It was Saturday morning around 8 a.m. The chill of winter was in the air, but the bright sun made it tolerable as I packed the car. The sky was bright blue with barely a cloud in sight. It was perfect conditions for a road trip, and Washington D.C. was the destination. My father and I jumped into the car and were on the road again.
View of Lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Queens Expressway
There was no traffic on the way out of New York City. The Brooklyn Queens Expressway was a straight shot to the Verazzano Bridge into Staten Island. From there we headed over the Outerbridge Crossing into New Jersey where we eventually jumped onto Interstate 95 South (New Jersey Turnpike). The drive through New Jersey is relatively straight and doesn’t provide for much scenery for passengers. Once over the Delaware Memorial Bridge, it was no time before we were in Maryland. We stopped briefly so I could grab a cup of coffee at a rest stop. It was ironic that there was a Starbucks, and I didn’t have my gift card that I won in the photo contest. Once I got home to New York, I put the card in my wallet to avoid that from happening again.
Once back on the road, it was a short drive until we came to the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge that crosses over the Susquehanna River. From there we continued on I-95 South towards the Fort McHenry Tunnel into Baltimore. In little less than a half an hour, we were at our first stop of the trip.
Testudo the Terrapin, Jim Henson Statue, Millard E. Tydings Hall (Back – Left & Front – Right) and McKeldin Library
I spent four years going to college at the University of Maryland and wanted to stop in College Park before we headed down to Georgetown. After getting of the highway, we drive down US-1 South towards campus. There were tons of new businesses and restaurants. New apartments had popped up all over the place, and many of them were quite an eyesore. Once on campus, there were a few building renovation projects that I knew about, but for the most part little had changed. I jumped out of the car at a few points to take some photos of the places I spent most of my time. Much of my time was spent between Millard E. Tydings Hall and the McKeldin Library. Nothing like a bit of nostalgia and reminiscing.
My First Apartment Still Standing & The Knox Box Demolition Project
After leaving campus, I wanted to stop by my old apartments, and that’s when it happened. My heart dropped. I remembered hearing something about this, but seeing it is believing. My heart sank when I saw that much of the off campus housing area was demolished. The apartments were referred to as Knox Boxes, a reference to a nearby street and shape of the buildings. I lived in 3 different Knox Boxes over the course of 3 years. Most of my friends lived in one of the apartments in the area. I spent the majority of my free time there. It was upsetting, but the first apartment I lived in was still standing. There were a few left, but the majority of them were demolished, and new apartment complexes are going to be built to house many more students. I understand the decision, but it was sad for me to see them go.
It was then time to stop for lunch and there was nowhere else I would go, but Marathon Deli. I probably ate there an average of 4 times a week and that’s probably an understatement. They had a buy two get one free coupon that my friends and I exploited at every opportunity. Years later I would drive from Fayetteville, North Carolina back home to New York City and would always make a pit-stop at Marathon Deli. My father and I planned our departure time to avoid traffic and arrive in College Park for lunch.
Chicken Souvlaki Platter (Sandwich, Fries, Soda)
Marathon Deli on Lehigh Road has been a downtown College Park landmark since opening in 1972. There are articles and reviews on the walls of the establishment, some of which are dated from the early 1990’s. The interior is most reminiscent of a pizzeria, but you need to subtract the Italian decor and replace it with blue and white flags and old posters of different locations in Greece. They serve a variety of different dishes, but are most known for their Greek gyros and souvlakis. They also serve subs and personal pizzas, but I’ve actually never eaten one. If you asked me to order for you I would get a chicken souvlaki platter with a birch beer hold the tomatoes, but that’s just me. The homemade tzatziki sauce is simply the best version of it I have ever had in all of my travels. It’s just that simple. Additionally, the seasoning that they use on their French fries is out of this world. I have tried many times to recreate the seasoning at home, but something is always missing. The platter cost around $6.50 when I was in college so the $10.25 cost was quite a shock, but that’s inflation. Regardless, in terms of price and taste the meal was a value then, and still is now. Go in and grab a bite. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
One thing to mention: they do not deliver. You can eat at a table in the back or get your order to go. Seating is limited and can often be a challenge. For example, after my meal, there was a line out the door just to order, let alone get a seat inside to eat. If the weather is nice, eat outside. There are many pretty spots around campus to enjoy a meal. You can also call for pick up, which was my preference. I avoided any lines and waiting around for my food to be prepared. I also lived a few blocks away, so it was always more comfortable and convenient to eat in the comfort of my apartment. Finally, and another reason to eat your take-out elsewhere, there is no bathroom for patrons in the restaurant. You can go down the block to the corner and use Potbelly Sandwich Works’ bathroom, or you’re simply going to need to hold it until you get somewhere else. (I can’t speak for the food at Potbelly. It wasn’t around when I was in school and have never eaten there, but I did use their bathroom and read some old sports articles on their walls.)
We finished up our lunch and got back on the road for the short ride to Georgetown.