-pleasing spot that’s perfect for everything from team lunches and birthday parties (see: their incredible chocolate cake), to larger yet laid-back company-wide events.
Whether you’re ready to roll out the red carpet, deck the office halls for the holidays, or you just need to give your office happy hour a gourmet boost, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the stand-out picks Chicago has to offer.
The details: Minimum of 10 guests for food pickup & drop off, corporate catering events for 50-3,000 guests.
Best for: Large and upscale company events, launch parties, galas, all-day seminars, and high-end meetings designed to impress.
If you’re looking for some of the elevated options that Chicago corporate catering has to offer, Boka is a winner. With custom menus and a gourmet edge, Boka is not for your everyday happy hour…and if it is, can I get an invite?
While Boka does offer food pickup & drop off for smaller groups, their bread and butter is crafting high-end events and dining experiences meant to impress. They offer full-service and off-premise catering services and versatile presentation; from chef stations and buffets, to seated dinners or small bites during receptions.
And calling all non-profits: if you’re looking to create a showstopping event or your next Gala, Boka offers reduced pricing for non-profit orgs.
The details: Menu items serve 8-10 people, minimum 48 hour advance notice required for large orders.
Best for: Larger in-office company events, onsite office celebrations, holiday parties, employee appreciation, client and leadership dinners in-office.
If you got to this point in the article and thought, “Where’s the pasta!”, I hear you. Asked and answered! Il Porcellino offers large party deliveries that come straight to your office or venue.
They work with you to customize your menu, including food and beverages, to make your next corporate event unforgettable (and delicious.)
The details: Details can be found through inquiry!
Best for: Best for upscale company-wide events. Think: brand launches, team building events, holiday parties.
Like Boka, Paramount is less in the realm of team gatherings and board room lunches and more in the realm of large corporate events. This woman-owned and operated business specializes in full-scale event catering that creates a true culinary experience.
What sets Paramount apart in the world of catering? According to their website, is that they directly employ and train all of their staff in-house, vs. hiring a third party. So you get a true Paramount-crafted experience.
At the end of the day, the perfect catering choice for your and your team will depend on the size and scale of your event, the vibe of your company and office, and your budget.
There are so many options when it comes to picking a Chicago hotspot that your employees will love. If you want more options, or you‘re stuck between a few, let Fooda do the heavy lifting for you. Fooda will present curated Chicago favorites for your employees to pick from, including many of the restaurants on this list. We take care of the admin, you enjoy your meal.
Learn more about what Fooda is, and how our solutions can help you create unforgettable moments with your team. And if you’re a local Chicago restaurant looking for new catering opportunities, learn about becoming a Fooda restaurant partner, and why it’s the best option out there.
