Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches, a new bike-based brown bag delivery service

By Karolyne Ellacott | April 27, 2012

By Karolyne Ellacott | 04/27/2012

Lilly’s Lunches owner Elizabeth Callahan packs brown bags into her custom-design basket (Image: Karolyne Ellacott)

Lilly’s Lunches is a new one-woman and one-bike operation run entirely by Elizabeth Callahan. After growing weary with her day job, Callahan fled her cubicle and landed on a bicycle instead. Throughout the workweek, she pedals her way around the downtown core, dropping off brown-bagged lunches to office workers too busy to head out for a bite. We decided to join her on her route for a day’s deliveries.

A lifelong cyclist and longtime food lover, Callahan was able to get her sandwich business up and running within a couple of months. She works from a rented kitchen space at College and Bathurst, and then hand-delivers the goods via bicycle. Her green Pashley—procured from Curbside Cycle—is outfitted with a large wooden box that sits up front and is independent from the steering. Custom designed by Fugitive Glue’s Jano Badovinac, the basket features the logo, a set of locks and a removable shelf, all of which garners plenty of attention from onlookers. Should the need arise, the contraption can be unloaded and tucked into a fridge (though the food stays cool enough during the relatively short delivery period).

Each sandwich that Callahan makes is named after the person who inspired it. The Steve is named after her boyfriend who, after being fed endless veg sammies by a then-vegetarian Callahan, just wanted something with meat and cheese, in this case roast beef, hunks of Balderson cheddar, sprouts, caramelized onions and Callahan’s homemade spiced tomato butter, on a marble rye. For those still devout in their vegetarianism, the Lilly is a spinach wrap filled with grated beets and carrots, sprouts, spinach and slivered, roasted almonds, drizzled with a savoury sauce made of garlic, tamari and tahini. The pre-ordered lunches ($40 for a “membership” of four lunches, delivered on the same weekday for four consecutive weeks) come with a choice of side salad and house-baked treat—and even have a bike-spirational message tucked inside the bag.

Follow Callahan on her route »

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Sweet options: bikini bread (zucchini and banana bread studded with dark chocolate chips) and amazing everything cookie (oatmeal, chocolate chip, cranberry, orange and coconut)

The Lilly: a spinach wrap filled with spinach, grated beets and carrots, sprouts and slivered, roasted almonds, drizzled in a blend of garlic, tamari and tahini

Cranberry carrot coleslaw with lemon, orange juice and honey dressing and slivers of peanuts

The Steve: roast beef, Balderson cheddar, sprouts, caramelized onions and Callahan’s homemade spiced tomato butter, on marble rye

A Mitch: pear, tomato butter, arugula, aged Balderson cheddar and basil-infused honey

Inside the brown bag (with double portions)

Mitch, inspiration for The Mitch sandwich

Heading back north along University Avenue

Inside the Ontario Legislative Building, a happy customer who just happens to be Callahan’s brother, NDP strategist Alex Callahan

The anthropology grad student was M.I.A., so Callahan leaves the brown bag at his door

Callahan dropping off the first lunch of the day

First stop of the day: The University of Toronto Anthropology building

Lilly’s Lunches owner Elizabeth Callahan packs brown bags into her custom-designed basket

A map of Callahan’s route:

[mappress mapid=”24″]

Lilly’s Lunches, 416-948-0868, lillyslunches.com, @Lillyslunches

10 thoughts on “Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches, a new bike-based brown bag delivery service”

Corinne says:

April 27, 2012 at 4:42 pm

This is a great idea! I love what you are doing and the food looks amazing! =)
Chris says:

April 28, 2012 at 3:58 pm

Oh my lord, this is a fantastic idea. I wish I still lived in Toronto… I’d totally try this out even though I don’t really need it! The sandwiches sound and look incredible – I could really go for a The Steve or The Mitch right now.
kait says:

April 28, 2012 at 5:31 pm

She rules!
CH says:

April 30, 2012 at 3:29 pm

The Mancini is my personal fav ;)
What a great idea!
Susan says:

April 30, 2012 at 4:06 pm

Way to go Ellie!!!!!!!!
MaggieP says:

May 1, 2012 at 2:22 pm

Can anyone who actually ordered (and not a relative or friend) give a review on the food? Sandwiches look kinda small. Great concept but are the goods, good?
laura says:

May 1, 2012 at 4:22 pm

fantastic concept and amazing looking food to boot, great thinkin.
Yolo says:

May 3, 2012 at 2:30 am

I have to say that ‘The Mitch’ looks at little bit weak, but I would kill to have a taste of ‘The Steve’. I’ve never had a lass on a bicycle deliver me anything, let alone a well branded sandwich…
Lois says:

May 3, 2012 at 2:54 pm

My podmates and I are having Lilly’s Lunches tomorrow and we are so excited! Such a great idea. Wishing you much success, Lilly!
teekay says:

May 3, 2012 at 5:47 pm

Looks really good, and the pricing is definitely reasonable. Great idea!