Scouring through the options for lunch in college has not been a hard feat. The options typically consist of a bowl, a slop bowl and an even sloppier bowl. Each slop bowl consists of a collaborative medley of ingredients typically served at fast-casual restaurants. So, what separates each slop bowl from the other? How are the Mediterranean and Mexican fast-food cuisines incorporated into this new fad of ingredients in a bowl we call lunch? Here are my top five slop bowls in and around Vanderbilt’s campus. 

1. Greenery  

I believe Hillsboro’s Greenery has the most underground slop bowl in the game. With dozens of fresh salad toppings and dressing choices, Greenery’s salad bowls truly cater to everyone — and that’s coming from a formerly picky eater. What separates this slop bowl from the rest is the clean feeling after eating its bowls, even its larger-than-average portion sizes. In a sense, Greenery’s “slop,” or messy collaboration of ingredients, affects its bowls minimally. Its Thai cashew vinaigrette and toasted pumpkin seeds sit at the top of my favorites list, both adding texture and flavor without tipping the bowl into overload.   

2. Cava 

Cava will always have a special place in my heart. Located right next to Vanderbilt’s campus on 21st Avenue, Cava’s Mediterranean bowls are filling, reliable and feel like a step up from the standard fast-casual bowl. Its build-your-own bowl setup is inclusive and straightforward. I have become accustomed to the routine of selecting a base of greens or rice, then a protein, then layering on dips like hummus and tzatziki and finishing my bowl with toppings like cucumbers, broccoli and feta. At Cava, mixing everything together truly works, and I guarantee it will end up feeling more structured and flavorful than most other lunch options.  

 3. Chopt  

While I was first introduced to Chopt through its wraps, I was blown away by its kale Caesar salad and was recently introduced to its sweet apple orchard salad. Chopt has a wide selection of unique toppings that other slop spots may not include in their menus, like crumbled goat cheese, seasonal apples, crispy wontons and dried cranberries. It doesn’t follow the status quo like many other fast-casual restaurants do, maintaining a fresh and healthy taste. Although a bit inconvenient for Vanderbilt students due to its location in The Mall at Green Hills, I recommend trying Chopt at least once during your time here for a sharp, nuanced and scrumptious bite.  

 4. Chipotle 

Chipotle is a standout fan favorite. I grew up with Chipotle burritos and bowls alike but have long gravitated toward its bowls. While I appreciate the nostalgic childhood taste that classic ingredients like its beans, rice and corn salsa bring, its same set of toppings has not changed much over the years. While consistency is typically a good thing within the slop bowl game, each bowl at Chipotle I have tasted recently feels like a variation of the last. However, I must take a moment to praise its new addition of cilantro lime sauce, which has spiced up its game a bit. 

5. E. Bronson Ingram dining hall – honorable mention  

While I understand that E. Bronson Ingram already receives a certain level of hype as Vanderbilt’s “best” dining hall, I shamelessly must add to this. Amidst a variety of slop bowls, which vary in price points between $12 and $20, and other on-campus options like the Rand Mediterranean bowls, many of us take for granted one right in front of us. For the small price of a single meal swipe, EBI’s saute station is a colorful and viable option, offering a level of efficiency and control that the off-campus spots cannot quite match. Many swap out oil for water in the cooking process of the bowl, which cuts down on the heaviness that surrounds many other bowls. With EBI, it’s less about the aesthetic of the bowl but more about the reliability, which is guaranteed no matter the day or time.  

Unlike most other college towns, we are lucky to live amid a wide range of options in Nashville, Tennessee. Whether you call it slop, a bowl or even just lunch, the beauty of it lies in the freedom to make each bowl your own each time.