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Lunchbreak at the office can be quite a miserable thing - noisy colleagues ruining your appetite, a long waiting line to re-heat your meal and the awful smells if someone decides to bring fish. All of that and a bit more can happen instead of a peaceful snack. However, there are also a few tricks to avoid this horror show - you either can go out to eat (but who has the money to dine out everyday, right?), or you can eat your lunch in the solace of your desk. And that's precisely what the people in this list had chosen, sadly though not entirely by their own free will. Introducing - the most depressing desk lunches ever eaten and never enjoyed.
Some of these lunches were concocted as a result of a sleepless night partying and ditching meal prep responsibilities; others were thrown together in haste due to pressing work affairs. No matter how they were created, they're all equally tragic, unsatisfying, and utterly unpalatable. None of these meals should've seen the light of day and yet, they did. And you know what the saddest part is? We've all been there once or twice, hunched over our desks, gobbling up our messy meals, trying to sate our gurgling bellies and feeling as though there's no more joy left in the world.
Now scroll down below to check out the many friends of misery, vote for the most cheerless plate of grub and tell us what you think about these miserable stomach fillers.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Someone Did It. Someone Really Did It
SouthernFried 6 years ago
Why? It would wash right out like a regular bowl.
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Kari Panda 6 years ago
We had someone at work cooking sausages in an electric kettle. The fat of the sausages settled everywhere in the kettle :/
Bored Moogle 6 years ago
Eww, those noodles are overcooked as hell. Soft, soggy noodles are terrible.
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#2
Sugar Free? I’ll Show You Sugar Free
Potato Vic 3 months ago
I once out doughnut powder in my tea whe I realized I had fun our of it it was exactly as gross as it sounds
#3
It’s Wednesday - Treat Yourself
#4
This Might Be The Saddest Plate Of Pasta I've Ever Seen, And Yes, That Is Ketchup
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 6 years ago
If i showed this picture to my Italian gran she would slap ME.
Dilly Millandry 6 years ago
She should be allowed to slap anyone doing that!
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Podunkus 6 years ago
Judging from the cassette tape in the background, maybe this is a photo from the Reagan era when his OMB Director, David Stockman, famously declared that ketchup counts as a vegetable for school lunches?
DP von Icecream 6 years ago
Nope because the picture looks HD, so probably still somewhere recent in the USofMurica!
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Cristina Sacchi 6 years ago (edited)
I am going to vomit, now. What did that pasta ever do to you? (Italian coming out of her skin, here) LOL
#5
The Bun Fell On The Floor, So You Were Left With This, A Cold Turkey Hot Dog Wrapped In Velveeta Cheese, A Portrait Of America’s Food Industrial Complex
#6
Depressing Lunch
Bored Moogle 6 years ago
At least it wasn't a laptop. A keyboard and mouse is cheaper to replace than a whole computer.
Dilly Millandry 6 years ago
Had an appointment with my doctor and she'd just done that - longest appointment ever though we didn't talk much about what was wrong with me.
#7
Just Enough Time To Throw Some Peanut Butter Into A Zip Loc Bag And Jump Out The Door!
Martha Meyer 6 years ago
Why not just take the jar of peanut butter and keep it at work as an emergency lunch option? Would be less messy.
A B C 6 years ago
And please make it a metal spoon. Or a wooden one, I don't mind, but not a single-use plastic one. WTF man.
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#8
I Forgot To Pack A Fork Today, So I Used A Tube Of Lipgloss To Shovel My Cottage Cheese Into My Mouth
Bored Moogle 6 years ago
This is more a case of "desperation is the mother of innovation".
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#9
Wife Doesn’t Trust Me With Our Tupperware Anymore. Spaghetti Lunch In Ziploc
Ashley Rae 6 years ago
... You know that plastic tupperware is never the same after storing something with tomato sauce in it!
hobbitly 6 years ago
You may be saving on washing up, but youre not saving the environment. Just get this man his own Tupperware he can mess up :P
Load More Replies... #10
Came Across This At The Office Today… A Magnificently Sad Lunch Consisting Of Someone’s Leftover Hot Dog Bun And Some Chips/Munchies Topped With Some Hot Sauce
jdtimid123 2 years ago
This looks gross, buuuut it reminds me of the lunch I had a couple months ago where I wanted to use up some hotdog buns that we didn't eat. So I smeared peanut butter inside and put a banana in it for a banana and peanut butter "hot dog" it was delicious.
#11
I Accidentally Got This Instead Of A Burrito
Withnail 6 years ago
Looks like dishwater after someone didn’t scrape the leftover veg off their plate.
#12
Sad Desk Lunch Is Sad
#13
In Fairness, This Was Actually Pretty Good
John L 6 years ago
I'd get sick, literally. Peanut allergy, not withstanding....
Load More Replies... Schrödinger's Dog 6 years ago
Hey: Microwave waffles are good. Peanut butter is good. Cheerios are good.
#14
I Work In A Middle School, That’s Why There Is A Wiener Drawn On The Chair
ember avery 6 years ago
idk if u said that cause u think middle schoolers are too young for this but its kinda true tbh, us middle schoolers have the world figured out now
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#15
It’s Already Been A Rough Week
Kimberly Young 6 years ago
This is what I had for breakfast this morning, except my soda had caffeine.
Vex Boxx 6 years ago
If the orangies are what I think they are, no caffeine needed. (Upon second look, I don't think they are, but I'm still amused at the thought.)
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Brandi Gates 6 years ago
Looks like a vicodin, adderall and oxy or methadone....either way...adios amigo
#16
No Stinky Fish Guys No Stinky Fish In The Office
Withnail 6 years ago
My boss heats his fish lunch in our office. He has his own microwave in his office. The smell hangs for hours. We love him so much.
Tecolote 6 years ago
My awesome coworker left kind of mysteriously at lunch for around 10 minutes came back and was like "I had fish for lunch but I ate it outside, your welcome" and yes we did express our gratitude :).
jenjie.newt 6 years ago
One of my bosses literally eats canned fish for lunch every day, which he frequently also microwaves. It's like a lovely fish sauna for us all
Pretty Pangolin 6 years ago
I accidentally got Morningstar Farms maple vegi sausages instead of the regular flavor, and our bookkeeper gave me some major side eye.
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#17
Who Needs Bread When You Have Your Mouth
#18
I Think I Was Drunk When I Made Lunch This Morning
Char Char 6 years ago
I bring that to work a few times a week. Wrap the meat around the cheese. voila!
Podunkus 6 years ago
Yeah, nothing wrong with that, but it won’t cure a hangover.
Load More Replies... #19
When Your Office's Satanic Can Opener Decides To Quit But Dammit You're Hungry
Happy Horse Girl 1 year ago
"Anyone want to try my can of tar? It's my favourite brand! So oozy-goozy!"
karen Young 2 years ago
What does ADHORATOR want for Christmas gift? Swiss Army Knife a good choice
I aM dA sQuIdDy SqUiD sQuId 2 years ago
We get it bro you said 15 thousand times already
Load More Replies... #20
The Goldfish Give It That Extra Fancy Vibe
t.e.a. 6 years ago
when I was little I'd have this literally all the time. pretty dang good
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jdtimid123 2 years ago
It probably wasn't that bad honestly, basically like adding cheddar and crushed crackers.
Panda Baller 6 years ago
I mean this looks like it needs to be a staple. jump on this Goldfish or Campbell's
#21
Big Ole Carrot And Shifty Looking Kombucha...
Gipsy Kings fan 6 years ago
In the '90s, I made my own kombucha, but never took it to work! It's a giant, pancake-shaped mushroom that takes a week to grow in a solution of black tea and sugar. I didn't feel any healthier after drinking it for a while, so I abandoned the project.
Zori the degu 6 years ago (edited)
I drink bottled kombucha from time to time because I find it tasty. Also, an acquaintance used to have both kombucha and kefir mushrooms. He gave my mom some of the kefir one. It still thrives under my care. Its name is Kevin! :D
Load More Replies... Withnail 6 years ago
I’ve never had kombucha. I don’t even know what it is. And I don’t really care. Same for kale.
Martha Meyer 6 years ago
It's fermented tea. Very good for gut health. No clue how it taste.
Load More Replies... #22
It’s A Cheese Platter But On A Napkin And Just One Piece Of Cheese And No Wine
Pretty Pangolin 6 years ago
This would at least make a nice snack. Apples go great with cheese, and the cheese has some fat to keep you satisfied..
#23
Life
Catlady6000 6 years ago
Sadness in a can. It supposed to be chicken noodle soup
Load More Replies... #24
Power Snacking 24/7
Percy the Band Rat 2 years ago
The floor will definitely start to look like cracker barrel soon, be careful
Pungent Sauce 6 years ago
Careful, depending on the PC/allergen sensibilities your office that bag could range from assault to a hate crime.
Pretty Pangolin 6 years ago
For a minute they looked like Milk Bones, don't know what I was thinking.
#25
You Could Have Used The Kettle, But That Wouldn’t Have Made For A Good Picture, Would It?
Jane Doe 6 years ago
"Could have used a kettle" Whose office has a kettle? I've never seen one in an office in the US. Is it typical to have one in other countries?
Jeevesssssss 1 year ago
In the UK there would be a mutiny and the boss would be held at knife-point until he agreed to install a kettle.
Load More Replies... leavemealone 6 years ago
I'm pretty sure this Keurig doesn't have a kettle. It looks like it does single serve coffee cups.
#26
Congrats!! You’ve Graduated To Adult Lunchables Now!
#27
Something Went Fundamentally Wrong In This Food Prep
jdtimid123 2 years ago
Pretty sure it's one of the Velveeta brand Mac and cheese cups that hasn't been mixed up yet. Not bad, but the Kraft kind is better for nostalgic purposes lol
Chantel Atwell 6 years ago
That's actually exactly what it looks like - the "premium" kraft mac and cheese. You don't need separate milk and butter to go with the cheese powder - you use the pasty stuff instead. All they have to do is stir and it'll look/taste good. :-)
Aria Whitaker 6 years ago
You are supposed to mix it at this point, that is just regular box mac n cheese....the person is just doing it wrong.
#28
Expectations / Reality
Petra Christovová 6 years ago
This may be actually quite good, it looks like a bean soup .. I love these.
#29
Not Even Instagram Filter And Border Can Make This Appealing
Panda Baller 6 years ago
I love that we all recognize this mush to be Salisbury steak. Guilty....
#30
Look At My Actual Desk Mates Gross Lunch. It’s Week Old Cold Salmon He Ate Straight Out Of The Packet
Magpie 6 years ago
Not necessarily if it was cooked at high enough temp, then stored at cold enough temp.
Load More Replies... Pretty Pangolin 6 years ago
Ew, ew, ew. The cold part doesn't bother me, but the 'week old' sure does.
#31
The Kind Of Sad Desk Lunch Where You Add Slightly Too Much Water To Your Instant Oatmeal
#32
Office Gastronomy, 2013 - Slice Of Bread, Post-It
#33
Soggy, Cold Blueberry Eggo Waffles… Out Of The Plastic Sleeve
Jane Doe 6 years ago
I am not disappointed. I think I will point at random objects and say this for the rest of the day.
Load More Replies... Gipsy Kings fan 6 years ago
Most "blueberry" processed food products contain no blueberries at all: https://www.latimes.com/health/la-xpm-2011-jan-20-la-heb-fake-blueberries-20110120-story.html
#34
Please Call Animal Protection Services - This Office Is Making A Cat Do Excel Spreadsheets
#35
If Pizza Sits On Top Of A Bed Of Wilted Lettuce, It’s Pretty Much A Salad
#36
A Portrait Explaining Why You Should Pay Your Interns
Martha Meyer 6 years ago
I imagine a peanut butter sandwich would have been cheaper than this.
#37
Vegan Gluten Free Burrito With Paper Towel Stuck To It
Mary Popps 6 years ago
But... that's not a tortilla... just a crêpe... and a sad gluten/dairy free crêpe :(
MADELEINE KIMBALL 6 years ago
I don't think I have ever heard a sadder term than "Vegan gluten free burrito" I'm sad now
Oscar Guerrero 6 years ago
That tortilla looks like sandpaper I wouldn't be surprised if it is
#38
Lonely Mushroom For A Lonely Lunch
#39
Yeah… Let’s Just… Throw Some Cheetos On This
#40
What It’s Like To Be Hungover In The Office On A Friday - Use A Letter Knife To Eat All The Nutella Then To Stab Your Eyes Out
#41
Sweet Dream Or Beautiful Nightmare?
Kira Leseman 6 years ago
That looks like stouffers mac n cheese. I really like it with a spoon of cream cheese added to it. Yum
Pretty Pangolin 6 years ago
I hate mac & cheese but like scalloped potatoes which are pretty much the same thing - carbs in cheese sauce.
#42
The Saddest Lunch
Pretty Pangolin 6 years ago
Wiping the edge of the bowl would make it 30% more tolerable. Not great, but tolerabe
Vaida Kuodytė 6 years ago
I had the same utterly abysmal oatmeal (?) each of the 10 days at the hospital, for breakfast and dinner. I was crying and ready to jump out the window by the end. I'd rather die than go back.
#43
Not Pictured: Activia
MADELEINE KIMBALL 6 years ago
THIS IS NOT A FAIL. unless you're hungry, I guess. eggs are not very filling
#44
Today Is “Bring Your Own Summer Memorial Day BBQ Leftovers To Work Day”
chi-wei shen 6 years ago
It looks sad, but compared to all the other 'things' on this list it looks like edible lunch.
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#45
Three Days Before Christmas, More Than Half The Office Is On Vacation Already, And The Microwave In Our Kitchenette Is Broken. I Get To Enjoy Cold, Leftover Cheese Pizza At My Desk For Lunch Today
#46
Soup Looks Weird Rectangular
#47
Burnt Loaf Heels With Generic Brand Peanut Butter, Spread With A Plastic Fork. Prepared In The Kitchen, Eaten, While Frowning, At The Desk
#48
“Maybe If I Buy Hello Kitty Stationary Items For My Office Cubicle I’ll Be Happy,” Says Someone Who Just Eats Peanut Butter At Of The Jar
#49
Summer BBQ! (At Your Desk)
#50
One Word: Foodles
hashwadoobies 6 years ago
pathetic waste of money and plastic. OP should be ashamed. Probably paid the same for that one box as they would have for a brick of cheese, a few apples and a bunch of grapes.
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What do you think ?
Martha Meyer 6 years ago
Are all of these people unable to just pack a sandwhich and an apple or something?
I aM dA sQuIdDy SqUiD sQuId 2 years ago
Or. Ay e people run late that is also. Thing and some people haven’t gone grocery shopping either
Load More Replies... John L 6 years ago
Most of those foods I couldn't eat. I make my own meals and bring them in. My parents had me late so my mom would cook meals taking into account my pop's high blood pressure, so I never developed a tolerance for salt. Every time i eat at a sit down restaurant, I would never finish my meal because the salt became so overwhelming. I eventually just had to start cooking on my own. Most of those "lunches" would make me physically ill. Made the mistake of joining my fellow hikers in roasting hot dogs...regretted it the next morning, when we had to hike out.
Martha Meyer 6 years ago
Are all of these people unable to just pack a sandwhich and an apple or something?
I aM dA sQuIdDy SqUiD sQuId 2 years ago
Or. Ay e people run late that is also. Thing and some people haven’t gone grocery shopping either
Load More Replies... John L 6 years ago
Most of those foods I couldn't eat. I make my own meals and bring them in. My parents had me late so my mom would cook meals taking into account my pop's high blood pressure, so I never developed a tolerance for salt. Every time i eat at a sit down restaurant, I would never finish my meal because the salt became so overwhelming. I eventually just had to start cooking on my own. Most of those "lunches" would make me physically ill. Made the mistake of joining my fellow hikers in roasting hot dogs...regretted it the next morning, when we had to hike out.
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