You walk into the newly opened Honeygrow at 38 and Walnut streets. “I had three Magic Carpet cookies today, so I want to be healthy and get a salad” you say to your friend.
Hehe. Little do they know.
You approach the kiosk. You get a flashback to the last time you used this little touch screen at Wawa, the original kiosk god, freshman year. Chicken finger hoagie with guacamole, provolone, tomatoes, lettuce. Comfort with a hint of sadness surrounds you knowing you can’t make that decision here.
Option 1: Salad. Some green could do you some good. But you’re still gonna add the whole wheat noodles. Why not? Nobody’s standing there pressuring you into the plain salad decision, and you don’t have to ask. Just tap. You add avocado, obviously, then Brussels, sweet potato, squash, corn, grapes, beets…no need to stop. There’s none of that $0.85 per ingredient Kitchen Gia bullshit, these are an easy $0.35 extra. That’s not even treat yo–self level, that’s just like ok yeah why not. The honey ginger scallion vinaigrette will change your life. You know how Sweet Green dressings leave a weird taste in your mouth? These ones only leave happiness. Finish with candied cashews always.
Option 2: Stir fry. Because sometimes salads are for chumps, and noodles tend to make people happier than spinach. Again, you’re struck by the endless add–ins. You swipe your hand over the screen as if it were an elevator and select every choice just in case. Red curry sauce, lemon miso tahini, you want them all. You decide to make it your semester goal to try every sauce. Oh, there are only a few weeks left in the semester? Darn just gonna have to only eat stir fry…Top with candied cashews again, always.
You swipe your card, are pleasantly surprised by the cost (I actually balled out and it came to $11) and exit the dream–state you’ve been in. You look around, your friend is still on his phone. The people behind the counter didn’t give you a second glance when you asked for your sixth topping. You don’t have to justify your decision, “oh I’m going to save half for lunch tomorrow” because lol we all know that’s not happening.
Honeygrow just gave you the most serene and thought provoking moment of your day. You grab your bag, walk out the door and back to Huntsman or home. You take your first bite of whatever the fuck you wanted and take a deep breath. The scent of freedom is in the air. America.
