Staff Picks: Our Writers Share Their Controversial Food Takes
- Piece of Cake Staff
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
We all have at least one food opinion that makes other people stop and say, “Wait… what?” Whether it is a strange flavor combination, a defense of a supposedly childish meal, or a strong stance against a trendy ingredient, food hot takes tend to be conversation-starters. In this edition of Staff Picks, we share the food opinions we absolutely stand by, no matter how unpopular they may seem. Who knows? Maybe one of these takes will inspire something new!
1. Chicken Tenders Aren't Just for Kids - Samantha
Chicken tenders have somehow been labeled as “kids’ food,” but that honestly makes no sense. They are one of the most reliable meals out there. They are simple and crispy, and you always know what you are getting. There is no reason people should feel pressured to order something more complicated just to seem grown up when chicken tenders are exactly what they want. Plus, the sauces are half the experience, whether it is barbecue, honey mustard, ranch, or buffalo. At the end of the day, food should not have age rules. If it tastes good, that is enough reason to eat it. Chicken tenders prove that!
2. Tomates ≠ Ketchup - Indy
I hate tomatoes, but I love tomato sauce and ketchup!
3. Sweet Potatoes and Peanut Butter Are a Perfect Match - Lindsay
Sweet potatoes and peanut butter are the perfect match. May sound weird, but trust me, the flavor combination of these two is absolutely amazing. The sweetness & softness of the sweet potato pairs perfectly with the creaminess (and/or crunchiness) and nuttiness of the peanut butter. Flavors aside, this combo has a ton of health benefits. Sweet potatoes are full of vitamins and antioxidants, which support eye and skin health and boost the immune system. Peanut butter is packed with healthy fats, which help keep you satiated and increase good (HDL) cholesterol.
4. Milk With Ice Cubes is Delicious - Cove
Who said milk cannot have ice cubes? Certainly not me! On a warm day, dropping a few ice cubes into a glass of milk may just be exactly what you need. It makes the milk extra cold and soothing. Sure, the milk does get a bit diluted, but that's part of the point. When the ice eventually melts, you're left with an ultra-refreshing drink. Half milk. Half water. Delicious! People add ice to coffee, soda, and juice all the time, so why should milk be any different?
5. Noodles are Better Than Pasta - Teresa
As a Bay Area native, I grew up eating all sorts of noodle dishes across Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisines, among others. In my opinion, the diversity of noodle types and textures beats pasta shapes any day. Noodles are springy, slurpy, saucy, and extremely addictive.
6. "Co-worker Food" is Boring - Brendan
My hot take pertains to a type of food I’ve recently noticed at an increasing rate. I’ve coined this archetype of food as “Co-Worker Food," referring to the type of easy, quick, casual, and “healthy” spots that come with customizable food options, fluorescent lights, similar marketing, and decor that feels too perfected and intentionally architected. It feels like the appropriate meal for a finance bro and removes the possibility of co-worker stares while chowing down lunch. And, while it tastes good, I tend to taste uncanniness: perhaps my meal is perfectly designed to be healthy yet artificially craveable? CAVA, DIG, Sweetgreen, NAYA, and Juice Express: don’t they feel too ‘safe’ and uninspired in comparison to, say, an immigrant-owned restaurant? Maybe it’s an issue with chain restaurants that creates a lack of originality, or maybe it’s the invisible hand that social media trends have on defining trends in the restaurant business.
7. Strawberries and Ketchup Go Great Together - Sara
Sometimes, I eat strawberries and ketchup together! It's low-key soooo good. Mostly because of the sweetness! And if you think about it, it's not that crazy. Tomatoes are actually fruits, too.
Some of these takes might make you hungry, while others might make you question everything, but they all prove one thing: taste is personal. And the best foods are the ones that make us happiest—even if others disagree. So whether you find chocolate disgusting or you enjoy pouring milk in before the cereal, don't be afraid to defend your not-so-popular take. At the end of the day, food is supposed to be fun!
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