For many students, one of the most exciting parts about moving up from Sophomore to Junior year is the opportunity to leave the school building during their lunch hour. When the lunch bell rings, many upperclassmen head to their cars instead of the cafeteria. Getting lunch off campus is an appealing option for many reasons including getting a mental break from the school building and having access to a variety of different lunch spots.

Most upperclassmen choose to leave only a couple times a week as eating out can be expensive. Roosevelt’s cafeteria offers free lunch options everyday, however many students still prefer to buy their lunch out. Junior Stella Hiller explained that she checks the online RHS lunch menu each week to make her decision. “Sometimes there are no good options and those are the days you choose to go off campus.”

In a survey we found that the top three most popular places for students to get lunch are Starbucks, Lunds, and Noodles & Company. With a 30 minute lunch period, efficiency is an important factor. Starbucks and Lunds are both neighborhood spots located a convenient 1.6 miles from school. Students say that they appreciate that these options are nearby and easy.

A couple students mentioned that Lunds stands out because they offer “Sushi Wednesdays” with a 3$ discount on the rolls. While Noodles is a farther option, about a 12 minute drive from campus, for many the food seems to be worth the drive. One student shares that they like to order ahead online which saves time.

Having the choice to take a break from the school environment is beneficial for students. It introduces new freedom and allows them to have more flexibility within their days. Stella said she had always looked forward to off campus lunch as a lowerclassman. She added: “I think it is a nice break from the school setting in the middle of the day.”