What’s your all-time favorite Dining Hall dish?

As a new student, I kept hearing rumors about the mysterious “Exploding Chicken,” a Family Style staple that had apparently ruined a generation’s worth of students’ ties, slacks and dresses. Our dorm prefects regaled us with tales of unsuspecting students doused in butter as they unknowingly cut into the harmless-looking chicken Kiev. My mind ran wild when I heard it was on the menu one Fall evening. I approached the dish as if I was about to embark on a major surgical procedure. To my surprise, the “explosion” was nothing more than a little pop of butter. Not only did I survive the chicken bomb, but it was actually pretty good! 
— Alexander Dacey ’03

A special memory is muffin day. I would always be one of the few at the dining hall early enough to get one, so I would always grab an extra for my roommate, Courtney, who liked sleeping in. 
— Brooke Maria (Azcuy) Eriksen ’08 

Chicken nuggets.
— Eason Wang ’27

“Exploding Chicken,” aka chicken Kiev. It was always fun to see who at Family Style meals would get absolutely demolished by the hot melted butter. Plus, it was delicious!
— Jennifer (Prostoff) Braciak ’11

Burger bar!
— Ethan Jin ’25

Brunch (after Saturday classes) was by far the best meal. My roommate and I would try to outdo each other until we eventually ended up with the toast-egg-cheese-bacon-sausage-hash brown double-decker sandwich.
— Robert Zakon ’86

Sunday morning waffles were the best.
— Chris Ransom ’06

Chicken breast, BBQ ribs.
— Andrii Golubchyk ’26

Muffins on Tuesdays! Would not miss this day for the world, and Cheryl would be passing them out with a big smile, making the whole thing amazing.
— Cal Rohde ’12

The infamous small BLT! Food service served us just one small BLT for lunch. Hungry young men need more!  A ruckus began in the corner of the Wilson Dining Hall, a pounding of the tables with the chant, “We want seconds.” In just moments, the entire student body was in revolt. Dean DuBois jumped up from the head table, shouting, “The next boy to make a sound is out !” All quiet broke loose as Mr. DuBois stormed back to the kitchen. Minutes passed. Then, out came seconds. Mr. DuBois was our hero!
— John M Roberts ’70

Chicken fingers.
— Aidan Lawrence ’26

Breakfast hash browns were always a go-to. 
— Matt Pustay ’02

Shepherds pie! Never had it before Peddie. 
— Jay Gorry ’57

“Exploding Chicken” and the muffins on Thursday mornings!
— Lauren Smedley ’09

Char Siu pork buns.
— Megan Cheng ’27

My Peddie dining experience was defined by learning to eat incredibly fast. If I didn’t, I could not finish a complete meal, especially as a freshman and sophomore when upperclassmen essentially dictated your portions. To this day, 55 years later, I am still a speed eater. 
— Roy Grossman ’70

Chicken Kiev is my all-time fave. 
— Celine Hau ’03

Loved “Exploding Chicken” and Muffin Day.
— Sarah Letter ’02

Vegetable chili.
— Ayaan Nagarkatti ’27

Chicken cheddar wraps.
— Gabriel Spadaccini ’13

All-time favorite dish was chicken Kiev, aka “Exploding Chicken.”
— Peter Cao ’05

Thursday muffins! With Cheryl serving and smiling, of course! “Exploding Chicken” at Family Style.
— Megan Hill Grewal ’97 

I like “Exploding Chicken,” chicken nuggets, and chicken cheddar wraps.
— Kohana Brown ’25

Muffin Thursdays and chicken cheddar wraps.
— Christine Lee ’08

“Exploding Chicken” and flank steak were a fave! 
— Katherine “Kate” (Ridgeway) Lobben ’11

Beef stew on noodles.
— Jennifer Orlick ’81

Breakfast for dinner.
— Liam Ruiz ’26

I loved the waffle bar at Sunday brunch (if I woke up in time!) For lunch, “Perogie Day” or “Chicken Nugget Day” were always favorites of mine. For Family Style, the chicken Kiev (“Exploding Chicken”) with wild rice was definitely the best. 
— Morgan Fagioli ’09

The salmon salad, berry smoothies and pork buns. 
— Ivy Zhao ’25

Every once in a while, they did a make-your-own potato bar, and that was my favorite. 
— Jon Siegel ’91

Chicken nuggets were my favorite.
— Bridgette McKnight ’10

Probably the corn fritters.
— John Lord ’71

Definitely the yucca fries blue plate.
— Anjali Sudarshan ’25

Chicken cheddar wraps.
— Nicholas Massenburg-Abraham ’17

Pork roll and cheese sandwiches for lunch were my favorite. 
— Mark Gartner ’84

BBQ ribs.
— Siwoo Jeong ’27

Roast beef and mashed potatoes (even if mixed with condensed formula) smothered in gravy. Yum!
— Richard Gerweck ’78

Chicken Kiev, aka “Squirting Chicken,” might’ve been the favorite and the scariest.
— Lauren (Laurie) King ’88

Chicken cheddar wrap.
— Fred Sullivan ’26

“Exploding Chicken.”
— Beth Strum ’94

Oddly, potato chips and cottage cheese come to mind. Hey, it was the 80s.
— Stephanie Martin ’91

The mystery meat that had a sheen which glowed in several colors, red, green and brown, once reputed to be kangaroo! We swallowed it often, even if suspect.
— John Roberts ’70

Turkey Divan was my favorite. It was only served at Family Style Dinner. Before I tried that dish, I had never eaten broccoli, but it turned me into a broccoli lover and got me to try other foods I never thought I would enjoy. When I went home for a break and told my Mom I liked broccoli, she almost fell out of her seat. It was a miracle! Peddie got me to try broccoli. 
— Bill Volckening ’84

Chicken cheddar wraps, taco night, and the salmon rice dish!
— Olivia Dewar ’24

I love breakfast food, and the French toast always hit the spot after morning swim practice.
— Bryce Hillman ’07

Corn fritters and Canadian bacon.
— Jennifer Miksis-Olds ’92

Anyone else remember what we called creamed chip beef?
— Steve Cole ’60

I would sit next to the teacher to get first pick at the food. One I remember was chipped beef on toast.
— Sam Havens ’61

Peaches and cream for dessert.
— John Wall ’51

Chicken Kiev. That’s it. That’s the story.
— Alex Valentino ’13

The most fun was “Exploding Chicken” (aka chicken Kiev), especially the first Family Style they served it at each year!
— Julie Saker Schlegel ’90