Eater DC released its “Where to Find Outstanding Barbecue Around D.C.” list earlier this week and MoCo’s Money Muscle BBQ topped the list, coming in at number 1. Money Muscle BBQ is a food truck that is located adjacent from sister restaurant All Set at 8630 Fenton St Plaza 5. Outdoor seating is also available at the Money Muscle BBQ truck and menu items are also offered at All Set.

Federalist Pig also made the list, coming in at number 6. Federalist Pig is available in MoCo for pick up and delivery via Bethesda’s Ensemble at 4856 Cordell Ave. Chef Rob Sonderman recently made an appearance on Good Morning America as he heads to the finals of the Ultimate Pitmaster Competition.


Good Morning America is currently running a nationwide competition to look for the best barbecue in the U.S. On Tuesday,  Rob Sonderman from DC’s Federalist Pig won a “Golden Tong” from the program after defeating Brendan Woody of Fat Pete’s (3407 Connecticut Ave NW) when “GMA” was in DC to determine the area’s best BBQ spot.  Rob will now move on to the finals of the competition, which take place on Monday in New York City. You can view Rob’s appearance on GMA here.

While Federalist Pig’s original standalone location is at 1654 Columbia Rd in DC, their Michelin award winning BBQ is also available at Ensemble in Bethesda.   Ensemble is a digital food hall from Salis Holdings (Ted’s Bulletin, Sidekick Bakery, Federalist Pig), located 4856 Cordell Ave. Food from Ensemble is only available for pickup or delivery and you must order through their mobile app.  The menu features items from four the different Salis Holdings restaurants that can be mixed and matched. You can get a brisket sandwich from Federalist Pig, side of French toast from Ted’s Bulletin, fried chicken from Honeymoon Chicken, and dessert from Sidekick Bakery all at the same spot.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS) units were called the scene of what was initially thought to be an overturned kayak in the area of the O Deck at Great Falls Park Tavern at approximately 4pm on Thursday afternoon, according to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.

A passerby saw what they believed to be an overturned kayak in the Potomac River and quickly made a good intent call to 911 alerting them of the scene. Swift water rescue boats were deployed for the technical rescue and a U.S. Park Eagle helicopter assisted, eventually finding what turned out to be other debris. The water remained at high levels yesterday with a strong current that brought plenty of debris to the area. Portions of the river remained closed throughout the day due to previous flooding. Several boats and the helicopter remained on the scene to survey the area.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fire on the roof of the Whitney Apartments on the 7700 block of Wisconsin Avenue near Cheltenham Drive, according to MCFRS Spokesperson Pete Piringer, after smoke was seen coming from the roof of the building at approximately 6pm on Tuesday evening.

Roofers were working on the roof of the 11-story residential building using heat applications and accidentally ignited some insulation located around a fan duct. The workers were able to knock down the fire with fire extinguishers. There was very little extension and the fire was completely out by 7pm. There were no injuries and minimal damage.


The upcoming HalfSmoke location in Montgomery Mall is scheduled to open in “about four weeks”, according to a representative from the restaurant. HalfSmoke will be located in a kiosk in the food terrace that was the former home of Coldstone Creamery and more recently Gelato Galaxy. This will be the first restaurant/bar in the food court to serve alcohol. The menu will consist of the best selling sausages and sides from their DC location, as well as boozy milkshakes and a funnel cake bar. HalfSmokes sister restaurant Butter Me Up opened its Montgomery Mall location last week. Butter Me Up is located in the old Aroma Espresso Bar location, which is downstairs near the Old Navy entrance and features “instagrammable” decor, will offer a menu that consists of a variety of breakfast sandwiches, toasts, sides, bowls, smoothies, and juices.

HalfSmoke was the first restaurant of its kind to serve gourmet sausages via an assembly line format. Its sausages and toppings can be fully customized to create over 50,000 variations. The HalfSmoke menu also features craft beer, mac and cheese balls, tater tots, milkshakes, funnel cakes, wine, cocktails, and more.  HalfSmoke is also planning to open a Rockville Town Square location sometime this year.


Lazzaro’s Authentic Italian Deli is now open in the Montgomery Mall Food Court, located in the space recently occupied by Big Al’s Sub Shop. The restaurant features imported cold cuts that are cut fresh daily, homemade meatballs, cannolis, and more.

Owner Larry tells us his family owned Lucia’s Deli on University Blvd in Wheaton back in the 80’s. The business was eventually sold and the company became what is now Mamma Lucia. He’s wanted to open a deli for as long as he can remember and felt the food court location was a good fit.  He plans to bring the same work ethic and authenticity that has mother brought to Lucia’s when he was growing up.


Todd Boehly, a 46-year-old businessman from Bethesda, is leading the group who had come to a deal to become the new owners of the Premier League’s Chelsea Football Club, the team confirmed in a statement yesterday. He is also part-owner of Major League Baseball team Los Angeles Dodgers and minority owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.

While there are conflicting reports as to whether he was born in Connecticut or Maryland, Boehly spent his formative years in Bethesda, where he attended the Landon School and graduated in 1991.  According to the Sporting News, he’s “from Bethesda, Maryland, the grandson of German immigrants made his money in investments and was the president of Chicago financial services firm Guggenheim Partners. Today he is the co-founder, CEO and chairman of Eldridge Industries, a private investment firm which makes investments across many different sectors. He has connections to the U.K., having attended the London School of Economics in the mid-90’s and worked for Citibank in the English capital.”


Lahinch Tavern and Grill at 7747 Tuckerman Ln (Cabin John Village) in Potomac will be closing by the end of this month. The official last day is May 31 but the restaurant could close before then, according to a representative at the location. Lahinch opened in April 2016, replacing Benny’s Bar, and is owned by the same family that has operated The Irish Inn at Glen Echo since 2003. According to its website, Lahinch offered American regional cuisine along with a unique twist on traditional Irish dishes by Chef Ted Hughes.  Menu items include fish & chips, Shepherd’s Pie, corned beef, lamb chops, and steak.

Lahinch is located in the Cabin John Village shopping center that is also home to the recently opened Pretzel Bakery, Colada Shop, Shake Shack, and Sisters Thai.  Broadway Pizza, which was located at 7965 Tuckerman Ln in the shopping center, closed in December 2021 after announcing that the shopping center had decided not to renew the restaurant’s lease.  Baskin Robbins closed its Cabin John Village location in February.


Rockledge Dr. is currently closed between Democracy Blvd. and Rock Spring Dr. in Bethesda after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle around 11:20am on Friday. Our Public Safety correspondent Cordell Pugh reports that an elderly pedestrian was struck and transported to a trauma Center with critical injuries.  Montgomery County Police are currently on the scene investigating, according to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Pete Piringer. The pedestrian’s injuries are classified as Priority 1.

Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route and to expect significant delays. The incident occurred in the area of Walter Johnson High School, which is located on Rock Spring Dr. We will post an update when more information becomes available. 


Yesterday Winston Churchill High School in Potomac celebrated Jeff Fritz’s 300th victory as head lacrosse coach at the school.

Churchill welcomed Montgomery County Councilmember and alumnus Andrew Friedson to the school’s game against Sherwood High School. At halftime Councilmember Friedson presented his old lacrosse coach with a Proclamation from Montgomery County for Coach Fritz’s 300th career win.


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