Ranking Walkable Lunch Spots at NHS

With only 25 minutes for lunch, walkable lunch places are essential. Whether you’re not in the mood to wait in the long lines in the cafeteria, or you didn’t have time to pack a lunch in the morning, don’t worry! There are plenty of great lunch places only a short walk away from Needham High…but beware of some not-so-great options. 

In first place, Sudbury Farms provides a wide range of hot food, snacks, and beverages that can satiate any craving you might have during the school day. With an easy walk down Memorial Field and a quick jaywalk across Highland Avenue, you can get to Sudbury in an easy three minutes. Quick self-checkout lines allow you to have enough time to leisurely enjoy your lunch. Some of our favorite choices include Sud’s chicken nuggets and mac-and-cheese from the hot bar or their delicious sushi.  

In second place comes Hungry Coyote. With a variety of options, Hungry Coyote will NOT leave you hungry. I’m not sure about the coyotes, though. Regardless, from their friendly staff to their delicious burritos, tacos, bowls, and more, Hungry Coyote really knows how to impress NHS’s student body. The only setback: the time constraint. I can’t tell you how many times I've choked on a burrito running up the hill back to class. If only I had a few more minutes. But don’t blame Hungry, blame the administration. But that’s a topic for another article. All in all, Hungry Coyote is a great option for anyone craving a hearty meal. But if you’re going during second lunch, just make sure you go with someone who knows the Heimlich. Running and eating a burrito do not go hand in hand.

In third place, Cafe Fresh holds strong, but the only setback is the distance from the high school. If I could walk there and back during second lunch, call me Usain Bolt. I would go to Cafe Fresh every day for lunch, but this would require driving there and losing my spot in the upper lot, which is a big no-no. Their bagels make my mouth water and provide a variety of options. Whether you’re feeling a quick breakfast bagel, a cheap coffee, or a decked-out hot sandwich, they’ve got your back. The service is great. The long line may be a bit of a time constraint, but if you’ve ever had their bagels, you know it’s worth it. 

In fourth place is the one and only Starbucks. This one goes out to all the Starbucks lovers (iykyk). From their strawberry acai refresher to their new fall menu (who doesn’t love a good pumpkin chai latte?), there are plenty of drink options to satisfy your thirst after a long game of kickball in gym. But as far as food is concerned, Starbucks may not be the place for you. With their constantly shrinking, and somehow wet sandwiches and stale baked goods, Starbucks food leaves something to be desired. And if you’d like to walk there, you’d better RUN. An 8-minute walk is not for the weary.

In second to last place comes Dunkin. America runs on Dunkin, but we’d say a more accurate wording is America slow walks on Dunkin. With their mediocre coffee and unsatisfactory bagels, great meal options at Dunkin are few and far between. While it’s a short walk from the high school, donuts aren’t super satisfying for lunch, and their breakfast sandwiches are often dry and small. While Dunkin seems to have a cult following at the high school, we’re not sure this is deserved, unless you like watered-down coffee and long wait times. To each their own, I suppose. 

Why this may come as a surprise to freshman boys, Subway takes our whopping last place. To admit my bias, I don’t think I have stepped foot in Subway since sophomore year, yet the hoards of guys typically ward me away. They seem to offer a variety of options, half-long or foot-long, I think? Maybe it’s just the deli meat that’s been sitting in containers all day that really gets to me. 

So no matter what you choose, these Needham lunch spots won’t leave you hungry, so eat up!