Carlmont Shopping Center, a common spot for students to grab food after school, offers more options than many realize.
Students often walk to the shopping center after school to eat, but many end up at either Lunardi’s Markets, the plaza’s grocery store, or Starbucks.
“I feel like it’s kind of small, and there aren’t many options. I always end up going to Lunardi’s and getting sushi,” said Carlmont sophomore Gabriel Tse.
Heavily involved in Carlmont’s drama program, senior Samantha Roberts often gets food at the shopping center after rehearsals.
“I try to avoid going there too much; it really adds up,” Roberts said.
As Roberts noted, spending small amounts of spare cash can add up to larger losses. In fact, a CNBC study found that teens spend an average of $2,600 on food and clothing each year.
While students can save money by bringing their own food, knowing some affordable alternatives nearby can also help.
One option, Doc’s Bagels, is popular among students and offers a variety of bagels priced under $5.
“My favorite thing to get is bagels. They have a really good cranberry bagel, but usually by the end of the day, they’re out,” Roberts said.
Village Host Pizza & Grill is another popular restaurant among Carlmont students.
“When I’m waiting for something after school, I like to eat food at the shopping center. Village Host is one of my favorites,” Tse said.
While known for pizza, it also offers items such as $6.80 buffalo chicken strips and $4.50 garlic bread.
Coyote’s Mexican Cafe, another establishment, offers a “Mexican Style Taco” option.
The taco includes grilled steak or beef, salsa, lime, and two tortillas.
At $3.25 per taco, it is a budget-friendly meal with plenty of protein.
Carlmont chemistry teacher Hai Nguyen suggested another alternative.
“I really like the sandwich place, Lorenzo’s,” Nguyen said.
Located just past the shopping center, Lorenzo’s Sandwich Shop offers a variety of sandwiches for about $12 each.
A lesser-known spot by the plaza is Jiro’s Cafe & Bakery. Open until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, the Japanese cafe offers drinks such as matcha and soda, along with musubi, onigiri, curry, and a variety of pastries.
Whether on a budget or not, exploring the different cuisines and dishes nearby can be a worthwhile experience.
“Food is very expensive right now, but either way, students deserve more options,” Nguyen said.
