Sean Sweeney ‘27
If you have spent more than a day at St. Andrew’s, you know that the lunches are different every day. You also know that people are not allowed to bring in their lunches, and are required to either eat the hot meal or take advantage of the salad bar and other self-serve stations. But what are students’ favorite and least favorite meals? I asked around the freshmen class and have gained information about the top three favorite and least favorite lunches at St. Andrew’s.
To start, the freshmen’s third favorite dish is a tie between lo mein and the butter chicken, with three votes for each. Lo mein is traditionally a Chinese dish with noodles, vegetables, and meat (typically beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp). Different variants of the dish can have thinner noodles and can be topped with wonton or brisket. On the other hand, buttered chicken, traditionally known as “murgh makhani”, originates from India and consists of spiced tomato with butter sauce combined to create a delicious curry. Its rich, savory, and sweet flavor makes it one of America’s favorite curries.
Next on the list is grilled cheese with six total votes from the freshmen. It’s no surprise that such a classic American dish would steal the spotlight for second place. Grilled cheese is believed to originate from America in the 1920’s, and consists of two pieces of bread with melted cheese wedged between, creating a simplistic yet comforting dish for many as childhood memories come rushing in with every gooey bite. SAGE cooks this dish to a perfect blend of crispy bread with creamy cheese, leaving people’s mouths watering while waiting in the lunch line.
The freshmen’s favorite meal earned seven votes and should come with no shock, being a generally popular food in America and other parts of the world. Pizza originates from the Italian peninsula going as far back as the 18th century. This savory dish consists of crust, tomato sauce, and cheese that can come in many different variations with added toppings such as pepperoni. While the school’s pizza cannot be comparable to an authentic pizza place, it’s a dish that many can enjoy without worrying about disliking the food, so even picky students have a nice meal to eat during lunch.
I also asked freshmen about their least favorite school lunch , and sloppy joes are the runner-up for least favorite dish with nine total votes. Sloppy Joes are infamous for their way of ruining nice clothes, so it comes with little surprise that such food would be despised in a school with a more formal dress code. Originating from Sioux City, Iowa in 1930, Sloppy Joes are typically made up of ground beef covered in a tomato-based sauce, which is then smashed between two buns to make a glorified hamburger.
Now for the dish most notorious for its taste. Tilapia won the prize for the least favorite food served at St. Andrew’s with a total of fifteen votes. Also known as the “poor man’s fish,”tilapia’s mud-like taste can be pinpointed to geosmin (a chemical compound found in freshwater where Tilapia is raised).Some also say that it’s mildly sweet, and can throw off people who are used to the taste of Salmon or Tuna.
Now take a moment to appreciate the SAGE staff, who make sure St. Andrew’s is provided with hearty meals every day. Even if you disagree with this article, it is important to remember the people making these dishes and to recognize their hard work by showing your thanks.