On March 1, 2022, after four years of planning and two years of construction, the new PHS Tiger Cafe opened for the first time. The new cafe was part of a $26.9 million referendum passed in 2018 which allowed construction to begin in 2020. Although the cafe was previously planned to open in late 2020, progress was halted after the COVID-19 pandemic began.

   The cafe is located on the first floor and takes the place of the former school store, which sold common school supplies and school merchandise. Now, the store sells a variety of food and drinks, including cookies, chips, smoothies, pretzels, and coffee, all things not offered in the main cafeteria.

   “The big difference is that everything [at the cafeteria] has to be compliant with the USDA’s guidelines, and complete all the components of a lunch,” said Monique Graber, Food Services Director at the Princeton High School. “So we're selling all those different components down here at the main cafeteria with our main entrees, vegetables, fruits, and milk. But [at the new cafe], we are still compliant with school nutrition, but can sell snack items instead.”

   Unlike the main cafeteria, the new cafe is open during both the regular lunch period and one period after lunch, as well as during F Day Tiger Time. 

   “The goal was to have an area where kids could go, not during the lunch period, and kind of get snacks and other grab-and-go options,” said Graber. “Maybe when they were in between classes, or maybe during Tiger Time when the cafeteria wasn't open.”

   In general, the cafe aims to cut down on the line at the main cafeteria and provide a more accessible and convenient eating location for both staff and students. Additionally, the new cafe hopes to alleviate the risk of spreading COVID-19 that arises from the long lines at the regular cafeteria. For students, these new options and the smaller lines at the main cafeteria have not gone unnoticed.

   “I think [the new cafe] has its pros because it can take away a huge line that forms in the cafeteria where the vast majority [of students] get their food,” said Aiden Linkov ’24. “I think that [the line] is the main issue of the cafeteria that needs to be addressed, and if the school can find more ways to reduce the line that they have, then [getting lunch] will be more convenient.” 

   David Xu ’25 appreciates how the cafe allows him to eat something different every once in a while.

“Sometimes the food becomes repetitive with sandwiches and pasta everyday. Going to the new cafe makes lunch and sitting with your friends more enjoyable,” Xu said.

   So far, the cafe has been popular with the students, and Graber and the rest of the PHS Dining Services leadership team hope to keep it that way. 

   “If you guys keep telling us what you want, we can forward that to the principals and we can make stuff happen,'' said Graber. “Keep on letting us know what your thoughts are!”