Everyday at 10:26 the lines in the cafeteria fill with students looking to fuel their bodies with nourishment for the rest of the day ahead. Some look at lunch as a simple pause in their education, but others, like me, know this is truly the most important piece of the school day. Personally, the food served in that room decided my mood for the first two years of my high school career – until I could go off campus, of course. I have tried every item on the menu and I am here to tell you what the true best foods at Green Hope are.
To do this, we will look at the best entree, side and dessert option, as well as some honorary mentions.
If there is one item that defines the Green Hope dining experience, it is undoubtedly the spicy chicken sandwich. This staple remains a fan favorite for several different reasons. The breading maintains a consistent crunch that rivals many fast food chains, and the heat level is tolerable without being too overwhelming. This had a slight advantage over the highly regarded pepperoni pizza, which is another staple in the Green Hope lunch line. Frankly, it is the most reliable, well-tasting food on the menu. Students are looking for a meal that tastes the same every time the item is served, and the cafeteria team manages to achieve this through their specific warm-up process. This attention to detail leads to the same taste at the second half bell as there is when lunch first begins. Truly an exquisite taste that I would be wrong to miss.
Many students love to grab side items at the register. From cookies and chips to gummies, there is a plethora of items that could be named as the best side item at Green Hope. However, one surely takes the cake and that’s Spicy Sweet Chilli Doritos, also known as “the purple bag” to students when asking the cafeteria staff for them over the counter. When you look around the cafeteria, you will see a purple bag every few trays. The mix of spicy and sweet is irresistible. This pairing with the chicken sandwich allows for an exciting day in the lunch room. It is an easy pick for the best side item at Green Hope.
Though, a hot lunch can’t go without something to cool it down. In the Obama Administration, Michelle Obama led an initiative to keep school lunches healthy. Many schools, in response to this initiative, took sugary desserts like ice cream away from students. But this led to outrage, as students like me would buy one every single day. It was something I looked forward to and most students seemed to agree that it was worth the health risks. Just a few years ago, President Trump rolled back on those restrictions, stating that they were too restrictive and led to food waste. We now can enjoy the best dessert item on the menu once again: ice cream cones. Perfect texture, flavor and cone strength. Students were saddened constantly by the significant problem of selling out of ice cream by the middle of lunch. It may be the best item sold in general. The perfect dessert.
Some honorary mentions based on a polling of students highlighted cookies, cheetos, green beans, pepperoni pizza and parfaits.
I spoke with a member of our hardworking cafeteria staffer, Florence Gomes. She has been working at Green Hope for almost three years. When I asked what the best food item at Green Hope was she said simply one word: “salad”. She would like students to know that the cafeteria staff wants them to choose the healthier option. When discussing the difficulties and intricacies of the food-making process, she shared that she is mostly in charge of the items with lots of ingredients – salads and parfaits to name a few. This leads to a longer preparation and more difficulty than other items that are simply warmed up. Nevertheless, the health benefits are worth the time spent on preparation. She keeps the wellbeing of the students in mind.
Exploring the best foods at Green Hope reveals not only the variety and quality of meals available to students, but also the care and effort that goes into preparing them each day. Whether it’s a healthy or a tasty treat, the lunch room has a plethora of items that can be used as your fuel for the day. There are simply some that rise above the rest. Together, these insights from students and staff show that the Green Hope’s cafeteria is more than just a place to eat. It’s an essential part of the Green Hope community.
