By Sara Chernikoff
T-Swirl Crepes may be an unfamiliar name to most College Park residents, but this Japanese restaurant chain has expanded from New York City and will be opening in College Park this week.
The restaurant, housed between Pho Thom and Mr. Smoke on Route 1, is the second location in Maryland and the 18th location in the United States, owner and business partner Bryan Hu said.
The restaurant will serve 25 different types of crepes ranging from savory and meaty, to fruity and sweet. It will also offer vegetarian and gluten free options for customers. Hu said the crepes at T-Swirl stand out because of their crispy texture.
Hu said he was inspired to join the team last year, while working for an international business in New York City.
“I was walking around Manhattan at night, looking for a place to eat, and I came across this restaurant whose line was out of the building,” Hu said. “I was amazed by its popularity and wanted to get involved with the business.”
More than a year later, and Hu and his two business partners — Joy Riu and Jack Pan of Prince George’s County — are still putting last minute touches on the space’s interior. They said they are very optimistic about the future of their business.
“I chose the College Park location because I wanted to be close to a university,” Hu said. “Students are open-minded and like to try new things, so I think the location will be good for business.”
Some students are excited for the new eatery, while others are disappointed with the lack of healthy options near campus.
“There are almost no healthy options that my dining dollars can buy,” said sophomore Julia Iacoviello, a psychology and criminology and criminal justice double major. “The Co-op is the only place I like to go, but they don’t accept dining dollars. Off campus, Cava is the only healthy option for me.”
“D.C. is an up-and-coming place for food,” Junior Chinese and marketing and information systems major Tianxin Chen said. “I’d rather travel there to get food than settle for the college town options.”
Hu and his business partners are hopeful that students will appreciate the new restaurant and that it will become a hot spot around campus. According to the owners, the store will have a soft opening either March 5 or 6.