Listen to Our Hilltalks Podcast Episode About Food Insecurity Here:
Recently Subway on Georgia Avenue closed, marking the loss of another go-to spot for students. Chipotle, Negril and Potbelly have already shut down, leaving students looking for new food alternatives near campus.
On campus, many say choices are limited. Chick-fil-A and restaurants in Punchout frequently run out of food toward the end of the day, students say, and Bethune Annex Cafe, the only dining hall open on weekends, closes at 5 p.m. Students with late classes or meetings say they often rely on DoorDash, snacks or nothing at all.
“The times I did eat at Subway were helpful, late at night when I was busy, considering that the cafe and things were closed,…I say it’s pretty upsetting for people on and around campus.” said Chike McKinney, a senior TV film major.
Throughout the week, campus dining options include the main dining halls, 1867 Café, Bison Brew, Chick-fil-A, the Punchout, and the markets at Bethune Annex and West Towers.
But students often face long lines and limited supply. Some, like Tyler Larbi, a sophomore communications major, avoid Chick-fil-A and Punchout altogether.
“The lines are insane… So it becomes inconvenient. There’s not enough time in my day to go wait for food for an hour,” Larbi said.
Alphonso Carmack, a Chick-fil-A employee, said crowds have only intensified since the latest freshman class arrived
“Starting at 8:30 a.m., the line just gets longer until closing. This is one of the busiest Chick-fil-A’s here in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area,” Carmack said.
Now, McDonald’s is the last restaurant standing on the stretch of Georgia Avenue right by campus, operating 24 hours. Another late-night staple is Howard China, which is open until midnight and cash-only.
With fewer options on the strip, students are turning to walkable alternatives. Whole Foods Market, Sankofa and Eat Well Juice Bar are among the most popular. Students say the Whole Foods Market buffet can be an affordable option when looking for low-priced food that will leave them with leftovers. It offers soup, salad, sushi, fried and grilled chicken, fish, pizza, sandwiches and more.
Sankofa, founded by Haile and Shirikiana Gerima, offers quick bites named after who they deem are “visionary film makers,” such as Ava DuVernay and Larry Clark, according to their website. Eat Well Juice Bar offers smoothies, paninis and wraps.
The restaurant is a four-minute walk from The Yard. The operator Miri Mescal recommends students try their sunrise smoothie in the morning.
She feels students are missing out on a variety of options and restaurants that are open late. “So it has brought more people, but at the same time, I feel like it’s good to have options and choices in a multitude of price ranges,” said Mescal.
Subway’s 24-hour service was critical for students like MJ Waller, a senior psychology major.
“I feel like part of the problem is after that 9-10 o’clock period, there is really nowhere. Unless you want McDonald’s… you just have to hope you have food at your house and figure it out,” Waller said.
Waller recommends the Taco Bell in Columbia Heights, it’s one stop away from the university on the Green line and open 24 hours.
Students also frequent late-night spots near U Street, like Jerry’s Carry Out and Jojo Brick Oven Pizza which are open until 3 a.m., and America’s Best Wingstop by the U Street Metro station which is open until 4 a.m.
Freshmen Autumn Goodspeed and Mark Barker say they often face the choice between McDonald’s and DoorDash. Goodspeed mentioned that on weekends, she frequently walks to U Street for food.
“Since I eat out every day, it has to be affordable,” said Goodspeed.
Some students are creating their own solutions. Christina Perry, a sophomore media management major, runs Plates By Stina, selling southern dishes she’s been cooking for two years.
Perry posts on her Instagram every time she is ready to serve the Howard Community out of Plaza Towers West.
“I’ve heard about Howard while growing up, being one of the most illustrious colleges. It’s sad that all I see about their students, rather than getting a good education, is just turmoil, housing, food, safety, all that stuff. So I just want Howard to be better for students,” said Mescal.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
