Everybody, do the Charles Village

Charles Village, your home for the next four years, is not a college town in the traditional sense. However, there are a healthy-and-growing number of restaurants and shops scattered around the main square, just a short walk from campus. St. Paul Street, around the corner from JHU, has evolved into a student-orientated retail strip. As you will soon find out, Charles Village shops and restaurants cater to the budgets and schedules of college students. Most even accept J-cash.

The town is currently in the middle of a renovation project, appropriately named the Charles Village Project. With completion tentatively scheduled for September of 2006, the Charles Village Project features a full-service Barnes & Noble bookstore and a student amenity space at an L-shaped portion of 33rd Street between Charles and St. Paul Streets.

In addition, modern student housing, retail and restaurant space, and a 575-space public parking garage will be constructed.

In the meantime, students have become accustomed to the bulldozers.

The dining options are inexpensive and diverse, including the Asian cuisine at Niwana (try the fried ice cream), Middle Eastern dishes at Silk Road and an odd mix of culinary traditions at Tamber's, a 1950s-style diner that serves up traditional Indian dishes along with the usual diner fare. At Tamber's, the ethnic dishes are delicious, but their burgers and shakes are also specialties. If you prefer the familiar, Charles Village also offers Ruby Tuesday's, Donna's, Subway and Blimpie.

However, the majority of eateries show the neighborhood's unique character. On St. Paul Street, you will also find the Charles Village Pub or "CVP," which serves up decent burgers, sandwiches, and fish and chips. CVP, however, is known more for its bar than its dinner menu.

On weekends, Sam's Bagels and Pete's Grille are quite popular. Sam's has the best bagel sandwiches in town, while Pete's Grille has gained popularity as one of Michael Phelps's favorite hangouts.

The health-conscious will enjoy the vegetarian and vegan menu items at the One World Cafe, right across from Hopkins Stadium on University Parkway. In addition to its great dishes, One World Cafe is a local favorite for its coffee bar. It is one of four in the neighborhood, also including Donna's, Xando (try the S'mores), and Cuppa Cabana.

When you get a craving for something sweet, Gaga's Ice Cream on St. Paul Street is the place to go for ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes or smoothies. For richer desserts, you may want to try the Dessert Cafe with an impressive menu of pastries, cakes, coffees and, most importantly, gelato.

Eddie's Market is a great alternative to walking a mile to the Giant at the Rotunda. Eddie's only drawbacks are its limited selection and slightly higher-than-average prices. But its lines are always short and its staff is courteous. Its deli makes the best sandwiches in the neighborhood, and many of its names reflect its Hopkins' pride, such as the Blue Jay and the Charles Villager. On nice days, students eat their sandwiches at its outdoor tables.

Shopping opportunities are sparse in Charles Village. However, there is a Record & Tape Traders on Charles Street at Hopkins Square, which mostly sells CDs. In addition to a Record & Tape Traders at Hopkins Square, Kinko's is popular for printing.

You will also find Tenpachi in Charles Villiage, home of the $10 haircut, at the Homewood Apartments.

Not to be missed is Video Americain on St. Paul Street, a great indie video-rental shop that stocks films old and new, domestic and foreign, good and bad. Big names and blockbusters are featured in the front room, while foreign films and classics are in the rooms to the left and right.

University Mini-Mart, commonly referred to as "UniMini," is located at the corner of St. Paul and 33rd Street. It's a convenience storebut is more popular for its sandwiches. It has practically everything you need from snack food to office supplies.

If your venture further east than St. Paul St, you will find a Blockbuster Video, Papa John's Pizza, and 7-11 on 33rd Street.

Although it is not Harvard Square or Greenwich Village, Charles Village has a character of its own complementing Johns Hopkins. You don't need to go far; just go out and explore.