Quick Answer
MealPal’s Great Meal Guarantee sets a portion-size standard: a meal reserved through MealPal should always be the same size as the same meal sold by that restaurant at retail price, where applicable. The guarantee covers members on credit-based plans in New York City. If MealPal reviews a report and determines that the portion was smaller, the credits used for that meal will be returned.
What is the Great Meal Guarantee?
The Great Meal Guarantee is designed to ensure that a lower price through MealPal comes with the restaurant’s regular portion of the same meal.
It gives eligible members a way to report a portion that appears smaller than its retail equivalent. MealPal reviews the report and returns the meal credits if it determines that the portion did not meet that standard. Final discretion of the credit amount returned is determined by MealPal.
The guarantee focuses specifically on portion size. The comparison is with the same dish sold by the same restaurant, rather than a general expectation of how large a lunch should be.
Does every MealPal meal have to be the same size?
No. Portion sizes vary across restaurants and dishes.
A salad, a burrito bowl, and a sandwich will naturally differ. Even two restaurants serving similar dishes may offer different portions.
For example, a chicken burrito bowl reserved through MealPal should have the same portion size as that restaurant’s chicken burrito bowl purchased at retail price. A larger bowl from another restaurant would not be the relevant comparison.
The purpose is to let customers pay less for the same meal while receiving its regular portion.
That is what the Great Meal Guarantee is designed to protect. A customer’s savings comes from paying less for the same meal—not from receiving a smaller portion.
How do I report a smaller portion?
If you believe your meal was smaller than its retail equivalent:
- Take a clear photo showing the issue.
- Email the photo and a description to [email protected].
- Submit your report within 24 hours of the reservation date. Make sure to include the email address associated with your MealPal account!
Including the restaurant name, meal, and reservation date can help the team identify your order.
What happens after I submit a report?
MealPal reviews each submission and makes the final determination about portion size.
If MealPal determines that your meal was smaller than its retail equivalent, the credits used for that meal will be returned to your account. Submitting a report does not automatically result in a credit return. MealPal's determination may result in a full refund of credits, partial refund of credits, or no refund of credits.
Returned credits do not extend your membership cycle.
Who is covered by the Great Meal Guarantee?
The published guarantee applies to members on credit-based plans in New York City.
The full policy appears in the Great Meal Guarantee section of MealPal’s Terms of Use.
Why does portion size matter?
Price is only one part of a meal’s value. Portion size also affects whether a discounted meal offers the savings a customer expects.
Comparing the same dish in the same portion makes that value easier to assess. The Great Meal Guarantee establishes that standard and provides a process for eligible members to report a meal that appears to fall short.
