Great find in College Park -- Tea Smoke Chicken (extra spicy) with cabbage was outstanding. The…read morechicken was super tender and moist, the sauce was phenomenal, and they don't skimp on the portion -- you get a lot of chicken. I wished the heat matched the "extra spicy" label, but the flavors were so good I'm already planning my next visit.Friendly staff, very clean spot, and a relaxed vibe that's perfect for a casual meal or takeout. I'm not an expert on authentic Chinese food, but if this is any indication, I'm all in. Definitely coming back. Would you like a one-line headline or a star rating to paste with this review?

Rating only based on 3 carryout dishes:…read more 1. Li Chun's Bing with shrimp 2. Li chun sesame noodle (Warm) with chicken 3. Cucumber salad I liked the bing but it had about 3 shrimp in it. The filling and the wrap were tasty. I'd get it again but skip the shrimp. The sesame noodles were pretty gross. I hate wasting food but couldn't finish it. Sauce was gritty and overall not very flavorful. The cucumber salad was good. Mildly spicy. Their packaging is over the top. Seems very wasteful.

I wanted a quick spot to relax on a day off from work and found vigilante. It's a cool spot with…read morecool people working there, I can see why the place is popular for college students and wfh enthusiasts. I had a small classic açaí bowl with no blueberries and an iced matcha. When they say small, they mean it but it's honestly just enough. The açaí was honestly a highlight for me and I'd easily come back for it.

I've been to Vigilante Coffee many times at both the Hyattsville and College Park locations. During…read morewarmer months it's usually packed on weekends, so the slower pace in colder weather felt expected. I ordered online and grabbed the 16 oz salted maple latte. Smooth, balanced, and not overly sweet. Their mocha is also really good and always consistent. It's one of those spots where you'll see people holding meetings, studying, or casually linking up with neighbors from outside their own area. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. They offer plenty of drink and food options, and the croissants I've tried have always been fresh. I also love being able to see the coffee machines in action. The staff is consistently friendly and smiling, which makes you want to keep coming back. Definitely worth a visit if you're near either location.

My go to is their latte with oat milk, though I love a specialty drink, especially if it's not…read moresuper sweet. This year the chai-nog was that drink. Creamy and spicy without too much sweetness. I often get my coffee beans from here. They print their roast date on the bottom of the bag (roasted at their hyattsville location) and they always have a great variety of beans. Occasionally I'll get an almond croissant and enjoy it if there's seating. On nice days, there are benches right outside, even with a view of the parking lot and the construction across the street, it can be nice. I enjoy this location, though parking is tight. If you're not lucky enough to get a spot, you can park next door in the paid lot behind the businesses right past Vigilante.

Great coffee shop with a nice vibe and decor. We ordered a cappuccino and a macchiato. The…read morecappuccino was creamy, well-balanced, and served at the perfect temperature. The espresso was smooth and mild -- not too bitter or sour. The service was average, as I waited over 10 minutes to receive my drink. Prices were reasonable for a small coffee shop. There is a seating area, but depending on the day and time, it can get very crowded and the music can be quite loud. It's not the best place if you're looking for a quiet spot to sit and read. There's a small parking lot in front of the shop, but spaces are limited. Some customers park briefly to grab drinks and leave, and if your car gets blocked in, you may need to wait before exiting.

From the time I stepped in the door to the time I walked out, customer service was exceptional. The…read morefood was great. Had beef sliders and old bay fries. I couldn't stop eating fries. The mocha latte with a shot of caramel was bomb. Also, the best part....playing the games. They have endless. There isn't enough time in the day to play em all. I didn't know so many board games existed... They are also very open to helping you select a game if you are overwhelmed. I'll be back. ESPECIALLY for those damn 2nd time there was cool. However, we had five people and wanted a

Still a great place to hang in College Park! Visited this past Sunday to catch up with a friend. At…read more11 a.m., the place was buzzing! Had a great chai latte! Since I wasn't hungry I didn't get any food but the menu but looks great. I need to come back when I'm hungry. Our server, JJ was amazing. I hope I get him on my next visit. He was very funny and engaging.

So many things to love about Emma's torch! First and foremost is their mission - providing culinary…read moretraining to refugees to empower them to have the skills and confidence to succeed in the food industry. This was apparent in the warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone was working together as a team, learning, being patient, and you could see the growth and confidence happening in real time. It was really inspiring to see. Service was great - quick, friendly, and helpful. The food was very tasty and inexpensive - breakfast sandwiches were well-portioned and under $10. They also had lattes, coffees, and teas. They have an outdoor patio overlooking Rhode Island Avenue and seating inside with their nternet if you are looking for a workspace, meeting place, or coffee/snack shop. Emma's Torch seemed to be a community favorite with returning customers greater warmly and community activities and events posted in the store. This will become a regular part of our rotation!

I randomly found Emma's Torch on Yelp while looking for a breakfast spot in the area. Upon entry, I…read morenoticed how small and quaint it was. They were also playing great music. Customer service was great and I was greeted immediately. It wasn't crowded but there was a steady flow of customers while I was there. I ordered the Breakfast Wrap, which was fantastic along with a Granny Smith apple lemonade. I would've never thought to put those two items together but it was easily one of the best lemonades I've ever tried. I had to order a second one when my daughter decided my drink was now for her. Speaking of, my daughter ordered the Nutella Stuffed French Toast and rated it a 100/10. While waiting for my order, I had a chance to speak with one of the head chef's and he told me about the culinary program their offer to teach refugees culinary skills. I loved hearing that tidbit about the shop and found it truly admirable. Overall, my only gripe is the street parking situation can be a little tough but it wasn't too bad on this particular morning. I would absolutely return.

I didn't like my smoothie. It was weirdly thick. I couldn't get past the texture. Hubby liked his…read more I won't go back. But perhaps try it if you like.

The cultural vibes in here are as immaculate as the acai bowls themselves. They're usually playing…read moreupbeat, lively music and there's such an epic mural on the wall. There are several different bowls that come in a couple of categories, or you can get smoothies or toasts. I usually do the acai bowl with chocolate in it, and it never disappoints. I will say though... that they're more like cups than bowls, but it's the quality of the food itself that counts right? I'm a huge fan. They also have these tasty cheesy bread bites -- it's called pão de queijo. I enjoy those, and will most likely get some sooner than later. Roxa (pronounced ho-sha) Bowl is where a Venezuelan restaurant used to be (that I was sad to see go), but whenever I want a healthy snack, this place typically comes to mind. Looking forward to supporting in the future!

Love this place, the juices and the owner so much lol the only place you can get fresh quality…read morejuices! Me and my mom have been coming here for a few years now it has always been consistent she literally has never dropped the ball! Always nice and clean inside and customer service is always great!

I had the 3 kings juice. It could've benefited from some mango or a more tart apple but overall it…read morewas good. I'd get another type of juice, however. The aesthetic was nice. No hooks for bags underneath the bar. Service was quick which I loved. The vibe was okay. Sort of chill but not in a zen way if that makes sense. I would go back.

Pretty cafe over in College Park. Get their Hong Kong Style hot milk tea with no toppings and…read moreyou'll get your drink in this niiiice glass bottle to-go! Pretty good drink, not too sweet. Smooth. Cozy vibes here perfect for an easy morning coffee/tea or study sesh. Plenty of parking in the back. Honestly will go back just for these glass containers. Recommended!

Ive had more than my share of milk teas here in the US, overseas in the land of boba, Taiwan, and…read morein HK and this place sadly fell short of what it could be. First, their location is very inconvenient unless you are on foot, which may be great for U of MD students, but if you are in a car, its a disaster when it comes to parking. This business even has a sign saying ask about a parking pass and they are not responsible if your car is towed. This alone makes this place already super unattractive. I fought my instincts and gave this place a try, but honestly, felt like I wasted $12. They have a digital kiosk where you can order your drinks and I chose a HK style milk tea (hot) with less sugar and also a jasmine milk tea with boba. The ordering for the jasmine tea was weird because it has an option to choose $1 extra for boba but if you scroll a little further down, you can get boba, no extra charge. I thought that was a bit sneaky, which I didn't appreciate. I waited about 15 min and then my order was ready. The HK style milk tea was supposed to be in a glass container but I only saw the sign after I ordered that they didnt have glass containers. That really sucked. The other issue is that when my HK style milk tea (hot) was ready, it was barely warm, which also was disappointing as it was a bit cool outside and I wanted something hot to warm me up. The HK milk tea also wasn't that great either, nothing special. I've had HK milk teas for about $2 elsewhere and they were great, but this was overpriced and lukewarm. I wont be ordering this again. The other drink seemed OK as I ordered it for someone else. I also thought this place was kind of dirty and could have been more clean. Not sure why the windows looked so dirty. I found the place kind of gross and it just didnt feel as clean as I like businesses to be. Overall, a pretty underwhelming experience. You get one chance to make a good impression especially when there are so many boba options available. I definitely wont be coming back here again.

A Masterclass in Spice and Soul at Shagga…read more If you are looking for an Ethiopian dining experience that balances traditional warmth with culinary precision, Shagga Coffee and Restaurant is a must-visit. My recent meal there was a testament to why this spot remains a local favorite for comfort food with a kick. The Main Event: Spicy Chicken, curry's potatoes and Chickpeas The star of the table was the spicy chicken and chickpeas. The chicken was tender, having clearly absorbed the complex, earthy notes of a well-developed berbere spice blend. The addition of chickpeas provided a wonderful textural contrast--creamy and hearty--making every scoop with the injera feel substantial and deeply satisfying. Perfectly Paired Sides Accompanying the main were the curry potatoes with carrots, which were a standout in their own right. Often, potatoes in a platter can be an afterthought, but these were perfectly soft without being mushy, carrying a vibrant turmeric-forward curry flavor that offered a mild, aromatic reprieve from the heat of the chicken. The Beverage Balance To wash it all down: * The Ginger Ale: A crisp, bubbly palate cleanser that cut through the richness of the legumes and spices perfectly. * The Coffee: You cannot go to a place named "Shagga Coffee" and skip the brew. The strong coffee was the definitive highlight of the finish--bold, dark, and incredibly fragrant, reminiscent of a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. It provided the perfect caffeinated punch to round out a heavy, flavorful meal. Service was quality though only one person was there to serve the entire venue. More staff came as time progressed. The ambiance was that of a quaint jazzy vibe that is nestled on then edge of downtown hyattsville md hustle. Almost entirely dark wood grade with wood furniture almost as dark and bold as the coffee. The coffee was strong, stronger despite me adding 5 cream and sugar. The bold flavor kept me awake in my 2 hour drive home. The Verdict Shagga succeeds because it doesn't cut corners. From the depth of their spice blends to the robust strength of their beans, it's a soulful experience that leaves you feeling both full and invigorated.

This was my first time here…read more It's really cute when you walk in, very intimate with bar and some artwork. The staff was nice and answered my questions on ordering. I got #19 which is the combo of 2 meats and 2 veggies: doro wat, yebag tibbs, collard greens and lentils. I was hoping it would be a little spicy but it wasn't. I wasn't feeling the portion of the actual food but they gave us lots of injera.