As someone who ate lunch from Hanna’s every single day last year, I know the stress of getting to the front of the line and not knowing what to order. Your unhelpful friends whispering, “just get whatever!” and a dean telling you, “GO TO WINDOW 1!” until, finally, you just blurt out the first thing you think of. My bank account is crying from the amount of money I spent last year, so I’d like to name myself an expert in what to order or avoid when the time comes. Here’s my top 10 ranking for Hanna’s menu:
10. Haute Cafe Smoothies ($12.00) – One new menu item I wasn’t expecting my junior year were the Strawberry Glow, Blue Cloud, and Peanut Butter Blast smoothies. The Strawberry Glow, decidedly a dupe for Erewhon Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie, took SM by storm. This makes the Top 10 list just for the sheer number of orders it got within the first week of school from curious students wanting to know the hype. I liked the creamy strawberry flavor of Strawberry Glow, but I haven’t tried Blue Cloud or Peanut Butter Blast.
9. SM Burger with Fries ($10.00) – A solid choice. It tastes like a burger that I’d order when dining in at a restaurant and I really like the thousand islands sauce. When the fries are crunchy too, it just makes the dish 10x better. It does get a little messy when eating though.
8. Chicken Teriyaki Bowl ($10.00) – A specialty only available on Mondays makes it high in demand. The rice vegetables and chicken all go well together with the sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce.
7. Fiesta Bowl ($10.00) – Also a new addition this year, the Fiesta bowl is a constant order for my lunch table. Tasting like it’s straight out of Chipotle, this chicken bowl tastes pretty good when you scoop it up with the crispy chips on the side. Only available on Tuesdays.
6. Cheese Quesadilla ($6.00) – I love this cheap option for when I just want to be transported to my childhood. The melty cheese with the golden-brown tortilla has all the texture and flavor I need. I personally don’t dip the quesadilla in the sour cream (or ranch?) added on the side.
5. Chicken Penne Pasta ($9.50) – I started ordering this last year and my world was blown. The creamy thick sauce with the penne pasta and melted cheese on top is perfect together.
4. Acai Bowl ($9.75) – A classic for anyone living in California. This acai bowl has granola, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and topped off with agave. On hot days, this is exactly what I need.
3. Chicken Tenders and Fries ($9.75) – I think the name can speak for itself. Chicken tenders are unmatched and a fan favorite when someone orders it for the table. Everyone shares the fries and takes bites of the chicken tenders. Pro tip: grab a barbeque sauce to dip the fries in!
2. Tuesday Tacos ($9.75) – Although these are only available on Tuesdays, these tacos make up just how delicious they are. They rotate between steak, chicken, and pork, with my personal favorite being chicken. These juicy tacos taste authentic and fresh. I look forward to Tuesdays just for this meal!
1. Buffalo Chicken Salad ($9.75) – Finally, our winner for best lunch from Hanna’s is the Buffalo Chicken Salad. I think one week I ordered this meal every day of the week. The tangy spice from the buffalo sauce mixed in with the ranch dressing just elevates the fresh avocado, crisp bacon, and sliced chicken tenders in the salad. If I were on Death Row, this might be my last meal.
To summarize, while all Hanna’s items are good in their own way, I’d recommend the Buffalo Chicken Salad to cool you down or the Tacos on Tuesday to warm you up. I’d also like to honorably mention Hanna’s cookies. When the cookies are soft and gooey, it is like heaven. If you have an ASB card, make sure to grab a free one with the purchase of an entrée. And now, you will never have to worry about what to order at Hanna’s again!
Access to Hanna’s online menu: https://www.smhs.org/campus-life/campusdining
