In October, we reported that Zaxbys was entering the Maryland market with three locations along the Eastern Shore. Then, this past spring, Zaxbys announced that it’s planning to open four additional restaurants across Baltimore and Howard counties. Now, Biz Journals reports that the Prince George’s County Planning Board approved the county’s first Zaxby’s location.
Blue Sunday Bar & Grill has officially launched its Laurel, Maryland location at 3443 Fort Meade Road. The restaurant is running a soft opening promotion from September 4 to September 18, offering 15% off to all patrons, an invitation to families and friends to experience its diverse menu featuring seafood, sushi, steak, and more.
The property that houses Pines of Rome, a Bethesda dining landmark with more than five decades of history, has been listed for sale with an asking price of $3.75 million. Located at 4918 Cordell Avenue, the freestanding building offers 4,012 square feet of space on a 5,250-square-foot lot. A representative from The Restaurant Broker, which is handling the listing, tells us the sale is due to Chef/Owner Marco Troiano’s plan to retire.
The annual Washington Parent Picks awards, hosted by Washington Parent magazine, highlight top businesses, services, and attractions across the DC metro area based on votes from local families. 53-year-old Bethesda institution Pines of Rome tops the pizza category in 2025.
Marco’s Pizza has signed a new three-unit franchise agreement to open locations in Germantown, MD, led by cousins Sri Masabathula and Sasi Vaddi under SS Brothers Pizza, LLC.
Elena James at 8551 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase has announced a partnership with Chef Sergii Mainyi to introduce his new Japanese and sushi concept, Ro Sushi and Co, opening in mid-October 2025.
In a sweet victory for local families, Montgomery County’s Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream has been named the winner of the 2025 “Washington Parent Picks” award in the Ice Cream category.
Italian Kitchen, the family-owned restaurant that has served the Silver Spring community for the last ten years, has permanently closed its doors. While no official announcement has been made, its status has been updated to “permanently closed” on Google and other online platforms.
Customers are eagerly awaiting Maryland’s first Church’s Texas Chicken (formerly Church’s Chicken), which still has plans to open at 7722 Harford Rd. in Parkville, MD. The new location is replacing the former family-owned Greek restaurant, Pita Pan, marking the first Church’s Texas Chicken in Maryland (the company had Maryland locations under its previous ‘Church’s Chicken’ branding, but is now under new ownership).
We’ve previously reported that the renowned Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, celebrated for its Michelin Guide recommendations and Shanghainese cuisine, is set to open its doors this fall at the Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. This highly anticipated arrival was also recently recommended by Forbes in an article highlighting “Where To Eat And Drink In New York City For The 2025 U.S. Open.”
San Alejo, the beloved Salvadoran restaurant celebrated for its authentic homestyle pupusas and deep-rooted community involvement, is set to expand its footprint with a brand new location in Montgomery County. The new establishment will be located at 7643 New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, taking over the space previously occupied by No. 1 China in the Takoma Langley Crossroads shopping center. The restaurant opens at 11am on Friday, September 5th.