Taco Bar at 3 Russell Ave in Olde Towne Gaithersburg has reopened following its closure due to a fire caused by an arson spree in September 2023. Currently in a soft opening phase, the restaurant plans a grand reopening in mid-February.
The menu features burritos, tacos, tortas, and soups. Taco Bar has also recently expanded with a new location in Hagerstown, called Takito, offering drive-thru and carry-out services, and another location in Frederick. This Taco Bar is not affiliated with Taco Bar El Guero near Rio in Gaithersburg.
The September 2023 fires, which caused an estimated $1.25 million in damages to 3 Russell Ave and the nearby Holbrook Center, led to the arrest of 23-year-old Fernando J. Herrera-Rivera of Gaithersburg. He was charged with six counts of second-degree arson and remains in custody without bond. The fires required the response of 75 firefighters, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services.