Quick Answer
MealPal lets you browse meals using filters, list and map views, and personalized recommendations. Filters include cuisine, dietary restrictions, credit cost, walking distance, favorites, and meals reserved by coworkers. A short quiz under My Account → Preferences collects your ingredient preferences, dietary restrictions, and preferred portion size. MealPal uses this information and your location to suggest a daily selection of meals.
How can I filter meals on MealPal?
Filters narrow the meals displayed based on what you are looking for. You can adjust your search by:
- Cuisine: Browse particular types of food.
- Dietary restrictions: Find options listed as matching your dietary needs.
- Meal credit cost: Narrow meals by the number of credits required.
- Personal favorites: View meals you have marked as favorites.
- Meals reserved by coworkers: See what your coworkers have selected.
- Sold-out meals: Choose whether to display meals that are no longer available.
- Walking distance: Limit your search to restaurants within your preferred walking distance.
- Location: Browse around the area where you plan to pick up your meal.
- Day and meal service: Select a day and switch between lunch and dinner.
You can use several filters together. For example, you might search for a particular cuisine within walking distance, then narrow the results by credit cost.
Applying more filters may leave you with fewer options. If the results are too limited, removing a filter can broaden your search.
Can I browse restaurants on a map?
Yes. MealPal offers both list view and map view.
List view lets you browse meals in a list. Map view shows where restaurants are located, which can help you assess whether a pickup fits your route or lunch break.
Both views help you explore the available options. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on the meals themselves or their locations.
How do I set my food preferences?
Go to My Account → Preferences and complete the short quiz.
The quiz asks about:
- Ingredient preferences.
- Dietary restrictions.
- Preferred portion size.
MealPal uses your answers to help determine which meals to recommend. These preferences describe what you generally like to eat; you can use filters to narrow your search further on a particular day.
How does MealPal use my preferences?
MealPal uses your preferences and location to curate a daily selection of preset dishes.
This gives you a smaller set of suggested meals to consider instead of browsing every option. The recommendations reflect the information you provide, but they may not match what you want every day. You still decide what to reserve. Review the individual meal description, credit cost, and pickup details before making your choice.
What is the difference between preferences and filters?
Preferences describe your general tastes. Filters narrow a particular search.
For example, your preferences might reflect the ingredients you enjoy and the portion size you usually want. On a given day, you might also filter for a particular cuisine or a shorter walking distance.
Preferences help shape the recommendations. Filters let you adjust your search to suit that day’s plans.
Can I see what my coworkers are ordering?
If you have WorkPals enabled on your account, you are able to see your coworkers' selections if you are looking for ideas or considering picking up lunch together. To learn more about how to connect with coworkers and discover what they're ordering, check out What is WorkPal's? How MealPal Helps Coworkers Connect Over Lunch.
Why would I want to see sold-out meals?
Showing sold-out meals lets you see dishes that are listed but no longer available to reserve.
If you are looking for a specific meal, this can help explain why you cannot book it. You may also notice something you want to look for another day.
Displaying a sold-out meal does not make it available again or confirm when it will return.
Are dietary filters enough if I have a food allergy?
No. Dietary filters and ingredient preferences are browsing tools, not confirmation that a meal is safe for a food allergy.
MealPal lists the ingredients in each meal, which are available to view before booking. MealPal meals cannot be modified.
What should I check before reserving?
After using preferences and filters to find a meal, check:
- The selected day and lunch or dinner service.
- The restaurant’s location.
- The meal description and listed ingredients.
- The credit cost.
- The available pickup details.
Filters and recommendations help organize your choices. Reviewing the individual listing is still necessary to decide whether a meal fits your preferences and schedule.
