In December we let you know that the founder of Sweet Frog, Derek Cha, will be bringing his take on the Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich to MoCo with Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken. The Wheaton location is now open at 2533 Ennals Ave in Wheaton, in the spot that was formerly home to El Pollo Kiki Riki. Construction is ongoing at the Rockville restaurant, located in the 1,600 sf location that was home to El Mexicano at 10050 Darnestown Road, between Pholuscious and Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the Travilah Square shopping center.

Per our previous report: In collaboration with partner, Mike Kim, the pair visited many successful Nashville-style chicken restaurants in LA, Nashville, and San Francisco, that inspired them develop their “secret chicken recipe to have the most juicy and crispy sandwich.”


The founder of Sweet Frog, Derek Cha, is bringing his take on the Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich to MoCo.

The restaurant will be located in the Travilah Square Shopping Center (the shopping center is anchored by Trader Joe’s) in Rockville, between Pholuscious and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, in the 1,600 sf location that was home to El Mexicano at 10050 Darnestown Road, per H&R Retail.


In addition to the 300 free meals on opening day, this location will be participating in “Military Monday”, which gives active duty members of the military 50% off on Mondays and 25% on any other day with military ID. We were told the official Cafe Rio app offers great deals on a daily basis that includes great deals/offers multiple times a week. They’ll also be making a $2500 donation to Montgomery County Public Schools!


Flower Child is the latest fast-casual health food concept from Fox Restaurant Concepts, the Arizona-based group that also owns True Food Kitchen.

The menu includes build-your-own plates, sandwiches, salads and wraps using organic, sustainable and GMO-free ingredients. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options and desserts are dairy and gluten-free.


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