Slop Bowls Have Taken Over the Working Person's Lunch Break. We've Ranked Them From the Sloppiest to the Supreme.

"there's no denying it: " Slop bowls " have come to rule our culinary existence. Or at least the culinary existences of those of us locked in corporate shackles, who must opt for quick food options near our office buildings so we can optimize our time toiling away on Excel sheets or attending Microsoft Teams meetings or, in my case, cowering in front of the mocking maw of an empty Google Docs draft."

"These spots are identifiable not only by their location, but by their high prices compared to your local sandwich spot and by their silly names that are either overly literal (I'm looking at you, THISBOWL) or sound like two words smashed together (what, pray tell, is a "honey grow" or a "sweet green"?). They are also identifiable by what they sell: Slop. Locally sourced, "healthy" slop that tries to account for a variety of dietary restrictions, sure."

Slop bowls dominate lunches for many corporate workers who prioritize quick, efficient meals near offices. Venture-capital-backed chains cluster in financial districts, shopping plazas, and malls, charging higher prices than neighborhood sandwich shops and using overly literal or mashed-together brand names. Menus promise locally sourced, 'healthy' ingredients and accommodations for dietary restrictions, but many bowls are chopped components tossed with sauce in compostable containers. The resulting vessels often resemble nutrient slurries more than composed meals. The coining and circulation of the term 'slop bowl' indicate widespread cultural fatigue with these offerings. A pragmatic approach can help workers navigate these options.

Read at Slate Magazine