Tia Queta, a longtime staple of Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle, will close later this month after 45 years in business.
The restaurant shared the news in a message to customers, thanking the community for decades of support and memories. “Forty five years ago, Tia Queta Restaurant opened its doors in the quiet Woodmont Triangle of Bethesda,” the message read. The family announced that the restaurant’s final day of service will be January 31.
Tia Queta has been a fixture in Bethesda since opening around 1980, serving generations of diners and becoming known for its welcoming atmosphere and traditional Mexican cuisine. Over the decades, it has been a gathering place for family celebrations, casual meals, and longtime regulars who returned year after year.
Owner Roberto Montesinos’ path to opening Tia Queta began after graduating from American University. According to a 2019 interview with Bethesda Magazine, he worked at several local restaurants, including the former Rio Grande on Rockville Pike, before opening his own spot in Bethesda. In the early 1990s, a pivotal moment helped secure the restaurant’s long-term future when the building’s landlord, who was ill at the time, offered to sell the property to the couple. Robert Dyer reported in 2024 that the building was available for sale.
In their farewell message, the family expressed gratitude to customers who chose to spend some of their most meaningful moments at the restaurant. They encouraged diners to visit one more time before closing, whether for a meal, a drink, or to share stories of their first visit.
