Food after school is an Academic Magnet tradition, whether before a football game or just hanging out with your friends after school. Here are the best, and closest places to go after school.
Panera- Panera is such a vibe when we are waiting for practice. A good meal, for me at least, would be a Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt half sandwich. It is better when it is hot because it always makes my stomach hurt when it’s cold. Sometimes we share Mac and Cheese in a Bread Bowl, which hits every time!
Jersey Mike’s- Jersey Mike’s is a good place for a meal before watching and playing a game. Favorites there include the Italian, the BLT, the number 4, and the club special. It is popular for being near Starbucks and Panera, and for being good for food when friends are getting Starbucks or Panera and you just don’t want it. While the seating there is not great, the tall tables and cheap cookies make up for the fact that they have limited seating and only one outside table. The location isa shopping center with plenty of parking and is right next to Top Golf, making it the best place to go for a sub before hitting some golf balls nearby.
Huey Magoo’s- A personal favorite of the magnet senior boys, and overall a well-priced place to go. It’s very similar to Raising Canes, with the main centerpiece of the food being fried chicken fingers, yet it has more of a relaxing feel. I personally really like the sauce there, and while I do not think that the chicken at Huey’s can compare in size to the chicken at Raising Canes, I think the fries at Huey’s are a lot better. The outdoor seating at Huey’s is also the best, with a semi-large area for seating, and plenty of large and small tables for groups to sit.
Chipotle- The absolute best place for Mexican food, with the best queso around. Although I have had bad experiences with the online ordering system, when I finally learned how to order I was always getting my food before others. Once again near all the food places off of Center Point Drive, it is also close to Tanger Outlets so you can always get something to go, then go shop or visit Tanger Outlets and just hang out. This is also a fan favorite for players who may have to return to school and have some spare time before returning for practice.
Starbucks- OMG I love Starbucks. My favorite thing to get there is a Strawberry Açaí Lemonade with no berries of course. I also get Bacon Egg Bites, and OMG red pepper makes it so delicious. I just tried a Frozen Tropical Citrus Iced Energy with Strawberry Purée. My bestie gets a Grande Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher with no inclusions and two scoops of Raspberry Flavored Pearls. When we are feeling our skinny era we only get a tall. I just spent 200 stars on a drink and something to eat and I am so sad. I wish I didn’t, now I am almost out. I only have 140 left!!!
Chick-fil-A- The largest fast food chain, and for a good reason. They have a very diverse menu, with a very good breakfast menu, salads, kids meals, and most importantly, insanely good chicken nuggets, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, and milkshakes. Being close to Huey’s, Chipotle, Moe’s, and Cici’s Pizza, it is a great central place in the middle of all of these food chains and has very close access to a gas station and other food. The seating and service there is amazing, and it even has a playground and slide in the back for kids who want to hang out there.
Moe’s- Moe’s is so much better than Chipotle. In my opinion (Mercer) it is the best bang for your buck. You get a great bowl and burrito sizes, and the drink cups are free. The quesadillas are to die for and it’s just a pretty chill place to hang out. There is a nice outside area to relax when the weather is nice. Also, there are a variety of different options from kid meals to huge platters. It is located in Tanger Outlets, right next to Tropical Smoothie, and Chick-fil-A. If you go right after school you might hit traffic, so I recommend waiting a little bit to let the traffic die down.
A gas station- Sometimes before a big game you want something light. That is when the gas station comes in clutch. It doesn’t matter which one you choose (we know how gas prices are nowadays). Gas stations are like a museum filled with art. On the left, you got the Mona Lisa of Drinks: Soda, Water, and Chocolate Milk for people who dislike chocolate milk at school. On the right, you have the Sistine Chapel of snacks: Funyuns, Candy, Nuts, and much more. Other than the great dining options, it’s a great place to goof around and get slushies.
Cici’s Pizza- the best place nearby for hot and ready pizza. While there are better food options, it is definitely the closest to the school. Great for pepperoni, cheese, and meat-lovers pizzas, as well as decent enough thin crust and deep dish pizzas. Great for sharing food with friends, and it has a very inviting atmosphere with nice workers. While they do have salads, kinds of pasta, and desserts, the appeal to go here before a game comes from the quality of the cheap pizza and the number of different drink options available here, as well as the experience of splitting a slice of pizza while sitting at a large table with a huge group of friends.
Waffle House- This might go down in history as the greatest of all time. It is insanely cheap and you can get two full meals for 10 bucks. The Smothered Hashbrowns is my favorite but people also get the Allstar Special. Most people go for the waffles, but I go for the people, the community. When our team goes together and gets a booth, it’s a bonding experience. Also, you can scarf down as much food as you can for such a low low price. It’s not that far from school so you can commute very easily!
