Best lunch kits (for grown-ups)
Wondering if anyone has recommendations for a "grown-up" lunchkit. Something that won't look ridiculous next to a briefcase.
I had a Mr. Bento before and grew to resent it--very bulky and heavy, and as it turned out, I didn't need to bring that much food. Once all the containers were spread out, I needed almost a whole table, and I felt a little pompous.
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22 Comments:
My favorite is Fit N Fresh. They have quite a few different containers, like one for salad and even one for cereal. And every one of them has an unobtrusive ice pack to go with it. to the site.
Here's the link to their site.
amanda0730 at 8:38PM on 08/06/08
Not sure if you have one available in your area, but a decent 100 Yen store (Japanese dollar store) or large grocer would have OODLES of bento containers for all ages that are single or 2-tiers, have permanent or removable dividers, and hold a proper serving size for an adult female.
Cassaendra at 10:39PM on 08/06/08
I bring my lunch in a Vera Bradley lunch container- cute, stylish, and grown up... of course my soup thermos is Hello Kitty... lol
sbelle at 10:43PM on 08/06/08
The Laptop lunchbox isn't too big, and the setup encourages you to bring a variety of small portions, which I like. The containers can be microwaved and isn't as bulky or heavy as the Mr. Bento.
Cupcake819 at 11:05AM on 08/07/08
@sbelle ~ LOL @Hello Kitty thermos. Maybe not ALL grown-up, eh? Gotta keep a little of the kid in all of us. Thanks for the laugh.
PerkyMac at 11:12AM on 08/07/08
I have seen some of te Fit and Fresh line in TJ Maxx, but wasn't sure if they were too fussy (like Mr Bento/laptop lunchbox, for my needs: I don't want a lot of containers and lids). The deluxe lunch kit looks potentially suitable, but do you know how large it might be? If it's a standard fork in the pic, I think it could be okay. Still has a lot of pieces, though, and I'm not sure it would fit in my bag. How sturdy are the materials? Do I risk leaks?
Has anyone used those Built NY bags, the neoprene ones? I like that they come in black, because as attractive as those Vera Bradley bags are, I unfortunately work in an environment where I really do not want to draw any attention to my lunch kit.
I kind of liked this one, except for the clear plastic handles. I think it might be trying too hard:
http://www.amazon.com/Milano-Insulated-Neoprene-Lunch-Black/dp/B000FYRJSC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1218122903&sr=8-1
renzata at 11:32AM on 08/07/08
I have two of the Fresh & Fit lunch on the go containers - the rectangle with a purple lid and two smaller rectangles and an ice pack inside - which my husband uses and loves. Just the right size, microwave and dishwasher safe.
AliceBlue at 3:55PM on 08/07/08
We have a big round one with a dressing dispenser in the lid. It is the only one big enough for a sandwich on a nice roll (depth wise). Like it a lot, though never use the pesky dispenser thing. Keeps stuff cold until a late lunch time, plenty of room to tuck stuff in around the sandwich, or make a good size salad.
Cary at 4:22PM on 08/07/08
I have the Fit and Fresh Lunch on the Go containers. I really like them. I pack yogurt (breakfast) and a snack in the two smaller containers and my lunch in the bottom under the cold pack. I think they're great! They also have come out with a newer container called a Lunch Pod that is simply a square container (about 2 cups) with a cover that has the ice pack in the lid. I can see myself getting some of those in the near future.
Amandarama at 4:40PM on 08/07/08
i have a lunch bag from Eddie Bauer... most people when they see it, they think it's a nice purse. I bought it at Target a while ago. I use nice rubbermaid containers to store the food. I also place refreezable ice pack in it so the bag can stay with me at all times and not leave it in any fridge out of my sight... i am paranoid that way.
I also have one from Borders... super cute and fits containers horizontally...
MadelynRodriguez at 5:12PM on 08/07/08
I wasn't aware of the Mr. Bento before and doing a quick search found on the manufacturer's website what looks to be a smaller version of the Mr. Bento as well as a Ms. Bento and a Mini Bento. Assuming that you had no other issues aside from sizing these other options may be options.
Zojirushi Lunch Jars
JerBear at 10:11PM on 08/07/08
Brown paper bag?
mrsadm at 7:01AM on 08/08/08
www.ichibankanusa.com I think they're down for maintenance right now but they have a bunch of "men's bento" that are reasonably priced (a couple dollars at most), shipping isn't too expensive and comes quickly... the men's bento tends to be black in color with a slot for fork and/or chopsticks.
http://feistybento.blogspot.com ... I bento! and I'm not ashamed of my slightly cutesy boxes. But that's me. And I'm a girl.
feistyfoodie at 10:52AM on 08/08/08
what a great thread! ive been looking for the same thing!
terabithia at 11:53AM on 08/08/08
Hey Feisty, I love super-cute and chic.
I've been raised on lunchboxes and bento containers from Sanrio for 30 years. I can't stop now! Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars as a child, followed by Bad Batz Maru. I'm still into Chococat, and just got into Kuromi. The only Felix the Cat products I own are exclusively from Japan.
And then there are my black and brushed metal bento containers.
Cassaendra at 12:16PM on 08/08/08
i have a builtny neoprene lunch bag and LOVE it. it holds more than you think it will and is unobtrusive.
foodiemama at 1:30PM on 08/08/08
Foodiemama, if you're still peeking in here, please let me know if you have the bag with the bottle divider, or the open bag with the wider bottom. I like the slimness of the one with the bottle holder, but I'm not sure I'd ever use the bottle part.
My reluctance with bento and fresh n' fit is that they are rigid and bulky, and I'm terrified they might leak, which would necessitate me getting another bag to hold them in, which puts me back at the start. And the Zojirushi line, while very sexy, is sooo pricey ($50 for a lunchkit?).
I'd love to get a chic bag in one of the great prints in the Vera Bradley line, but I'm hesitant to get anything too eye-catching since my work environment is so conservative that I don't want to play up my youth or personality. But I might say to hell with it and try one of the black-based patterns.
I wish there was something like the Built NY bag that went over the shoulder. Most of the bags I've seen with shoulder straps look very large/masculine.
Am I insanely fussy, or is there simply a hole in the lunch kit market?
renzata at 4:20PM on 08/08/08
I have the builtNY bag with the divider: get the other one.
The bag is only really big enough to hold something like a regular white bread sandwich. And since it is really meant to be 'flat' if you have something that isn't, like a yogurt and a piece of fruit, it will get smashed. It is well insulated.
I actually looked at the other bag (without divider), and this one looks better, although, I don't know that a very big plastic container would fit in it.
I looked at the fit-n-fresh today (how appropriate is this question!), and it was about a 6inch by 8 inch by 4inch cube. It didn't seem very thick though (like it wouldn't last being thrown in a bag), and I would worry that I would pop the top.
I used to have a bento box that I loved and I got it at a dollar store about 10 years ago.
Geeka at 8:01PM on 08/08/08
Does anyone know where I can buy one of those old timey construction worker lunch pails? I'm thinking of the big metal ones with a big ol' thermos inside.
Sir Cooksalot at 9:59PM on 08/09/08
Voila! Classic Construction Worker Lunch Box & Thermos Set for $30. It looks pretty cool!
Cassaendra at 10:24PM on 08/09/08
http://www.builtny.com/showPage.php?pageID=1569
This company offers a number of options that are easy to carry and very functional.
Angela1018 at 11:44AM on 08/11/08
About the fit n' fresh: The sizes are odd to me, but if you don't use it for what they say (we use the salad one for sandwiches for example) there are enough options to find one that should work.
They do not pop open, very secure. But yes they are rigid and you still have to carry them in something else.
Cary at 12:12PM on 08/11/08