The Claw & Quill - Saber Sips & Snacks

Saber Sips & Snacks: South Sabers Shout All About The Spectacular Saber Shack
By Haely Ganir

Published May 5, 2026

Students aren’t the only ones checking out the new Saber Sips & Snacks options on campus, teachers are getting in on it too. I sat down with teacher Tanisha Ellerbe ( Ms. Ellerbe) to hear her thoughts on the popular food and drink choices that have been showing up around school.

Ellerbe, who has tried some of the available items, said her go-to snack is a classic: chocolate chip cookies. When asked why she decided to try the new options, her answer was simply, “because they were available and convenient.” For many people on campus, easy access plays a big role in what they choose to eat.

Not everything on the menu appealed to her, though. Ellerbe mentioned that she doesn’t drink boba, so she didn’t have an opinion on the drinks from Teru Tea. However, she did share thoughts on other items. When it came to the food from Makai Grill, she wished there were more options available, specifically mentioning katsu as something she’d like to see added.

As for the drinks from Saber Sips, Ellerbe said they are “almost equal” to what she normally drinks, showing that the quality is pretty comparable to outside options. One item that stood out to her the most was the dirty soda, which she described as “really tasty.” She also pointed out flavor combinations like Sprite mixed with cherry or strawberry as especially noticeable.

When trying new foods, Ellerbe made it clear that taste matters a lot. In fact, she emphasized that taste is very important when deciding what to eat. Interestingly, she said that friends and classmates don’t influence her choices at all — she relies entirely on her own preferences.

Ms. Ellerbe, The Manager of the famous Saber Shack

(Photo Credit : Zion Willis)

Teru Tea

Spam Musbi + Teriyaki Bowls

Dirty Soda

Joao, A frequent buyer of saber snacks and sips

(Photo Credit : Zion Willis)

Saber Snacks: Is the Hype Worth the Price?

By Zion Willis

Published May 5,2026

Walking through the halls, it's hard to miss the new food options popping up. From Saber Sips to snacks like Spam Musubi, there are plenty of new ways to spend your lunch money. But is the food actually good, or are we just buying it because it’s there? I talked with a student from the school, João, to see if these new treats live up to the hype.

If you’re looking for a quick bite, the Spam Musubi from Makai Grill seems to be the biggest hit. Even though it costs $3.50, João says it’s worth it. "The flavors blend in very well together," he noted, adding that the spam itself is the best part. Interestingly, João has actually tried the same musubi at the real Makai Grill restaurant. He claimed that it’s basically the same thing, though he did mention that the seaweed at the restaurant is a little bit fresher than what we get at school.

While the food is getting high marks, the drinks from Teru Tea might be a different story. When asked about his first impression of the Boba, João wasn’t a huge fan. "I think it’s all right. I didn't really like it," he admitted, explaining that the flavors felt "a little bland" to him. He also pointed out a major downside, which was the price. While the drinks are definitely sweet, they are way more expensive than what he usually drinks.

Everyone remembers their middle school lunches, and João is no different. His old school used to sell items like Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, and Panda Express.

While the new high school options are a little different, he doesn't think it’s a "downgrade." It’s a solid backup for when you miss the regular lunch line and don't want to stay hungry.

Even with the new options, students already have ideas for what should come next. If João were in charge of the menu, he’d bring in Arizona Iced Tea and Hot Pockets. According to him, "People would buy those." For now, if you’ve got a few extra dollars, the Spam Musubi seems like the safest bet for your taste buds.