The hardest part of a family dinner out is usually agreeing on where to go. One person wants something spicy, one wants plain fries, someone is vegetarian, and the youngest only wants dessert. A food hall solves that: everyone walks up to the counter they like, orders their own meal, and the whole family sits down together.

That's how BITES Food Court + Bar works. We're at 8046 New Hampshire Ave in the Langley Park Shopping Center, with free parking, four food and drink counters under one roof, and plenty of tables. The food hall is family friendly; the bar area is 21+.

What can each person order?

Here's a quick way to think about it, depending on who's at your table.

For the dosa and South Indian fans

Ananda Kitchen serves vegetarian South Indian food from its own dedicated vegetarian kitchen. A masala dosa is a big, crispy rice-and-lentil crepe with a spiced potato filling, served with sambar and chutney. Idli (soft steamed rice cakes) and medhu vada (savory lentil donuts) are gentle starting points for kids. Thalis are a good pick for anyone who wants a little of everything. There are also vegan and Swaminarayan-friendly options. If dosa is new to your family, this short guide explains it.

For the cheesesteak crowd

Charleys Philly Steaks & Wings grills cheesesteaks to order with USDA choice steak or all-white-meat chicken. Add wings, fries and a fresh lemonade and you have a meal most kids are happy with. Picky eaters can usually keep it simple with a chicken sandwich and fries.

For drinks and dessert

SmoothieFRESH & Bubble Tea makes smoothies, bubble tea, milk tea, taro, Thai tea, coffee frappes and mangonadas, and scoops Hershey's ice cream. It's a nice way to end the meal, or to give kids something to look forward to while the grown-ups finish eating.

For the adults

BITES Bar & Grill serves beer, wine and cocktails along with wings, loaded fries and mozzarella sticks. The bar is 21+ and we check ID. Bar snacks like loaded fries and mozzarella sticks are easy to share across the family table too.

Is BITES kid-friendly?

Yes. The food court is an open, casual space where families eat together, and guests often tell us they like the family vibe, the fast service and how clean it is. Kids can see the food being made at the counters and pick what they want. Just keep in mind that the bar area itself is for guests 21 and over.

Tips for a smooth family dinner

  • Grab a table first. With a bigger group, have one adult hold a table while everyone else orders.
  • Split up by counter. Send each person (or each pair) to the counter they want. Food comes out fast, so nobody waits long.
  • Order ahead if you're in a hurry. Ananda Kitchen, SmoothieFRESH and bar food share one online cart, so you can order all three together for pickup. Charleys has its own online ordering at order.charleys.com. Everything is linked on our menus page.
  • Save room for ice cream. A scoop or a bubble tea is an easy reward for finishing dinner.
  • Vegetarian and vegan family members can order from Ananda Kitchen with confidence, since it's a dedicated vegetarian kitchen.

Why a food hall works for families

At a traditional restaurant, everyone orders off one menu. That's fine when you all like the same food, but it rarely works for a mixed group of grandparents, teens and toddlers. At BITES, you can have dosa, a cheesesteak, a mango smoothie and a scoop of ice cream on the same table, and everyone pays for and picks their own. It's casual enough that you don't need to dress up or plan far ahead.

Planning something bigger, like a team dinner or a class get-together? Ask about our restaurant fundraisers, or see our guide to birthday and group dinners.

Plan your visit

  • Address: 8046 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783, in the Langley Park Shopping Center near New Hampshire Ave and University Blvd. Free parking.
  • Hours: Ananda Kitchen and SmoothieFRESH are open daily 11am to 9pm, until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar opens at 11am daily and stays open later on weekends. For Charleys hours, check charleys.com.
  • Menus and ordering: see all four on our menus page.
  • Questions: call (410) 381-0011 or visit our contact page.