It’s 11:20. As students get out from their classes, most of them are thinking about what to eat. Spicy chicken? Chinese? A burger? Most students eat and never think about how their food is made.

According to Zaruhi Gezalyan, Clark’s cafeteria manager, the burger choice is very popular. In fact, according to Gezalyan, Food Services sells about 82 barbeque items daily out of 450 food items. They normally sell 60 burgers, 10 chicken, 10 hot dogs and two veggie burgers, she said.

According to cook Siranush Safaryan, the process of making the burgers is really quite simple. First, she brings out the meat from the refrigerator, already defrosted, puts the meat on the grill and waits for the burger to be well done and juicy before she puts them in a metal container from which they are served.

Next she washes, cuts and places the veggies on the grill. Just like the meat, she puts them in a metal container and puts aluminum foil over each container so the food stays warm. “We are the only school in Glendale who wash the vegetables before putting them on the grill,” Safaryan said. It was actually Gezalyan’s idea to barbeque the vegetables, she said.

After that, she separates the hamburger buns onto separate plates and puts a bag of chips on each plate. Soon afterwards students from all grade levels approach the Panther Pit to purchase the burgers.

Student Reni Sahakian said he enjoys the packaging of the panther burger. “I like it because it is the only food that is served at school that comes in a good portion,” Sahakian said. “I usually get the beef patty with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and the thousand islands sauce.”

Junior Vanuhi Nadimyan said that the burger is not amazing but it is not bad. “To be honest, it is actually a good tasting burger,” Nadimyan said. “I just think that the quality of the meat could be better. Compared to the other foods in the cafeteria, the burger is better than the rest. It has flavor.”

Sophomore Daniel Torres said that he eats the burgers almost every day. “I enjoy eating the school’s burger,” Torres said. “I only eat the chicken patty and like the bacon that comes on the side. I’m happy with the way it is. It tastes better than the burgers from McDonald’s.”

Clark’s burger is also supported by some Clark staff members. Teachers Conrad Pruitt, Judy Thomsen, Chris Axelgard and new animation teacher John Over have been seen eating the burger.

Thomsen said that her friends are shocked when she says that she gets all the nutrients she needs at school. She said she gets her veggies, her protein, and it all is delicious.

Over said he eats the burger about three times a week. “I really like the smoky, grilled crispy flavor. It is very convenient,” Over said. “The fact that it is right here and it’s delivery process is so fast is just fantastic. I’m not that much of a chip guy so the grilled corn would be my favorite side dish.” When asked if there could be any improvements, he responded by saying that “toasted buns would be great.”

Another teacher always seen around the Panther Pit, mainly because of his job as supervisor, is PE teacher Chris Axelgard. “For school food, it really isn’t that bad,” Axelgard said. “I get a burger probably once a week. The ladies cooking the food should be given many thank you’s. They do a very great job and deserve a whole lot of compliments. They work very hard and do not receive the amount of appreciation that they should get. I always thank them for their service whenever I get my food.”

According to the cafeteria’s statistics, juniors and seniors consume the burgers more than the sophomores and freshman. Since it is closer to where they normally hang out at lunch, the juniors and seniors may eat at the Panther Pit more often than the rest of the grades.

“If you cook with love then the taste will be better,” Gezalyan said. “We love our students so we do everything possible to make the food pleasing to them.”