by Ainsley Moore ’24
September 22, 2023
The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the writer and do not reflect the views of University School of Nashville or the Peabody Press.
On August 21, I decided to break from my usual routine of bringing my own lunch and tried the offerings at the Sage dining cafeteria for a week. Here’s a recap of my dining experiences:
Monday: I opted for the chicken with sides of broccoli, carrots, and cucumber. The chicken was decent but slightly dry, earning a 6/10. The carrots were surprisingly good, well-cooked with a nice touch of sweetness, rating a 7/10. Unfortunately, the broccoli lacked flavor, scoring just a 2/10.
Tuesday: I went for the pepperoni pizza, which had a different presentation from the usual square slices. The pizza had a perfectly cooked crust and hot, melted cheese. The addition of sausage toppings added a nice twist, making it an 8/10.
Wednesday: This day turned out to be the highlight of my week—I had delicious chicken nuggets which were crispy and piping hot, a solid 9/10. The availability of honey mustard and ketchup for dipping was a bonus. You always need sauces. The potatoes were seasoned well, and the fruit was fresh, rating both these items a 8/10.
Thursday: I tried the tortellini with a side of fruit and carrots. The pasta was okay but not my favorite at 5/10, while the carrots were a decent 6/10.
Friday: I tried the grilled cheese, tater tots, and a side of fruit, and a chocolate chip cookie for dessert. The grilled cheese was burnt, with not a lot of cheese, rating it a 4/10. The tater tots were my favorite. They were hot, and crispy, rating 10/10. The cookies were good, rating 8/10.
Throughout the week, I noticed a consistent routine. I’d arrive at the cafeteria around 11:55 AM, waiting in line for 10 to 15 minutes. The hot bar was my go-to section as the fridge options were limited, offering only yogurt and fruit. After getting my main course, I’d grab some cantaloupe, which was almost out and check out at the dessert section.
However, I have some suggestions about the cafeteria. The limited daily options were a bit disappointing. It would be great to see more variety beyond the hot bar—especially for vegetarians on meat-focused days, where the options are hamburgers, hotdogs, or chicken sandwiches. It would also be nice to have different kinds of pizza everyday, like switching up the toppings, or kind of crust used.
Liv O’Hara ‘25 struggles with the repetitive nature of the Sage offerings as well.
“I have noticed since my lower school days that they have switched to a different kind of pizza, and now we have square pizza, which is unsettling, so now I do not eat the pizza. Also during the winter months there is a lot of pasta, so it would be nice to switch it up,” O’Hara said.
It would also be nice to see more grab-and-go options and snacks, like chips and fruit. It would also be nice if there were a section with sports drinks, energy drinks, and protein bars for kids who have to do sports after school. This also would be nice to have in case some students had to miss lunch, or they did not have time to eat.
Additionally, expanding dessert choices beyond just one option would be appreciated. I would also make the lines faster, because I was rushed some days to eat, socialize, then get to class. Mario Tedeschi ‘26 struggles with this timing challenge as well.
“I feel like the lines are a bit excessive at times, like it took me twenty minutes to get lunch one time. If I get out of class late, I have no time to eat lunch,” Tedeschi said.
To help achieve this goal, it would be nice if the cafeteria opened earlier, so students could have the option to get their food earlier.
One of the highlights of my cafeteria experience was the staff, with a special shout-out to Ms. Sparkle. Ms. Sparkle had the incredible ability to brighten my day, regardless of my mood. Her kindness and unwavering positivity are qualities that I admire.
Tre Sheats ‘24 is drawn to the positivity of the workers as well.
“I eat from the cafeteria two or three times a week. I go whatever line Ms.Sparkle is in…I love when she says ‘Have a fantabulous day,’’ Sheats said.
It’s worth acknowledging that all the cafeteria employees put in tremendous effort to ensure we have an ample supply of high-quality food, and they do it all with a smile. We all should express our gratitude to them the next time we enjoy a meal from the cafeteria.
Our reviewing scale:
1/10 = Microwavable meatloaf, wasabi, canned tuna
2/10 = goat cheese or blue cheese
3/10 = Almond Joy, Butterfinger
4/10 = mustard, grapefruit
5/10 = English muffin
6/10 = McDonald’s chicken nuggets
7/10 = Panera mac and cheese, French onion soup
8/10 = sushi, chips and queso, Garden Salsa Sun Chips
9/10 = Brownies, Annie’s white cheddar mac and cheese
10/10 = caesar salad, J. Alexander’s honey mustard, Five Guys, Five Daughters donuts, pickles
