Over the last couple of months, Montgomery County has seen a wave of notable restaurant openings, but a handful have generated especially strong reactions from readers. From thousands of social media interactions to heavy interest on our website, these five became some of the area’s most talked-about new restaurants.
Below, in alphabetical order, are five of Montgomery County’s hottest recent openings, based on reader interest:
Doughboys Pizza opened in September at 15410 New Hampshire Ave. in Cloverly, taking over the former Bear Brick Oven Pizza and Greek Islands Grill space. The military-themed menu currently features nine specialty pizzas, including The Doughboy with pepperoni, Italian sausage and bacon; The Devil Dog with pepperoni, ricotta, jalapeños and hot honey; and The Fighting Fifth, a white pizza with garlic, mozzarella, ricotta, Asiago, Parmesan and basil. Specialty pizzas range from $17 to $23, with salads, mini cannoli, cheesecake, brownie sundaes and soda floats also available. The restaurant was launched by three friends who plan to add wings, Maryland craft beers and community events such as live music and trivia nights. Additional menu items developed with guidance from a Michelin-starred chef from the United Kingdom are expected in the coming weeks.
Guapo’s GO opened at 12211 Darnestown Rd. across from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, taking over the former California Tortilla space. Operated by the family behind the longtime local Guapo’s Restaurant group, the fast-casual concept centers around chicken marinated for 24 hours and cooked over charcoal. Its extensive menu also includes birria, crispy and street tacos, customizable burritos and bowls, pupusas, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, chaufa rice, sandwiches and a smashburger, along with family platters and a children’s menu. This is Guapo’s GO’s first Maryland location, joining restaurants in Herndon, Manassas Park and Woodbridge, Virginia. Longtime residents may remember that Guapo’s operated a similar fast-casual restaurant on N. Frederick Rd. from 2010 until 2017.
La Poteria Coffee Trailer opened September 16 at 200 N. Washington St., operating from the Exxon gas station across from Trader Joe’s in Rockville. The trailer serves Pergamino Lomaverde single-origin espresso, specialty drinks, waffles, empanadas, pandebonos and other Colombian food and coffee offerings. La Poteria also operates a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 19116 Montgomery Village Ave., which opened in 2021 and offers empanadas with fillings such as beef, chicken, spinach and cheese, and pineapple, ham and cheese. Its menu also includes cassava flour and cheese-based “Pan-De-Waffles” in savory and sweet varieties.
D.C. metro area favorite MangoLina made its Montgomery County debut in September, drawing a large turnout to its food truck at the Shell gas station at 2240 Veirs Mill Rd. in Rockville’s Twinbrook area. Founded in 2019, the Latin snack shop also operates locations in Springfield, Langley Park, Woodbridge and Sterling. Its menu draws from Salvadoran and Latin American street food traditions, with mangonadas, mango snacks featuring chamoy and Tajín, Salvadoran-style elotes locos, fruit smoothies, horchata and spicy snack mixes. Other offerings include Dulce Fresa, made with strawberries, condensed milk, whipped cream and cinnamon, and Pepinoloco, a cucumber snack prepared with lime, salt, salsa negra and chili.
ZiZa Kabob opened its first Montgomery County location in September at 1675 Chapman Ave. in Rockville’s Twinbrook Quarter development. The 100% halal restaurant remains in its soft-opening phase, with counter ordering currently available and table service planned once its team is fully trained. Its menu features homemade Afghan family recipes, including flame-grilled kabobs, stews and aromatic rice dishes prepared with traditional spices. Co-owner Fahim Rafiq previously told The MoCoShow that the eventual plan calls for counter service during lunch and full service beginning at 4pm. The restaurant’s name combines the names of the owners’ children, Zidane and Zayn, while its hand-painted artwork was custom-made for the Rockville location. ZiZa Kabob’s original restaurant is in Jessup, and the business is associated with Baltimore’s Maiwand Grill.
