The first indication that Danny’s Sub Shop might be going the way of Wawa could have been last semester, when sophomore John Masaschi was nearly struck in the head by a falling ‘N.’
“I was a little frightened,” said Masaschi, a letters and sciences major. “But looking back on it, it was kind of funny.”
The dingy sandwich joint had become a legendary pit stop for late-night lushes teetering their way home on College Avenue, but two months and a few coats of paint have transformed the place into Wasabi Bistro. Party boys and girls beware, though: The place won’t emulate Danny’s night-owl weekend ways, and plans to close at 2:30 a.m.
But those who were less than impressed with Danny’s somewhat uninspired menu have reason to look forward to the Bistro. Some offerings, such as the sushi bar and bubble tea, will be a bit more upscale. But the restaurant’s co-owners, Tony Zhang and Alex Lu, will be offering standard Chinese fare as well.
Zhang and Lu arrive in College Park after running a sit-down restaurant in Baltimore. Now they say they’re ready to give the college crowd a try with a combination of take-out, delivery and eat-in dining.
“With all the young kids, the market is big here,” Zhang said.
In addition to traditional sushi combinations such as the Sweet Heart Roll and the Golden Dragon, the Bistro will also offer send-ups of college favorites with a Japanese twist. One item planned is a Wasabi Pizza, which will be topped with sashimi and spicy mayonnaise.
“I tried the other food [in College Park], and it’s not very good,” Zhang said. “I want to do something different.”
But for some, change in College Park can be tough to swallow. Especially when a 14-year institution such as Danny’s makes such an abrupt departure.
“It was a good place to go after wettin’ your whistle [at the bars],” said sophomore communication major Patrick Herrmann. But, he offered: “I wouldn’t go there unless I was really wasted.”
Although some considered Danny’s a classic, the place was known better for its late-night reputation than its food. Lauren Kim, a junior art history major, said she never liked Danny’s after ordering chicken wings that arrived “bright red.”
Not everyone agreed that Danny’s was on the lower end of the food spectrum, however. Senior finance major Brian Highsmith said he thought “the food was pretty good,” but offered that his judgment during some visits was somewhat impaired and he won’t “miss spending more money than I realize.”
When asked whether he’d give Wasabi Bistro’s sushi a try, Highsmith said as a rule he doesn’t trust eating raw fish in College Park. It’s worth noting, however, that Danny’s famously failed a health inspection four years ago. The local sushi joints that deliver, Hanami and Seven Seas, haven’t encountered similar public embarrassments.
Speaking of competition, sushi won’t be the only item Wasabi Bistro will offer diners an alternative for. Including Bistro, at least three restaurants will now be serving bubble tea. The owner of Yami Yami and Bubble Tea, a restaurant on the same street that also offers sushi, acknowledged she’s a bit concerned.
“I am disappointed that a similar restaurant [is opening] next door,” said owner AeYoung Lee. “But I am encouraged that many students say that my food and atmosphere are great and will continue to return.”
Not everyone is so worried. Josephine Chang, a waitress at Ten Ren Tea Time across the street, said the restaurant’s five years on the block have given it time to corner the Bubble Tea market.
“Ten Ren has been here forever.” said Chang. But she added, “I’m kinda sad that Danny’s is gone.”
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