Students either rush to the Serviexpress lines or pull meals from their lunchboxes. The choice might seem simple, cafeteria food or homemade, but behind it, there is a deeper conversation about convenience, health, and student priorities.

Even though Serviexpress serves the majority of students at TCS, many of the students aren’t there by choice. For some, it’s the only option due to time constraints and family routines. Some consider it a trade-off between nutrition and practicality. What appears to be a preference may be a necessity, with students conforming to Serviexpress instead of selecting Serviexpress.

“I use Serviexpress because I have no other option,” Camila Barrera, 10th grader, said.

For others, the frustration lies in the daily logistics of lunch itself. Long lines and limited time make it hard for students to enjoy their break, especially when the food doesn’t always meet expectations.

“I liked some of the food that there was but the lines were terrible, the meat is terrible, so I just prefer to bring my own lunch, but it’s not that bad, it’s just difficult because it takes a long time and we don’t have much time for lunch if we start doing those long lines.” Santiago Gamez, senior, said.

While many agree that Serviexpress is efficient, some students have concerns about the healthiness of the meals, with limited healthy options for those who want them.

“I did use it at the beginning of middle school, but I found it was really unhealthy, not that good, and the lines were too long,” Pedro Florez, senior, said.

Not all students are as critical of the system. Some view lunch as a practical necessity more than a gourmet experience, which Serviexpress does the job well enough.

“Menu del día is the best thing that Serviexpress has, I think it has a perfect balance.” Miguel Acosta, senior, said.

Even those who know there is room for improvement still see value in Serviexpress, especially when compared to the effort of preparing meals at home.

“It’s easier for me, I don’t have to prepare food the day before, and the food is good, I think that for the reasons of time, it was my best choice.” Samuel Zuñiga, senior, said.

Others see the system and believe it can be better. Not only in taste or convenience, but what Serviexpress represents about students’ health and priorities.

“They should start investing in students’ health because it would result in better academic performance,” Gamez said.

Even students who enjoy the food have noticed inconsistencies that could be improved to ensure a better experience for students.

“Some days are really good and the chicken is really good, but on some days the chicken is really bad, so it’s like in between,” Barrera said.

Lack of variety, especially when ingredients run out quickly, also frustrates students trying to make the most out of lunchtime.

“The ingredients for the taco run out really quickly, so we cannot eat a taco and did all that line for nothing,” Barrera said.

Others point out that the food itself isn’t the only issue; sometimes it’s about the social stigma of lunch choices, especially when bringing food from home.

“I don’t eat anything at lunch because I find that bringing a lunchbox here now is really dorky and I don’t like that school’s lunch,” Florez said.

Students agree that if better and healthier options are introduced, they would likely reconsider their decisions regarding lunchtime.

“If they brought new options that were healthier or of better quality while keeping the lines shorter, I’d consider it,” Florez said.

Among suggestions for improvement, students commonly want the many to expand and have more flexibility within already existing categories.

“I would suggest that they add more options inside the already-made options. For example, one year ago at the BBQ, they added rice as an option,” Zuñiga said.

Ultimately, many students acknowledge that while Serviexpress might not be perfect, it fulfills a need that remains unmatched at The Columbus School.

“I enjoy the food, and a lot of people that I talk to say that they enjoy the food, and it’s really practical. Given the price and the practicality of the subject, I wouldn’t say that we need more—I think what we have is great.” Acosta said.