Surviving midterms week is a huge accomplishment. After cramming up to six classes worth of material to prepare for a marathon of papers, projects and tests, you deserve a treat. Indulge in that tasty but fattening meal that you reserve exclusively for special occasions to congratulate yourself and celebrate the halfway mark of the semester. But, if you don’t know where to begin, The Current has you covered. Here are the treats that make midterms week a little bit sweeter for members of The Current staff.
Li Cohen, co-editor-in-chief, said Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream
There is nothing I love more than bananas and ice cream, and this beautiful combination of the two is practically bliss. With the sweet, fruity flavor of bananas, the indulgent pieces of chocolate and nutty chunks of walnuts, this ice cream is the perfect trifecta. Ben and Jerry have always been the two men who never let me down, and this ice cream flavor really brings my commitment to them to a whole new level. Whether I’ve had a bad day, or I’ve just accomplished something exciting and wonderful, I can’t help but indulge in this sweet concoction. If you love bananas and ice cream as much as I do, then this is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. And the best part is you only have to walk a few feet to Outtakes to pick up a pint, or three, of this scrumptious treat.
Nicole Cocuy, co-editor-in-chief, said Los Verdes
If I never felt the pressure to eat healthy and stay in shape, I could easily eat at Los Verdes every day for the rest of my life. But, alas, I’d probably be morbidly obese if I ate Colombian fast food on a daily basis, and I must reserve my cheese, carbs and creamy sauce binges for special occasions. And with locations in Sunrise, Weston, Doral, Coral Way, Country Walk and Miami Lakes, keeping off the Verdes belly is extremely difficult. Los Verdes has the perfect comfort food combinations to fulfill every craving: crispy, savory, beef-filled empanadas with garlic cilantro sauce on the side, classic chicken quesadillas topped with crunchy potato chip crumbs and three different sauces, Hawaiian-inspired hamburgers and hotdogs topped with pineapple sauce and ham, warm and fluffy pineapple upside-down cake and so much more. I highly recommend everything on the menu, as there is not a single item they serve that isn’t worth the immense amount of calories. Just don’t forget to wear comfortable pants to make space for your post-Los Verdes belly.
Jazmyn Brown, copy editor, said Cold Stone Creamery
There’s nothing quite like the rich and decadent flavors of ice cream — mint, vanilla, strawberry, coffee and more — and wide variety of toppings — from gummy bears to Oreos to sprinkles to your favorite candy bar — at Cold Stone; they make anyone with an insatiable sweet tooth drool. Not only does Cold Stone offer ice cream creations, but they also have creamy, velvety shakes and ready-made and custom cakes. Whether you feel like you aced or flunked your exams, Cold Stone’s cake batter-flavored ice cream with a peanut butter cup, my personal favorite combination, can be either the perfect reward or pick-me-up, in victory or defeat. Make sure to find your favorite flavor in Stirling Town Center.
Carli Lutz, chief of visual design, said lemon pepper boneless wings from Wingstop
The lemon pepper boneless wings from Wingstop are my go-to food reward. They’re beautiful little nuggets of happiness and sunshine, and the sauce they come in is the perfect mix of salty and sweet. They aren’t the healthiest food, but they are worth the weight that I put on from them. If I could marry any food item to share all of my adventures in life with, I would want that special something to be the lemon pepper boneless wings that I love so much. These boneless wings, paired with fries and copious amounts of blue cheese, are my kryptonite and the ultimate motivation to suffer through midterms. Just like Superman, the closer I get to this glorious restaurant in Hollywood, the weaker I become to this tasty treat.
Roger Atangana, visual design assistant, said Five Guys Burgers and Fries
There is something about Five Guys Burgers and Fries that I just can’t resist. Maybe it’s the crispiness of their fries or the oozing cheese on their burgers? All I know is that after taking a bite from a Five Guys bacon cheeseburger and indulging in some fries on the side, I’m glad I suffered through midterms to get a taste from this holy grail. Having these delectable burgers right down the street at The Fountains Shopping Mall definitely puts me at ease after exams.
Gaby Alfaro, business manager, said Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
After midterms, my reward will definitely be Menchie’s. This is the best place to get some frozen yogurt, and, luckily, it’s right down the road off University Drive. Not only do they have a wide variety of toppings, but they also change the flavors of the yogurt every two weeks. They have toppings ranging from fruit all the way to tiny pieces of cheesecake, which, by the way, are my favorite.
Amanda Kaplan, multimedia manager, said slutty brownies
As a college senior, I have turned to junk food more often than not when I’ve been stressed over exams, homework or even just what I’m going to watch next on Netflix. Midterms week gives me an excuse to indulge in my favorite junk food without feeling (as) guilty. My go-to snack to reward myself is definitely “slutty brownies.” Yes, you read that right; that is their actual name. If you’ve never have heard of them or tasted them, then you need to change that as soon as possible. These masterpieces are three-layer snacks that include chocolate chip cookies, Oreo cookies and brownies. What could be better than that? The bottom layer is the chocolate chips, then the Oreos, and the brownie layer is on top. Just smelling them while they are baking makes my mouth water. The smooth, chewy, warm texture makes it impossible to only have just one. I always feel better after having one ― who am I kidding ― two of these brownies. But, if you really want to go over the top, add ice cream, and your midterm reward is complete.
Chantel Grant, features editor, said the Snickervilla
During midterms week, I eat the unhealthiest foods, which usually include fried mac and cheese and French fries, but out of all of my unhealthy binges, my favorite is a concoction that I have named the “Snickervilla.” It’s a monstrosity of sweetness, and it puts me at ease during stressful midterms. It’s really simple and easy to make, as the ingredients include an extra-large Snickers bar and a pint of vanilla ice cream. After I buy the Snickers bar, I place it in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes while I place the bowl of ice cream on the counter so it becomes a little softer. Then, I add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg and use the hardened Snickers bar to scoop up the ice-cream. The best part of the Snickervilla is when the candy bar starts to get soft and starts to break off in the ice-cream, which then makes the ice cream chunky and sweet. Truthfully, I can’t stomach the Snickervilla any other time, but, for some reason, during midterms, it is the perfect relaxant. And I know that there is Snickers-flavored ice cream available, but trust me ― it pales in comparison to my beautiful, sweet creation, the Snickervilla.
Natalie Payan, arts and entertainment editor, said Chili’s chocolate molten cake
Right around finals week, I always treat myself with my favorite food at Chili’s — their chocolate molten cake. The dessert starts with cold, vanilla ice cream on top of a creamy, hot chocolate cake and finishes with chocolate syrup, which covers the entire dessert. I always study hard for the finals knowing that this delicious junk food is right around the corner at The Fountains.
Grace Ducanis, news editor, said Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine
When I’ve been stressed and feel like treating myself, there’s nothing better than a plate of rice, beans and chicken at Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine, located in Davie, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood and Plantation. The food is so divine that it deserves its own religious sect. Rice is very high on my list of favorite carbohydrates, and no place does rice better than Las Vegas. I can never finish a meal from there, which means more stress-relieving food to take home and eat later. The atmosphere is friendly and warm, and the service is fast. It’s a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy a good meal after a distressing week of tests.
Erin Herbert, sports editor, said pizookies from BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
There’s no better way to celebrate acing that last exam than with a pizookie from BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse in Pembroke Pines. This decadent dessert may have a quirky name, but don’t let that fool you; pizookies are one of the greatest things that will ever grace your taste buds. BJ’s offers these sweet treats in a number of different flavors, including salted caramel, peanut butter, s’mores and cookies and cream, to satisfy your sweet tooth. A warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven and piled high with vanilla ice cream is enough to make anyone’s exam week a little sweeter.
Roddia Paul, opinions editor, said chocolate-covered donuts
OK— so, this is going to sound weird, but I could care less if you judge me. It all started last school year, when I was studying for finals, losing sleep and increasing my stress levels. On my way home from a stressful day of work, I stopped at my local 7-Eleven to get gas. For some reason, my card wasn’t working, and I had to go inside to pay cash. As I walked up to the register, I saw a pack of chocolate-covered donuts, and I guess the cashier saw my eyes because she quickly assured me they were delicious. I caved in and bought them, and I honestly have not been the same since. I undoubtedly believe that it was some higher being that forced me to go inside and pay because, if it wasn’t for that, I would have never found my first love, chocolate donuts. These donuts have gotten me through the worst cramps and the hardest cram sessions. So, yes, I love donuts from the gas station. Judge away.
