Preview of Shouk, Coming Soon to MoCo With Two New Locations
This fall, Shouk kicks off a regional growth plan with two new locations opening in Maryland, both offering a menu of award-winning, plant-based street food.
Located in Rockville’s Montrose Shopping Center (taking over the former Spring Mill Bread Co. location next to MOM’s) and Bethesda’s Westwood Shopping Center (taking over the former China Cafe location) , the new restaurants join Shouk’s two existing D.C. locations in Mount Vernon Triangle and Union Market District. Both new locations are expected to open by the end of the year.
This expansion represents phase one of a multi-year initiative to scale Shouk’s footprint and bring its plant-based, globally inspired street food to new markets.
We were invited to a social media event, where we took a few photos of what’s to come at the two upcoming MoCo locations, including a couple BBQ Jack dishes (made with jackfruit) that came about after a collaboration with MoCo-based Money Muscle BBQ.
Below you’ll see the Shouk Burger, BBQ Jack in a pita, BBQ Jack bowl, fried Shouk’n, and chocolate cardamom cookies:
“Montgomery County is a natural home for Shouk. We’ve long considered expanding into Maryland, where we’ve had a consistent presence serviced out of the D.C. restaurants. The popularity of our Hood Drops — a pandemic-era food delivery program — in various Montgomery County neighborhoods further solidified that market demand,” said Ran Nussbacher, Shouk’s CEO. “We see these new stores as a natural evolution of the Hood Drop lifespan, replacing these once-a-week deliveries with on-demand access to Shouk.”
Shouk Rockville
Located just off Rockville Pike in a 2,000-square-foot, 20-seat space, Shouk Rockville will serve the same menu of plant-based, certified kosher street food available at its other locations, including the award-winning Shouk Burger, featured on the Food Network and The Washington Post. Inspired by the world’s liveliest street markets, Shouk’s food is crafted from fresh vegetables, beans, grains, and lots of spices; no labs, nothing processed or engineered. Shouk Rockville will offer carryout, delivery, and onsite indoor and outdoor dining.
Shouk Bethesda
As Shouk’s first carryout-only location, the Bethesda location will be temporary while the Westwood Shopping Center is redeveloped and a permanent location is built. “We’re excited to start serving our Bethesda community today ahead of building our permanent home here,” said Nussbacher. Guests will be able to order from the full menu onsite or in advance through the Shouk app.
Sustainability by Design
Shouk is committed to sustainability throughout every aspect of its operation. Like the D.C. restaurants, the Rockville and Bethesda locations will be constructed of reclaimed materials, will be 100% wind-powered to offset carbon dioxide emissions, and will use renewable packaging from plant sources, like wooden utensils and biodegradable materials. Shouk also invites customers to plant a tree with each order to help renew paper used in its packaging.
About Shouk
With two locations in Washington, D.C.’s Mount Vernon Triangle (opened in 2016) and Union Market District (opened in 2018), Shouk has amassed a cult-like following for its globally inspired, plant-based street food. Shouk has received numerous accolades, including the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s 2020 RAMMY Award for Favorite Fast Bites, the WTOP Top 10 2020 Award for Best Burger, and Best Fast Casual recognition from The Washington Post, Washington City Paper, and Eater DC
