For years, freshmen at Cresskill Middle School looked out the window and watched high schoolers walk off campus for lunch. Now, as ninth graders, they finally get a taste of that freedom, and the big question is: where do they go first?
With so many choices, from local classics like Dante’s and CuLatte to chain favorites like Jersey Mike’s, the options can feel overwhelming. To find out where freshmen really go, I asked them about their favorite spots, go-to orders, and how they’re adjusting to their very first year of open-campus lunches.
For freshmen, leaving campus for lunch is about more than food; it’s about independence. “Being able to leave for lunch makes me feel more independent, like we’re finally treated as high schoolers and not middle school kids anymore,” stated Manav Amin. Others said the best part is the chance to hang out with friends outside of school. “The best part is just getting to hang out with friends off school grounds, it feels different than sitting in the cafeteria,” stated Gavi Zigrino.
Still, the adjustment isn’t always easy. With only about 40 minutes, time can be tight. “Sometimes we feel rushed, especially if there’s traffic or a line,” explained Wilson Chow.
The Contenders
Freshmen named plenty of spots, but a few stood out as the most popular picks:
Dante’s – the classic pizza stop.
Jersey Mike’s – a go-to for subs.
CuLatte – best known for its coffees, smoothies, and crepes.
Wonder – popular for healthier meals and variety.
Cresskill Bagels – quick, convenient, and perfect for breakfast-style lunches.
Freshman Rankings
Here’s how freshmen ranked their favorite lunch spots:
- Dante’s
“Dante’s is definitely number one. The pizza’s cheap, it’s fast, and everyone goes there, it’s kind of the classic freshman lunch spot, explained freshman Manav Amin.
- Jersey Mike’s
“Jersey Mike’s is perfect when you want something filling, you know you won’t be hungry the rest of the day”, said Itay Arbel, a freshman.
- CuLatte
“I love CuLatte for their smoothies and paninis, and it’s also just a fun place to chill with friends,” shared freshman Mika Wilner.
- Wonder
“Wonder is my go-to because the portions are huge, the combo meals are cheap, and I usually end up paying way less than I would at school. Plus, they give you $3 in credit after every order, so it feels like a good deal every time,” said Yonatan Albek, a ninth grader.
- Cresskill Bagels
“Bagels are quick, cheap, and always good. You can’t really go wrong,” explained freshman Andrew Daly.
Honorable Mention: 7-Eleven
While it didn’t make the official Top Five list, 7-Eleven deserves a shoutout. Freshmen mentioned it again and again, not as their main lunch, but as a stop before or after grabbing food somewhere else. Whether it’s for Slurpees, snacks, or just to hang out, 7-Eleven is a spot that lots of kids go to every day, regardless of their lunch for the day. “7-Eleven could easily beat out some of the other spots, but nobody really counts it as their actual lunch,” explained Gavi Zigrino.
Not every ninth grader thinks leaving campus is perfect. Some mentioned that rushing back can be stressful. “Sometimes it feels like we’re cutting it really close.” Others said the cost of going out every day adds up. “Spending money every single day gets expensive fast,” stated Pedro Romero, a freshman.
Even with those challenges, most freshmen agreed that the freedom makes high school lunch much better than middle school.
So, where do freshmen think the best lunch is? According to ninth graders, Dante’s takes the title of best lunch spot. But more than the food, what really stands out for the Class of 2029 is the independence that comes with their very first open-campus lunches.
