Off-campus lunch is a privilege all Upper School students look forward to. Typically, juniors are granted the opportunity during spring, but with the cafeteria renovation underway, the Class of 2027 saw a sneak peek at this tradition.
From Aug. 25–29, all upperclassmen could leave campus during lunch, rather than bringing a homemade lunch like previous days required. Even though the juniors’ privilege only lasted one week, they jumped at the chance to experience freedom from Greenhill’s campus, according to junior Nikita Bhasin.
“I think it was such a fun way to start the year,” Bhasin said.
Though this excitement was a unified feeling for juniors, a few lunch spots gained more attraction than others. For one, CAVA was a popular destination.
“I went to CAVA twice with my friends; it’s just so good,” junior Dani Reiman noted.
Although several well-known dining options surround CAVA, Reiman said the draw extended beyond the food itself.
“Many of us got together and made a plan,” Reiman said. “One person would suggest a location, and we would meet up there.”
This reason also contributes to another frequented lunch spot, Chick-fil-A. While some upperclassmen already make this fast-food restaurant a stop before school, this did not make the spot any less popular for lunch.
“Some of my friends get breakfast there anyway,” junior Valentina Rojas added. “Still, when I suggested it, everyone jumped at the opportunity.”
Lunch often serves as therapy, helping students reset from the grueling hours of their morning classes. So, when given the chance to adventure off-campus, many still decide to spend the time with their friends.
No matter the location, its popularity, or the company that joined, many juniors agree that the most thrilling part of off-campus lunch was the freedom it allowed according to Bhasin.
“The main reason we were all so compelled to leave campus was the sense of independence it gave us,” said Bhasin. “We were responsible for having fun with our friends while still managing our time.”
This freedom was not exclusive to the drivers, however, as many students were happy to ride with their friends.
“There’s a lot of fun in just going off-campus, so it didn’t matter that I can’t drive,” Rojas said. “Most days, I would have multiple people ask me if I would ride with them.”
With the cafeteria reopening after significant changes, juniors now must return to Sage Dining. According to Rojas, while it might be a disappointment, the redesigned building provides new excitement.
“I loved going off-campus, but we knew it would only be for a week,” Rojas said. “Plus, now we have a beautiful cafeteria to eat at.”
