Cluck-U is making its return to Montgomery County, with an upcoming Cluckster’s location planned for Rockville.
The restaurant is taking over the former Panida Thai space at 15106 Frederick Rd., Suite C, in the College Plaza shopping center. Panida closed late last year after nearly a decade at the location. An opening timeframe is not yet available.
Many remember Cluck-U for its iconic Route 1 College Park location, which originally operated from 1990 to 2009 before later returning and remaining open until 2021. The brand also previously had a Germantown location in Montgomery County, which closed more than two decades ago.
For University of Maryland alumni, Cluck-U’s College Park location remains closely tied to campus nostalgia, including longtime manager Lee Majorz, better known as “Cluck-U Pac” for his uncanny resemblance to Tupac Shakur. Majors worked at the College Park store from 1994 until 2005.
The upcoming Rockville location will be situated close to Montgomery College, giving a new generation of local college students the chance to experience the Cluck-U/Cluckster’s favorites between or after classes. “Cluck-U” and “Cluckster’s” are both registered trademarks owned by Cluck-U Corp. Cluckster’s serves the same trademarked cult favorites that helped put Cluck-U on the map.
While Cluck-U originally “hatched” near the Rutgers campus in New Jersey, the brand’s Maryland connection became central to its identity with its headquarters moving here at the turn of the century. The College Park location grew into a late-night institution for generations of University of Maryland students, helping cement Cluck-U as a memorable part of Maryland college life.
