By Natalia Hlasko
With the weather warming up and the cherry blossoms beginning to bloom, students are heading outside to enjoy the sunshine and try new food spots in College Park.
In the last few months, the area has seen an upgrade in restaurants and coffee shops that are quickly becoming popular among students.
Three of these places include Compass Coffee, Chopt Creative Salad Co. and Honey Pig Korean BBQ.
Compass Coffee, a Washington, D.C. based coffee chain, opened a location underneath the HUB apartments on Knox Road. Since opening, it has become popular amongst UMD students who are looking for a calm atmosphere to study. The modern, clean interior and spacious windows make it an inviting spot.
Daniel Lascola, a junior public policy major, believes that Compass Coffee’s atmosphere is better to study than some on-campus locations.
“The drinks were reasonably priced… I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I would go again just to work with a friend,” Lascola said. “I liked it better than some of the other options on campus, and the staff were very friendly.”
Compass Coffee offers a variety of options, such as classic espresso drinks, cold brew, seasonal specialities like their lavender latte, pastries and light sandwiches. Whether you’re writing a last-minute paper or catching up with a friend, this place is the perfect middle ground between relaxation and productivity.
Opening on March 26, Chopt is a personalized salad chain underneath the Union on Knox apartments. This eatery offers many healthy options, with ingredients such as spicy chickpeas and edamame, creamy avocado and chipotle chicken, and caters to a variety of dietary preferences.
Abigail Dawson, a senior architecture major, shared her excitement to visit the restaurant and get her favorite salad, the Santa Fe, which includes avocado, corn, grape tomatoes, pepper jack cheese, and a sweet and smoky chipotle vinaigrette dressing.
“I am so happy that this place has opened. I have been wanting one near campus for so long, and it is extremely convenient to grab when you don’t feel like making dinner or need a study break,” Dawson said.
Chopt’s speedy service and build-your-own bowl option appeals to many students looking for a quick, health-conscious meal that does not miss out on the flavor.
Honey Pig Korean BBQ on Baltimore Avenue is bringing group dining back to the College Park area. Known for its lively ambience and tabletop grills, Honey Pig is a great place to go with friends and family after a long week to socialize and enjoy some good food. From kimchi pancakes to spicy pork belly, this sensory all-you-can-eat dining experience is hard to beat.
Senior kinesiology major Eric Chang expressed her liking for the new dining experience.
“I actually really liked it,” Chang said. “This was only my second time having Korean BBQ, but I thought it was really good, and the service was cool since they used the robots to bring out our food, which I thought was funny.”
Chang explained that she is pleased to see new restaurants, like Honey Pig BBQ, open this spring, but acknowledges that there are some setbacks, including increased construction.
“As far as new places opening in [College Park], the construction is definitely annoying because it seems never-ending which is frustrating, but I also think that it’s nice to have more food options and good to expand the college town vibe,” Chang said.
The openings of these new eateries show that College Park is continuing to grow and change, and there’s more to the community than just the campus. With places that offer delicious options and a welcoming space, students are finding new ways to make the most of their college experience.
Featured Image: Compass Coffee, located underneath the HUB College Park apartments, offers coffee, baked goods, and other fun drinks! Photo by Natalia Hlasko.