Montgomery County is the most ethnically diverse county in the state of Maryland, according to Niche. With over a million residents and 34% of them born outside of the country, it is a melting pot of different cultures, beliefs and, of course, cuisines. Montgomery County’s thousands of restaurants showcase the area’s extraordinary diversity. From Thai to Italian to Persian to Ethiopian, Montgomery County has it all, much to the benefit of its younger residents and students.
Many Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) high schools, such as Walter Johnson, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Richard Montgomery have open lunch, where students have the opportunity to leave school to eat from local businesses. At these high schools, floods of students can be seen leaving the building around midday, flocking to local restaurants and fast food chains. Not only does this policy foster student independence and responsibility, but it also bolsters the local economy by supporting small businesses in the area. Furthermore, young people have the opportunity to expose themselves to different cuisines that may not be offered in the cafeteria or lunch hall. Though many students have chances outside of school to eat from local businesses, open lunch offers a chance to spend time with friends and get a break from the stress of school.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Many students develop a favorite restaurant that they continue to frequent throughout the school year. For Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School junior Ayoola Gbadebo, that place is Pita on the Plaza, a food truck just a nine-minute walk from school that offers Middle Eastern pitas and bowls. When asked what he usually orders, Gbadebo said the “BCC Wrap.” It is a pita topped with halal lamb and beef gyro meat, lettuce, tomato, onions, feta and tzatziki. The food cart, which is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday, draws in customers with its simple flavors and excellent location, parked right outside the Bethesda Metro station.
Another popular restaurant among high school students is Five Guys, a fast food chain with more than ten locations in Montgomery County. “Good burgers,” Walter Johnson High School freshman Tanner Kristal said when asked why it is his favorite restaurant. He orders “a burger with cheese, and a fountain drink.” Kristal also visits Flippin’ Pizza occasionally for open lunch.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase sophomore Nathaniel Miller also cited Five Guys when asked about his restaurant of choice. Though he only goes just once or twice a month, he knows his order off the top of his head. “I get a double cheeseburger and a chocolate shake,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Fast casual is also extremely popular among high school students today, with Chipotle and Cava both drawing in young customers to their convenience, perceived health value and natural ingredients, though these benefits come with a higher price tag. Both Chipotle and Cava offer build-your-own wraps and bowls inspired by Mexican and Mediterranean flavors, respectively, and have gained traction with teenagers especially. Bethesda-Chevy Chase sophomore Max Frank enjoys Chipotle once a week, and said he remembers his first time leaving school freshman year to get food from there. His burrito order? Chicken, rice, cheese, beans and sometimes corn.
Though many high school students use open lunch as an opportunity to hang out with friends and try new food, many also enjoy different cuisines outside of school lunch. Bethesda-Chevy Chase freshman Esaam Amjad, who enjoys cooking at home himself, recommends Meiwah Restaurant near the Friendship Heights metro station for quality American Chinese dishes. They offer a variety of different East Asian meat and veggie dishes, and have quality dumplings. “I order the Mongolian beef and the fried rice; it’s goated,” Amjad said. “One of the best beefs I’ve ever had.”
Amjad also spoke highly of the restaurants closer to his high school, recommending Andy’s Pizza and Sisters Sandwiches and Such for convenient and delicious lunch stops. “I love being able to leave school, we cannot be stuck in that building all day,” Amjad said. “Our lunch period is perfectly long.”
Written by Jaasim Zaman
Graphic by Sona Saravana