That's why there's vanilla and that's why there's chocolate. That's why there's Abner's and that's why there's Koch's -- and that's why the food court in the Shops at Penn has so many booths.

Here's a sampling of our faves in flaves.

• Jason Sobel, Engineering and Applied Science, Class of 2000
  "LeBus has all the makings of a gourmet cafeteria: great coffee, sandwiches, salads or fresh baked cookies. Also, you get great bread with every meal, and you don't even have to clean up after yourself."

• Phil Hunt, College, Class of 2000
  "Abner's is my favorite, but I like anywhere I can get a cheesesteak."

• David Caldwell, College, Class of 2001
  "I must say that I've really come to appreciate the food court for a lunch option. So maybe the selection is a bit stale after, say, five visits, but the gyros at that steak place make it all the more endurable."

• Jackie Taylor, College, Class of 1999
  "Decent lunches on Penn's campus aren't easy to find, but my favorite is Rami's Middle Eastern food truck on 40th Street. Their falafel and tabouli is great, and everything is completely authentic."

• Ted Mann, College, Class of 1999
  "Koch's Deli is the place to go -- my preference is for a turkey and muenster sandwich, milkshake, and pickle. Somehow it tastes better when eaten on the hill of the Divinity School park."

• Max Cameron, Wharton, Class of 1998
  "Although Kim's food truck outside Annenberg is great, my preference is for Ali Baba's, a Middle Eastern truck on Walnut. The people are very friendly and their shish tawook and couscous are great."

• Ana Mendes, College, Class of 1999
  "The soup at the University Museum cafe is my favorite. They have a new one every day, and they're all great. Cheap too -- it's only about two bucks."

• Anita Falachu, General Studies, Class of 1998
  "The best little food truck on campus is Aladin's Middle Eastern Cuisine on Spruce Street outside of Williams Hall. Aladin has recently revamped his menu, and it includes meals as much as 97 percent fat-free. The service is friendly, the food is good, the location auspiciously close to College Green."

• Matt Ferguson, Wharton, Class of 1999
  "Kim Sen, on Walnut and 37th, offers a variety of specialties, all available prepared as you like it. Their best offering is the Chinatown Chicken: it's sweet, sour, and spicy."

  -- Gabriel Aherne

• Next Issue -- Our reporter on Locust Walk wants to know favorite ways to unwind after finals.