For the third consecutive year, I've been put into a position where I've had to organize a catered lunch for a group of 10 to 20 people at work. Not wanting to choose one of the two eateries I chose each of the past two years, I went with The Stand to see if I can give them the 4th star that I've been trying to give them for the past year or two.
The final verdict? No, unfortunately.
This year, I was in a rather unique situation where I also had the option to double my party size, and The Stand had catering packages that would feed both party sizes: The Feast for 10 to 20 people, and The Big Feast for 20 to 40 people. But don't think The Big Feast is twice the size of The Feast; rather, the only difference is an additional platter of 20 half sandwiches/wraps. Otherwise, both will have a platter of 20 half sandwiches/wraps, a large gourmet salad, a large side, and a cookie/brownie platter.
After much deliberation, I went with The Feast with Meyer Lemon Broccolini and a Sidekick of Chinese Chicken Chop Salad with Chips & Guac. I chose all this to avoid the need for flameless heating kits since I wasn't sure how they'd work.
I was drafting an email to the catering team to add some supplementary instructions I overlooked initially, but after the FIRST15 to 20 minutes following submission of my order, Sydney from the Catering team gave me a call to ask for clarification on some details based on my email communication. Really appreciate how punctual she was at this, and she was happy enough to send out an updated invoice.
However, I learned from Sydney that the Meyer Lemon Broccolini would need a flameless heating kit even though the catering website did not mention that. In fact, during my email communication prior to placing my order, I pointed out that the Meyer Lemon Broccolini and Red Ginger Green Beans weren't listed as vegetarian despite being vegetables, and they confirmed they were indeed vegetarian, but not vegan. I noticed these oversights were immediately addressed after I brought them to their attention. However, their website still indicates their cookies are vegan when they are not; I'm not going to bother with another email at this point lol.
I had given them two weeks' notice for my order, knowing that the catering team can change it on their end. I didn't want just one flameless heating kit, so I decided to switch out the Chips & Guac for the Mac & Cheese, which is about $13 more.
I arrived about 10 minutes before my scheduled pickup time, and I saw my catering order out in the open on a table where any customer could just grab it and go. Luckily, there were only a few customers inside, and when I stopped by my order, Kim came out to greet me. We recognized each other even 8 to 9 months after those technical difficulties spelled out in my last review update.
I asked her to review my order with me before leaving, but when she said "Chips & Guac", the abstract record in my mind came to a screeching halt. I asked to see the invoice, and it was the older version from before I made the switch. I later found out they had printed my invoice too early even though their catering team said I could decide as late as the day before. Luckily, Kim checked the kitchen and needed only about 5 more minutes for the side of mac & cheese to be ready. She also let me keep the chips & guac even though she initially said she could swap it out, so that was nice at least.
I also appreciate how they waited until my arrival to make a custom grilled cheese sandwich for my vegetarian guest, who enjoyed said sandwich. I also asked to put that guest's name on the box so I could tell easily.
However, my abstract record cacophonously halted again when Kim asked me to pull up to the front door so they could load my order into my car. I had parked close by and previously requested for at least one employee to help me carry my order to my car. Also, I didn't want to block the right lane of the frontage road through the town center, so Kim and a team member helped carry the order to my car.
My guests enjoyed the food for the most part, and I used this opportunity to invite them to visit The Stand with their family/friends on their own time (and dime lol). My order included an abundance of sauces and dressings, and I also appreciate how there were label stickers on each half sandwich/wrap in the platter. However, I would highly recommend a different means of labeling these sandwiches/wraps. As an example, I tried to grab a Chimichurri Steak Wrap only to find out it was actually a Falafel Wrap, which was the only vegetarian option in the platter. Good thing I got my vegetarian guest that grilled cheese sandwich!
Lastly, if you've managed to make it to the end of this review, I'll let you know there's a discount code for customers placing a catering order for the first time. You actually read it in this review somewhere. Missed it? Sorry, I'm not giving it out like that. You'll have to re-read the review :) read more