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Ever since homo erectus first applied flames to the buds of the cannabis plant, man has been forced to deal with the munchies. Thankfully, society has advanced enough that there are now multiple outlets that can satiate the intense desire for flavor-packed foodstuffs.
First option in times like these is, of course, the refrigerator and/or pantry at your home (Note: Here’s what you should stock up on). If you find yourself fresh out of Funyuns, though, you can of course head over to 7-11 (and pick up a Slurpee while you’re there). Or, best of all, you can get yourself to the the food court at the mall, where you can indulge your tastebuds in any number of flavor combinations. (Panda Express + Mrs. Field’s Cookies? Don’t mind if I do!)
In honor of Global 4/20 Day, here are the most memorable food courts in pop culture history on streaming.
'Mallrats'
Is a food court scene a food court scene if it doesn’t take place in the food court? Jason Lee would argue no, as he does to Jeremy London in Kevin Smith’s 1995 film Mallrats, when the latter bemoans their ‘food court’ conversation. The issue? Whether the cookie stand, which operates outside of the ‘designated square’ of the food court (and is in fact on an entirely different floor), is part of the food court. ‘Of course it is,’ says London. ‘Bullshit,’ says Lee. Gotta say, Lee seems right. [Where to stream Mallrats]
'Bad Santa'
The food court is society’s great equalizer, a place where moms and kids and Santas alike come to congregate. That said, approaching Billy Bob Thornton while he’s on his ‘fucking lunch break’ is not recommended. Those hoping to get similarly berated by an off-duty Santa can travel to the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, California, where this scene was shot. [Where to stream Bad Santa]
'Valley Girl'
The Del Amo Fashion Center food court also appears in 1983’s Valley Girl, Martha Coolidge’s loose take on Romeo and Juliet (with Nicolas Cage’s Hollywood punk Randy as the Romeo!). After an opening credits sequence filled with SoCal imagery—hills, cars, the Valley (natch), and shopping— we, like, find a group of teenage girls gossiping at, where else, the food court. [Where to stream Valley Girl]
'Fast Times At Ridgemont High'
“What are you people? On dope?” So asked history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston) to his class in the Cameron Crowe-penned 1982 comedy classic Fast Times At Ridgemont High. The answer? Sometimes! And when you are, and you’ve got the munchies, you head to Perry’s Pizza in the food court at the mall… you know, where all the action is.
Of course, if you don’t feel like traveling far to eat, you can always order a double cheese and sausage to your classroom (RIP Taylor Negron!). [Where to stream Fast Times At Ridgemont High]
'Jackie Brown'
The white noise and visual chatter of a mall food court is the perfect backdrop for an illicit money exchange hidden in broad daylight… though Pam Grier’s Jackie Brown eventually deviates from the script. Want to recreate that Tarantino magic? Stream the Delfonics the next time you’re at the Del Amo Fashion Center (yes, the same mall scene in Bad Santa and Valley Girl), where these crucial scenes were shot. Hey—it could work. [Where to stream Jackie Brown]
