Hidden Gem

Hidden Gen

By: Grace Haverkampf

Here at LPHS, upperclassmen have the privilege to leave school during their lunch period. Some go to the park, go to Target, or other nearby stores. The food options in Lincoln Park are well-known amongst the student body. But, sometimes the food choices feel redundant. Some students question whether they want to order their usual from Taco Bell, or get another piece of pizza from 7-11. If you are tired of your usual, here is a list of elite eats you can get by the school that can make your lunch so much more exciting:

If you are a Subway fan (as most sophisticated people are), you're probably familiar with the chicken bacon and ranch, or the meatball sub, but have you ever tried the most slept-on item at Subway? The veggie patty sandwich is an incredible item for you, only offered at select Subways, and Lincoln Park is fortunate to have a store that offers this absolute gem. Although its beige color makes it look suspicious, maybe even like pet food, the veggie patty has an incredible, soft, texture, and a mild flavor that will pair well with any topping or sauce. Many assume this option is supposed to be a vegetarian option, meant to resemble meat, but it is a stand-a-lone topping. The veggie patty is not supposed to be a replacement, but its own delicious creation. If you are tired of your usual subway, you won’t regret trying the veggie patty sandwich.

Many Lincoln Park students frequently go to Taco Bell. It has a prime location right by the brown line, and it has wonderful seating and the greatest air conditioning. Most would go straight from the Crunchwrap Supreme, or a delicious Beefy 5-layer Burrito. Although these are great, sometimes there are too many things going on. Your tongue can get tired of all of the flavors. A suggestion I have is to take a step in the simpler direction. The black beans from Taco Bell are absolutely elite, and just a side of those is a delicious and cheap snack to keep you through your day. Not only are they nice and easy for the employees to make, but they are also a healthy option to get, for the beans are full of fiber. If you're in the mood for a simple meal, the black beans are a must.

Summers in Chicago are hot and long, but there is a delicious snack you can get at your local Target to keep cool. Stroll down to the fresh produce section and look for the sugar snap peas. Get a bag of them and take them to the park. Paired with the breeze in Oz Park, the snap peas will be sure to cool you off. The peas are sweet, crunchy, and refreshing, not to mention addictive. If you can spare the extra money, they pair beautifully with Sabra hummus. Similar to the black beans, the peas are a nice healthy treat. To eat them, you can bite straight into the pea- the whole thing is edible. Or, if you have lots of time on your hands, you could split the pea open, and eat the inside peas first, before eating the outer shell. Dissecting peas will take up time, and won’t use up phone battery like using Tik Tok would. For a nice refreshing treat, go buy some snap peas!

Lincoln Park is a big place where there are plenty of places to eat. However, high school is long, and sometimes, you can get tired of the same lunches and snacks. Go out of your comfort zone and try these elite hidden gems that you can buy by the school, you won’t regret it.