Our Top Five Grill Rankings

By: ALEX LIM ‘26 and JULIA ZHOU ‘27

Every Exonian loves Grill - that’s where we spend the most time chatting with friends in line, basking in the gust of chill as the freezer doors are opened, and buying much-needed sustenance for late-night studying. There are so many Grill items that are undeniably iconic. French fries and Grill cookies are by far the most popular items sold at Grill. But are they really worth the proverbial hype? 

A recurring pattern throughout our extensive research for this article (our pockets hurt) is Grill prices’ connection to healthy food. It’s difficult to place food on a healthiness scale, but in general, the idea of what healthy food is is pretty universal. For example, fruits and veggies are considered healthier. 

Unfortunately, at Grill, healthier foods tend to be far more expensive than the less healthy food. For example, compare grapes and grill cookies. Students have voiced their concerns about this dilemma, as it is an important aspect of student life on campus. If unhealthy food is more accessible to students than healthy food, this could lead to the decline of student health! 

But will healthy snacks bear the same popularity as snacks like cookies or candy? Are we just victims of Grill taking advantage of their Exonian snack monopoly? Would I change my Grill order of two cookies and an Arizona for 1 point 3-4 times a week if any improvements are made? No, probably not.

5. Grapes

The grapes sold at Grill are one of the more controversial items. Fresh berries are hard to come by at Exeter. So when a fruit-deprived student finally has quick access to some, they can’t help but buy them - even if it means spending five dollars for a handful of grapes. On the surface, five dollars for grapes doesn’t sound awful, but if you compare the amount you are getting, it’s a rip-off! At Hannaford, you can buy an entire bag of grapes for five dollars (plus the cost of walking there, of course), but at Grill, five dollars only gets you eight grapes. 

Alas, even with the insane prices, the grapes at Grill are still tasty, and hit the spot (almost) everytime. If you consider the crunch factor, healthiness, and shareability, grapes get a 1/5 for price, and a 4/5 for taste, resulting in a 5/10 overall score. 

4. Candy

Candy is a popular choice to purchase. It’s great to munch on, and there’s a ton of variety. HOWEVER, why is one bag of gummies $2.19, and not $2.00?!? This makes the item ever so slightly NOT fit GrillMath. Apparently, last year, gummies were exactly $2.00, meaning that candy is a victim of GrillFlation. 2/5 for price, 5/5 for taste. Final score: 7/10

3. French Fries

Hot food in Grill is a fantastic option if D-Hall food is miserable or you missed breakfast while cramming for a bio quiz. A chicken waffle, warm and mapley, is inviting. Tater tots, though the price point is steep, often sport a crispy, browned outside and hot, soft inside. 

French fries, however, are of course the most coveted and beloved hot food. Some days, I lift the lid of the metal shelf and happen upon still piping hot fries in a greasy paper cup. The softness of the potato and buzz of the seasoned salt combine for a rich, homey sensation, and are paired best with ketchup (though the new individual packets by the utensils are questionable). Other days, the fries are limp and tragic. Even ketchup cannot conceal the toughness of the fry or the dryness or the inner potato. 

But alas, the $2 price point is tempting, and on a good day, the fries are a true dub. 5/5 price, 2/5 taste. Surprisingly, a 7/10 performance.

2. Cheddar Cheese

Did you know that you can buy twenty six slices of sharp cheddar cheese at Grill? Now, you might be confused why this even made it into this ranking, but this item might be one of the most underrated things to buy at Grill. For the cost of around five dollars, you can get an entire container of delicious sharp cheddar cheese! “Who needs twenty six slices of sharp cheddar cheese?” you might ask. I personally believe that everyone does. Not only is this item great for sharing with friends, but it can help you elevate your ramen, giving you a mouth-watering cheese pull. 

This item gets a 4/5 for price, since it doesn’t fit the GrillMath (a perfect even integer cost), and a 4/5 for taste, since cheese is only good if you like it. Final score: 8/10

1. Grill Cookies

We cannot speak on items at Grill without mentioning Grill cookies. Four cookies for one Grill point?? Say less; take my money. The buttery and caramel edges of the cookie crunch perfectly. The inside folds apart like pages of a book. If Grill cookies could have an emoji, it would be this:  

Grill Cookie, love of my life, you paragon of chocolateness and softness, you. 10/10.