Stefanos opened its doors in Terra Linda to provide solar-powered pizza and other Italian fare, such as calzones, etc. They’re located nearby at 424 Las Gallinas Ave, San Rafael, CA 94903, being a short five minute drive from Terra Linda High School. Stefanos provides a great bang for your buck as you can get the $6 lunch special, which comes with a small drink and two fresh cheese pizza slices. Due to its location and value, Stefanos Pizzeria definitely deserves a spot on this list. Xan Sothern, a Terra Linda junior, rates it a 8.5/10. He adds, “You can’t beat the value you get here from anywhere else; it’s just too good.”
Panda Express is a nationwide fast-food chain that specializes in serving American-Chinese cuisine. It is well known for its orange chicken and chow-mein. However, their vast menu gives customers lots of options to choose from. They also have to compete with the nearby Chipotle. Located in Northgate, Panda Express’s address is 5800 Northgate Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903. Since they’re located so close, it’s a six minute journey there and back. A simple bowl and a drink won’t cost you more than $12 as it includes two sides and one main. Don’t forget the added fortune cookies for after your meal. Ericson Lopez, a Terra Linda junior, gave Panda Express an 8/10, emphasizing that “the orange chicken is good, but if you eat it too much, the taste can get boring.”
Serving Mexican-American cuisine in a casual dining setting, Chipotle specializes in bowls and burritos that are made to order in front of the customer. Out of all the spots on this list, Chipotle is probably the first choice for many Terra Linda students. It is healthy, and the satisfying taste makes it a balanced meal, which may be hard to find. In an average bowl, you get either steak or chicken, a choice of pinto or black beans, and whatever toppings you want. The average bowl order without guacamole (that cost extra) is about $13. It may be a little costly, but worth it. Johanson Santos, a Terra Linda junior, rated the global chain an 8.5/10, stating, “The food is fresh, and with all the options they have, it doesn’t get boring eating there.”
It isn’t exactly a restaurant, but Safeway has loads of options when it comes to choosing what to eat for lunch. They have a huge selection of normal chips, drinks, and candies. However, they also have a deli where you can make your own sandwiches and purchase hot foods such as chicken wings, nuggets, and other sides. In addition, Safeway offers a bakery where they sell freshly baked cookies and sweet treats. Anton Schultz, a junior at TL, claims, “Safeway has everything you need in one spot, so it automatically should be popular. I would give it an 8/10, because the food quality is hit or miss.”
Though a little on the pricey side, Bagel Street Cafe serves bagels, sandwiches, and drinks in a casual setting. They have multiple locations within the Bay Area and started in the 1990s. In their mission statement, they say, “We strive to provide customers from neighborhoods or local businesses with the best available, natural ingredients.” You can walk away with a plain bagel and cream cheese for $4.75. Bagel Street is located in Northgate one at 208 Northgate Dr one, San Rafael, CA 94903. TL junior Logan Miles states, “I would give it a 9/10 because the quality is really good, but to be honest, it can get a little pricey, so I’d deduct a point and give them a solid 8/10.”
