On January 7, the WHS Cafeteria unveiled Lakeshore Deli, a custom salad bar complete with numerous options for paninis, toppings, and dressings. Its opening day created snaking lines wrapping around the corner and stretching as far back as the regular queues, with many sacrificing extra lunch time to try the new fare.

The salad bar returned after a long history of complaints over lunch lines. Many students dreaded the wait – which could exceed twenty minutes – and were unsatisfied with the variety of options available. “I think we needed something else,” said senior Lila Nordeen.

Lakeshore Deli offers a mix of romaine and fresh greens for the salad base, and students can choose to fill their bowl with either crispy or grilled chicken. From there, toppings include cheddar cheese, assorted vegetables, croutons, sunflower seeds, and other various garnishings. To finish the salad off, pitchers of Caesar, Italian, and ranch dressing sit atop the counter for students to drizzle over their bowls.

The salad bar also intermittently offers a Southwest-style salad, complete with grilled chicken, tortilla strips, chipotle ranch, and “cowboy caviar,” which is a tangy mix of corn, beans, and peppers.

Paninis, another popular choice among students, are served hot with the option of either ham or turkey and a gooey cheese filling.

Despite the fresh, unique meals the salad bar has to offer, it has received mixed reviews from lunchgoers. On one hand, some praised Lakeshore Deli for its compelling mix of ingredients and structure. “I’ve been waiting for my salad for so long,” exclaimed senior Navin Hebert, who claimed to eat only from the line in previous years. “There’s a lot of variety and it changes throughout the week… the line isn’t too long. People can’t easily budge it.”

On the other hand, many have criticized the bar, calling it bland and uninteresting. “The line was way too long. Nothing special about it,” remarked Nordeen. “I feel like there’s, like, six different toppings, and that’s it. Give me a French dressing in there and I’ll be happy.”

Though the salad bar has undergone a mix of both scrutiny and acclaim, lines remain long as students queue up to experience the cafeteria’s newest development. Lakeshore Deli has become the talk of the school, and given its prevalence and traction, is likely here to stay.