Below is a list of restaurants and businesses that will be coming soon to Gaithersburg, MD.
Chef Ngee Kitchen
Chef Ngee Kitchen is coming to 18523 N. Frederick Ave. in the Gaithersburg S.C. shopping center. The restaurant and bakery will be located below the All African Food Store and is expected to open this summer. Gaithersburg S.C. is home to Bruster’s Ice Cream, Corner Pizza, and Pho Nom Nom. The shopping center was also once home to Hechinger, the hardware store that once had over 130 locations in the Mid-Atlantic.
Copper Canyon Dining Pier on the Lake
In April we let you know that Copper Canyon Grill is requesting approval for a 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located on the RIO Lake. The restaurant submitted its final site plan back in July and the planning commission approved it unanimously at a September meeting. Earlier this week, Copper Canyon released new renderings of what to expect, including the finished product of other ongoing exterior renovations (photos below).
According to the submitted plans, access to the outdoor dining area/pier will be via two gangways attached to the existing boardwalk. The new structure projects 10′-2″ from the boardwalk and will be 12 feet tall from the finished floor. The plan is for the dining pier, referred to as an annex barge by Copper Canyon Grill, to be ready “just in time for the warmer months.”
DMV Empanadas
Coming soon signage is up for DMV Empanadas, at 560 N. Frederick Ave. (recently Kogi Grill) in the Gaithersburg Square shopping center. DMV Empanadas is relocating from its previous location at 113 E Diamond Ave in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, which closed in December. The restaurant features over 25 flavors of empanadas, including bacon & cheese, cheeseburger, and Old Bay shrimp.
Additional info, per the restaurant’s website: “Welcome to DMV Empanadas, your number one source for delicious empanadas in Gaithersburg, MD and the surrounding area. Whether you’re joining us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, our menu features an extensive list of empanadas and other Latin American food items for any time of the day. Whether you’re in the mood for a shrimp empanada or a pork empanada, DMV Empanadas has it all!
Han Spot
Coming soon signage is up for Han Spot in Gaithersburg’s Rio. The restaurant will be located in the space that was previously home to Union Jack’s until June 2020. Han Spot is being opened by Chris Zhu, owner of popular dim sum restaurants China Garden (Rockville) and Han Palace (Tysons, Woodley Park, Barracks Row). Construction began a few months back with the previous interior being removed and now the restaurant is working on constructing the new space.
Zhu made the initial announcement via social media in May, “Another milestone. New baby from Han Palace coming to Rio Gaithersburg. Next to AMC theater & Guapo’s.” One of Zhu’s other restaurants, Han Palace, offers an all-day dim sum menu. Scallops, shrimp, pork/crab dumplings, rice rolls, barbecue pork buns, lobster sticky rice, Han-style filet mignon, and Peking duck are included on the Han Palace menu. An opening timeframe is not yet available, we anticipate a mid to late 2024 opening being a likely scenario.
Kong Dog
Kong Dog, a restaurant that offers Korean corn dogs, will open its second Montgomery County location in Gaithersburg a couple years after opening its first location in the Glenmont shopping center. Kong Dog will be taking over 12141 Darnestown Rd at the Shops at Potomac Valley shopping center- the space that was the longtime home to Neal’s Bagels before it moved to the Kentlands neighborhood last summer. Kong Dog has been opening up restaurants across across the country and has upcoming nearby locations in Georgetown and Arlington.
The menu can be seen on the restaurant’s website, and offers unique corn dog combinations that include churro kong dogs, rainbow kong dogs (made with Fruity Pebbles or something similar), ramen kong dogs, and a lot more.
La Caleta Peruvian Restaurant
La Caleta Peruvian Restaurant is coming to 9627 Lost Knife Rd in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center in Gaithersburg. La Caleta will be located in the space previously occupied by El Carbonazo. The restaurant has its liquor license with the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control on Thursday, April 11. We will provide an update when we learn additional information.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
In November, we let you know that Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is coming to 201 Boardwalk Place in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront. Construction recently began at the space (photo below). It will be taking over the space that is currently the temporary home of Locally Crafted and was previously home Joseph A. Bank. An opening timeframe is not yet available, but a summer or fall opening is possible if construction progresses in the coming months.
Lobster rolls, lobster (or shrimp) salads, lobster BLT, lobster grilled cheese, lobster mac and cheese, potato salad, lobster bisque, clam chowder, and more are all part of the fast-casual restaurant’s menu. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls has been rapidly expanding since opening its flagship Annapolis, Md., location in 2014. The fast-casual franchise has made lobster-lovers out of seafood fans by opening additional locations in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C., Washington state, Texas, Virginia, and more. For more information, please visit Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls site.
Mayan Monkey Brewing Co.
After quite a bit of time without movement, the space at 227 E. Diamond Ave. has been sold to the owners of local establishments Taco Bar El Guero (Rio area), Ixtapalapa (Gaithersburg) and La Gula Mexicana (Germantown). The former site of Growlers and Summit Station Brewery will soon be home to Mayan Monkey Brewing Co., which will be a new concept from the group. They do plan to brew their own beer, but tell us that it takes 3-4 months to get their brewers license from the state.
Mayan Monkey Brewing Co. will be serving a mixed menu of Mexican and American food (pretzels, Burgers). Live music will continue in the upstairs portion of the space, and the downstairs area will include full-service dining. An opening date is not yet available.
Naz’s Halal
Last month, we reported that Halal Guys at 522 N Frederick Ave in the Gaithersburg Square shopping center had permanently closed. We now know that Naz’s Halal will be opening up in the recently vacated space. Naz’s Halal offers rice platters, sandwiches, gyros, wings, salads, burgers, and more. The first location outside of New York was also in MoCo, at the Burtonsville Town Center, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The restaurant has since opened additional MoCo locations in Germantown, Rockville, Takoma Park, and White Oak.
Prime IV Hydration and Wellness: Prime IV Hydration and Wellness has signed on to take the last remaining vacant location in the new Kentlands paseo, between Vine Alley and Neal’s Bagels.Prime IV offers treatments And IV infusions provided by medically licensed staff to help with hydration, athletic performance, anti-aging, hangover recovery, weight management, immunity boosts, altitude sickness, jet lag recovery, and more.
Prime IV opened its first Montgomery County location at 4923 Elm Street Bethesda, the former home of arts & crafts shop All Fired Up. They have plans to open additional Montgomery County locations in North Bethesda and Olney. Construction will begin soon and an opening is possible later this year.
Photo Courtesy Prime IV Hydration and Wellness
Potomac Cookie Co.
Permanent signage is up at Potomac Cookie Co. at 109A Market St in the Kentlands Square shopping center in Gaithersburg. Potomac Cookie Co. is known for its “giant size” 4oz cookies and flavors include Choco-delight, Da Fudge, Dorothy’s Slippers, Double Dutch, Peebee ‘n’ Yay!, and S’more Love. Construction is currently underway on the interior of the store and we’re expecting the store to open this spring.
Quincy’s Clubhouse: Back in June we reported that Quincy’s has officially signed a lease to bring its new concept, Quincy’s Club House, to 245 Kentlands Blvd. The country club style restaurant, bar, and golf venue will be taking over the location that was recently home to Not Your Average Joe’s. Fans of the original Quincy’s, located just a couple miles away at 616 Quince Orchard Rd, will be happy to hear that there is no current plan to close the existing bar and grille and that ownership believes both restaurant are sustainable due to the difference in concepts.
Quincy’s was approached by a golf professional who will run the golf-side of things. TrackMan, is the system that will be used for golf games, lessons, practice, and more. It will allow also for leagues that would provide customers with the experience of playing against people all across the world or country. Existing venues like Five Iron Golf (nearby locations in Baltimore and DC and many more across the country) have similar offerings on the golf-side and Quincy’s Club House will allow you to play against their members as well.
Non-golfers need not worry, as Quincy’s Club House will also be home to a full-service restaurant and bar. The restaurant will offer a full-service breakfast during the week and a “heavy brunch” on weekends. New cocktails and higher end wine will also be available through the bar in addition to the regular drink menu. A deli featuring Boar’s Head items will be available and the dinner menu will offer a variety of steak, seafood, pastas and more.
Leagues, memberships, and even club-fittings and private lessons will be a part of the offerings. A private simulator area for businesses and other organizations to participate in team-building activities or hold special events will also be available. Each of the simulators will have couches, tvs (so you can watch games or even talk to people you’re playing against) and the ability to choose between a driving range, or simulated course from across the world. An opening timeframe has not yet been announced.
Taco De Birria
According to a listing by retail property management company JLL, Taco De Birria is coming to 14 Bureau Dr in the Diamond Square shopping center in Gaithersburg. The restaurant will be located in the space previously occupied by Rooh Bistro, which opened and closed in 2020. Construction on Tacos de Birria does not appear to have begun and will provide an update when we have additional information.
TOUS les JOURS
TOUS les JOURS, a French-Asian bakery that recently opened a location inside of New Grand Mart (13069 Wisteria Dr) in Germantown, will be taking over the space recently occupied by Corner Bakery in Rio, which closed earlier this year after nearly 25 years in business at the location. The French-Asian Bakery features a variety of breads, pastries, and cakes that are baked in-store daily, as well as a wide selection of coffee/espresso based drinks and teas. There is no word yet on when the bakery hopes to open.
Per the bakery: “Since its launch in the United States in 2004, TOUS les JOURS has developed into a reputable bakery & café franchise, specializing in French-Asian-inspired baked goods, passionately made from the finest ingredients. TOUS les JOURS means “Every day” in French. As the name shows, the chain offers a wide range of baked goods – artisan pastries, gourmet cakes and desserts, and handcrafted beverages – baked fresh in-store every day. The brand takes pride in sourcing and using carefully selected ingredients and promises to bring freshness and quality to its customers. TOUS les JOURS continues to expand and embrace innovation in all markets. With its franchising know-how and continuous support from the team, the brand is getting a lot of attention from people who are interested in setting up their own small businesses. Currently, there are more than 70 TOUS les JOURS stores in the U.S. and more than 1,650 stores all around the world. To learn more about TOUS les JOURS stores and their locations, please visit https://www.tljus.com”
Whip Clean Car Wash
Last month at a Gaithersburg City Council meeting, representatives from ‘Whip Clean’ Car Wash presented the application, plans, and renderings of the proposed concept site plan for a new 11,852 square foot automatic car wash facility to be located at 353 Muddy Branch Rd. In Gaithersburg’s Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center.
The application was approved with one condition, being that the applicant must submit revised plans that reflect the updated building elevations, prior to final signature of plans. The car wash would be built right off of Muddy Branch Rd, across from the existing Lotte Market, and next to the existing Best Friends Pet Resort, in the shopping center that’s already home to Planet Fitness, Family Dollar, and more.
Whip Clean opened its first location at 1956 Crain Hwy in Bowie in May 2017. According to its Facebook, the car wash is looking to open this location in Gaithersburg and an additional location in Severn, MD. According to its website, Whip Clean offers memberships ranging from $45-$84 monthly.
