By Sinchana Holla and Jordan Kwong
As of the Spring 2025 semester of Westmont High, a newly renovated cafeteria has opened for students to enjoy. For many, its opening has been a long-awaited blessing. It is open every day during break and lunch, ready to serve eager students. Dubbed “The Kitchen,” it is organized into four stations, plus a salad bar. Below, we have described and rated every lunch station for any prospective eaters to know exactly what to get on their next trip.
South of the Border Station (10/10) – Sinchana
The South of the Border Station is perfect for all students. With the ability to make this bowl vegetarian or vegan, this proves as a very versatile option. With a plethora of toppings to choose from–such as sour cream, salsa, and jalapenos–one can customize their bowl to their preference. The rice can be filling, but nothing beats the crunch of the tortilla chips. I personally get a vegetarian bowl with tortilla chips, beans, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and jalapenos. Definitely visit this station for a wonderful, delectable lunch.
Pizza Station (7/10) – Sinchana
Cheese Pizza:
The cheese pizza can be a hit or miss. On a good day, the pizza is delicious with a good cheese to sauce to crust ratio. Although the crust can feel too thick for some, I personally enjoy it. If you’re looking for a classic cheese pizza, this one does the job.
Pepperoni Pizza:
The pepperoni pizza is arguably the best pizza. It has the perfect amount of cheese, sauce, and pepperoni. The flavors mix well and it is a dramatic upgrade from the delivered dominos of the past.
Pickle Pizza: The pickle pizza is definitely a strange combination. Instead of tomato sauce, the pizza is covered with what seems to be ricotta cheese. The normal cheese is on top of that and pickles make up the topmost layer. It has a sour flavor when biting into it. It isn’t for everyone, but is definitely worth giving a shot.
Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza: Another inventive creation, the Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza is a bold combination. It has tikka masala, cheese, chicken, and onions. Some students swear by it’s unique flavor, while others don’t like it. In any case, it is a good option for anyone looking to switch things up.
Asian Station (9/10) – Jordan
The Asian Station is many students’ go-to, and for good reason! Each plate consists of one carb, either white rice, fried rice, or chow mein, and one protein. Possible protein options include broccoli beef and orange chicken. The rice can be a hit or miss, and I would definitely pass on the fried rice, as it is soggy and salty. However, the chow mein has great flavor and texture and the orange chicken is crispy on the outside with the perfect amount of tangy sauce. Overall, I would definitely recommend visiting the Asian Station.
Chef’s Special Station (7/10) – Jordan
The Chef’s Special Station is a station that rotates to a different meal every week. Previous options have consisted of: bacon cheeseburger with onion rings, grilled cheese with fries, pesto pasta with chicken tenders, fish sandwich with coleslaw, and pesto pasta with bbq chicken. Some of the dishes are amazing. I especially enjoy the burger and the pesto pasta with tenders. However, every dish seems to have a flaw that ruins the experience. While the burger is good, the onion rings are doughy and chewy. The grilled cheese tastes great, but the fries are cold, tough, and just not that palatable. Overall, the station provides students with something new to eat every week, which can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Thank you, CUHSD, for our fantastic new cafeteria and improved lunch options! With a dramatic upgrade from previous meals, students are thrilled to enjoy delicious, satisfying food that keeps them energized throughout the day. Be sure to try all the stations and fuel up to be a strong warrior!