I was looking for a quick and easy option for dinner and decided to give the college park noodles a try (I've been to other locations and have had yummy food). Here's the quick and short of it: Pro's Online ordering Nice variety of options Gluten free pasta Good service and nice staff Con's Both pasta dishes we ordered were VERY dry I might give them another try but I was a bit bummed out on this order.
(3)
J Z.
Wife loves it. Employees are friendly. Spicy peanut noodles are solid for a chain. Beer is as cheap as a bar. $3-4.
(4)
Cibelly H.
The place is very clean and I liked the attendants, the spaghetti and meet balls noodles was delicious just too spicy for me. But I am definitely coming back!
(4)
Spencer C.
Great food, but terrible service. The cashier gave a little attitude, but oh well. The food is good.
(4)
Steven C.
Good food and great staff. Service was fast and the staff were very friendly and helpful
(5)
Caitlin C.
This is the only Noodles & Co. I've ever been to, but I really like it. They have gluten-free options, lots of international dishes, and fresh veggie add-ons. I've had other things, like the mac'n'cheese or the stroganoff noodles, but I always go for the asian dishes: pad thai, indonesian peanut sautee, or the thai curry soup. Today I was feeling pretty sick, so I decided to try out their option to order online for pick-up. My soup was ready in 10 minutes, i was able to customize it just like I do when I'm at the actual restaurant, and it was packed with all the utensils and napkins. The employees are always very, very friendly here. That's part of the reason I come her as often as I do for lunch.
(3)
Lena W.
I love Noodles, but actually don't come here as often as I'd like. The location is pretty accessible in the College Park Shopping Center. Service has always been quick and staff are pretty friendly. I like how they bring the food out to you when you dine in. It's like getting sit-down service with bus your own table prices. The food is great, too. There's a lot of variety and I like the sides that have been added recently.
(4)
Ryan V.
I simply love eating here whenever I visit college park, md. Amazing food and it comes out to your table very quickly. I always dine in because I just enjoy smelling the variety of cuisines they are preparing! Everyone should try a meal at least once!
(5)
Jules K.
I can't remember the last time I ate in there but if you're thinking of getting carry out, here's what you can expect: 1. Place your order. 2. Sit somewhere you can't see the food prep area. (Honestly restaurant owners/designers, NO ONE wants to see what goes on in a working kitchen.) 3. Wait. 4. Wait some more. 5. More waiting. 6. Brush off layer of cobwebs that have formed on your body. 7. Wait. 8. Experience brief sense of elation when they call your name. 9. Take order home. 10. Wonder why the heck you didn't just toss some pasta in a pan. Nothing will alter this course of events. I don't care if it is an early Monday night and there are only three other customers in there. You. Will. Wait.
(2)
Cy G.
Only giving it a 2 this time because I had a bad experience that they seemed incapable of grasping what the problem was. I ordered the Whole Grain Tuscan Fettuccine with the SEARED beef. What I was served was the Whole Grain Tuscan Fettuccine with BRAISED beef. I know this sounds petty, but I had had pot roast for lunch that day and didn't want more braised/slow-cooked beef. Also, I had been spoiled by having awesome seared steak cooked Hibachi-style at Ginza of Tokyo in Laurel just a week prior. I gobbled up the noodles which were nutty whole grain and perfectly chewy, but moved the beef to the edge of my bowl. Then I brought up my bowl and asked to speak to the manager. She instantly agreed that what I had been served was the braised beef and took my bowl to get me a serving of seared beef. When she came back, in the new bowl looked to be braised beef, that had then been seared. Seared beef should never be brownish and stringy (even though this is desirable in braised beef) it should be grayish with a touch of carmel browning and juicy on the inside. I asked the manager if the meat was in fact raw prior to being seared, and she kept saying it was raw but it was 'prepared' prior to searing. It seemed to me that the preparation was braising. I took the meat and ate it. but Noodles & Co. lost a lot of credit in my eyes since they pride themselves on their fresh (never frozen or canned) ingredients. Add to that the fact that I had a newbie ringing up my order and the time I spent trying to get the issues she created (not providing the right cups to my party or the party were with, and and having to have a supervisor re-enter my order because she kept thinking my wife didn't want chicken with her thai noodles with chicken) and they get a two. I will try them again when the U-MD students aren't in town - but that will likely be their third strike if they aren't close to flawless.
(2)
Liz N.
Not a fan of chains, so this review may be bias.. this place is always LONGGGGG, wait at least 20 minutes from entrance to sitting down and getting food. Despite the long lines, I've never had trouble finding a table to sit. I think the small portions are very small, but is what a true 1 servings should be. I've gotten the udon and mac and cheese both good, but nothing to rave about.. this place is just too chaotic and not worth it.
(3)
Ali V.
I highly recommend the Mushroom Stroganoff w/ Braised Beef, Bangcock Curry w/ Shrimp, or Penne Rosa w/ Parm Crusted Chicken. I have had almost everything on the menu, and I think those are the best. I come here all of the time for meetings, dinners, lunches, etc. I never really had something take too long and the people working there are really friendly.
I have so many fond memories of going to Noodles & Co. as a child and mixing up the decadent macaroni and cheese so I had somewhat high expectations when I decided to stop by for lunch. As a college student lacking proper nutrition for the most part, I was craving a warm dish with veggies so I ordered the Bangkok curry. This was described on the menu as a light portion of rice noodles over a bed of cabbage with a lot of fresh veggies. I made my way to a table to put down my things and then decided to explore their super cool soda machine. I have seen these types of machines at other chains but have never tried it and can say this was one of the high points of the meal as there were so many yummy drink options. After getting my drink and sitting back down the food arrived soon after. I have to say that I was quite impressed with the presentation--full of color and steaming hot! When I dug into the dish it was just okay. The flavor was mildly sweet and the veggies added a nice crunch but it was nothing to write home about or crave in the future.
(3)
Katie F.
This is my favorite lunch place in the area. There are so many delicious meals to choose from and I have never had anything I didn't like. The price is also perfect for the amount of good you get. Staff is really friendly, of course when you go there a few times a week, they get to know your face. I have never had a problem there- the one time they messed up my order and gave me the wrong food they immediately took it back and within minutes got me the right food. I also see some complaints about waiting to pick up food-- I haven't had a problem with this, but if I'm doing a to go order, I always order online ahead of time and by the time I get down to route 1, it's waiting and ready for me. The new pasta fresca had replace my regular order of Japanese Pan... I recommend both!
I absolutely love this place. I came here on my first day of moving in over 2 years ago and have came plenty of times since. There hasn't been a time where I haven't had excellent service or excellent food. The food is always served quickly and the rice crispy treats they have out are always so good! And I love the soda machine. Whenever I'm looking for a place to have a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner with my friends, I always come here.
(5)
Willis N.
Great service! I almost always go for the penne rosa with chicken and I recommend that dish.
(4)
Felicia C.
This Noodles has the full menu (which means my favorite, the whole grain tuscan linguine, is available). It also has a really sweet soda machine. I wouldn't get the Asian dishes, though - they're pretty bland and the many Asian restaurants around College Park do them a lot better.
(4)
Christopher B.
I love Noodles and Company for a tasty, cheap dinner but have to say this store consistently has really bad service at the counter. It is horrible. Basic customer service includes politeness and a thank you. I made two purchases at this store and both clerks acted like it was an imposition on them and they were doing me a favor. Neither said thank you. Neither offered a receipt. Neither one responded much at all to my being at the counter. I have had similar attitude during prior visits at this store. Too bad because they have decent food. I really don't want to feel like it is a problem to take my order and my money and I sure do here.
(1)
Fina A.
Maybe, just maybe, they have some other awesome dishes, but definitely not the one I ordered. As an Indonesian, coming to this place for the first time and wait what, did I just see Indonesian Peanut Saute under their Asian-noodle menus? I picked that in a second. O boy was that dish just simply a joke! It tasted, awfully horrible. Enough said. Ps: don't believe what you see, people! Indonesian Peanut Saute's taste is nothing close to this one. They should stop claiming their menus by picking countries.
(1)
Ben Y.
Fast service, and fast cervix if you're in labor! Noodles & Co is slightly overrated in the pasta dishes themselves. Too many people rave about the mac & cheese, it really is nothing special. The other spaghetti dishes are quality, but the mac is just underwhelming after all the great interpretations I've had of the dish in my life. The soup is mad good, and I don't even love soup. My girl gets that tomato bisque soup and it's so fine. The regular sized bowl will feed every nation in every continent in the world, so I'd consider getting a side of it instead!! This Noodles has a ton of seating!!! And the servers are like lightening. The pasta arrives before you even ordered it. Somethin about the space time continuum being bent. Also, the cookies are to live for! Not as great as Potbelly's cookies (same size/style, hence comparison) but great in their own right. Chocolate chip forever. This place is clean and true, not to mention efficiently run by extremely nice people. If you need Noodles NOW, go here.
(4)
Marcela G.
Some of the items in the menu are great. My personal favorite is the Japanese pan noodle, the rest are just ok. The place however is not clean most of the time, they take a ridiculous amount of time to serve your food, even if the place is empty. Staff can be very rude sometimes, my boyfriend and I used to go 3-4 times per week but they kept messing our orders and many times we found hairs in our food which a few times was solved by giving us another dish and a coupon for a free meal but now they are just rude and just say they're sorry and reluctantly bring you another dish. I am very disappointed at the staff and the way they treat you.
(3)
LaToya E.
I like the concept of different types of noodle, yet i havent been able to find a combination that more than average. Its one of those places that has one more shot for me before i just write it off.
(3)
Laura P.
My friends and I frequent this Noodles & Co quite often, especially when the Chipotle next door has a line that leaves the building and wraps around the block. The service is incredibly speedy and the food is always delicious and served in large portions. We are big fans.
(4)
Jen F.
For fast food, Noodles is surprisingly great! I have tried several dishes here and they have all been delicious. They have something for everyone- Asian (like pad Thai), Mediterranean (like penne a la vodka and pesto noodles) and American (mac n cheese, mushroom stroganoff, tomato sauce). For extra, you can add your choice of meat and vegetables. As for the salads, they have one for each category and you can choose your meat. I've tried both the chinese and med salads, but are pretty good. I wish they were bigger. They also have great dumpling appetizers! The chicken noodle soup is also amazing as far as chicken noodle soups go- if you're sick and want soup, get it here. You can even get wine... yes, its the perfect version of an Italian restaurant for College Park. Whoever came up with the concept is genius.
(4)
Jill M.
If you compare it to the other options around, this is a great choice for lunch or a quick and cheap dinner. The meal is made to order, and if you do it right you can even get something healthy and low-fat... or high-fat in the case of their mac and cheese, which is really good with chicken and/or broccoli. I usually go with one of the Asian choices, which are not in any way authentic, but I am not expecting that from Noodles & Co. Instead, I appreciate it for what it is - a filling bowl of noodles, topped with grilled meat, fresh veggies and Asian inspired sauce, that I can happily smother with Sriracha, for under $10.
(4)
Vega X.
I've tried a whole bunch of things here and have determined after ~10 visits that the Indonesian Peanut Saute is the best. Its cheap too. Full of veggies. They make it well. Its the best Asian dish here. Add the Sriracha sauce to the Veggie Med sandwich to give it some flavor.
(4)
B W.
OK, so.. since I've returned to Noodles and Co., they have added sandwiches to their menu - SANDWICHES!!!! And they are fresh and delicious. The wait is still atrocious, but it's bearable knowing a fresh, wonderful, thing with tasty bread will be coming to me in 10 minutes. Mmmm... warm pita! Oh, did I also mention: not only is the sriracha on the table, but someone had the bright idea of putting enough in little to-go cups: GEN-I-US.
(4)
Rashna S.
This place is known for the Wisconsin Mac and Cheese. Their Mac and Cheese is really good, but because its really cheesy its hard to eat the entire bowl! You must also try their Tomato Soup. It's a nice creamy tomato soup, with really good flavors! it has the right amount of spicy, tomatoes, and cream! Their noodles are also really good here, thoough I would recommend the Large as the Small wouldn't fill you up. Their sandwiches are also really good, but I wouldn't recommend their salads, and would get the soup instead! I haven't tried their Thai Curry soup, but my friends told me its really good. This place gets packed during lunch, so I would either go early or after the rush is over!
(4)
Jason L.
This place is reasonably priced, tastes all right, and you can make some semi-interesting combinations. One can't really go in here thinking to get a great meal or a great deal, but I think if you just want to go somewhere fast, it's a good choice. I do have to say though, that it doesn't take long to cook pasta at home (not to mention way cheaper), and many of the combinations I could just make at home...so that's why I'm giving it 3 stars.
(3)
Angela M.
It's crazy to think that a self-procliamed noodle-lover like myself had never been to a Noodles & Co. before last night. Maybe because I was being smart, since I know myself all too well. I would only eat noodles if I could, my favorite variety being plain, buttered noodles. Omg. They had that on the menu and I thought - fate has brought me to my knees. Their Pad Thai with chicken was better than most "authentic" Thai places I've been to and rather than to have to hear the hubbs complain about, "there's nothing to order...everything looks gross...I don't like Thai food..." he can get his simple-palate pleasure out of ordering spaghetti and meatballs. Woot. There's lot of seating and even though this place is smack dab in the middle of the college scene, it's wasn't overcrowded, loud and obnoxious. Not to say that college hang-outs are all like that. It was a nice place to get a quick meal and read my book. I like how they have Sriacha and soy on every table so you can top your noodles with spicy or salty goodness. Quick turnaround on the food & tasty chicken as well. I'll definitely be back to sample those buttered noodles.
(4)
Karen C.
2 1/2 stars Pros: The staff is friendly, the food is edible, and it's convenient with a lot of variety. However, the quality/authenticity of the food at mr. noodles is mediocre at best. i come here when i'm desperate for iffy food but just need to get out of the office and pretend it's 'exotic'. There's better Thai food (pad thai) just down Greenbelt Road at Siri's Chef Secret.
(3)
Karan A.
Okay food, and okay prices. The decor of the restaurant is nice and it is a good place if you are going out for a quick bite with a friend. Definitely noisy, so if you are thinking of meeting someone for a conversation over lunch, find another place.
(3)
Gabriel O.
Decent food. You can definitely get better Asian cuisine elsewhere. Portions are simply not enough given the prices. Been there a couple of times and never left feeling fully satisfied.
(2)
Jen L.
Wow, I was definitely unimpressed with the food. The flavoring was odd and unappealing and the portion sizes were fit for mice. The speed of the service and pretty clean setting were pluses though. The joint is overpriced. Overall, an okay "upscale fast food" addition to the line-up, but definitely not for me.
(2)
Molly R.
The best part of Noodles is that you can signup online to receive a free meal on your birthday and your one year anniversary of signing up. The best things to eat here are the Japanese Pan Noodles, Whole Grain Tuscan Fettucine, Thai Curry Soup, and the snickerdoodle cookies by the cash registers.
(4)
Jesus J.
Noodles is an interesting (and tasty) place for us noodle and pasta lovers. Located in the popular College Park strip mall next to the UMD campus, I come to this place once in a while. The staff are pretty friendly, and the atmosphere is surrounded by college students and families. The place is decently sized with plenty of places to sit. The main service line can be a bit long at times, but the lines goes down pretty quickly. When it comes to the food, I've tried at least five of the pastas, and I have to say it is mediocre. They have a full range of pastas from Asian, Mediterranean, to American. Asian being pad Thai and American being creations like "butter noodles", which includes noodles, butter, and is topped with cheese. As you can see, the list of pastas can range from flavorful to very simple and not much to it in the flavor department. My favorite pasta is pesto cavatappi with Parmesan crusted chicken breast. Even the cavatappi is pretty flavorless (the pesto isn't strong at all), but it is sensational when mixed with the chicken. This leads me to recommend getting a meat with your pasta as the chicken is delicious (haven't tried the other meats). The meals are a bit pricey, sometimes being over $10 for a pasta bowl and drink. They do service alcoholic drinks as well, but the selection is very minimal (something like 2-3 different beers). Overall, this place is a good pick if you want some quick pasta without stepping foot into your kitchen.
(3)
Dan W.
This place is alright & a decently good value. I come here when I need a change of pace from the other mediocre college park food establishments, but its nothing to write home about, so I'll just stop now....
(3)
Amanda B.
I love Noodles and Co, I just wish there were locations in D.C. My only close options are this one, silver spring, and crystal city. I only get the mac & cheese with the beef, been that way for years lol. It's really filling, i almost never finish. I also like it because it's fast food with a sit-in restaurant vibe. They bring the food to the table and you can leave it there when you're done.
(4)
Rick S.
Consistently worth my money. I like the pesto cavatappi best because the noodles have a really solid feeling as you chomp away. The noodles in general are cooked very well: something that could have been easily overlooked. Warrants bi-monthly visits.
(4)
Kevin W.
The service is decent, but, like all Noodles & Co, the dishes are mediocre. It's a nice place to take someone who doesn't have the same taste in cuisine as you, because the styles can vary greatly (from mac and cheese to spaghetti to pad thai), but not a single one of them is mind-blowingly great. It's a shame because I really want to love it. All the food looks delicious, but it's never as delicious as I wish it was.
(3)
Maria P.
I try not to eat at chain restaurants too often, even "fast casual" chains such as this one. But sometimes there is the odd occasion where I (and whoever is with me) have to find something for lunch or dinner that's simple and relatively quick, and we're not close enough to home. In those instances, I'm pretty glad Noodles & Co. exists. The menu is quite varied and includes something for everyone--vegetarian, picky, adventurous, whatever, as long as you like noodles/pasta. When I looked for ingredients on their website, I found suspiciously simple lists--great if that's actually all that goes into their food! Somehow I doubt it, though. (Sorry if I sound like a snob. I'm not! I know I don't give regular restaurants the third degree like this, but I am more cautious when it comes to industrialized food systems, chain restaurants included.) Either way, the food here is relatively whole, not canned or overly preserved from what I can tell, and uses a good number of fresh vegetables. The cheeses, sauces and "proteins" are the more mysterious parts of the menu, ingredients-wise. In terms of taste or my general feeling of well-being after eating here, I haven't been disappointed. They get extra points for having Sriracha (albeit the kind with preservatives) on every table. Another plus that usually makes me choose Noodles over another place is that it's possible to have an almost trash-free meal here. Some of the condiments come in wrappers and there are paper napkins, but they have reusable plastic tumblers for the fountain drinks and real plates and silverware. I've also always had pleasant interactions with the staff. Even if they're in a hurry, they're friendly. If you have to eat at a chain place, Noodles is a pretty good choice. I would absolutely choose it over Subway or other fast food places any day, even if it means paying a little extra.
(4)
Heather R.
My favorite is the Pad Thai w/ grilled chicken. Service is fairly quick considering all dishes are made to order. Nice, clean decor.
(4)
tania t.
NOTE: This is for the Noodles & Co location in Hunt Valley, MD Noodles & Co has a great concept, but the execution lacks that extra bit of quality that makes me really stand up for a chain restaurant. Maybe it was the gaggle of pre-adolescent girls next to us, or the wail of babies, or the disappointment and not quite full feeling I had after finishing up my noodles and salad, but I kind of wish I could have a "do-over" at this place. Maybe I could give it an extra star if I tried the tasty-looking mac n'cheese.
(3)
Praveen N.
Having now moved to Berkeley, it is easy to look down upon the mediocre fare provided by College Park (location, food, living, weather, and with considerable reservations, the education). However, Noodles&Co was a key player in the CP lunchtime eating and drinking activities, anaemic as it was. Many an afternoon was spent with a friend with whom I'd walk to either Potbelly's or Chipotle's or Noodles for lunch. The food is reasonably edible, bordering on good. We usually ordered the trio consisting of a soup, a main item and a meat (mostly tofu for me, being quasi vegetarian). The ambiance was okay too, crisp and comfortable. Overall, not at all bad.
(4)
Erin T.
My favorite place to grab some food when I lived in the Commons. I always ordered the same thing: macaroni and cheese with beef and extra chili sauce. It doesn't get any better than that! The only thing I hated about the place was it was extremely crowded on the weekends and was a small restaurant. But it was worth waiting in line for 20 minutes just to get some mac n cheese goodness
(5)
Grace Y.
its ok. i like the pesto and penne, mac and cheese is pretty yummy w grilled chicken and mushroom stroganoff is always yum.. but don't get thai food here, just go to siri's chef secret for that. and dont dare get the tomato soup!!! its basically ragu in a bowl. its thick in a bad way. :( nasty. tried it twice and made me sick both times!!!
(3)
Chacha S.
Very clean. Quick, friendly service. Perfectly good food. It may not be the cheapest place to eat in College Park but the food is far better here than at most other places around Knox & Route 1.
(4)
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Address :7320 Baltimore Ave
College Park, MD, 20740
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
michelle m.
I was looking for a quick and easy option for dinner and decided to give the college park noodles a try (I've been to other locations and have had yummy food). Here's the quick and short of it: Pro's Online ordering Nice variety of options Gluten free pasta Good service and nice staff Con's Both pasta dishes we ordered were VERY dry I might give them another try but I was a bit bummed out on this order.
(3)J Z.
Wife loves it. Employees are friendly. Spicy peanut noodles are solid for a chain. Beer is as cheap as a bar. $3-4.
(4)Cibelly H.
The place is very clean and I liked the attendants, the spaghetti and meet balls noodles was delicious just too spicy for me. But I am definitely coming back!
(4)Spencer C.
Great food, but terrible service. The cashier gave a little attitude, but oh well. The food is good.
(4)Steven C.
Good food and great staff. Service was fast and the staff were very friendly and helpful
(5)Caitlin C.
This is the only Noodles & Co. I've ever been to, but I really like it. They have gluten-free options, lots of international dishes, and fresh veggie add-ons. I've had other things, like the mac'n'cheese or the stroganoff noodles, but I always go for the asian dishes: pad thai, indonesian peanut sautee, or the thai curry soup. Today I was feeling pretty sick, so I decided to try out their option to order online for pick-up. My soup was ready in 10 minutes, i was able to customize it just like I do when I'm at the actual restaurant, and it was packed with all the utensils and napkins. The employees are always very, very friendly here. That's part of the reason I come her as often as I do for lunch.
(3)Lena W.
I love Noodles, but actually don't come here as often as I'd like. The location is pretty accessible in the College Park Shopping Center. Service has always been quick and staff are pretty friendly. I like how they bring the food out to you when you dine in. It's like getting sit-down service with bus your own table prices. The food is great, too. There's a lot of variety and I like the sides that have been added recently.
(4)Ryan V.
I simply love eating here whenever I visit college park, md. Amazing food and it comes out to your table very quickly. I always dine in because I just enjoy smelling the variety of cuisines they are preparing! Everyone should try a meal at least once!
(5)Jules K.
I can't remember the last time I ate in there but if you're thinking of getting carry out, here's what you can expect: 1. Place your order. 2. Sit somewhere you can't see the food prep area. (Honestly restaurant owners/designers, NO ONE wants to see what goes on in a working kitchen.) 3. Wait. 4. Wait some more. 5. More waiting. 6. Brush off layer of cobwebs that have formed on your body. 7. Wait. 8. Experience brief sense of elation when they call your name. 9. Take order home. 10. Wonder why the heck you didn't just toss some pasta in a pan. Nothing will alter this course of events. I don't care if it is an early Monday night and there are only three other customers in there. You. Will. Wait.
(2)Cy G.
Only giving it a 2 this time because I had a bad experience that they seemed incapable of grasping what the problem was. I ordered the Whole Grain Tuscan Fettuccine with the SEARED beef. What I was served was the Whole Grain Tuscan Fettuccine with BRAISED beef. I know this sounds petty, but I had had pot roast for lunch that day and didn't want more braised/slow-cooked beef. Also, I had been spoiled by having awesome seared steak cooked Hibachi-style at Ginza of Tokyo in Laurel just a week prior. I gobbled up the noodles which were nutty whole grain and perfectly chewy, but moved the beef to the edge of my bowl. Then I brought up my bowl and asked to speak to the manager. She instantly agreed that what I had been served was the braised beef and took my bowl to get me a serving of seared beef. When she came back, in the new bowl looked to be braised beef, that had then been seared. Seared beef should never be brownish and stringy (even though this is desirable in braised beef) it should be grayish with a touch of carmel browning and juicy on the inside. I asked the manager if the meat was in fact raw prior to being seared, and she kept saying it was raw but it was 'prepared' prior to searing. It seemed to me that the preparation was braising. I took the meat and ate it. but Noodles & Co. lost a lot of credit in my eyes since they pride themselves on their fresh (never frozen or canned) ingredients. Add to that the fact that I had a newbie ringing up my order and the time I spent trying to get the issues she created (not providing the right cups to my party or the party were with, and and having to have a supervisor re-enter my order because she kept thinking my wife didn't want chicken with her thai noodles with chicken) and they get a two. I will try them again when the U-MD students aren't in town - but that will likely be their third strike if they aren't close to flawless.
(2)Liz N.
Not a fan of chains, so this review may be bias.. this place is always LONGGGGG, wait at least 20 minutes from entrance to sitting down and getting food. Despite the long lines, I've never had trouble finding a table to sit. I think the small portions are very small, but is what a true 1 servings should be. I've gotten the udon and mac and cheese both good, but nothing to rave about.. this place is just too chaotic and not worth it.
(3)Ali V.
I highly recommend the Mushroom Stroganoff w/ Braised Beef, Bangcock Curry w/ Shrimp, or Penne Rosa w/ Parm Crusted Chicken. I have had almost everything on the menu, and I think those are the best. I come here all of the time for meetings, dinners, lunches, etc. I never really had something take too long and the people working there are really friendly.
(5)Brithany B.
I really try to stay away from reviewing about chain restaurants, but the service that I had here was amazing thanks to an amazing employee (shout out to Byron)! Everyone should seriously join the "noodlegram" on the Noodles & Company website and enter their birthday for a FREE regular sized noodle bowl! (You need to show your ID along with the coupon) Anyways, I came here with friends for lunch and Byron, the one who took our order, was helpful and all around outstanding service. He even gave my friends and a warm "sautéed cookie" which was caramelized on a pan with sugar. I've been here numerous times during college. Penna Rosa was always a popular favorite among friends so you could never go wrong with that. My personal favorites however are the Bangkok curry and the Indonesian Peanut Saute (especially when adding a kick of heat with the Sriracha). The Pesto Cavatappi was also pretty good if you're not in the mood for Penne Rosa. I've also tried their Pad Thai once, but you should just go to a legit Thai restaurant for that on Route 1. All in all, one of my favorite places to eat with friends near the UMD campus.
(4)Alicia D.
I have so many fond memories of going to Noodles & Co. as a child and mixing up the decadent macaroni and cheese so I had somewhat high expectations when I decided to stop by for lunch. As a college student lacking proper nutrition for the most part, I was craving a warm dish with veggies so I ordered the Bangkok curry. This was described on the menu as a light portion of rice noodles over a bed of cabbage with a lot of fresh veggies. I made my way to a table to put down my things and then decided to explore their super cool soda machine. I have seen these types of machines at other chains but have never tried it and can say this was one of the high points of the meal as there were so many yummy drink options. After getting my drink and sitting back down the food arrived soon after. I have to say that I was quite impressed with the presentation--full of color and steaming hot! When I dug into the dish it was just okay. The flavor was mildly sweet and the veggies added a nice crunch but it was nothing to write home about or crave in the future.
(3)Katie F.
This is my favorite lunch place in the area. There are so many delicious meals to choose from and I have never had anything I didn't like. The price is also perfect for the amount of good you get. Staff is really friendly, of course when you go there a few times a week, they get to know your face. I have never had a problem there- the one time they messed up my order and gave me the wrong food they immediately took it back and within minutes got me the right food. I also see some complaints about waiting to pick up food-- I haven't had a problem with this, but if I'm doing a to go order, I always order online ahead of time and by the time I get down to route 1, it's waiting and ready for me. The new pasta fresca had replace my regular order of Japanese Pan... I recommend both!
(5)Naina K.
One of my favorite places. I LOVE Indonesian Peanut Sauté noodles and Thai curry soup. I have tried a few others items in the menu but I love love love love the Indonesian noodles and the soup. The best thing is I can have both as a combo meal. Affordable food! Fast service. Good furniture. What else do I want?! Nom. Nom. Nom. Nom.
(5)Nicole M.
I absolutely love this place. I came here on my first day of moving in over 2 years ago and have came plenty of times since. There hasn't been a time where I haven't had excellent service or excellent food. The food is always served quickly and the rice crispy treats they have out are always so good! And I love the soda machine. Whenever I'm looking for a place to have a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner with my friends, I always come here.
(5)Willis N.
Great service! I almost always go for the penne rosa with chicken and I recommend that dish.
(4)Felicia C.
This Noodles has the full menu (which means my favorite, the whole grain tuscan linguine, is available). It also has a really sweet soda machine. I wouldn't get the Asian dishes, though - they're pretty bland and the many Asian restaurants around College Park do them a lot better.
(4)Christopher B.
I love Noodles and Company for a tasty, cheap dinner but have to say this store consistently has really bad service at the counter. It is horrible. Basic customer service includes politeness and a thank you. I made two purchases at this store and both clerks acted like it was an imposition on them and they were doing me a favor. Neither said thank you. Neither offered a receipt. Neither one responded much at all to my being at the counter. I have had similar attitude during prior visits at this store. Too bad because they have decent food. I really don't want to feel like it is a problem to take my order and my money and I sure do here.
(1)Fina A.
Maybe, just maybe, they have some other awesome dishes, but definitely not the one I ordered. As an Indonesian, coming to this place for the first time and wait what, did I just see Indonesian Peanut Saute under their Asian-noodle menus? I picked that in a second. O boy was that dish just simply a joke! It tasted, awfully horrible. Enough said. Ps: don't believe what you see, people! Indonesian Peanut Saute's taste is nothing close to this one. They should stop claiming their menus by picking countries.
(1)Ben Y.
Fast service, and fast cervix if you're in labor! Noodles & Co is slightly overrated in the pasta dishes themselves. Too many people rave about the mac & cheese, it really is nothing special. The other spaghetti dishes are quality, but the mac is just underwhelming after all the great interpretations I've had of the dish in my life. The soup is mad good, and I don't even love soup. My girl gets that tomato bisque soup and it's so fine. The regular sized bowl will feed every nation in every continent in the world, so I'd consider getting a side of it instead!! This Noodles has a ton of seating!!! And the servers are like lightening. The pasta arrives before you even ordered it. Somethin about the space time continuum being bent. Also, the cookies are to live for! Not as great as Potbelly's cookies (same size/style, hence comparison) but great in their own right. Chocolate chip forever. This place is clean and true, not to mention efficiently run by extremely nice people. If you need Noodles NOW, go here.
(4)Marcela G.
Some of the items in the menu are great. My personal favorite is the Japanese pan noodle, the rest are just ok. The place however is not clean most of the time, they take a ridiculous amount of time to serve your food, even if the place is empty. Staff can be very rude sometimes, my boyfriend and I used to go 3-4 times per week but they kept messing our orders and many times we found hairs in our food which a few times was solved by giving us another dish and a coupon for a free meal but now they are just rude and just say they're sorry and reluctantly bring you another dish. I am very disappointed at the staff and the way they treat you.
(3)LaToya E.
I like the concept of different types of noodle, yet i havent been able to find a combination that more than average. Its one of those places that has one more shot for me before i just write it off.
(3)Laura P.
My friends and I frequent this Noodles & Co quite often, especially when the Chipotle next door has a line that leaves the building and wraps around the block. The service is incredibly speedy and the food is always delicious and served in large portions. We are big fans.
(4)Jen F.
For fast food, Noodles is surprisingly great! I have tried several dishes here and they have all been delicious. They have something for everyone- Asian (like pad Thai), Mediterranean (like penne a la vodka and pesto noodles) and American (mac n cheese, mushroom stroganoff, tomato sauce). For extra, you can add your choice of meat and vegetables. As for the salads, they have one for each category and you can choose your meat. I've tried both the chinese and med salads, but are pretty good. I wish they were bigger. They also have great dumpling appetizers! The chicken noodle soup is also amazing as far as chicken noodle soups go- if you're sick and want soup, get it here. You can even get wine... yes, its the perfect version of an Italian restaurant for College Park. Whoever came up with the concept is genius.
(4)Jill M.
If you compare it to the other options around, this is a great choice for lunch or a quick and cheap dinner. The meal is made to order, and if you do it right you can even get something healthy and low-fat... or high-fat in the case of their mac and cheese, which is really good with chicken and/or broccoli. I usually go with one of the Asian choices, which are not in any way authentic, but I am not expecting that from Noodles & Co. Instead, I appreciate it for what it is - a filling bowl of noodles, topped with grilled meat, fresh veggies and Asian inspired sauce, that I can happily smother with Sriracha, for under $10.
(4)Vega X.
I've tried a whole bunch of things here and have determined after ~10 visits that the Indonesian Peanut Saute is the best. Its cheap too. Full of veggies. They make it well. Its the best Asian dish here. Add the Sriracha sauce to the Veggie Med sandwich to give it some flavor.
(4)B W.
OK, so.. since I've returned to Noodles and Co., they have added sandwiches to their menu - SANDWICHES!!!! And they are fresh and delicious. The wait is still atrocious, but it's bearable knowing a fresh, wonderful, thing with tasty bread will be coming to me in 10 minutes. Mmmm... warm pita! Oh, did I also mention: not only is the sriracha on the table, but someone had the bright idea of putting enough in little to-go cups: GEN-I-US.
(4)Rashna S.
This place is known for the Wisconsin Mac and Cheese. Their Mac and Cheese is really good, but because its really cheesy its hard to eat the entire bowl! You must also try their Tomato Soup. It's a nice creamy tomato soup, with really good flavors! it has the right amount of spicy, tomatoes, and cream! Their noodles are also really good here, thoough I would recommend the Large as the Small wouldn't fill you up. Their sandwiches are also really good, but I wouldn't recommend their salads, and would get the soup instead! I haven't tried their Thai Curry soup, but my friends told me its really good. This place gets packed during lunch, so I would either go early or after the rush is over!
(4)Jason L.
This place is reasonably priced, tastes all right, and you can make some semi-interesting combinations. One can't really go in here thinking to get a great meal or a great deal, but I think if you just want to go somewhere fast, it's a good choice. I do have to say though, that it doesn't take long to cook pasta at home (not to mention way cheaper), and many of the combinations I could just make at home...so that's why I'm giving it 3 stars.
(3)Angela M.
It's crazy to think that a self-procliamed noodle-lover like myself had never been to a Noodles & Co. before last night. Maybe because I was being smart, since I know myself all too well. I would only eat noodles if I could, my favorite variety being plain, buttered noodles. Omg. They had that on the menu and I thought - fate has brought me to my knees. Their Pad Thai with chicken was better than most "authentic" Thai places I've been to and rather than to have to hear the hubbs complain about, "there's nothing to order...everything looks gross...I don't like Thai food..." he can get his simple-palate pleasure out of ordering spaghetti and meatballs. Woot. There's lot of seating and even though this place is smack dab in the middle of the college scene, it's wasn't overcrowded, loud and obnoxious. Not to say that college hang-outs are all like that. It was a nice place to get a quick meal and read my book. I like how they have Sriacha and soy on every table so you can top your noodles with spicy or salty goodness. Quick turnaround on the food & tasty chicken as well. I'll definitely be back to sample those buttered noodles.
(4)Karen C.
2 1/2 stars Pros: The staff is friendly, the food is edible, and it's convenient with a lot of variety. However, the quality/authenticity of the food at mr. noodles is mediocre at best. i come here when i'm desperate for iffy food but just need to get out of the office and pretend it's 'exotic'. There's better Thai food (pad thai) just down Greenbelt Road at Siri's Chef Secret.
(3)Karan A.
Okay food, and okay prices. The decor of the restaurant is nice and it is a good place if you are going out for a quick bite with a friend. Definitely noisy, so if you are thinking of meeting someone for a conversation over lunch, find another place.
(3)Gabriel O.
Decent food. You can definitely get better Asian cuisine elsewhere. Portions are simply not enough given the prices. Been there a couple of times and never left feeling fully satisfied.
(2)Jen L.
Wow, I was definitely unimpressed with the food. The flavoring was odd and unappealing and the portion sizes were fit for mice. The speed of the service and pretty clean setting were pluses though. The joint is overpriced. Overall, an okay "upscale fast food" addition to the line-up, but definitely not for me.
(2)Molly R.
The best part of Noodles is that you can signup online to receive a free meal on your birthday and your one year anniversary of signing up. The best things to eat here are the Japanese Pan Noodles, Whole Grain Tuscan Fettucine, Thai Curry Soup, and the snickerdoodle cookies by the cash registers.
(4)Jesus J.
Noodles is an interesting (and tasty) place for us noodle and pasta lovers. Located in the popular College Park strip mall next to the UMD campus, I come to this place once in a while. The staff are pretty friendly, and the atmosphere is surrounded by college students and families. The place is decently sized with plenty of places to sit. The main service line can be a bit long at times, but the lines goes down pretty quickly. When it comes to the food, I've tried at least five of the pastas, and I have to say it is mediocre. They have a full range of pastas from Asian, Mediterranean, to American. Asian being pad Thai and American being creations like "butter noodles", which includes noodles, butter, and is topped with cheese. As you can see, the list of pastas can range from flavorful to very simple and not much to it in the flavor department. My favorite pasta is pesto cavatappi with Parmesan crusted chicken breast. Even the cavatappi is pretty flavorless (the pesto isn't strong at all), but it is sensational when mixed with the chicken. This leads me to recommend getting a meat with your pasta as the chicken is delicious (haven't tried the other meats). The meals are a bit pricey, sometimes being over $10 for a pasta bowl and drink. They do service alcoholic drinks as well, but the selection is very minimal (something like 2-3 different beers). Overall, this place is a good pick if you want some quick pasta without stepping foot into your kitchen.
(3)Dan W.
This place is alright & a decently good value. I come here when I need a change of pace from the other mediocre college park food establishments, but its nothing to write home about, so I'll just stop now....
(3)Amanda B.
I love Noodles and Co, I just wish there were locations in D.C. My only close options are this one, silver spring, and crystal city. I only get the mac & cheese with the beef, been that way for years lol. It's really filling, i almost never finish. I also like it because it's fast food with a sit-in restaurant vibe. They bring the food to the table and you can leave it there when you're done.
(4)Rick S.
Consistently worth my money. I like the pesto cavatappi best because the noodles have a really solid feeling as you chomp away. The noodles in general are cooked very well: something that could have been easily overlooked. Warrants bi-monthly visits.
(4)Kevin W.
The service is decent, but, like all Noodles & Co, the dishes are mediocre. It's a nice place to take someone who doesn't have the same taste in cuisine as you, because the styles can vary greatly (from mac and cheese to spaghetti to pad thai), but not a single one of them is mind-blowingly great. It's a shame because I really want to love it. All the food looks delicious, but it's never as delicious as I wish it was.
(3)Maria P.
I try not to eat at chain restaurants too often, even "fast casual" chains such as this one. But sometimes there is the odd occasion where I (and whoever is with me) have to find something for lunch or dinner that's simple and relatively quick, and we're not close enough to home. In those instances, I'm pretty glad Noodles & Co. exists. The menu is quite varied and includes something for everyone--vegetarian, picky, adventurous, whatever, as long as you like noodles/pasta. When I looked for ingredients on their website, I found suspiciously simple lists--great if that's actually all that goes into their food! Somehow I doubt it, though. (Sorry if I sound like a snob. I'm not! I know I don't give regular restaurants the third degree like this, but I am more cautious when it comes to industrialized food systems, chain restaurants included.) Either way, the food here is relatively whole, not canned or overly preserved from what I can tell, and uses a good number of fresh vegetables. The cheeses, sauces and "proteins" are the more mysterious parts of the menu, ingredients-wise. In terms of taste or my general feeling of well-being after eating here, I haven't been disappointed. They get extra points for having Sriracha (albeit the kind with preservatives) on every table. Another plus that usually makes me choose Noodles over another place is that it's possible to have an almost trash-free meal here. Some of the condiments come in wrappers and there are paper napkins, but they have reusable plastic tumblers for the fountain drinks and real plates and silverware. I've also always had pleasant interactions with the staff. Even if they're in a hurry, they're friendly. If you have to eat at a chain place, Noodles is a pretty good choice. I would absolutely choose it over Subway or other fast food places any day, even if it means paying a little extra.
(4)Heather R.
My favorite is the Pad Thai w/ grilled chicken. Service is fairly quick considering all dishes are made to order. Nice, clean decor.
(4)tania t.
NOTE: This is for the Noodles & Co location in Hunt Valley, MD Noodles & Co has a great concept, but the execution lacks that extra bit of quality that makes me really stand up for a chain restaurant. Maybe it was the gaggle of pre-adolescent girls next to us, or the wail of babies, or the disappointment and not quite full feeling I had after finishing up my noodles and salad, but I kind of wish I could have a "do-over" at this place. Maybe I could give it an extra star if I tried the tasty-looking mac n'cheese.
(3)Praveen N.
Having now moved to Berkeley, it is easy to look down upon the mediocre fare provided by College Park (location, food, living, weather, and with considerable reservations, the education). However, Noodles&Co was a key player in the CP lunchtime eating and drinking activities, anaemic as it was. Many an afternoon was spent with a friend with whom I'd walk to either Potbelly's or Chipotle's or Noodles for lunch. The food is reasonably edible, bordering on good. We usually ordered the trio consisting of a soup, a main item and a meat (mostly tofu for me, being quasi vegetarian). The ambiance was okay too, crisp and comfortable. Overall, not at all bad.
(4)Erin T.
My favorite place to grab some food when I lived in the Commons. I always ordered the same thing: macaroni and cheese with beef and extra chili sauce. It doesn't get any better than that! The only thing I hated about the place was it was extremely crowded on the weekends and was a small restaurant. But it was worth waiting in line for 20 minutes just to get some mac n cheese goodness
(5)Grace Y.
its ok. i like the pesto and penne, mac and cheese is pretty yummy w grilled chicken and mushroom stroganoff is always yum.. but don't get thai food here, just go to siri's chef secret for that. and dont dare get the tomato soup!!! its basically ragu in a bowl. its thick in a bad way. :( nasty. tried it twice and made me sick both times!!!
(3)Chacha S.
Very clean. Quick, friendly service. Perfectly good food. It may not be the cheapest place to eat in College Park but the food is far better here than at most other places around Knox & Route 1.
(4)