Guacado Mexican Grill has signed on to open its third Maryland location and its first Montgomery County restaurant at 1060 Rockville Pike in Rockville. The new fast-casual spot will open in the Edmonston Center, next to Pike Kitchen, taking over part of the space that was previously home to LensCrafters.
Originally founded in Brooklyn, New York, Guacado Mexican Grill has been expanding rapidly across the Northeast. The concept is often compared to Chipotle but sets itself apart with a broader build-your-own menu and frequent halal-certified options, which has helped it attract a wide customer base.
The restaurant’s menu centers on customization, with guests choosing from bases such as burritos, bowls, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, salads, and even loaded French fries. Protein options typically include grilled chicken, honey chipotle chicken, steak, ground beef, shrimp, beef barbacoa, tofu, and veggie fajitas with guacamole. The chain is also known for specialty items like birria tacos served with consommé, Crunch Wrap-style creations, and sides such as avocado fries.
Guacado locations are designed to be lively and casual, appealing to both quick meals and group gatherings. Reviews and promotional materials often highlight the restaurants as popular spots for birthdays and corporate events. Many existing locations, including those in Brooklyn and Laurel (first Maryland location), are open very late, sometimes until 2am or 3am daily, though hours for the Rockville location have not yet been announced.
As of early 2026, Guacado Mexican Grill operates more than 25 locations, with dozens more in development across markets including Buffalo, Northern Virginia, and additional areas in Maryland. An opening timeline for the Rockville Pike location has not yet been released.
