Start with the headcount and the mix
A halal office lunch is easiest to plan when you know three numbers: how many people are eating, how many of them avoid meat, and how many have other restrictions such as vegan, gluten-aware, or no onion and garlic. Ask each colleague to write what they avoid, not a label, three to five days before the order, and send the consolidated list with the quote request. The mixed dietary preferences guide explains why asking for exclusions produces a better order than asking for categories.
Because Evergreen Thai’s food is 100% halal, the halal question is already answered. The meat is halal and sourced from FoodsUp, the seafood is halal, and there is no pork on the menu. What is left to plan is the same as any good office order: quantity, balance, labelling, and timing.
Build the order in layers
For a mixed office, layer the order so each person can find a plate without a conversation at the table.
Shared base. Jasmine rice and one noodle tray, such as Pad Thai, that nearly everyone eats.
Meat mains. Cashew Chicken, Basil Stir Fry, Green Curry, or Red Curry with chicken or beef. Massaman and Panang contain peanuts, so pick Green, Red, or Mixed Vegetable Curry for groups with nut concerns.
Vegetarian mains. Vegetable Pad Thai, Mixed Vegetable Curry, Tofu Basil, and Vegetable Fried Rice. These are the trays that cover vegetarian and vegan colleagues, and many meat-eating colleagues eat them too.
Starters. Spring Rolls, Golden Tofu, Chicken Satay, and Mango Salad.
Optional Chinese vegetarian add-ons. Vegetable dumplings, tofu and mushroom dishes, and claypots from VegeDelight next door, delivered with the Thai trays. See the guide to halal Chinese vegetarian food in Toronto.
For 20 people, a practical split is 60 to 70 percent meat mains and 30 to 40 percent vegetarian mains, plus rice and starters. Shift toward more vegetarian volume if more of your colleagues avoid meat. The guest count and budget guide covers quantities per person.
Label every tray
Ask for each tray to be labelled with its name, whether it is vegetarian or vegan, and allergens such as peanuts. A colleague should be able to read the label and choose without asking anyone. Print a one-page list to leave next to the trays so the information is on the table and not in your head. The office catering checklist covers what else to put in the first brief.
Timing, delivery, and building access
One to two business days of notice is usually enough for 10 to 25 people, and three to five days for 50 or more. Direct delivery is included on orders over CAD 200 within 5 km of 175 Dundas St W, which covers the Financial District, Union Station, City Hall, TMU, UofT, and most downtown condos. Include the floor, the concierge or loading dock instructions, and the time the food should be ready. Add 15 to 20 minutes for elevator and lobby access in a tower.
For the details of the delivery area and thresholds, see the downtown office catering service page and the corporate catering downtown page.
Ramadan and Eid at the office
For an office iftar or Eid lunch, give the kitchen the sunset time and let it work backwards: delivery 20 to 30 minutes before iftar leaves time for setup. Book 5 to 7 days ahead, and earlier for 30 or more guests in the second half of Ramadan. Reconfirm the delivery time the day before. Ramadan dates move each year, so check an official Islamic calendar or a local mosque. The group dinner planning guide has the full timing section.
A sample halal office order for 25 people
- Pad Thai, 1 large tray
- Cashew Chicken, 1 large tray
- Green Curry with chicken, 1 large tray
- Mixed Vegetable Curry, 1 large tray
- Vegetable Pad Thai, 1 large tray
- Jasmine rice, 2 large trays
- Spring Rolls and Golden Tofu as starters
- Mango Salad for freshness
That covers meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans from one delivery, with coconut-milk curries throughout and peanut-containing dishes avoided.
One note about the restaurant
Evergreen Thai Kitchen & Bar is also a licensed bar, so alcohol is served in the restaurant. Catering is delivered to your office, so the event itself is entirely alcohol-free.
Plan your halal office lunch
Send the headcount, date, address, floor, and any dietary notes, and the kitchen replies with a confirmed menu, quantities, and delivery window. The halal catering page has the full details, and the halal Thai food guide covers dine-in and takeout.
Get a catering quote or call 416-581-8668 to plan a halal office lunch.