Restaurant owners offer culture-specific options

The university is home to students from many different cultures. College Park also shares in this diversity, with restaurants that offer food options catered toward students who follow religious dietary guidelines, such as Muslim, Jewish and Hindu students.

Pizza Roma owner Abdul Baig said his restaurant was opened to answer the needs of Muslim students, not only as a place that offers zabihah meat (meat which has been prepared in accordance with Islamic guidelines), but also where food is as affordable as a typical fast-food restaurant.

"Our restaurant has become popular because it is an affordable place for students of all cultures to come together, since it is does not serve one ethnic style," Baig said.              

Tarif Shraim, the Muslim chaplain at the university, emphasized the spiritual significance of the presence of zabihah restaurants.

"Eating zabihah food with others is a method of religious observance," Shraim said. "It can be quite a fulfilling experience, not merely for the stomach but also for the spirits."

Pizza Roma also caters to those students who may not always have the time to sit with others and enjoy a meal.

"It's so comforting to know that when I want a cheeseburger while studying in my room, I can just pick up the phone and order one I can actually eat," said sophomore government and politics major Sehar Sabir.           

For Jewish students who adhere to kosher dining standards, Pita Plus is just outside of the campus.

Owner Liora Dahan said the restaurant has become a hangout for students who keep kosher.

"We see birthday parties here, club meetings, study groups and all other kinds of events," she said. "The restaurant attracts parents of Jewish students who are visiting, and even travelers who are passing through the state and want to take a break for a kosher meal."

Rabbi Ari Israel, chaplain of the Hillel Jewish Student Center, cited the presence of kosher options such as Pita Plus as a major reason why so many Jewish students opt to attend this university.

"As we meet students and prospective students the fact that there is kosher food available is a large reason that some end up coming to this great university," he said.

"I can't even say what a luxury it is to have this restaurant so close to campus." senior environmental policy and Jewish studies major Sarah Levine. "It's not just any kosher restaurant, but it's a good kosher restaurant with such delicious food."            

For the population of Hindu students who maintain a vegetarian diet, Woodlands and Udupi Palace are two North Indian restaurants located about 10 minutes from the university.

Kiran Sankhla, the university Hindu chaplain, said these restaurants have helped vegetarian Hindu students feel as if all options are available. 

"I feel that Hindu students are very fortunate to have these local pure vegetarian restaurants and Indian grocery stores near campus," she said. "These, paired with weekly vegetarian classes on campus and the presence of the Maryland Food Co-op are a blessing for these students."

ga@umdbk.com