Lunch is one of the most anticipated times of the day. Depending on what’s for lunch, your day can change, just like that. A good lunch makes or breaks the rest of your day so we took it upon ourselves to rank the Top 10 Best Lunches so you know what to get while in the lunch line.
Honorable Mentions:
Before we get to the top 3, here are some honorable mentions:
- Pizza Sticks:
- Although the pizza sticks (sometimes called Bosco sticks) are good, and the dip makes them all the better, they just don’t quite make the top 10 but you can’t go wrong with them. The downfall with these is they count as an entree, not a side so you miss out on some other lunch options that might be preferred.
- Pepper Steak:
- Pepper steak was a delicacy in the past but it hasn’t been the same as it used to be. The biggest issue with pepper steak was its dependency on the side dish. If the side dish was bad, the pepper steak wasn’t as good as it could be. A good serving of rice or even mashed potatoes made this lunch great, but by itself, pepper steak isn’t at its full potential.
- Mash Potatoes:
- This creamy side dish is often served during Thanksgiving but is also served throughout the year as well. It is also served with gravy which makes this twice as good, adding more flavor and warmth to the dish.
- LoMein:
- This used to be one of the best pasta options, but the hype around this dish has changed ever since last year. Unfortunately, this dish has fallen off from its previous rankings as one of the best lunch options.
- Fries:
- Fries would be in the top 10 if they weren’t so inconsistent. As a side, the fries are good some of the time, unlike other sides like mozzarella sticks which are consistently good. Being consistent is crucial in these lunches because if they’re not, you don’t know if they’re worth getting.
#10 Penne Vodka:
The penne vodka is one of the best pasta that Oratory has to offer due to the al dente pasta mixed with the creamy tomato sauce that contains tomatoes, garlic, heavy cream, and a small amount of vodka. This side goes well with any of the entrees, especially with some of the drier ones.
#9: Mac & Cheese:
At the number nine spot, we have another pasta: mac and cheese. The mac and cheese is easily a top-tier pasta as the cheesy-covered macaroni is always good. This side dish is quite commonly on the menu and is a top pick when it comes to delicious cheesy sides.
#8 Mozzarella sticks:
The mozzarella sticks are an amazing food option due to their golden brown batter coating and its cheesy interior. The sticks are also complemented with a marina sauce that adds different elements of flavors. It complements the mozzarella stick because of its rich savory taste. This is a rare but great choice that can be eaten around once a month. The only downside is the serving size as you only get 3-4, 5 if you’re extremely lucky.
#7 Cheesesteak:
The cheesesteak is slept on. Out of all the food items that the school provides, the cheesesteak does not get the recognition it deserves. This sandwich is filled with thinly sliced steak, paired with melted cheese placed on a hoagie roll. The cheesesteak is on the menu about twice a month on average and is definitely a solid choice no matter what.
#6 Italian Sub:
The Italian sub might just be the most underrated lunch choice. First off, it’s always good. The consistency with the Italian sub is just one of the great things about it. The sub is also quite filling so you don’t have to go back for seconds, plus, you get to skip the line! When the hot lunch doesn’t encompass what you desire, the Italian sub is one of the best options. It is a classic sandwich that contains lettuce, cheese, onion, tomatoes, ham, salami, and pepperoni, all served on a hoagie roll. It’s a great choice to have if you have sport after school, you wont get any cramps and it’s healthier. Another advantage of this entree is how often it is available to students since it is in the cafeteria almost every day. If you’ve never gotten the Italian sub, I highly recommend you do.
#5 Spicy Chicken Panini:
The spicy chicken panini has been a great option this year, placing it in the number eight spot. This item includes a tender, spicy chicken breast, and some nice melted american cheese, in between two pieces of bread. While this entree is good, it only appears about once a month, so if you haven’t had this panini yet, I suggest you get it once you can.
#4 Cowboy Burger:
In the fourth spot, we have the cowboy burger. This burger is a tasty choice, the juicy beef, melted American cheese, sweet and tangy barbeque sauce, and savory bacon make up an amazing combo for a burger. These ingredients are placed on a soft bun, wrapping together this delicious item.
#3 Breaded Wings:
Entering the top 3 we have breaded wings. With their breaded exterior and being one of the most consistent lunches, these wings get a top-tier spot. They’re not just consistent but they genuinely taste good. I think “That Vegan Teacher” would quit veganism if she tried these. Every single time the lunch menu brings these back, they’ve always been scrumptious. Consistency is key in school lunch and these certainly bring that.
#2 Breaded Hot Wings:
In the number two spot, we have breaded hot wings. Breaded hot wings have been a top food this school year due to their mild spiciness and crispy exterior. Their texture and flavor have always been consistent, surpassing the other wings. The pure rush of excitement and adrenaline I get every time I walk past the cafeteria and see these on the menu is insane. My dopamine levels are severely messed up thanks to these wings. This absolute God-send of an entree is on the menu about once or twice a month and never fails to make lunch better.
#1 Chicken Tenders:
The chicken tenders have been a top-tier lunch for the past few years now which is why they’re given the number one spot. They’re easily the most consistent food on the lunch menu and when paired with fries, ketchup, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce, you’re bound to be satisfied with your meal. The golden-brown breading and the flavourful meat on the inside make this a top 3 lunch. One big bonus is its serving size. Some of the lunch options give out smaller serving sizes so you’re not really filled up, but with 3-4 big pieces of chicken, you’re bound to have a pretty full stomach. It’s a good lunch that’s actually on the menu pretty often unlike some others which rarely make an appearance. You have to just appreciate how the chicken tenders never fail us and are always at their best. That’s why we’ve given the title of “Best Food Served on the Oratory Prep Lunch Menu 2023 Edition Presented by the Omega” to the chicken tenders.
