The College Park spot since 1978

Lexi Vinick April 4 2017

COLLEGE PARK, Md.- RJ Bentleys Filling Station remains a go to spot for both

students and alumni of University of Maryland even after 39 years. RJ Bentleys

Restaurant is located on Baltimore Avenue in College Park. It has constantly brought in

customers since 1978 despite their lack of changes to the building.

College Park contains a series of different bars and restaurants that surround the campus.

For many years, establishments have closed down and reopened with different names and

owners. However, RJ Bentleys has managed to stay alive and carries the title of the

oldest restaurant in the area.

The building was not always a restaurant and bar that welcomed customers. Instead, it

was originally a gas station known as the College Park Auto Place in the 1920s.

College Park Auto Place combined with a Hudson dealership in 1956, where it provided

service and highway assistance along Route 1. This lasted until 1978 when Maryland

graduate, John Brown, made the location a popular dining spot.

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John Brown turned the building into a welcoming roadhouse to gather people in

the community, students and parents for a good time. He decorated the original

location with a variety of Maryland athletic supplements along with antique automobile

accessories.

After several years, the dcor remains relatively the same, but now includes updated

sports players and newspaper clippings.

Jerseys of former UMD sports player are framed throughout the

restaurant. (Amanda Murray)

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Joe Reilly, an alumnus of Maryland who graduated in 1996, used to love the athletic

atmosphere of RJ Bentleys. Reilly explained that all famous alumni and even NFL

players would come to this restaurant when they were in College Park.

I always saw Boomer Esiason, who was the quarterback for the football team, said

Reilly. Bents was the place to go in Maryland.

The appreciation of Maryland

athletics in this particular spot

continues to bring in Maryland

sports players today. Cailee

McCarthy, a sophomore at

University of Maryland, met

Damonte Dodd when she was

eating at Bentleys.

McCarthy and Damonte Dodd inside RJ

Bentleys. (Cailee McCarthy)

It was really cool to see a starter for the basketball team randomly at the restaurant. He

was so friendly and agreed to take a picture with me, said McCarthy.

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RJ Bentleys has also managed to keep a great reputation for their great deals on drinks

and food.

Joe Leuzzi, a junior at University of Maryland, started coming to Bentleys as soon as he

arrived at school. Leuzzi learned about the spot after visiting a friend the year before,

who had told him how popular it was.

Me and my friend always come on Wednesdays for half off burgers, said Leuzzi.

Happy hour is great too for half off all appetizers with a few drink specials.

Numerous students come to Bentleys during

happy hour to participate in these deals. Ginny

Sangster, a junior at Maryland, actually comes

for the buildings entities.

Bentleys recently made an outdoor area that

my friends and I love when its warm outside,

said Sangster.

Sangster and friends enjoying the

outdoor area of Bentleys on a -MORE-
sunny day. (Ginny Sangster)
Despite its favorable qualities, the building of Bentleys has also faced some difficulties

throughout its existence. On Sept. 19, 2003, the food establishment was temporarily

closed for health violations. According the report, the place lacked power and

refrigeration.

After successfully fixing this problem, the restaurant also faced a kitchen fire in 2005.

The fire severed their roof and led to a temporary closure.

Bentleys was always able to get back on their feet and reopen to cater to their range of

customers. Nada Reilly, an alumna who graduated in 1996, emphasized that Bentleys

will always be the place that she goes to.

Although its not as nice as it used to be, the fact that it has been around for so many

years means so much to all students, said Reilly. I used to always bring my parents

there and I hope my children do the same if they choose to attend Maryland.

Bentleys traditional structure and service has attracted students and visitors for several

years. It continues to prosper and strives to continue its reputation for the future.

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