Feet shuffle through the lunch line as the clinking and clattering of plates and the loud murmur of conversation sweep the Learning Commons. Conversations range from students talking about their most recent math test to energetically debating the real reason that the Bears keep losing, but an unspoken discussion dominates them all: What happened to totchos?

Tater tot nachos, more commonly referred to as “totchos,” consist of tater tots and nacho toppings and have been absent from Handcut Foods’ offerings since the first semester of the 2023-24 school year. The toppings were similar to those that Handcut Foods offers for taco salad, the only difference being that totchos had tater tots instead of chips and rice.

Senior Quinn McDonough, a self-described totchos enthusiast, has dearly missed the lunch offering. He advocated for their return, highlighting his love for totchos by dismissing the idea that anything should be changed about them.

“I’m livid [that totchos were removed]. I would do anything to bring them back,” he said.

Junior Charlie Wolin echoed this sentiment, as she is also extremely displeased with their disappearance. She pointed out that they were easier to eat than nachos because students can eat totchos with a fork, while most people eat nachos with their hands. Indeed, cleanliness appears to be one of the main benefits over the closely related taco salad and nachos.

“[Totchos] would probably rank in my top 10 lunches,” she said. “[One advantage is that] you can really put whatever [toppings] you want on it.”

Junior Diego Fernandez agreed with Charlie and Quinn. He also emphasized totchos’ versatile nature, where everyone can find an aspect of the meal they enjoy.

“I do miss [totchos],” he said. “I think it’s definitely a lot better than the nachos or the taco salad. It was a good lunch item and one of my favorites—it was probably in my top five, so hopefully they bring them back.”

So why did totchos get removed in the first place? Latin’s Dietitian Nutritionist Bethany Brown said, “[Handcut Foods] kind of realized people just like the tater tots more than everything else that’s going on.”

Since Ms. Brown and Head Chef Gabriel Uruñuela are new this year, they needed some time to adjust to the process of picking the menu before adding new lunch items or bringing back old favorites. And now that they both have had some time to settle in, Ms. Brown promised that changes to the menu would be coming soon.

One unusual recent menu item that turned a lot of heads was the donut bacon cheeseburgers.

“The donut cheeseburgers were horrendous,” Charlie said. “Those two things should not be put together. I thought the fries were good, though.”

Even if some students do not like the new lunch items, Ms. Brown emphasized that everything on the menu can be subject to change.

“We are [going to add] a couple new items every week to see what sticks, and feedback is really important,” she said. “We want to feed you what you like.”

Handcut Foods’ receptiveness to student feedback leaves hope for the return of totchos, much to the delight of students who have been craving them.

Mr. Uruñuela said, “I meet with [Ms. Brown] every week and we go over the four-week cycle menu that we have for all the [Latin School divisions]. We cover the topics of nutrition, health choices, allergens, what’s trending, and what’s in season.”

On the issue of totchos specifically, much to the satisfaction of students like Quinn, Charlie, and Diego, Chef Uruñuela said, “Totchos will be back soon.”