PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans is moving forward with its second Montgomery County location, this time in Gaithersburg’s upcoming North Pointe at Flower Hill development. According to Maryland Newsletters, the company has secured a permit valued at $200,000 for construction to begin, with the shop expected to open in early 2026.
Cheesesteak & Co. in Elkridge (Howard County) remains one of Maryland’s hottest food destinations, with long lines continuing more than a year and a half after the shop first went viral. Located at 6500 Washington Blvd., the carry-out spot has built a devoted following by serving overflowing cheesesteaks made with 100 percent ribeye and melty cheese on soft rolls. More recently, the addition of seeded rolls has boosted popularity even further, becoming a preferred choice among many regulars.
Papa John’s International announced a major refranchising deal that shifts control of 85 restaurants across the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore regions to Pie Investments, led by franchise operator Chris Patel. The move instantly positions Pie Investments as one of the largest Papa Johns franchise groups in the country, now operating more than 150 locations nationwide.
Ledo Pizza has officially reopened its Barracks Row location, bringing the iconic regional chain back to one of Capitol Hill’s most visited dining corridors. The restaurant, located at 415 8th St SE, is now operating under new ownership.
Plaza Mexico is aiming for a Spring 2026 opening at the upcoming North Pointe at Flower Hill development in Gaithersburg, following the recent approval of a building permit for its planned rooftop restaurant and bar. The permit, valued at $425,486 according to Maryland Newsletters, marks a major step forward for the project.
Mark Pappas, the beloved founder of Pappas Restaurants and a fixture of Maryland’s dining community for more than half a century, has passed away at the age of 93. The restaurant’s social media page announced that he died peacefully over the weekend, surrounded by loved ones.
Wetzel’s Pretzels has officially begun construction on its upcoming location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. In May, we shared that the pretzel chain was on the way, with signage posted at the site indicating a fall opening. The timeline has shifted slightly, but progress is now underway after Wetzel’s Pretzels recently received its permit to begin building out the space.
Maman Joon, the fast-casual Persian restaurant known for its home-style kabobs and family recipes, is preparing to open a new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda within the next week. Preview photos, courtesy of Maman Joon, available below.
Maman Joon, a restaurant specializing in Persian cuisine, has officially opened its doors today, Saturday, November 22, at 15780 Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg (photos below, courtesy of Maman Joon).
Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken is officially moving forward with its newest Montgomery County location. Last November, we shared that the fast-growing franchise planned to open at 13811 Outlet Drive in the Briggs Chaney Marketplace shopping center. The restaurant has now secured its permit to begin construction, bringing it one step closer to opening day.
Looking for the most booked restaurants in “Maryland – DC Suburbs”? You’re in the right place. Each month, popular reservation app OpenTable analyzes nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews on their platform from the past month. They sort the results by location and this location is referred to as “Maryland – DC Suburbs” covering the portion of the state closer to DC as well as a little further out. (more…)