Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Pho Nom Nom at 18509 N Frederick Ave at Gaithersburg S.C. (that’s the name of the shopping center), at the former site of Pho Viet Saigon. Pho Nom Nom has an additional location at 842 Rockville Pike. A representative from the Rockville location tells us the new store is still a few months away from opening. Pho Nom Nom specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including pho, banh mi, noodles and grilled dishes.

Gaithersburg S.C. is home to MoCo’s only Bruster’s and Corner Pizza. The shopping center was also once home to Hechinger, the hardware store that once had over 130 locations in the Mid-Atlantic.

After nine years, Quincy’s South at 11401 Woodglen Dr in Rockville will be closing this Friday, March 31.  The current location is scheduled to be redeveloped into an apartment complex with a retail pad and the restaurant is actively looking for a new location. Drew Gardner, who was recently in the running for Maryland bartender of the year, will be the new General Manager and managing partner when the restaurant reopens. After 3/31, Gardner will be at Quincy’s Potomac (1093 Seven Locks Rd) until a new location is found for Quincy’s South.

Quincy’s released the following press release last month:
“It’s the end of a 9-year run for Quincy’s South Bar and Grille in North Bethesda, the popular sports bar from restaurateur Marty Magill and partners Jeff Greenberg, John Sahakian and Chris McCasland. The restaurant and sports bar will officially close for good on Friday, March 31st. A sign on the door reads, “It’s been a great 9 years! We have made so many friends that have become family to us for life. It’s with sadness the time has come for the landlord to redevelop the building.”

“We had a great run here,” said owner Marty Magill. “We never could have imagined how the neighborhood would support us over the years. We are so very grateful for everyone who visited and can’t wait to find our new home nearby soon.”

Nine years was plenty of time for Quincy’s South to establish its brand in the rapidly redeveloped North Bethesda area. Magill’s goal was to create an intimate neighborhood sports bar with live music and casual dining; one where patrons will state “meet me at the Q.” And that is just what “South”, as it is affectionately known, did. The story to be told here is what happened between the walls for the last nine years. An unheard of high retention rate of staff, a complete pivot during the pandemic to carry-out and delivery, and 1000s of meals donated to hospital staff, “South” truly became the “Cheers” of North Bethesda, the place you could go where everyone would know your name.

Magill said some of the employees who work at the South location will work at the Quincy’s Potomac Bar and Grille, which opened in January 2021 during the pandemic and is located in the Potomac Woods Plaza shopping center at 1093 Seven Locks Road. Drew Gardner, head bartender at Quincy’s South and finalist for “Bartender of the Year” by the Maryland Restaurant Association will be a Managing Partner at Quincy’s Potomac.

The closure moves the Minkoff Group with their NOBEII project one step closer to completion, which will include an apartment complex with a retail pad.
You can continue to support the locally-owned Quincy’s brand at their locations in Potomac, Gaithersburg and Damascus. Stay connected to Quincy’s Potomac Bar & Grille at www.quincyspotomac.com and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @QuincysPotomac for updates.”

We’ve also received many questions about Quincy’s opening a location at the space that was home to China Gourmet in Kensington, but have been told that the sports bar/restaurant opening there is not associated with Quincy’s. China Gourmet closed back in December after 35 years in business.

Lum Thai is now open in the Muddy Branch Square shopping center in Gaithersburg (video below).The Thai restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by Roggenart and Canela Bakery at 806 Muddy Branch Road. Other restaurants in Muddy Branch Square include First Watch, Paisano’s, and Royal Tandoor.

According to its website, the Lum Thai is open daily from 11am until 9pm. The menu features a variety appetizers (all priced below $10), soups, salads, entrees/curries/noodles (all priced at $13.95), chef specialities  (going as high as $20), and desserts.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqdbxgfgbnj/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Update: Tastee Diner at 8601 Cameron St. in Silver Spring permanently closed today, March 22, at 2pm. According to a report from the Washington Business Journal, the diner was sold on March 21 to D.C. based Roadside Development for an undisclosed price.  Roadside Development, which purchased the adjacent Capital One bank lot back in August, plans on creating a “multifamily mixed-use” redevelopment at the two sites. According to a press release, the original dining car from the diner will be incorporated into the future project. Source of the Spring first reported the news of Tastee Diner’s closing.

Tastee Diner opened its Silver Spring location on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Georgia Avenue in 1946. After 65 years, the diner faced being closed and destroyed to make room for Silver Spring’s Discovery Building but local residents rallied to save and move the diner to its current location.  The original Tastee Diner opened on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda in 1935 before moving to its current location at 7731 Woodmont Ave. There is an additional Tastee Diner location at 118 Washington Blvd in Laurel.

Featured image courtesy of Tastee Diner on Facebook.

Chipotle has opened a new digital-only restaurant at 13801 Outlet Drive at the Briggs Chaney Marketplace in Silver Spring, according to a report by WTOP. The new concept, also known as “Chipotlane,” has no dining room and requires you to order through the Chipotle app, rather than the traditional assembly line format Chipotle is famous for. According to Chipotle, “guests and delivery drivers can collect their digital orders through the Chipotlane drive-thru or walk-up window.” We first reported that Chipotle would be taking over the Little Caesers location in Briggs Chaney Marketplace back in June.

Other “digital kitchen” restaurants in Montgomery County include Ensemble at 4856 Cordell Ave in Bethesda, CAVA at 19865 Century Blvd in Germantown, and Flip’d by IHOP at 8537 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring. 

“Chipotlanes are a key growth strategy for the brand,” said Tabassum Zalotrawala, Chief Development Officer of Chipotle in a 2021 press release regarding the opening of the first Chipotlane in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio .

Signage is up for Margaritas Bar & Grill at 19201 Frederick Rd in Germantown. The restaurant is taking over the space that was previously occupied by the Fraternal Order of Eagle #3509 and Captain Mori’s Seafood House. Seafood in the Buff, a mobile steamed crab business, operates out of the parking lot of this location in the summer months.  No additional information is known about the new restaurant at this time. There are two Margaritas Bar & Grill locations in Georgia, and signage at the Germantown location reads “serving Middle GA since 1988,” but it is unclear if the restaurants are related.

Margaritas will join Mi Rancho (19725 Germantown Rd), Señor Tequila’s (20021 Century Blvd), La Gula (21030 Frederick Rd), Abi Azteca (11514 Middlebrook Rd), La Mexicana (13016 Middlebrook Rd), and Rio Grande (13541 Clopper Rd) as places to grab a margarita in Germantown.

Choong Man (CM) Chicken at 765 Rockville Pike #E, which specializes in Korean style fried chicken, has rebranded to Gama Chicken & BBQ. A representative from the restaurant tells us that they made the change a few months back and that you can still find many of the same menu items.  Last week, we reported that the CM Chicken at 12933 Wisteria Dr in Germantown had rebranded to Chicken Pocho.

About Gama Chicken & BBQ: “Established over 6 years ago, we are a korean fried chicken franchise made with only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Whether you eat in, get it to go, or get delivery, Gama Chicken will make sure to satisfy your taste buds. It is our great pleasure to serve you with the highest quality food and excellent service at the best prices. Next time you’re craving chicken, come by our Gama Chicken in Rockville, MD. We look forward to seeing you!”

Below is a list of restaurants that have opened in Montgomery County so far in 2023!
Asian Cuisine and Seafood – Gaithersburg
Asian Cuisine and Seafood is now open at 8035 Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of China King.  Menu items includes “bangin wings with DC mumbo sauce,” traditional Chinese carry-out options like Beef with Broccoli and General Tso’s Chicken, and seafood combination platters with Snow Crab Legs, Crawfish, and Mussels.  Asian Cuisine and Seafood is located between 7-Eleven and El Salvadoran restaurant El Encanto in the Horizon Center shopping center.

B2J Fish Soup – Gaithersburg
B2J, which specializes in traditional Szechuan-style fish soup, is now open at 9629 Lost Knife Rd in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center in Gaithersburg. The menu include a variety of soups where you choose the broth flavor, protein, and add-ons, including tilapia, bass, and Waygu beef. B2J has additional locations in New Jersey, Texas, and Washington State.

Black Diamond Restaurant & Lounge – Silver Spring
Black Diamond Restaurant & Lounge opened in the space that was formerly home to TTT and Buena Vida at 8407 Ramsey Ave in Silver Spring on January 26.The restaurant is described as an “Afro fusion restaurant and lounge.”

Black Lion Café – Silver Spring
Black Lion Café opened at 8240 Fenton St in Silver Spring in January. The cafe opened its first location at the Traville Gateway shopping center in late 2016. Black Lion Café sources its coffee from three regions of Ethiopia known for producing some of the best tasting coffee beans in the world. Keffa, the region of Ethiopia that gave the name ‘coffee’ to the bean, Yergacheffe, and Harrar.

BooBoo Pho – Montgomery Village
BooBoo Pho is now open at 19230 Montgomery Village Ave. in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center.  Menu items include spring rolls, Pho (noodle soup), sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, salads, and stir fry.

Brew House Kentlands – Gaithersburg
Brew House Kentlands at 325 Main Street in Gaithersburg will opened on March 4. Per its logo, it touts itself as being the “best coffee shop in Kentlands.” Brew House Kentlands is taking over the previous home of Clear Skies Meadery, which has opened its new meadery at 15201 Display Ct in Rockville. In addition to coffee, the menu also features beer, wine, and cocktails, as well as breakfast and lunch options.

Chef Tony’s at Amalfi – Rockville
In November we let you know that longtime MoCo restaurant Amalfi Ristorante Italiano at 12307 Wilkins Ave in Rockville was bought by the owners of Chef Tony’s Restaurant in Bethesda. The restaurant, now known as Chef Tony’s at Amalfi, reopened in January.  The menu features a rotation of “Amalfi Classics”, many starters, tapas, salads, and pastas, and a variety of seafood entrees. The promenade location at Pooks Hill in Bethesda is now ‘Chef Tony’s Italian Kitchen’ and most of their seafood menu has moved over to Chef Tony’s at Amalfi. The restaurant is currently only open for dinner service. Additional information can be found via the Facebook page.

Downtown Brew’s
“Downtown Brew’s” opened at 5751 Fishers Lane in Rockville on January 26th at the former site of Downtown Beer and Wine. According to the store, “We have on and off premise service so people can come here and enjoy a glass of wine and beer or take them with them.” “Downtown Brew’s” will also offer beer and wine home delivery services and plans to eventually offer charcuteries, gourmet toast and coffee. 
Dunkin’- Silver Spring
Dunkin’ is now open at 14328 Layhill Road in Silver Spring. According to Dunkin, “The 1,500-square-foot restaurant employs 12 crew members and is open Monday through Saturday 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Next Gen location features a convenient drive-thru, indoor seating, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Including the new Silver Spring Dunkin’, Jesse Luis of Luis Group Management, LLC currently owns and operates 25 Dunkin’ locations throughout Maryland.”

Eerkin’s Uyghur Cuisine – Rockville (Reopening) 
Eerkin’s Uyghur Cuisine has reopened in its new Rockville location at 6 N Washington Street in Rockville’s Courthouse Center, at the former home of Amici Miei. It was previously located at 1701 Rockville Pike # B1 in The Shops at Congressional Village, which recently auctioned for $44 million. Eerkin’s announced a temporary closure following a kitchen fire that occurred at the restaurant on Mother’s Day last year. Soon after, the restaurant posted a message on social media on announcing a temporary closure, “Dear Loyal Eerkins Customers our Rockville, Location is currently closed until further notice please visit our running locations in Washington DC and Fairfax Virginia thank you for your support ”

Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles – Rockville
Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles at 389 E. Gude Dr in Rockville, next to the former Branded 72/O’Brien’s restaurant space, is now open. Grandma’s is owned and operated by the same owners as “Grandma Kona’s” Kona Ice franchise in Gaithersburg/Germantown. Additional information, as well as a $1 coupon, below:
“Grandma Kona is happy to announce that Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles will be opening on Monday January 23, 2023!  We will be opening for breakfast at 7am till 1030am then transitioning to a great lunch till 2pm. The ice cream and waffles dessert menu will be available until 9pm. Offering liege waffles sandwiches with a variety of options including Vegan! Grandma’s Ice Cream will be an experience like non other.  Soft serve ice cream with unbelievable flavor (including dairy free options) with Grandma’s twist of injecting flavor into the ice cream and if wanted dipped in chocolate or caramel. Come use your imagination with all the different combinations you can make.”

Isaac’s Poultry Market – Gaithersburg
Isaac’s Poultry Market at 12167 Darnestown Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of Pizza Hut, opened on February 23. The restaurant was opened by Rob Gresham, a lifelong MoCo resident and the former Director of Operations at CAVA and features American roasted chicken, wings, sandwiches, and salads. 

Jersey Mike’s – Aspen Hill
Jersey Mike’s opened at the Northgate Plaza in Aspen Hill on February 15in the location that was formerly home to Body & Brain Tai Chi– between Dunkin’ and Roy Rogers. Jersey Mike’s was founded as Mike’s Submarines in Point Pleasant, New Jersey in 1956. Peter Cancro started working at the restaurant in 1968 when he was 14 and the shop was on its third hour. Three years later the shop went up for sale again and with the help of a local high school football coach who was also a banker, Cancro was able to pull together $125,000 to buy it at age 17. He began to franchise the restaurant in 1987 and now has over 2,000 locations with various locations across Montgomery County, including in Burtonsville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Wheaton.

Kung Fu Tea- Olney
Kung Fu Tea is now open at 3128 Olney Sandy Spring Road, in the space that was recently home to Yogi Berry, next to Starbucks in the same shopping center as Cava Mezze, CVS, and Cafe Rio. The Olney Kung Fu Tea also offers TKK Fried Chicken and Tutti Frutti frozen yogurt. TKK Fried Chicken is a Taiwanese chain that specializes in fried chicken. They’ve been around since 1974 and have locations across Taiwan, China, and the United States. The menu consists of fried chicken, chicken tenders, fried chicken sandwiches, and more. Tutti is a frozen yogurt chain that has had several locations in Montgomery County.
Laperaux – Germantown
Laperaux, the Journeymanchef’s Bistro,  is now open at 18056 Mateny Rd in Germantown- the former home of Gumbo Ya Ya, Dickie’s BBQ Pit, and Cafe Mileto (located in the Cloppers Mill shopping center, in the same strip as Shoppers). The French bistro was opened by Chef Gregory Webb, who has earned such accolades and awards as “Chef of the Year 1998” in Houston, Texas, “Winner all Categories” at the Texas Open Wild Game Cookoff, “Top Chefs of Mexico City” and many others. The restaurant offers high casual cuisine created by Webb, who has competed against Bobby Flay on The Food Network, and won numerous ‘chopped style’ competitions put on for various local charity and fund raising events, including DC Central Kitchen’s Chefs Cook Off.

Los Amigos – Gaithersburg
Los Amigos opened at 9631 Lost Knife Rd in Gaithersburg on February 14, at the former site of Texas Parillada Texas Parillada had a long run in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center, which is home to BLT Grill, Hook & Reel, and Roy Rogers. The restaurant offered menu items that included Tex-Mex staples like burritos, carne asada, enchiladas, and tacos.

Lil’ Cakes & Creamery – Rockville
Lil’ Cakes & Creamery opened its newest location at 844 Rockville Pike, the former site of Sam’s Cafe & Market, on March 11. Lil’ Cakes & Creamery offers a rotating selection of cupcakes and ice cream, as well as macarons, pupcakes, cookies, cookie sandwiches, pushpops, and milkshakes. Lil’ Cakes & Creamery opened its first location in Gaithersburg Square back in October 2019 and have additional locations in Urbana and White Marsh.

Naz’s Halal – White Oak
Naz’s Halal at 11209 New Hampshire Ave in White Oak, the former location of White Oak Dry Cleaners, held its grand opening on March 11th. Naz’s Halal offers rice platters, sandwiches, gyros, wings, salads, and more. The first location outside of New York was also in MoCo, at the Burtonsville Town Center, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. That location opened in August 2020 and has become a local favorite with late night hours. The restaurant has since opened locations in Rockville and Germantown with an additional MoCo location planned for Takoma Park (7653 New Hampshire Ave).

Oliva’s Kitchen – Bethesda
Oliva’s Kitchen opened February 22 at 4708 Highland Ave in Bethesda, the former home of Taco Fresco. Taco Fresco opened in the location in November of 2021 and was available for sale approximately 6 months later. Breakfast options include egg sandwiches, Belgian waffles, breakfast tortes, Huevos Mexicanas, and more. Lunch sandwiches include the Cubano, Torta Milenasa, Buffalo Chicken, Steak & Cheese, and others.

Rakugaki – Bethesda 
Rakugaki at 10223 Georgetown Road, near Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream at the Shops at Wildwood, held its soft opening on March 11. When deciding on a new location, co-owner Marcel The said, “We love the Bethesda community which we have served for the past 25 years. We feel that Wildwood is the perfect choice for our newest restaurant where we will feature favorite menu items as well as introduce new offerings.” Raku’s Bethesda and Cathedral Heights locations as well as Rakuya at Dupont Circle remain open.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Raku team to Wildwood and expect Rakugaki to share the same success as its sister location at Bethesda Row,” said Ralph Ours of Federal Realty. “We are always on the search for delicious exclusive brands to complement our merchant mix and this new dining destination will be an excellent addition to the Montgomery County restaurant scene.”

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken – Gaithersburg/Rockville
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken at 16248 Frederick Rd (on the border of Gaithersburg/Rockville), opened on February 19. The North Carolina-based biscuit chain is known for their buttermilk-brined chicken and has additional Maryland locations in Columbia and Towson. Menu items include biscuit sandwiches, biscuits & gravy, fried chicken strips, and donuts.

Roaming Rooster – Gaithersburg 
Roaming Rooster at 511 Quince Orchard Rd in Gaithersburg (former Duck Donuts location) opened in the Firstfield Shopping Center in January.  Roaming Rooster is known for its variety of buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches that vary in heat depending on the diner’s preferences – mild, medium or hot. In addition to its free-range, grain-fed, antibiotic-free and Halal chicken, Roaming Rooster offers an all week breakfast menu, salads and sides including wings, chicken tenders and hand-cut fries.

Sweetgreen – Gaithersburg
Sweetgreen opened at 299 Copley Place D100 in Downtown Crown on January 20. Sweetgreen currently has three additional MoCo locations, in Bethesda, Downtown Silver Spring, and Pike & Rose. Crown has been without a fast-casual salad restaurant since Chopt closed in early 2020 and has since moved that location to the Kentlands neighborhood.

Tacos El Pariente (food truck)- Olney
Tacos El Pariente opened a new food truck at 18000 Georgia Ave (Exxon) in Olney on February 13. Menu items include birria tacos with consome (their specialty), tortas, burritos, enchiladas, and esquite.
You will still be able to find the original Tacos El Pariente truck at 20220 Frederick Rd in Germantown. Additional details below courtesy of Tacos El Pariente on Instagram. 

We are super excited to announce our second Location!
We are coming to Olney starting Monday February 13th, 2023! Make sure to stop by and visit our second and new location located in 18000 Georgia Ave, Olney MD 20832!
Order ahead by calling 240-676-5830!
We will still be in Germantown as well!
Thank you for your preference and always choosing Tacos El Pariente!

Taco Loco – Silver Spring
Taco Loco is now open at 8417 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring, the former site of Guavaberry Dominican Restaurant and The Greek Place.  Menu items include tacos, tortas, gorditas, soups, tamales, elote loco, birria pizza, and more. According to a report from Source of the Spring, Taco Loco began in White Oak as a mobile catering business. You can view the restaurant’s Facebook page here.

Permanent signage is up at Baskin Robbins at 1079 Seven Locks Rd in Potomac, in the space that was previously home to Ibhana Creations.  Last February, Baskin Robbins closed its doors at Cabin John Village and announced its plans to open in the nearby Potomac Woods Plaza shopping center this spring. Baskin Robbins will also be opening a location later this year in the Montgomery Village Center. 

Baskin Robbins was replaced in Cabin John Village by The Scoop, which was opened this past August by Timothy and Mitch Ryoo, Potomac natives and Winston Churchill High School Graduates (2010 and 2006).  The Scoop features in house made ice cream that’s made with natural ingredients.

Update: We’ve been informed that the CM Chicken location at 765 Rockville Pike has also rebranded and is now Gama Chicken & BBQ.
Choong Man (CM) Chicken at 12933 Wisteria Dr in Germantown has rebranded and is now Chicken Pocho. The restaurant, which specializes in Korean-style fried chicken, will keep the same menu. CM/Chicken Pocha Germantown posted the following message Tuesday on its social media accounts:

“We are excited to announce that we have officially changed the restaurant’s name to Chicken Pocha!
We understand the love that many of our patrons have for our restaurant, and we are happy to note that your favorite chicken and other dishes are here to stay. The ownership is the same. The menu is the same. And even more importantly, the Fried Chicken is the same!
Thank you so much for all the kind words and patronage that you have showed us for many years and we hope to continue serving you all the foods that you love for many more years to come!
We are slowly transitioning into the new name and branding, so please bear with us during this moment. Some areas such as the website will go through a transition as well, so if it still says the old name from before the transition, please know that it is still us. And you may still use those avenues to continue ordering your favorite meals.
We will let you know of any other updates as they come up. But thank you again so much! We love you all! 🥰🥰
Come and Brighten Your Day, Today! 🍗🍗
https://cmchickenmd.com
(240) 477 – 7571
GrubHub – http://menus.fyi/3038486
DoorDash – https://order.online/business/choong-man-chicken-germantown-715584
UberEats – https://www.ubereats.com/store/choong-man-chicken-germantown/bxao8GxXU265Sp9rQMTQZw?diningMode=DELIVERY”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpf9Pa5OYvO/

Asian Cuisine and Seafood is now open at 8035 Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of China King.  Menu items includes “bangin wings with DC mumbo sauce,” traditional Chinese carry-out options like Beef with Broccoli and General Tso’s Chicken, and seafood combination platters with Snow Crab Legs, Crawfish, and Mussels.  Asian Cuisine and Seafood is located between 7-Eleven and El Salvadoran restaurant El Encanto in the Horizon Center shopping center.

China King closed this past June after over 20 years in business. The owners told us that difficulty staffing and pandemic woes helped them to decide it was time to retire. China King was known for its modern interpretation of classic dishes and for using high quality fresh ingredients.