College Park area food?

[abroz]

Just moved from Takoma Park to College Park and am very sad to leave the relative variety of restaurants and takeout we had in TKPK vicinity (Silver Spring, Wheaton, Bethesda, Rockville etc.) Now we're in no man's land College Park and even the crappy chinese food joints are extra crappy.

Anyone have a couple places they know of in the College Park area that don't suck?

(p.s. so as not to get flamed, actually love our new place, cute neighborhood right by a small lake/park, just having problems replacing our old Friday night delivery/restaurant standbys)

Thanks!

[3MTA3]

I'm surprised this thread is as long as it is, considering the subject....

[monkeyrotica]

Not me. College Park has a frustrating mix of really good/really horrible.

[Mer_Made]

+1 Of course, I think just about everything in the area has been covered. Except the Korean joints, I suppose the local ones are acceptable, but not great.

[DanielK]

Actually, since you bring it up, there's one place that does stand out - Da Rae Won in Beltsville. This is Korean/Chinese food, and it's very very good.

Only about 2 miles north of 495 off Rte. 1.

[abroz]

Tried Da Rai Won on Friday. Loved it. Must have been pretty legit too because I saw a group of the korean students from my department eating there as well.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! These are great, lots of options.

[4X4]

I've had some good meals recently at Pho Thom. The pho is better at Pho 88 in Beltsville, but it's decent at Thom. Excellent garden rolls, and I've had good Thai fried rice and noodle dishes there.

Looney's is a decent happy hour place. $3 imports and microbrews after 2:00, with some discounted appetizers. Haven't had a full meal there (I've only gone for happy hour.)

I still like the original Three Brothers in Greenbelt. I always go the bar and get beer and pizza or shrimp and oysters. My girlfriend loves their wings but I'm not crazy about them. I like their subs too.

Mama Lucia's has decent, not great, pizza and Italian food.

You're pretty close to Hyattsville, Riverdale and Bladensburg, which have lots of Mexican and other south American places.

Pollo Fiesta in Riverdale has excellent rotisserie chicken and Mexican/South American food. And they now serve beer and wine.

There are some good taquerias south of CP on Kenilworth and Edmonston (the Edmonston that becomes 450, not the one that runs through Berwyn Heights.) Try Taqueria La Placita.

I live pretty close to Lake Artemesia as well. I often walk my dog there, and when it stays consistently warm out, I'll be biking there several days a week.

[Clatterbuck]

Try a couple of the new restaurants on Route 1. My husband and I tried Bobby Flay's burger place and liked it (a little expensive for burgers though). I love Sweet Green. Their salads are wonderful. We have been going to Franklins for many years and still love it. They make their own rootbeer! We also now frequently go to Poets and Busboys because our daughter is a vegetarian and they have a multitude of options for her.

[4X4]

I've been to Bobby's once and liked it. I'llhave to go back soon. I was very disappointed with Pizza Authentica when I tried it. Their pizza is maybe slightly better than Papa John's. I've been meaning to check out Shanghai Tokyo, but I haven't yet.

[agarnett100]

I tried Bobby's once the burger was just okay don't think I will return. The shake was very good

[BruceMcc]

I have to agree with agernett100 about Bobby's being just OK. I was expecting much more out of Bobby Flay. I would rather go to 5 Guys for a quick burger.

BruceMcc

[dbirney]

I actually live in the apartment next to Bobby Flay's. I've eaten there 3 times. The first time it was fantastic the 2nd and 3rd time just ok. The milkshakes are amazing though. Poets and Busboys is now one of my favorite places. The food is fantastic for the price and the wait staff is on point. Although one time one of the waiters accidentally spilled a cup of water on me. I'm going to have to try out some of the other places mentioned in this thread before I finish up with school here.

[Mer_Made]

Ledos in College Park doesn't suck to me.

Sardi's on Rt. 1 for Peruvian chicken.

Ba Le on University Blvd for banh mi.

Pho 75 is across the street for Pho.

Not really a restaurant, but Jin Mi on Rhode Island Ave has my favorite garlic chive kimchi. Skip the groceries, unless you want cheap green onions, and head to the back of the store for the banchans and kimchi.

[agarnett100]

2nd Ledos CP

[skipper]

The Calvert House on Rt 1 in Hyattsville used to be very good although its been many years since we ate there.

[drewpbalzac]

Plato's Diner is passable for straight forward diner fare.

[monkeyrotica]

Just don't order the "gyros" which are strips of grey bologna with little brown flecks in it. Disgusting.

[4X4]

Yeah. For good gyros and souvlaki, go to Marathon Deli.

[drewpbalzac]

Agreed.

[monkeyrotica]

Thirded. I only ended up there because my first two choiceS (Gyromania and Marathon) were closed.

[agarnett100]

@abroz
Berwyn Heights -Lake Artemesia?

[abroz]

Yep! Been going for runs/walks around the lake daily, much improved over sidewalk runs in TKPK. Really enjoying the area.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

[agarnett100]

@Abroz - MD Department of Natural Resources actually stocks the lake with rainbow trout.

[wineo1957]

You are not very far from the nice Mexican restaurants of Bladensburg. La Fondita, La sireneta and La Placita are all good. Hurraches at Tres Reyes is also fine.

Fishnet is very good too. The fried hake {fish & chips} was great fish, ok fries.

[agarnett100]

Hank Tavern in Hyattsville owned by Chef Geoff- amazing happy hour specials and one of the best hamburgers any where including Rays Hell Burger.

Franklins- Hyattsville - craft beers good solid food.

I have not tired Fishnets yet but the menu looks good.

Jerk Pit on Route 1 towards the Ikea - Authentic Jamaican

Persian Palace serves good food and its also a hookah bar

Looney's Pub on Route 1 - cheap bar and solid food

[mdpilam]

We like La Fondita a little better than La Placita (haven't been to La Sireneta), but Tres Reyes was awful the one time we went - inedible (which includes their huarache).

[Steve]

Woodlands. Make sure you get the paper dosa. I like mine unfilled to eat with mutter paneer.

[silpancho]

Actually, Seven Seas on Route 1 was one of my reliable delivery options, and they have a separate Chinese menu with some interesting options:

http://www.sevenseascp.com/menus/Seve...

I remember enjoying the Shredded Pork with Leek and Roast Salted Fresh Squid. Very friendly and quick delivery too.

[drewpbalzac]

Seven Seas was our family's go to restaurant. It is pretty reliable - when the kitchen is on it can be very good. . . . when the have an off night it can be way too heavy on the grease.

[4X4]

The last time I went to Seven Seas (a few months ago) it was horrible. I prefer Yum's Express. Even though it's one of those Chinese/steak and cheese/fried foods places, their Chinese is pretty good.

I haven't been to the new Chinese/seafood buffet (next to CDepot), but I've read some good reviews of it.

[agarnett100]

I tried that buffet its not a bad deal but stay away from the sushi and osyters

[silpancho]

Fishnet! http://www.eatfishnet.com/

I haven't been, but I've heard great reports, and I wish it had been there when I lived in College Park.

[comestibles]

You beat me to it. I've been once. Loved what I had. Great, quality fish sandwiches. If I lived nearby, I'd be there once a week.

[DanielK]

Second Fishnet. Amazing place.

[mscoffee1]

I had a grilled Blue Catfish sandwich on ciabatta with a Turkish Tarter sauce (walnuts, bread crumbs, olive oil, garlic) today. Fish was wonderful, fresh and perfectly cooked. Bread and sauce also special and great. Rarely is bread this quality and I was happy for a non mayonnaise based sauce. Tomato was a waste, but ..... What a nice place and friendly staff and the free water was filtered. Even two tables outside.
Thanks for recommending this place. I would have never found it.

[Terrie H.]

Hard Times is in the neighborhood and I love their grilled wings, burgers, and their chili (Terlingua for me, but ask for the tasting before you choose).

[drewpbalzac]

You are screwed.

But it is a pretty quick trip to Capitol Hill during non rush hour times.

Folks in Hyattsville have kept Franlkin's going for years now, the corn pudding (or whatever they call it) is pretty good if it is still on the menu.

Folks also make the trek up to Laurel for Pasta Plus, it is OK, in a better than you would expect sort of way.

But on the bright side you have less hippies to deal with . . .

[Teddybear]

Food Factory for kabobs