Restaurant And Bar Guide 2012

THE DIAMONDBACK

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

2012 COLLEGE PARK

restaurant + bar guide

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THE DIAMONDBACK | RESTAURANT AND BAR GUIDE | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

BATTLE OF THE BARS

By Spencer Israel For The Diamondback

Just a couple years ago, staple bars were the Thirsty Turtle and Santa Fe Cafe. But College Park is hardly the same anymore, and upperclassmen find themselves testing the city’s new bars, including Looney’s Pub and The Barking Dog, to find out which will become their new hub.

In a Diamondback online poll, nearly 400 voted on their favorite bar. And it’s clear Looney’s is the new favorite, winning with 20 percent more of the vote than any other bar. If you didn’t vote or haven’t decided on your favorite yet, we’ve provided brief descriptions of each to help you decide.

looney’s pub has helped ramp up the College Park bar scene. file photo/the diamondback Looney’s Pub Since opening last year, Looney’s has helped restore a bar scene that

underage drinking. time. There’s room for dancing in Cornerstone Grill and Loft the upstairs loft or downstairs once Cornerstone, or C-Stone, is the tables are cleared out at night. It quite literally the cornerstone of has your standard drink specials — College Park nightlife. Located at and a line usually extending to the took a major hit two years ago after Knox Road and Route 1 just off the edge of the building to go with it.

Santa Fe Cafe and Thirsty Turtle campus, it is the ideal location for closed. The location might not be anybody looking to have a good See BARS, Page 8 the most convenient — it’s on the first floor of The Varsity housing complex on Route 1 — but Looney’s has something for a everyone. Students looking for a club-like atmosphere can dance near the stage, while those searching for a quieter hangout spot can sit outside on the patio.

“What makes it fun is there’s a space for everyone,” senior sociology major Mollie Bryen said. “And you don’t feel separated from other cornerstone is usually jam-packed and has room for dancing later in the night. file photo/the diamondback people so much that you’re out of the picture.” But don’t even think about Looney’s if you’re not 21; it’s notoriously strict when it comes to

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 | RESTAURANT AND BAR GUIDE | THE DIAMONDBACK

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Looking to hire See which restaurants have open positions

Rachel Chai said no experience is necessary and she is willing to schedule flexible shifts for students. Students Love food? Looking to make a few able to work night shifts should also extra bucks in between classes and apply and those interested in delivery social life? Whether your niche is as should be familiar with the area within a server, delivery person, cashier or a 1.5-mile radius of the restaurant. cook, there are restaurants aplenty “We need just a few days – Monday along Route 1 looking to hire. lunch or Wednesday lunch,” Chai said.

Aroy Thai Potbelly’s Positions available: server, Positions available: associate delivery sandwich-maker Aroy Thai, a recently opened Thai Potbelly’s is a Terp-friendly restaurant, is currently looking to hire students in need of a job. Owner See hiring, Page 5

By Amna Farooqi For The Diamondback

MARKETING

PT MARKETING POSITION Do you LOVE working in a social & competitive working environment? We’re looking for people with excellent communication skill & strong motivation to make great impressions and generate interest for our products at BJ’s Wholesale Clubs. Our reps are making anywhere from $15$30 an hour. We have early afternoon, evening, and weekend shifts available all over Maryland and Virginia. If you’re looking for a fun & fast-paced position with great pay.

Call ALLISON today to book an interview.

703-388-1018

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THE DIAMONDBACK | RESTAURANT AND BAR GUIDE | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

A different kind of bar experience

customer and seeing former men’s basketball coach Gary Williams at the bar another night.

“I knew what I was getting into when I accepted this job. I was prepared for the worst,but I actually ended Although the job can be overfriends while surrounded by such an up meeting some great people while less hectic, it wasn’t nearly as fun. whelming, there have been some perks working at Bentley’s,” Vanscoyk said.

“One night, the bar area was so animated crowd.”

When she’s serving, Vanscoyk’s that she couldn’t get anywhere else, packed and I was making drink after drink. The dance floor was espe- patrons are having just as much fun such as receiving a $100 tip from one news@umdbk.com cially crowded and one lively dancer as she is.

“She really is an awesome, outgoing managed to bump into a few guys ordering drinks, causing a big mess,” said person that can get along with anyone,” Vanscoyk. “Still, it’s great working said former server Ana Wilbert. “She behind the bar and talking to my fulfills her role really well.”

Rather than relaxing at happy hour, student works as bartender at R.J. Bentley’s

By Ashton Farmanara For The Diamondback

R. J. Bentley’s is packed beyond capacity and dozens of patrons are waiting for their drinks. Danielle Vanscoyk is running frantically back and forth trying to serve her friends and the other regulars when she spots one of ESPN’s most famous sportscasters.

“Something I’ll never forget is seeing Scott Van Pelt. It’s surreal seeing him on the bar’s television screens one moment and then seeing him sitting right here in the restaurant,” the senior sociology major said.

It’s just one of the perks of Vanscoyk’s job as a Bentley’s bartender.

While other students flock to the bars at the end of the week to unwind, relax and dance, Vanscoyk has dedicated many of her weekends for the past two years to helping the bar run on crazy, jam-packed nights.

And even though she said her previous job at Mamma Lucia’s was a little

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 | RESTAURANT AND BAR GUIDE | THE DIAMONDBACK

hiring From PAGE 3

eatery looking for students to fill basic entry-level positions. According to one of the managers, they have people who work one day a week and people who work five days a week, so flexibility is not an issue.

Jimmy John’s Positions available: delivery This gourmet sandwiches favorite is also looking for students to fill

delivery positions. Manager Chris Thurston said an employee must be familiar with the area, and since Jimmy John’s delivers by both car and bike,Thurston would prefer someone who has biked before.

“It’s an endurance run. The employee has to work two shifts a week at least, and one night,” adding, “A delivery person here would make more than at an average place.”

Ratsie’s Pizza Positions available: delivery The 50-year-old pizzeria is looking for drivers who have their own car,

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have insurance and are acquainted with the area well enough to deliver pizza. Shifts are typically four-tofive hours a day, but manager Mike Falamoun said he is willing to work with students’ schedules.

Yogiberry Positions available: server Love froyo? Yogiberry needs a server. Applications are available online and can also be picked up from the store. Full-time and parttime positions are available and no previous experience is required.

Noodles & Company Positions available: cashier, expo Noodles & Company, a frequent Terp employer, also is looking for a server and someone to work in Expo, which is basically a garnish station.

Sophomore computer engineer-

ing major Jordan Finci, a current employee, said duties include making salads and running food to customers.

“They interact with customers,” Finci said.

While food service experience is a plus, no work experience is necessary to be hired, and work schedules can be adjusted.

Jason’s Deli Positions available: cashier, delivery Jason’s Deli is hiring cashiers and delivery drivers, especially those who can work nighttime shifts. While shifts can total as many as 20-30 hours a week, floor manager Joe Westrum said he will work with anyone’s schedule. All that’s required is good insurance,

a background check, a clean record and the ability to deliver within a 10-mile radius.

“We work with a lot of college students,” Westrum said. “We have delivery driver [positions] available.

We really need them.”

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill Positions available: cashier, server, grill cook, ambassador, dishwasher Students interested in working at a fun, fresh Tex-Mex restaurant should look no further than Lime Fresh Mexican Grill. Located near Book Holders, the organic restaurant is looking for students to fill multiple positions. No previous experience is needed – just fun, outgoing personalities.

Students will receive training and work 15 hours a week on average.

However, scheduling is flexible and can be balanced. Applications can be filled out online, and the restaurant is big on accessibility.

Subway Positions available: nighttime and morning shift workers Subway is looking for students to work nighttime shifts during the week and morning shifts on weekends. Employees will split their duties between making sandwiches and working in the back – cleaning dishes, mopping and taking out the trash. Applications are available online.

“We have a lot of college students,” employee Regina Brown said. “We’re willing to train. We’re willing to be flexible.” news@umdbk.com

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THE DIAMONDBACK | RESTAURANT AND BAR GUIDE | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

The best late-night delivery These restaurants can satisfy into the early hours of the morning

By Meghan Hooper For The Diamondback We’ve all been there at least once.

Dinner time has long passed and a homework session is in full swing in the dorm room when, suddenly, the craving for a late-night snack hits. Soon, a local eatery’s menu is pulled up online and a cell phone is whipped out to order pizza or Chinese food. There is a certain allure of ordering food late at night to distract from studying or to take a break from writing a paper. Fortunately, College Park has an array of delivery places to satisfy these cravings.

Jimmy John’s This restaurant’s menu can make ordering food into the early hours of

the morning seem a tad healthier, since a sandwich doesn’t seem quite as bad as some of the other greasy options available elsewhere.

The restaurant’s website proclaims, “What makes Jimmy John’s different from the rest is that it’s honest, it’s damn good, it’s damn

fast, at a decent price!”

That is part of its appeal to college students. With Jimmy John’s, a tasty sandwich is prepared jimmy john’s delivers tasty sandwiches at decent prices. and delivered quickly and the food is fairly priced.

See delivery, Page 7

charlie deboyace/the diamondback

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 | RESTAURANT AND BAR GUIDE | THE DIAMONDBACK

delivery From PAGE 6 D.P. Dough Although D.P. Dough specializes in calzones, its menu also includes salads, wings and ice cream. The company is proud of being “open crazy late” to serve college kids.

“D.P. Dough is a guilty pleasure of mine,” sophomore journalism major Zoe King said. “The food is so unhealthy but it tastes so good, especially if you’re up late studying and the dining hall is closed.”

Panda Chinese food is a classic option for late-night food cravings. Panda is open well into the morning, closing at 3 or 4 a.m. Fridays and

domino’s stays open from 10 a.m. to 4:15 a.m.

Friday and Saturday. charlie deboyace/the diamondback Saturdays, and the menu is typical of a take-out Chinese restaurant.

However, Panda is known for sometimes taking a little too long in the delivery process.

“Last year, my friends and I were

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up late studying and decided to order food from Panda,” King said.

“The food took almost an hour and a half to get to my dorm. By the time the food came, we were almost ready to go to sleep and weren’t even hungry anymore.”

Domino’s If Chinese food or sandwiches do not satisfy your hunger, Domino’s – with its supply of pizza, pasta and wings choices – should do the job. Domino’s remains open and ready for delivery from 10 a.m. to 4:15 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 3:15 a.m. Thursday and 2:15 a.m. Sunday to Wednesday.

“My roommate and I ordered Domino’s one night when we were both writing papers,” Caroline Shea, a sophomore enrolled in letters and sciences, said. “It was a nice break from writing to just chill and eat the dessert sticks and pizza.” news@umdbk.com

panda and d.p. dough have late-night delivery services on the weekends. charlie deboyace/the diamondback

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THE DIAMONDBACK | RESTAURANT AND BAR GUIDE | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

bars From PAGE 2 C-Stone’s projector TV and Sunday night draft specials also make it one of the better College Park locales for watching games, as well.

“Cornerstone has a great game-day atmosphere,” said senior kinesiology major Jon Seligman. “There’s TVs all over the place, and they have the best wings in College Park.”

R.J. Bentley’s Located right next door to Cornerstone, Bentley’s is another staple of downtown College Park. As the de facto home for Maryland sports memorabilia, you can spend as much time admiring the autographed photos as you do at the bar. Because Bentley’s doesn’t have a huge space and is generally popular among fraternity and sorority members, it can get extremely crowded, and hot, very quickly. The spacious outdoor patio out back allows for students to enjoy the night while still being able to

breathe, especially when compared to the downstairs portion of the bar.

“Bentley’s may not be the classiest bar, but it’s always the place we end up,” said senior finance major Jeff Pawlak. “If you’re looking to see people you know, Bentley’s is the place to go.”

The Barking Dog As the new tenant in the space formerly occupied by the Thirsty Turtle, The Barking Dog has had a lot to live up to since its opening last year. It doesn’t usually get very crowded, so it’s a good place to go if you want to go out but not be seen. If you’re going to The Barking Dog, Tuesday night is the time to go, with great drink specials usually attracting a good crowd and atmosphere.

Despite the new name and exterior paint job, very little has actually changed inside the bar, particularly upstairs.

“Loose Tuesdays” can actually make you feel like you’re in Turtle, the only difference being The Barking Dog’s spotty bar service.

Big Play Sports Grill Route 1’s newest bar is located at

the bar scene has evolved over the last couple of years, with bars such as Big Play and The Barking Dog replacing former staples. file photos/the diamondback HartwickRoadandRoute1,whereVito’s Pizzeria once called home. Though most students might not find a reason to venture past C-Stone or Bentley’s on Route 1, Big Play deserves a visit. The modern interior design gives Big Play a fresher look than other bars, and the happy hour specials are a good bargain.

But the best part of Big Play is the customer service, according to senior sociology major Chase McMullen.

“The bartenders really cater to the college crowd,” he said. “At other bars, they just serve you, but here they cater to what you want and make conversation with you.”

Mulligan’s Grill and Pub If you’ve never been to the university golf course, then you’ve probably never heard of Mulligan’s. It may not be the closest, most popular or biggest of the College Park bars, but its happy hour specials are some of the best in the city.

Mulligan’s is the bar of choice for many university professors, so if you ever get the urge to pound a few brewskies with the person who has final say over your grade, this is your spot. news@umdbk.com