While managing a rigorous work load and various extracurricular activities, Bronx Science students also have a single question that prevails in their minds every day during school: ‘What am I going to eat for lunch?’

This deceptively simple question is what I sought to answer over the course of these past few weeks. Lunch is a sacred time for students, as they can use this free period to do what they desire. Bronx Science grants students access to various locations during their breaks. Besides the cafeteria, students are free to lounge around the courtyard (quietly — as long as they aren’t disrupting any classes going on), and best of all, after school is over for the day, they’re allowed to leave the building and forage for food in the areas beyond school grounds.

“Exploring the food scene around Bronx Science has been a great way to make new friends, have meaningful experiences, and go on adventures after the school day has ended,” Joshua Mannasee Cammerman ‘25 said.

There are a variety of eateries that are only a stone’s throw away from the school’s doors. For example, during the school day, the three food trucks right outside of Bronx Science are readily accessible: Ned’s red food truck, El Gran Campeon, and the ice cream truck that is present year-round. After school has concluded for the day, there are other options that are only a few blocks away, a plethora of food chain restaurants that catch the eyes of students, from the dimly lit Popeyes, to the overcrowded Starbucks, and last but not least, to the the frequented Dunkin’ Donuts. Reliable standalone restaurants like Jerome’s Pizza and a newly established Taco Express are also local favorites in the Kingsbridge Heights area of the Bronx, near Bronx Science.

I conducted a survey of Bronx Science students in person, including approximately 480 members of the student body, in order to find out what Bronx Science students’ favorite places are for lunch.

The Top Three

The most popular external eatery among students was Ned’s food truck. 39% of those surveyed agreed that this was their go-to lunch choice. 

Ned, who hails from Serbia, has served the Bronx Science community since 2003. “I’m not surprised [that a large majority of students get their lunch from my truck] because I serve people from my heart. Everything that I do, I do with passion, and I love serving and helping young people,” Ned said. Ned originally began operating an ice cream truck, then later transitioned into more conventional meal services later on in his career. Throughout his time serving the Bronx Science community, his truck has gone through a multitude of evolutions, most recently undergoing a transition from a nondescript white truck to a larger red truck serving halal food. “Anything that’s newer when you upgrade helps. It’s like when you have an old car, and you upgrade it to a better, newer car. It’s going to drive better. It’s all the same thing with the truck — it helps,” Ned said. His menu has expanded from the initial array of burgers, chicken tenders and wraps, and fries which attracted most students, to now including halal food as well. However, some Bronx Science students have voiced concerns regarding this new development, questioning if true halal food is actually being served there. During my interview, Ned dismissed these worries and confirmed that halal food is indeed being served.  Another possible reason — in addition to an expansive menu — that Ned’s truck reigns as the primary lunch provider for students is because they accept online forms of payment as well as credit and debit cards, which makes Ned’s truck more accessible to students who may not always carry cash. 

The runner up was a halal truck called “Habibi Halal,” located near the entrance of Lehman College, accessible to Bronx Science students after school. 29.2% of students said that this was one of their favorite destinations after classes are over for the day. This halal truck, like Ned’s, accepts online payment such as credit or debit cards. Many students, including myself, appreciate the quality of the food tjat they produce. Each “plate” that is served, is overflowing with the meat of your choice and delicious sauces! Furthermore, they provide a unique culinary experience compared to the standard food trucks that are nearby. 

The 3rd most popular option, collecting 27.6% of total votes, was El Gran Campeon, one of the other trucks that is located directly in front of Bronx Science’s main entrance. This truck has been a pillar of the Bronx Science community for over a decade. Students rave about Jay — the friendly owner — and his reliably delicious food. “The food at El Gran Campeon offers a little more variety than the other trucks, and it is always delicious!” said Gwyneth Mahase ’27.  The only downside and the main reason that it may not be as frequented as the other two is that this iconic truck is still a cash-only operation, which is a limiting factor in this current age dominated by digital currency.

A surprising revelation unearthed through my survey’s results was the number of students who didn’t actually have a lunch period. Around 13% of students fall into this category — a true testament to the rigorous nature of Bronx Science where students voluntarily give up their lunch period in order to take an extr academic class. In fact, it’s not unusual for some to skip their designated break just to squeeze in another class (because who needs rest when there’s physics?). Luckily, most students’ schedules do offer a “free” period, letting students relax on campus in order to remember what fresh air feels like.

School Lunch: A Love-Hate Relationship

To no one’s surprise, the option with the most votes was lunch provided by the school, which represented 42% of the total responses. Yet, school lunch has quite a controversial reputation. Comments in the survey were peppered with complaints regarding the lack of variety and quality of the school food. 

Aliver Griffin-Mencia ‘27, said, “I often find that I am getting the same thing, either mozzarella sticks, or chicken tenders. It’s so many carbs that my body can’t handle it.” 

When asked, Ned stated that the most popular food items students purchase from his food truck include chicken tenders, burgers, and fries. Thus, maybe the carb-loaded school lunch menu of mozzarella and pizza is actually a reflection of what students crave the most. Even though that might be the case, it can be disheartening for students who want to try different dishes. Furthermore, when some variety is present, students say there’s never enough to go around. 

Regardless of these issues, school lunch continues to be the predominant form of sustenance for students for one main reason: it’s free, paid for in full by the government of New York City. Eugenia Perdikis ’25 said, “I’m not a picky eater, so I’d rather eat school lunch with no real objections, than spend money on a marginally better lunch.”

What some students may not know, is that free lunch is a luxury that many students nationwide do not receive. All public schools in New York City have been granted free breakfast and lunch in a 2017 policy change.  However, many schools in other counties of New York State and throughout the United States do not have access to this benefit. School lunches should be free for all students in order to ensure that they have the energy needed to tackle their schoolwork and to eliminate the stigma of qualifying for free lunch, which experts agree often deters students from getting the food that they need. Universal free lunch is also associated with higher lunch participation in states with those policies in places.  Efforts to expand free lunch for all persists not only in other counties of New York State, but nationwide. 

Ultimately, only you can answer the question of where to go for lunch, and with an abundance of choices available to Bronx Science students, and you will always find yourself with a unique answer. So, take a break from the rigor of your day; visit the food trucks right outside Bronx Science. After school, venture a bit further to grab some classic fast-food staples. Explore the flavors around you and savor the moments that make food a vital part of the Bronx Science experience. 

“I’m not surprised [that a large majority of students get their lunch from my truck] because I serve people from my heart: everything I do, I do with passion, and I love serving and helping young people,” said Ned of Ned’s food truck.