Every lunch period, a stampede runs through New Trier High School’s Winnetka campus cafeteria. Hangry students flock to its approximately eight lunch stations: stir fry, pasta, burritos, sandwiches, burgers, grab-and-go (items like chicken tenders and fries), pizza, and salad. With so many options, students are left with an important but difficult choice: What should I have for lunch? 

As someone who has experienced firsthand the struggles of acquiring food at New Trier, I understand what a tough question this is to answer. I therefore made it my mission to try (almost) every cafeteria station and rank them. I scored based on taste, line length, nutritional value, and amount of food. Below is my official ranking from worst to best.

6. Popcorn Chicken and Fries

Line length: Both of these items are at the grab-and-go station, so the line is practically non-existent.

Taste: The fries are just okay; they aren’t particularly flavorful but also not terrible. The chicken, though, was an abomination. It has the consistency of rubber and the same amount of flavor as a cardboard box. I’m convinced it is not real meat, and therefore, I won’t be purchasing it ever again.

Amount of food: This is a pretty filling option, but not a 3-course meal by any means. I’d say it is enough for a school lunch.

“Healthy”?: It’s not the most nutritious meal. I felt full, but not rejuvenated. I’d prefer a meal with some more fresh ingredients, though I appreciate the protein the chicken offers.

Overall rating: 3/10. This is not a 1/10 only because fries are fries, but I will be staying away from cafeteria meat from now on.

5. Panini and Chips

Line length: It’s a medium-length line. It’s worth noting that made-to-order paninis (like the one I ordered) take longer because they require assembly and pressing.

Taste: This sandwich (or panini, whichever term you prefer) is shocking. The turkey, lettuce, and tomato all seem fresh. I’m a big fan of the pesto mayo because it’s the perfect ratio of pesto to mayonnaise. It adds just the right amount of flavor and stops the sandwich from being too dry. The chips aren’t full of flavor, but they got the job done. Next time, I might skip them and buy a bag of Miss Vickies instead.

So why, then, you might ask, is this option not higher in my ranking?

The issue lies in the bread. It tastes as old as New Trieritself. The bread is stale, lacks any sort of flavor, and ruins the entire sandwich.

Amount of food: This is a perfectly satisfying meal. No complaints.

“Healthy”?: While not amazingly nutritious, this is a pretty healthy meal in my book. My sandwich contained protein and vegetables, so that boosts its score slightly.

Overall rating: 6/10. If Quest Food Management Services upped their bread game, this could easily be a 9/10 and be in at least the top three of this ranking.

4. Pasta

Line length: This line can be quite long, but it moves quickly. It takes a little longer than the sandwich line, though.

Taste: The pasta is just okay. As a pasta fan, I thought the cafeteria could do no wrong with this meal, but it isn’t great. The pasta itself is excessively oily, and they do not provide enough marinara sauce for my liking.

Amount of food: This changes from day to day. Sometimes, my pasta will be piled up to the brim, while other times, I will be left with close to nothing. When the serving is generous, however, it is a good-sized meal.

“Healthy”?: I would consider this pretty lacking in nutritional value. Sure, you get your carbs, and I suppose marinara counts as a vegetable, but the lack of protein (partially due to my mistrust of cafeteria meat) and fresh vegetables makes it less healthy.

Overall rating: 6/10. I don’t have much more to say about this meal option, which says it all.

3. Walking Tacos

Line length: The line is a medium length. It can be long, but it moves quickly when people know what they want to order.

Taste: I was completely unaware of this option before tasting it, and I’m unsure why. It was definitely greasy, but quite tasty as well. The taco ingredients go very well with nacho cheese Doritos, and I like the guacamole. I will say that I’m a little hesitant about the beef (again, I do not trust cafeteria meat), but otherwise, the walking taco tasted great.

Amount of food: It is quite filling, despite being contained in one chip bag. I was decently full afterwards.

“Healthy”?: My walking taco contained protein, carbs, and vegetables, so I would say it was more nutritious than some other cafeteria options. It is by no means healthy, but I appreciate the effort.

Overall ranking: 7/10. It may have been an 8/10 if I had skipped the meat.

2. Salad

Line length: Besides the grab-and-go station, the salad bar has the shortest line. I appreciate being able to secure my meal within five minutes.

Taste: I thoroughly enjoyed this salad. The ingredients were fresh, the salad dressing was delicious, and the ingredients paired well together. I love that this is a self-serve station, as it makes getting a salad that has all of your favorite ingredients quick and easy.

Amount of food: My only hesitation with this food option is that it is not as filling as the others.

“Healthy”?: This is clearly a very healthy and fresh meal. It features a variety of vegetables, and you can add in protein and carbs with chicken, cheese, or croutons. I certainly felt very healthy during and after eating this.

Overall rating: 9/10. It was delicious and satisfactory, but not quite filling.

1. Stir Fry

*Side note: This Vitamin Water flavor, tropical mango, is undeniably the best. I will not be hearing anyone out on this topic.

Line length: Beware, standing in this line is a commitment. Each student must order and then wait for their stir fry to be cooked, so the wait time is always at least ten minutes long. The only exception to this is if you order at the end of a lunch period, but this either requires downing your lunch in two minutes or having a free period after.

Taste: I love the cafeteria stir fry. The vegetables are fresh and delicious, I like both the rice and noodles options, and the chicken is not bad. The teriyaki sauce is the perfect topping for this meal, and I appreciate that it is served hot.

Amount of food: This is a filling meal! The stir fry is consistently a generous serving, so I am always content with my food.

“Healthy”?: This has vegetables, carbs, and protein. It certainly feels like you are getting a good amount of nutrition in this meal.

Overall rating: 9/10. It is the closest cafeteria food to perfection, only hindered by its obnoxiously long line.

My advice to consumers? If you have the time and patience for stir fry, always go stir fry. But if not, try the salad, or maybe the pasta, or walking tacos. When the glorious day comes that the cafeteria buys new bread, you will find me in the sandwich line.