Bishop Manogue High School should bring back the iconic BBQ chicken mac & cheese for school lunch. This lunch item is a favorite among students, but unfortunately hasn’t been seen much on the menu as of last year. In the 2025-2026 school year, BBQ chicken mac & cheese will only be served once, whereas in the 2024-2025 school year, students reported the meal being served almost monthly.

“It really is the best thing on the menu,” says Sofia Jaferian, senior, “I don’t know why they are barely serving it this year.”

The BBQ chicken mac & cheese wasn’t just popular, it was consistently one of the most requested meals by students. Lunchtime is one of the few breaks students get during the academic day, and a good meal can really make a difference. We can’t disregard the simple fact that students are the primary consumers of school meals. If a dish is both loved and in high demand, it makes sense to prioritize it. Schools claim they want to listen to student voices, and this would be an easy way to do exactly that.

Bringing back BBQ chicken mac & cheese wouldn’t be impossible. It uses simple ingredients, and the cafeteria has served it many times already. Reintroducing it even once a month would show students that their preferences matter and that the school values their everyday experiences.

In the end, this isn’t just about mac & cheese. Bishop Manogue High School should recognize the impact this one meal has and bring it back where it belongs, in the cafeteria on a regular basis.