Illinois School Lunches In The 70s and 80s, Mystery, Nostalgia, Regret

School cafeterias from the 70s and 80s blended nostalgic food memories with many regrettable meal selections. The school day reached its peak with certain meals but others should definitely be avoided. I remember my days of getting hot lunches and one thing stands out. We only had one choice, not multiple. 

My days at Ellen Stiles School are way in the distant past but I do remember the pizza, it was outstanding but the grilled cheese sandwiches were hard as a rock. Middle School did not provide a hot lunch so we brown bagged it. High School, Auburn, I enjoyed taco day but spaghetti day was not a favorite. I love spaghetti but not Auburn's version of what should have been at the very least, decent. When we asked our listeners what was there favorite and least favorite, pizza took the lead with fish being the least favorite.

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ILLINOIS SCHOOLS NO LONGER TEACH THIS TO KIDS!

The Good: Comfort Food Classics

The most enjoyable school cafeteria meals kept things basic while delivering rich flavor and complete satisfaction.

Sloppy Joes served as a beloved lunch option because of their messy yet flavorful nature. The seasoned ground beef mixture on a soft bun created a comforting and satisfying meal.

While it didn't meet pizzeria standards, the traditional cafeteria pizza offered its own special appeal. The delicious combination of crispy crust and slightly tangy sauce with gooey cheese turned it into a highly cherished dish.

Anytime schools offered a Thanksgiving-style meal their students loved it. The processed turkey was compensated for by its delicious combination with mashed potatoes and gravy.

The cafeteria provided warm chili with saltine crackers as a satisfying cold-weather meal choice.

The Bad: Mystery Meats and Overcooked Veggies

Not every hot meal served proved to be a success. Former students are unable to forget certain school dishes that continue to haunt them even now.

This dish of processed Salisbury Steak drowned in dubious brown gravy served as punishment rather than food enjoyment.

These uninspiring boiled hot dogs lacked grill marks and sat unappealingly atop soggy buns.

A few schools offered liver in their menus but almost every student refused to eat it.

Students frequently found peas and carrots turned to mush and gray-looking green beans as overcooked vegetables served in school meals.

Some school lunches exceeded expectations with their quality yet others would be better off untouched. Anyone who spent their childhood in the 70s or 80s likely retains vivid memories of both excellent and poor cafeteria meals.