By Nabeeh Ndiaye
Photo by Nabeeh Ndiaye
Students spend all day in school taking tests, learning facts, and waiting impatiently for the end of the day. Brief moments of pause give them the time to think about only one thing: What am I going to do when I get out of school? When the bell rings at 3:35 and students eagerly flood off campus, where do they go? And how do these students let loose and have fun? As a freshman, I surveyed the class of 2027 to find out which establishments Willow freshmen frequent in the area after school.
A short five-minute walk away from campus lies Starbucks, the most visited place by the freshmen. Starbucks was voted for by an overwhelming 44% of students. The coffee shop has a large menu of hot and iced drinks, pastries, baked goods, and sandwiches. The interior of the cafe has a casual inviting atmosphere that seems to attract Willow students like moths to a flame. “I like the social atmosphere, especially after school,” Emma Desormeaux said. “It feels like a safe space.” The freshmen seem to feel very comfortable in the cafe, making it a great place to stop by, grab a sweet drink after school, and relax.
A little farther down Freret is the second-most visited place by the class of ‘27, Dat Dog, voted for by 18% of students. This local hot dog joint, founded in 2011, has a tasty menu of hotdogs, burgers, fries, tater tots, and more. Dat Dog is distinguished by its colorful, vibrant exterior. Every inch of the place is plastered with eye-catching art. This fun environment has made it a great spot for students to drop by and hangout. “The food at Dat Dog is very tasty and well made,” Parker Nguyen said, “and the playlist of music is really good.” The magnetic, upbeat feel and delicious food guarantees a great visit.
One more block down Freret is the third-most visited place, Blaze, voted for by 9% of students. The restaurant has a menu that consists of a variety of pizzas, cheesy breads, salads, and desserts. Blaze’s bright, open ambience and good pizza have drawn in a number of freshmen. “The vibes are very chill, and they have good customer service,” Nia Darensbourg said, “and they have really good brownies.”
She’s not alone in this opinion.“I like the nice employees,” said Laila LeBeouf, “and their bacon pepperoni pizza.” The customer service and easy going vibes are why it’s an often-visited place by Willow students.
However, the specific places these students are going isn’t the point. The real reason that most students hang out in the area is to study, spend time with friends, and to relax after a long day at school. “I like going out in the area to hang out with friends and eat good food,” said Charles Easton. School work, extracurricular activities, clubs, and sport all put a heavy load of stress on students, and it’s important that they have a place where they can be themselves and have fun. Dragonfruit lemonade, anyone?
