Au Bon Pain

     One of the greatest places known to mankind on North Central College's campus, is a little place called Au Bon Pain. Open Monday through Friday from 7 AM until 5 PM (with the exception of Fridays closing at 4:30 PM). This is one of four spots to get food on campus, and it is arguably the best tasting there is through the meal plan. You can either spend your own money at this spot, through cash or a credit/debit card, or you can use your "Bonus Bucks" as a student. Which is money you obtain through your meal plan that is automatically added to your student ID at the beginning of every semester. Each meal plan has a different amount of Bonus Bucks. I have the one consisting of the most, with $700 worth of bonus bucks to spend not only at Au Bon Pain (ABP), but also at other locations on campus such as the Cage and the Café.
 
    Back to why this is the greatest place on campus. Every morning, I wake up, do my morning routine of taking a while to get out of bed, shower, etc. Then I head over to ABP and get my usual of a Turkey and Cheddar sandwich, with bacon and mayo. Sounds a little odd, but it is one of the best things they got on their menu. I walk in and they say, "Hey Cooper, you want your usual?" because I go there so much. Typically, I only go here for breakfast. Monday through Friday, getting my same sandwich and occasionally an energy drink. Lunch and Dinner I am elsewhere. 

    Right around 9 AM is when the rush starts to come in, so I always get there before that. There is a long line, almost out the door, and the small area becomes packed, like sardines in a can. That is one downside, but the taste of the food combats that. I am glad that this place is staying even with the departure of Chartwell's next year, because I do not know what I would do without it.