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.
134442 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Sweet options: bikini bread (zucchini and banana bread studded with dark chocolate chips) and amazing everything cookie (oatmeal, chocolate chip, cranberry, orange and coconut) Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3706-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3706.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3706.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3706/ apr12lillyslunches3706 0 0
Sweet options: bikini bread (zucchini and banana bread studded with dark chocolate chips) and amazing everything cookie (oatmeal, chocolate chip, cranberry, orange and coconut)
134443 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) 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 Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3707-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3707.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3707.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3707/ apr12lillyslunches3707 0 0
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
134441 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Cranberry carrot coleslaw with lemon, orange juice and honey dressing and slivers of peanuts Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3693-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3693.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3693.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3693/ apr12lillyslunches3693 0 0
Cranberry carrot coleslaw with lemon, orange juice and honey dressing and slivers of peanuts
134440 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The Steve: roast beef, Balderson cheddar, sprouts, caramelized onions and Callahan’s homemade spiced tomato butter, on marble rye Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3685-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3685.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3685.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3685/ apr12lillyslunches3685 0 0
The Steve: roast beef, Balderson cheddar, sprouts, caramelized onions and Callahan’s homemade spiced tomato butter, on marble rye
134439 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A pair of salads pots Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3681-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3681.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3681.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3681/ apr12lillyslunches3681 0 0
A pair of salads pots
134438 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A bike-spirational message Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3679-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3679.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3679.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3679/ apr12lillyslunches3679 0 0
A bike-spirational message
134436 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) A Mitch: pear, tomato butter, arugula, aged Balderson cheddar and basil-infused honey Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3675-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3675.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3675.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3675/ apr12lillyslunches3675 0 0
A Mitch: pear, tomato butter, arugula, aged Balderson cheddar and basil-infused honey
134437 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Inside the brown bag (with double portions) Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3678-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3678.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3678.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3678/ apr12lillyslunches3678 0 0
Inside the brown bag (with double portions)
134435 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The brown bag Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3670-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3670.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3670.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3670/ apr12lillyslunches3670 0 0
The brown bag
134426 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3649-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3649.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3649.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3649/ apr12lillyslunches3649 0 0
134423 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3645-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3645.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3645.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3645/ apr12lillyslunches3645 0 0
134434 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Mitch and co-worker Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3667-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3667.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3667.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3667/ apr12lillyslunches3667 0 0
Mitch and co-worker
134433 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Mitch, inspiration for The Mitch sandwich Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3665-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3665.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3665.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3665/ apr12lillyslunches3665 0 0
Mitch, inspiration for The Mitch sandwich
134432 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Next stop: 250 Bloor St. E. Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3663-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3663.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3663.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3663/ apr12lillyslunches3663 0 0
Next stop: 250 Bloor St. E.
134431 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Up along the Mink Mile Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3662-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3662.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3662.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3662/ apr12lillyslunches3662 0 0
Up along the Mink Mile
134430 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Heading back north along University Avenue Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3660-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3660.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3660.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3660/ apr12lillyslunches3660 0 0
Heading back north along University Avenue
134429 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Another satisfied luncher Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3659-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3659.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3659.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3659/ apr12lillyslunches3659 0 0
Another satisfied luncher
134428 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Next stop: 170 University Ave. Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3655-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3655.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3655.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3655/ apr12lillyslunches3655 0 0
Next stop: 170 University Ave.
134427 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Heading south on University Avenue Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3652-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3652.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3652.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3652/ apr12lillyslunches3652 0 0
Heading south on University Avenue
134424 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Inside the Ontario Legislative Building, a happy customer who just happens to be Callahan’s brother, NDP strategist Alex Callahan Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3647-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3647.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3647.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3647/ apr12lillyslunches3647 0 0
Inside the Ontario Legislative Building, a happy customer who just happens to be Callahan’s brother, NDP strategist Alex Callahan
134425 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Inside the Ontario Legislative Building Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3648-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3648.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3648.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3648/ apr12lillyslunches3648 0 0
Inside the Ontario Legislative Building
134422 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Enroute to Queen’s Park Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3641-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3641.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3641.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3641/ apr12lillyslunches3641 0 0
Enroute to Queen’s Park
134421 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Enroute to Queen’s Park Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3640-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3640.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3640.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3640/ apr12lillyslunches3640 0 0
Enroute to Queen’s Park
134420 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Enroute to Queen’s Park Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3636-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3636.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3636.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3636/ apr12lillyslunches3636 0 0
Enroute to Queen’s Park
134418 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) The anthropology grad student was M.I.A., so Callahan leaves the brown bag at his door Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3633-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3633.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3633.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3633/ apr12lillyslunches3633 0 0
The anthropology grad student was M.I.A., so Callahan leaves the brown bag at his door
134417 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Callahan dropping off the first lunch of the day Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3632-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3632.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3632.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3632/ apr12lillyslunches3632 0 0
Callahan dropping off the first lunch of the day
134419 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) First stop of the day: The University of Toronto Anthropology building Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3635-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3635.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches3635.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches3635/ apr12lillyslunches3635 0 0
First stop of the day: The University of Toronto Anthropology building
134416 (Image: Karolyne Ellacott) Lilly’s Lunches owner Elizabeth Callahan packs brown bags into her custom-designed basket Introducing: Lilly’s Lunches https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/apr12LillysLunches_intro.jpg 656 429 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-lillys-lunches/slide/apr12lillyslunches_intro/ apr12lillyslunches_intro 0 0
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
This is a great idea! I love what you are doing and the food looks amazing! =)
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.
She rules!
The Mancini is my personal fav ;)
What a great idea!
Way to go Ellie!!!!!!!!
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?
fantastic concept and amazing looking food to boot, great thinkin.
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…
My podmates and I are having Lilly’s Lunches tomorrow and we are so excited! Such a great idea. Wishing you much success, Lilly!
Looks really good, and the pricing is definitely reasonable. Great idea!