Tucked away inside the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center is The Lunch Box, where the culinary students run an entire restaurant themselves. Gracie and I, Marissa, had the privilege to eat lunch at The Lunch Box, and it did not disappoint! As soon as we walked through the door, we were hit with the aroma of freshly baked lasagna and delicious cake. The dining room buzzed with energy, filled with eager students honing their craft and customers excited to taste the creations. It is more than just a restaurant; it’s a living classroom where passion and flavor meet.
The students not only cooked but also served the customers, and their professionalism truly shined through. It was easy to forget that they’re still in training. We were welcomed with friendly smiles, and the selection was surprisingly polished and well thought out. They offered both classic, staple dishes and creative twists that showed off their skills. As we went through the refined selection, we decided to start with the lasagna, and we quickly realized that these students know exactly what they’re doing, even as first year chefs. Every bite felt carefully thought out and crafted to perfection. The lasagna was layered with rich tomato sauce, bite-sized pieces of juicy beef, and the pasta all baked to perfection. In my opinion, it could hold its own against lasagna from any Italian restaurant in town.
Alongside the lasagna, the sides kept things fresh and balanced. Gracie and I both got some of the crisp side salad. The salad was simple, yet refreshing, with crunchy lettuce and a light ranch dressing that didn’t overpower the contents of the salad. As someone who can be super picky, I was thrilled to try potatoes for the first time. Although I’ve had french fries before, I have never had regular potatoes before, and these were delicious. They were a food that I would definitely love to have on my plate again! The Lunch Box did potatoes right, being warm and perfectly seasoned. Together, the sides rounded out the meal and made the entire thing feel complete.
Well, almost complete. We still had to try the desert. The students had prepared a variety of cakes that looked like they belonged in a bakery window. I tried a slice of the chocolate cake, while Gracie had a slice of the vanilla cake. Both pieces of cake had fluffy buttercream frosting with a nice touch of caramel drizzle on top. The cake was moist and not too sweet, but still decadent enough for me to want the entire slice. Nothing we tried disappointed us at all.
Something that impressed me wasn’t just the food, but the professionalism of the students. They all carried themselves with confidence and treated every guest with genuine care. Even while swiftly moving between tables, they still made time to connect with their customers. You can easily tell that they weren’t just serving meals, but practicing their craft and honing in skills that they’ll carry into their future careers.
By the time that we left, Gracie and I agreed that The Lunch Box is more than just an average lunch spot-it’s an experience that you cannot forget. It’s an amazing chance to support young culinary talents while still enjoying a meal that can easily compete with local favorites. Trust me-you’ll walk out impressed, satisfied, and maybe even inspired by the next generation of chefs.
Hidden Gem of SICTC: The Lunch Box
