Asian food gets the boot in college’s remodel

WASHINGTON — J Street will undergo its first venue changes in two years this semester, as the University replaces two Asian eateries with traditional American fare and closes the campus dining hall’s largest venue.

The Metro Diner, which opened in 2011 with hopes of boosting J Street’s declining sales, shuttered this summer to make room for more seating. Under a new name, “The Grill,” the venue will take the same greasy menu of burgers and chicken fingers to another space in the food court, replacing longtime Asian food option Bamboo.

Officials will also replace BONMi, a Vietnamese sandwich joint that came to campus in 2012, with a carry-out market of deli meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. That space has seen the most turnover in the last two years, with three different venues moving in and out.

“The enhancements made to J Street this year will provide the best possible dining services to our students,” said Nancy Haaga, director of GW’s Campus Support Services. She declined to sit for an interview.