The best places to eat afterschool!

Art by Afreen Majumdar

Any student at ERHS knows right after school, kids rush over to various afterschool spots to get food as soon as the bell rings. But which one is the best? I ranked ten of the most popular spots, so you know where to go next time you're out! Every place I ranked with the same criteria, which included: average price, taste, seating, wait time, how busy it is, and distance from our school. Since this criteria wasn’t based solely on taste the rankings might surprise you. 

DISCLAIMER: Of course, this is my opinion! All of these places, and shops are all wonderful and each have their own special attributes. 

10. Food Trucks

Coming in at last place we have the food trucks, but more specifically Ignacios. The big black truck, with its flashy logo, sits right outside of Yosemite park. Many of the kids who go to afterschool stop by before the gates close. I will say the food is great, and not much walking is involved, but that's about it. Almost everything there is pretty expensive for what you are getting, and there is always a line. So, unless you run out as the clock hits 3:30 you will have to wait. For me the biggest turn away is it's cash only. Unless you generally carry around cash, this can’t be a spontaneous purchase. So if you can't stray far from school, you might like these taco trucks, but be ready to pay and wait. 

9. Rock Cafe

In ninth place is our beloved neighborhood cafe, Rock. I know many people love this cafe, and I will go on occasion, but there are some drawbacks. First, because it's so close to school, everyone goes there, so expect a pretty long line, in both the morning and afternoon. Since there is only generally one barista, it takes time for your drink to come out. This means it's definitely not a great place for a quick pit stop. I hate to say it, but their drinks are also very mediocre and don't always hit the spot. Their coffee and matcha can very well be made at home, but I will say their smoothies and baked goods are tasty. Something to note is if you are planning to come with your friends to talk and laugh, you will not be appreciated. The environment is very much like a library, in the sense everyone there is working. However, if you are looking for a nice quiet homework spot this is the place for you. 

8. Chipotle

I know many of you are shocked that Chipotle is ranked in 8th place. I can’t deny that Chipotle has delicious food, and is definitely my first pick when I have the money, but not everyone can justify the high price tag. Usually, your meal can end up costing $12-15, which is not ideal for a high school kid, but if you are balling on a budget, I would recommend buying the kids meal, which is significantly cheaper. Not to mention Chipotle fills up fast. If you do move quickly, you can snag a booth seat, which is the most comfortable spot, but if you don’t arrive on time you won’t be able to sit. So if you have the time and money, definitely go to Chipotle!

7. Panda

Nestled inside the Sprouts plaza, sits the forgotten Panda Express at 7th place. This yummy Chinese food chain restaurant does great, but not after school. Even though their menu consists of irresistible chow mein and crunchy spring rolls, the store remains empty. I believe that Panda Express is underrated and deserves a little more love (but not that much more).

Since the food is substantial, the prices are much higher than a small drink you could get elsewhere. Since the store is on the smaller side, the main seating options are limited to bar stools. So next time you don’t know where to go, suggest Panda Express, and you might just find a hidden gem. 

6. Ding Tea

Unsurprisingly, Ding Tea ranks sixth out of ten. While as an elementary student, it was my absolute favorite, everything about it is very middle of the line. The pricing is decent when you use the student discount, and the seats there are very comfortable. Since the tea shop is small and there are only four indoor tables, and it can get packed quickly. As it is, many kids from our school stop by, so if the elementary school and our school time dismissal overlaps, you're in for a treat. However if you are able to snag a seat, you can enjoy card games and jenga with your friends!

5. Del Taco

Close behind Taco Bell, Del Taco gets a 3.3/5. Though it is a fast food restaurant, it ironically is not that fast. The seating options are also not ideal because they are the hard booths, which means you’ll never have trouble finding a spot to sit. But where does Del Taco really stand out? The answer to that question is pricing. Unlike many of the other food spots nearby, they have good deals and generally low prices. If you are going make sure you go on Tuesdays or Thursdays to get the $0.89 tacos. So next time you crave cheap, filling food stop by Del Taco and you’ll be pleasantly impressed. 

4. Taco Bell

Coming in at third place, we have Taco Bell. Recently I have learned how convenient Taco Bell is. Being a fast food restaurant, it is cheap, fast, and good. Just like Del Taco, they run different types of deals, so if you go at the right time, you can snag a cheap fountain drink. With around a 14 minute walk over, it is much faster than Starbucks or Ding Tea. Though there are many compelling attributes, there are also some not so ideal issues. For one, the seating is exactly how you expect fast food restaurants to be. It isn’t super run down because it is newly renovated, but the seats are scarce and its not the best place to hang out. Other than that, Taco Bell is a reliable option for any day. 

2. Starbucks (TIE)

Tied for second we have Starbucks. With amazing seating and tons of options, Starbucks is definitely a crowd favorite. What really wins me over is the outdoor garage seating. Even though the majority of our school runs to Starbucks after school, somehow there is always enough seating. Both indoors and out, you will definitely be able to sit and talk with your friends. The most obvious downside is the pricing. Because it is a multi-billion dollar company, the pricing isn’t outrageous, but not everyone can drop $6-7 dollars on a drink every couple days. 

SIDE NOTE: When I was writing this portion of the article our beloved Starbucks was still open. Now as of February 5th the tried and true Eagle Rock Blvd. Starbucks has officially closed. RIP! Luckily it's not forever gone, because a newly built Starbucks down the street is opening.

2. Yogurtland (TIE)

With a score of 3.5/5, Yogurtland makes their way up the rankings. Just like Starbucks its not that close from school, but it makes up for this with delicious ice cream and reliable seating. Especially during the hotter months Yogurtland is perfect. As any Yogurtland-goer knows, they are constantly changing their flavors. So, unless you're a spontaneous yogurt eater, this doesn’t always mean it's better. The lines also can get long depending on the day, and the make-your-own concept doesn't help this. Other than that, Yogurtland is a personal favorite that everybody is always down to go to. 

1. Fosters Freeze

With a close win of 3.6/5, Foster pulls in a win. The small shack-like ice cream shop is known for great prices and delicious ice cream! Foster’s boasts cheap options with the ice cream starting at $3 and a variety of food. Even though they're known for their ice cream, like any fast food restaurant, they have fries and burgers. You can also add dipping sauces and toppings to your already perfect ice cream cone. Though the seating isn’t ideal, the ice cream shop is generally not busy and it only takes around 15 minutes to walk over. So if you’ve never tried Fosters Freeze or haven't been in a while you’ll be pleasantly surprised with your experience!