Gaithersburg

Permanent signage is now up at TaKorean, a Korean taco grill that is taking over the recently-closed Nalley Fresh location at 261 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg. The restaurant offers Korean style tacos and bowls. This will be TaKoreans first location outside of D.C and the company is aiming for an early May opening.

The line-style restaurant was operating five locations at once, a few years back, but now there are just two TaKorean locations open in Washington, D.C. According to RestaurantDive, TaKorean is currently looking to open one restaurant at a time with future franchisees, and wants to ensure success at its initial franchise locations to create a strong base for a burgeoning franchise program. The company is open to multi-unit deals, but isn’t seeking them out. TaKorean is currently casting a wide net for potential markets, and once it sees brand recognition and franchisee interest in a particular market, it expects to build up that area, Lenard said. TaKorean is flexible on potential restaurant sizes, depending on a market’s real estate conditions.


Aspen Hill

Jersey Mike’s, which has eight locations in Montgomery County, will be donating 100% of their sales nationwide to charity on Wednesday, March 29th. The promotion is a part of Jersey Mike’s “Month of Giving” and sales are expected to be over $20 million for the day. According to Jersey Mike’s, “Day of Giving is Jersey Mike’s busiest day of the year. Each location prepares by staffing up and ordering extra food, ensuring there is plenty of meat, cheese, bread, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon to meet the high demand. The more you order, the more Jersey Mike’s gives. Whether in-store, through Jersey Mike’s app or through third-party delivery partners, proceeds from every single sale this Wednesday — including subs, chips, drinks, and catering orders — will go to local charities.”


Gaithersburg

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.


North Bethesda

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.

“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.”


Gaithersburg

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.


Silver Spring

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.


Silver Spring

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. 


Germantown

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.


Rockville

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!”


Potomac

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.


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