There are many different restaurants around Technology High School where people go to eat for lunch. With only 40 minutes for lunch, there is a restricted distance students who can’t drive can go. I set out to find out more about the restaurants that many students walk to during lunch period, and to see if they are worth the money and time.
The first place that I went was Smokin’ Bowls at 295 Southwest Blvd, six-tenths of a mile away from school. They specialize in gluten-free comfort food, usually with fries or nachos. I tried the cheese fries, one of their most popular items on the menu and loved by fans of the restaurant. They are considered a side dish and cost $7.75. These french fries have melted cheese, bacon bits, and green onions on them. The mix of crispy fries and creamy cheese made a wonderful combo. Although they make sure never to have gluten in their meals, they are mostly high in calories. This is possibly because they cook their fries in beef fat, which gives them an amazing flavor, but also makes it a less healthy option. Joshua Gomez, a sophomore at Tech High who goes to Smokin’ Bowls two or three times a week, said that he loves the cheese fries and that it “Hits the spot.” Tyler Scullion, another sophomore, said that the restaurant is a “Ten out of ten,” but it is not very healthy. If you are vegan or worried about the amount of fat, they also serve four different types of salads. Overall, I would give this experience an 8.3 out of 10.
The next restaurant I tried was Acme Burger at 550 East Cotati Avenue, next to Olivers Market, seven-tenths of a mile away from school. They specialize in homemade burgers and are known for their delicious onion rings. There are a few locations around Sonoma County, all with the same menu. They have a ton of different dishes, including ten types of burgers, five different salads, two soup options, and twelve sides (ex. fries, tater tots, coleslaw). I tried their classic “Acme Burger” for $7.10. This came with lettuce, tomato, a fresh sesame seed bun, and their own special sauce, called ‘Awesome Sauce.’ Their patties are wonderfully made and delicious, mostly because they are caramelized. The handmade burgers are unfortunately thin which makes them less filling, but to counter that, they have an option to add another patty for a few extra dollars. The burger had an unexpected but delightful crunch, probably due to the crispy edges of the bun and the fresh lettuce. I also tried the special sauce that they put on the burger separately, and it was not what I expected. I figured it would be the average secret sauce for burger chains, tasting similar to a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise. Instead, it was a blend of Thousand Island dressing and some other ingredients like mustard. It had little relish bits in it and left a spicy aftertaste. I was impressed with the food and the restaurant’s vibe. I would rate this experience an 8.7 out of 10.
The final restaurant I reviewed was Jersey Mike’s Subs at 640 E. Cotati Ave, in between the Dollar Tree and the Starbucks by Oliver’s Market, six-tenths of a mile away from school. They are a large chain with over 3,500 locations that started as a small submarine sandwich restaurant in 1956. All of their food is made right in front of the customer so you can see how they make the sandwich. They add spices and fresh ingredients to every order. They have a large menu with 14 cold subs and 14 hot subs, four sides such as chips and cookies, two different kids meals, eight bottled drinks, and a wide variety of fountain drinks. The Student Center passed out student meal deals for the restaurant that had a regular-sized sub, a small bag of chips, and a fountain drink for $11.95. This is a bargain compared to the sub without the deal being $12.25, even before the chips and drink. I got the Club Supreme, one of their cold subs that I heard was a fan favorite from Brady Allen, a senior. He gets the same order with the student meal deal once a week and loves the food. This Club Supreme had roast beef, turkey, swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, and mayo on a white bread roll. The sandwich was a wonderful mix of ingredients and sauce. The bacon was crispy and salty while the other meats evened it out. There was a lot of lettuce on the sandwich, which gave it a lighter feel. This was my first time trying Jersey Mike’s Subs, so I was surprised by how good the sub was for the price, especially with all the other chains like Subway and Panera being too cheap and having fake ingredients. Overall, I would give the restaurant an 8.6 out of 10.
The restaurants within walking distance of Tech High are great places to eat, but some are not the cheapest or healthiest options available. For some people, these restaurants are not worth the effort or money. If so, the school’s free lunch would be the best option. They serve a long list of meals that are different every day and are right at our school. Of the types of food in this article, they all have their pros and cons, but in my opinion, Acme Burger has the best quality overall.
