Everyone loves Shabbat. Literally everybody. It’s a day of rest specifically set aside to relax and be with family and friends, departing from the stressful world many of us live in for the rest of the week. Similarly, everyone loves the centerpiece of Shabbat dinner: challah. This became clear in the John Burroughs School commons, when challahs from five different St. Louis stores were brought out for tasting. After politely requesting grape juice, the students settled down to answer an age-old question: Where can you find the best challah in the city? All the ratings are on a scale from one to 10, one being the worst, and 10 being the most amazing challah in the world.

Trader Joe’s

Average Rating: 3

After an unexpected shift in supplier when its previous challah-maker became unable to keep up with high demand, Trader Joe’s challah is now made in a kosher bakery located in the suburbs of Chicago. This switch proved to be a downgrade, as many students specifically expressed their fondness for Trader Joe’s previously tender, tasty challah. Now, disappointed by its crumbly nature and severe lack of flavor, multiple students headed towards the nearest trash can to throw their piece of challah away.

“This is a sad, sad challah,” Cole Wimmer, a freshman who is not Jewish but eats challah every week, said, only validating the general public disdain for Trader Joe’s current situation. All I can say is oy gevalt!

Schnucks

Average Rating: 4

Though Schnucks is a stand-up grocery establishment, its challah proved to be lackluster. Students were unimpressed by its intense saltiness.

 “It’s like instead of cooking it, they cooked it halfway, then poured salt on it,” Cole said.

What it lacked in taste, it made up in texture; the vast majority of the taste-testers appreciated the doughy consistency of the Schuncks challah, but that could not fully redeem the saltiness.

The students suggested Schnucks rethink its recipe: “Go back to the drawing board on that one,” freshman and B’nai Amoona member Zach Zlepper said.

Whole Foods

Average Rating: 7.5

The taste testers determined Whole Foods’ challah to be satisfyingly tasty, but nothing incredible. Light and fluffy, the group had no real problem with it, but no one was especially enthused by what they were tasting.

William Howlett, a freshman who is relatively new to the realm of challah tasting, expressed his appreciation for Whole Foods’ product: “It’s dense, but with an airy softness and a buttery taste,” he said.

On the whole, this challah was enjoyably average, surely good enough to eat on a Friday night, but not special in any way, earning it a position in the middle of the pack.

Dierbergs

Average Rating: 8

By far the most popular challah amongst the non-Jewish taste testers, Dierbergs challah rated well among the vast majority of teens. Though subtly confused by its light yellow interior, its exterior was called “crusty,” like a hot dog bun. Because of its doughy inside and perfectly buttery taste, students expressed their belief that this challah would make a great pillow.

Joe DiMartini, a junior at John Burroughs School and carbohydrate aficionado, expressed his delight after determining this challah the best: “I would eat this every single day,” he said.

Breadsmith

Average Rating: 8.5

Well known (for good reason) in the Jewish community,  the Breadsmith challah’s distinct color, shape and smell were immediately recognized by many of the Jewish taste testers.

Everyone was in unanimous agreement: It’s the doughy, moist, melt-in-your-mouth quality, not to mention its sweet taste and fragrance, that propelled Breadsmith’s challah to the top of the ranks. In fact, it was the only challah completely devoured by the end of the survey; students could not get enough of its gooey, dense goodness. Mazel tov, Breadsmith! Your challah has proven to be ideal centerpiece or perfect companion to any Shabbat dinner.