Return of the Potato Chicken Bowl!?!
The fabled Moeller potato chicken bowl
Something is amiss at Moeller this year. Without it, Moeller just is not the same. What we are missing is none other than that sweet Styrofoam bowl filled with creamy mashed potatoes, warm gravy, juicy corn, melty cheese, and finally that immaculate chicken to top it off that creates the famous potato chicken bowl.
The reasons for the disappearance are varied and surrounded in mystery. However, insight from cafeteria head Tammy Barnes let me know that it is in fact because of Covid. Even if they could serve it in the lunchroom, “The problem lies in getting it to the freshman and sophomores in the AC.” Due to health code rules, the food needs to be at a certain temperature, and without the steam heating system, which is only available in the cafeteria, it won’t be possible this year.
Sadly, due to these reasons, it looks like the chicken bowl will not be returning this year. The lunch staff is planning on starting with something simple like fries that they can get to everybody, and hopefully, this can lead to the potato bowl.
The pizza and sandwiches that are now available during COVID year.
Photo by: Jack Scally
If you cannot wait this long rejoice. KFC offers its own potato chicken bowl they call the ‘Famous Bowl’. So, if you still have a hole in your heart that only the chicken bowl can fill, consider heading to KFC as a substitute for now. As a bonus, they offer it in original or the new Nashville Hot style, so if you are the guy who always puts hot sauce on yours this is right up your alley. Though the ingredients are relatively the same at KFC, Mrs. Barnes believes the Moeller potato bowl trumps theirs because, “Ours is made with love.”
You can immediately tell when it is chicken bowl day. You can smell the enticing aroma from the second floor and the lunch lines are out in the hallway.
As Moeller students like senior Danny Dunlop love to reminisce about the chicken potato bowl, “The potato bowl is my favorite meal. Put some hot sauce on it and it’s gas.” Danny long awaits its return, and I am sure we all agree with him. Hopefully Danny can get his hands on at least one last bowl before graduating in May.
According to Ben Hegge '19 and his 2019 article Top Ten Best Moeller Lunch Food Entrees, the potato chicken bowl obviously reigns supreme as the number one spot on the list.
Finally, Andrew Lang, a four-year consumer of Moeller lunch food says, “The nice texture and savory flavors stay in my mouth…it just hits different". I don’t think it can be summed up any better than this. You can tell the gloriousness of the chicken bowl based on heartfelt and emotional testimonials.
In conclusion, Moeller students are asking, nay, DEMANDING the potato chicken bowl be returned. Our voices will not be drowned out, so give us the potato chicken bowl, or give us death.