9 Nostalgic School Cafeteria Foods Every Southerner Remembers

Ice Cream Sandwiches

A classic pairing of vanilla ice cream and chocolate biscuit cookies, a luxury enjoyed on special "treat days" that still brings back fond memories.

Strawberry Milk

Tiny cartons of bubblegum pink strawberry milk were a school lunch staple, loved despite not tasting like real strawberries, and hard to find in grocery stores.

Coca-Cola Cake

A Southern classic, this chocolatey cake's origins may be murky, but its position at the top of the cafeteria dessert pyramid is undisputed.

Rectangle Pizza

A novelty that fit perfectly into school lunch trays, rectangle pizza was a weekly treat, even if the sauce tasted a little like ketchup.

Crispitos 

A cheesy, meaty, crunchy delight, Crispitos are a beloved school lunch staple, so revered that their return to lunch trays in 2022 was a social media sensation.

Ice Cream Cups 

The utensil was the star of this lunchroom favorite, with the tiny wooden spoon and paper lid making the experience of eating ice cream even more special.

Corn Dogs

A deep-fried, cornbread-battered treat that's perfect for eating on a stick, corn dogs are a Southern favorite, regardless of their disputed origins.

Yoo-hoo 

A nostalgic chocolate drink that's essentially a better version of chocolate milk, Yoo-hoos are a lunchroom favorite, especially when served in bottles.

Country-Fried Steak

A Southern comfort food classic, country-fried steak was a cafeteria staple, served with mashed potatoes and gravy, and often accompanied by canned green beans.