Every afternoon, a chaotic swarm of students gather outside St. Joe’s Coffee Shop, jostling for position as they line up to buy their after school snacks — an energetic prelude to the cafeteria’s lively food rush.
But what draws students to the school cafeteria every day? It’s definitely more than just the call of teenage hunger. Hanna Que, the family owned business that serves food to Notre Dame students, has developed menu items that keep students coming back for more.
One fan favorite is the grilled cheese sandwich — the epitome of comfort food with gooey cheese and bread, perfectly crisp, that leaves butter all over your fingers.
Another favorite is the birria tacos — loved by students because they are packed with juicy meat.
Make no mistake about it. The lunch rush is real. There is nothing more disappointing than getting to the front of the line only to find out that the food item you wanted has sold out. But there are ways to avoid this tragic situation.
Hanna Que allows students to order their food online the day before and pick it up from the cafeteria the next day. There is a line specifically designated for students who pre-order their meals, and this line moves very quickly. Get the food you want, and get it quickly. Everyone should take advantage of this purchasing option.
So, what should you order? Exactly what are the most coveted items on the Hanna Que menu?
While students always seem to line up every Wednesday for Dominos pizza day, there are menu items made fresh in the cafeteria that you should try.
Phil Hanna, the manager/partner of Hanna Que, said, “Everyday items like chocolate chip cookies and our fresh fruit sell very well and so do our iced coffees. But, the grilled cheese after school fly out the window. Some days we can’t make enough to support the demand.”
Hanna shares that these items have been the best sellers for almost a decade. Wow!
“We try to make at least 400-450 lunch specials daily, on top of our everyday regular items. And depending on the special, we can make upwards of 500 items.
Last year we introduced birria tacos and birria ramen, which has been a big hit, as well as our BBQ sampler platter and the Gyro plate.”
Eva Upton, a freshman that visits the cafeteria every day, said, “I really like the fried rice because it doesn’t feel too unhealthy when I’m eating it, and it feels like real food.”
Notre Dame’s school lunch and cafeteria food is top tier. The long lines of students that form in front of the cafeteria every day proves this. Not only is the option to buy food beneficial to students, but it is also helpful for parents, since they do not have to worry about packing a lunch for their kids daily.
This success is made possible by the dedicated team from Hanna Que. Their hard work and commitment to preparing quality food for students is truly remarkable. So, the next time you enjoy a meal here at school, take a moment to express your appreciation and gratitude for the cafeteria staff and their efforts.
