Beyond MoCo Archives - Page 159 of 187

Kansas City Royals Call Up Jose Cuas, Formerly of the Gaithersburg Giants

Published May 31, 2022 at 7:37PM

The Kansas City Royals have called up relief pitcher Jose Cuas of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Cuas attended and played for the University of Maryland. He spent the 2014 season on the roster of the Gaithersburg Giants of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League.

Prior to his time in Maryland, he was a four year letter winner at Grand Street Campus High School in Brooklyn, NY, where he helped the Wolves win the 2012 city championship. He was a 2012 all-city selection and was ranked No. 21 overall in New York. While at the University of Maryland, he played a versatile role for the Terrapins. In three seasons, he hit .243/.320/.395 with 30 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 112 RBIs, 15 stolen bases and 55 walks. In 2015, Cuas was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the MLB Draft.

Beyond MoCo: Mr. Fries Man Now Open in College Park

By Patrick Herron

Published May 30, 2022 at 11:38AM

California based Mr. Fries Man is now open at 8147 Baltimore Ave in College Park. Its menu consists of different loaded fries such as BBQ Bacon Ranch Shrimp, Buffalo Chicken, Lemon Garlic Crab & Shrimp, and Honey Garlic Steak. The chain describes itself as a family-owned restaurant that’s part of the revolutionary underground foodie frenzy in Los Angeles. Mr. Fries Man has six locations in California, as well as stores in Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The new College Park location is open Monday-Sunday from 11:00AM – 9:00PM. Feature photo courtesy of @Mr_Fries_Man on Instagram.

After a very successful three years with one location, in 2020 the owners behind Mr. Fries Man embarked on an opportunity to franchise. Since their first signing in June 2020, they have sold franchises for 21 locations within the first 7 months. As one of the most popular restaurants in the South Bay, we take pride in our freshly cooked and quality ingredients in order to provide the best food experience for our community.”

Beyond MoCo: Chef Gordon Ramsay to Open Bottomless Pizza Restaurant in DC

By Patrick Herron

Published May 24, 2022 at 7:30PM

Chef Gordon Ramsay will be opening the first-ever US branch of his Street Pizza chain at 501 Seventh Street, Northwest, DC later this year, according to an article by Washingtonian. Ramsay currently operates four of the bottomless pizza restaurants in London (St Paul’s, Camden, Southwark and Battersea). The restaurant will be taking over what was originally going to be one of Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips, which has locations in Las Vegas and Orlando. In London, the price of the all you-can-eat pizza option is £16, which is equal to $20 US. Pizza options include Classic Margherita, Pepperoni, Charred Aubergine, Corn & Chorizo, and a daily special.

GRAB A SLICE OF THE ACTION! Join us for bottomless pizza AND prosecco. Now that's a brunch🍕🥂#UpYourStreet pic.twitter.com/vaoqmFgMZy

Beyond MoCo: Oceans Calling Festival Coming to Ocean City, Features Several MoCo Musicians

By Patrick Herron

Published May 24, 2022 at 10:00AM

The Oceans Calling Festival will be taking place on the Ocean City Boardwalk from September 30-October 2. The three day music and art festival is being put together in partnership with Rockville natives O.A.R, who will also be performing several sets at the event. The festival is headlined by Dave Matthew’s Band, Alanis Morissette, and The Lumineers. Rapper Logic, who is from Gaithersburg, is also scheduled to perform. Celebrity Chef’s Andrew Zimmern and Robert Irvine will also be appearing at the event. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 25 at 12pm and there is currently a sweepstakes to win platinum tickets to the festival and a chance to go on a Ferris Wheel ride with the members of O.A.R.

The members of O.A.R. met each other while attending Wootton High School in Rockville. They would play together at the Grand Marquis in Onley and pass out CDs to other students at school. After high school the band went to Ohio State, using Columbus’ nightlife to build the O.A.R.’s reputation. The band even came back to Wootton High School and played a concert on the football field, back in May of 2001. They achieved their biggest commercial success with the single “Shattered (Turn the Car Around) in 2008.

Beyond MoCo: Big Greek Cafe to Open Urbana Location This Summer

By MCS Staff

Published May 23, 2022 at 7:08AM

$6 gyros will soon be available in Frederick County as Big Greek Cafe is heading north with the recent announcement of a new Urbana location in Village Square at Urbana– joining the likes of Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Domino’s at the new retail development (3290 Bennett Creek Ave).

This will be the 6th location for the local restaurant, and the first outside of Montgomery County. Big Greek Cafe opened its first location in Downtown Silver Spring in 2009 and has quickly grown to become a local favorite across the county. There are currently additional locations in Bethesda, Hillandale, Kensington, and Rockville, along with Big Greek Cafe on Wheels– a food truck that debuted in 2020.

Local News Anchor Looks to Block 73-Year-Old Ric Flair’s Return to the Ring

By Patrick Herron

Published May 22, 2022 at 5:52PM | Updated May 22, 2022 at 8:15PM

On July 31 at the Nashville Fairgrounds in Nashville, TN, 73-year-old professional wrestler Ric Flair, real name Richard Fliehr, will be making his return to the ring for one last match at an event titled Starrcast V. One person who isn’t excited about the Nature Boy’s return to the ring is CBS radio anchor and part time news writer for WTOP Christopher Cruise. Wrestling fans will remember Cruise as a play-by-play commentator and interviewer for World Championship Wrestling during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Cruise argues that a man Flair’s age , with serious health problems, should not be allowed to compete.

Prior to this summer’s upcoming event, Flair’s last wrestling match took place in Orlando, FL against a man called Sting at a TNA wrestling show in September 2011. Though he hasn’t wrestled in nearly 11 years, Flair has made many appearances on various wrestling programs, including WWE, in recent years. Reaction to the announcement of Flair’s upcoming match has been mixed.

Jackass 4.5 is Now Streaming on Netflix; Two of the Show’s Creators are From MoCo

By Patrick Herron

Published May 21, 2022 at 3:48PM

Jackass 4.5 is now available to stream on Netflix. The film contains unreleased footage and outtakes from Jackass Forever, which grossed over 80 million when it was released in theaters earlier this year. Originally a 30-minute show on MTV, the Jackass franchise was created by MoCo natives Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze, along with actor Johnny Knoxville. Tremaine and Jonze were childhood friends, both growing up in MoCo and graduating from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda in the mid 80s and are both executive producers of all the Jackass movies.

Tremaine is the former editor of the skating culture magazine Big Brother and a former art director of the influential BMXmagazine GO. He was also a former professional BMX rider. Tremaine has directed and produced all the movies in the Jackass franchise and was also the executive producer on the MTV reality series Rob and Big, and the executive producer of Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory, Ridiculousness, Nitro Circus, and Adult Swim’s Loiter Squad.

Chef Rob Sonderman from Federalist Pig in DC and Ensemble in Bethesda Wins Good Morning America’s Ultimate Pitmaster Trophy

By Patrick Herron

Published May 17, 2022 at 4:20PM | Updated May 17, 2022 at 5:10PM

Chef Rob Sonderman from DC’s Federalist Pig won Good Morning America’s Ultimate Pitmaster competition, a nationwide competition to look for the best barbecue in the U.S. 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. 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. You can order from their mobile app or website for pickup or delivery.

Montgomery County Council Statement on Mass Shooting in Buffalo at Tops Friendly Markets

By Patrick Herron

Published May 16, 2022 at 11:40AM

“Moreover, we are thankful for the swift action taken by law enforcement and their ongoing investigation of this deadly attack as a racially motivated hate crime.

“In the midst of our grief about this tragedy, we must all recommit ourselves to stamp out hate in all its forms and to continue the fight for gun control across our nation. We stand with the residents of Buffalo, and we encourage Montgomery County residents to remain vigilant and report all acts of hate or discrimination in our own community.”

Beyond MoCo: Mighty Quinn’s BBQ to Open New Locations in Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published May 15, 2022 at 10:27AM

Franchisee Sasha Gatling has signed a multi-unit agreement with the fast-growing fast casual barbeque franchise

Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, a fast casual restaurant group founded in Brooklyn, is excited to announce its first franchise location in Maryland. Franchisee Sasha Gatling, an experienced hospitality executive, former Department of Defense Comptroller, spouse of a retired Army Officer and successful franchisee of the Tropical Smoothie Café system, has signed an agreement for multiple locations with the first Mighty Quinn’s opening in Columbia’s Meriweather District.

Grotto Pizza Founder/Co-Owner, Joe Paglianite, Has Passed Away

By MCS Staff

Published May 15, 2022 at 10:01AM

Joe Paglianite, one of the founders and co-owners of Grotto Pizza, has passed away, according to a post on the Grotto Pizza Facebook page. “Joe Pags” created Joe’s Pizza, the restaurant that later became Grotto’z Pizza, at Harveys Lake Pennsylvania over 70 years ago. The Grotto Pizza chain itself originated in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in 1960, and has since expanded across the state of Delaware and into Maryland and Pennsylvania, even opening a Columbia location in 2016. Below you’ll see the full social media post announcing his Joe Paglianite’s passing.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform our extended Grotto pizza family that Joe Paglianite, who was my uncle as well as founder and co-owner of what we now know as Grotto Pizza, passed away on Wednesday, May 11th.