// Office lunch guide
Taco Bar or Boxed Lunches for an Office Lunch?
Taco bar or individually packaged lunches for a Toronto office? Compare service time, dietary labels, mess and cost, with both formats from $13 per person.
// Direct answer
The short answer
Choose individually packaged (boxed) meals when people eat at different times, in different rooms, or need clear dietary labels. Choose a self-serve taco bar when the team eats together and customization matters. At La Rio's both start at $13 per person for 10+ guests, so the decision is about service, not price.
For 20 people, a La Rio's Taco Bar is about $339.00 all-in and individually packaged burrito bowls about $339.00, each including $40 standard delivery and 13% HST. Packaged bowls arrive pre-portioned and labelled; the taco bar arrives hot in catering trays with basic self-serve setup.
Prices checked November 6, 2026
// Quick takeaways
How each format works for a team
- Taco bar: 3 soft corn or flour tortillas per person, two proteins, four toppings and three sauces. Best for a shared lunch hour where guests build their own plates.
- Boxed or packaged bowls: pre-portioned, clearly labelled bowls. Best for meetings, training rooms, staggered breaks and multi-room offices.
- Conference rooms: packaged bowls are tidier and faster to hand out; a taco bar needs a table for the line and about the same space as a buffet.
- Mixed dietary groups: both formats can include halal chicken or beef and vegan tofu or bean-and-corn; packaged bowls make each person's choice easiest to identify.
// Side by side
Taco bar vs boxed lunches for an office
| Self-serve taco bar | Individually packaged bowls | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | From $13 | From $13 |
| 20 guests, all-in | $339.00 | $339.00 |
| Service | Hot catering trays, basic self-serve setup | Pre-portioned, labelled, ready to hand out |
| Best when | The team eats together and wants to customize | People eat at different times or in different rooms |
| Dietary handling | Guests choose from the line; confirm allergies before ordering | Each bowl is labelled; meals can be sorted by team or dietary tag |
| Mess and cleanup | Shared line and serving utensils | Individual containers, minimal shared serving |
// Best formats
Recommended formats
Taco Bar Buffet
Our signature build-your-own taco bar. 3 soft corn or flour tortillas per person, two proteins, and a fresh spread of toppings and sauces — guests build their own.
from $13/person
Mixed Taco & Burrito Bowl Bar
The best of both worlds — an interactive bar where guests build bowls OR tacos from the same fresh line. Perfect for mixed groups.
from $16/person
Individually Packaged Burrito Bowls
Pre-portioned, clearly labeled bowls — cilantro-lime rice, black beans, your protein and fresh toppings. Ideal for offices, schools and events where easy distribution matters.
from $13/person
// Optional add-ons
Add only what your event needs
Already have a package in mind? Use Add or Remove to include optional extras in your quote request.
- AppetizersChips & Guacamole+$4/person
- AppetizersChips & Salsa+$3/person
- AppetizersGuacamole+$3/person
- AppetizersCorn Poppers+$1.50/person
- ExtrasLime Wedges+$0.50/person
- AppetizersChicken or Beef Empanadas+$5/piece
- SidesCilantro Lime Rice & Black Beans+$2.50/person
- SidesMexican Chopped Salad+$5/person
- SidesGarden Salad+$4/person
- DessertsChurros with chocolate sauce (nut free) or Nutella (contains nuts)+$3/person
- DessertsFruit Platter+$4/person
- DrinksAssorted Pop / Drinks+$1.50/can
- DrinksBottled Water+$2/person
- SuppliesDisposable plates, cutlery & napkins+$0.50/person
- ExtrasSoft Corn Tortillas+$1/person
// FAQ
Taco Bar or Boxed Lunches for an Office Lunch? — FAQ
Is a taco bar or boxed lunch better for an office lunch?
Boxed or individually packaged meals are better when people eat at different times, in different rooms, or need clear dietary labels. A self-serve taco bar is better when the team eats together and wants to build their own plates. At La Rio's both start at the same per-person price.
Are burrito bowls less messy than tacos in a conference room?
Usually, yes. Individually packaged burrito bowls are portioned and labelled, so there is no shared serving line and less to clean up afterwards. Tacos work best when there is a separate table for the buffet.
Can one office order include both formats?
Yes. Ask for a mixed order in the quote request, for example a taco bar for the main room and labelled bowls for people with specific dietary needs. The team confirms the split and price in the written quote.
How many people is the minimum?
La Rio's caters orders for 10 or more guests.
// More topics
Other long-tail guides
Ready to turn this into a real quote?
Send your guest count, date, and city — we’ll recommend the right format and price it properly.