Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opening in Rockville Oct. 5

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar at 12266 Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza now has an opening date. It is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 12:00 PM. "Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is a unique 'eater-tainment' destination that combines authentic Japanese cuisine with interactive dining," the chain said in a statement. "With more than 100 dishes served via a two-layered conveyor belt system, guests enjoy a whimsical journey of flavors, enhanced by our drink delivery robots, Kur-B the KuraBot, and Bikkura Pon prizes. It is our philosophy and ongoing promise to prepare food using REAL ingredients free of artificial sweeteners, seasonings, preservatives and colorings." Look for Kura right next to Torchy's Tacos, which just opened this past week.

But, wait, there's more! Save the date for the restaurant's Grand Opening celebration next week on Tuesday, October 8, at 11:30 AM. The first 50 seated dine-in guests on October 8th, 9th and 10th who show their Kura Sushi Rewards Member QR code will receive one (1) sushi towel. The first 300 seated dine-in guests on October 8th will receive a commemorative Rockville, Maryland location sticker. During the grand opening celebration, premium sushi will be $3.70 per plate. Other plate prices will vary. 

Operating hours from Saturday, October 5 through Monday, October 7 will be 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Beginning Tuesday, October 8, the regular business hours will be as follows: Sundays from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM, Mondays through Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Fridays from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. 

How does the dual conveyor belt system work? One circulating belt rotates plates of sushi throughout the restaurant. Freshness is retained via their trademarked Mr. Fresh sushi lid, and the time plates have been out on the belt is monitored to ensure sushi is always fresh. A second belt above the primary belt is used to deliver a la carte items you order from your table directly to you. Any of the more than 100 menu selections you choose will travel the Express Belt to your table.

What are the Bikkura Pon prizes? According to the company, "the Bikkura Pon Prize System is an integral part of Kura Sushi USA’s innovative and tech interactive dining experience and is comprised of a prize machine, touch panel and plate disposal slot located at every table in the restaurant that are connected via sensors. The touch panel registers the number of sushi plates dispensed into the plate disposal slot. After every five plates inserted, a short animation will play on the touch panel and after every fifteen plates inserted, a prize will be dispensed from the prize machine."

Photo credits: 1-2 by Kura Revolving Sushi Bar; 3-5 by Emily J. Davis; 6-8 by Rockville Nights

 

First look: Torchy's Tacos in Rockville (Video + Photos)

Torchy's Tacos will open this Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM at 12266-A Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza in Rockville. Here's a sneak peek from the restaurant's soft opening hours, which are available by reservation again today, September 30. Pictured below are the Trailer Park taco and Chicken Fajita taco, and a side item of Hillbilly Queso (Torchy's famous queso upgraded with chorizo, and probably what J.D. Vance would order if the manager got nervous) and chips (a.k.a. nachos). Notable selections from the soft drink dispenser are Fuze and Strawberry Fanta. The restaurant also has Torchy's merchandise available for sale.

Trailer Park taco (L) and
Chicken Fajita taco (R)

Hillbilly Queso + Chips

Thumbs up for Strawberry Fanta

You're not leaving without a trucker hat

Torchy's Tacos sets opening date in Rockville

Torchy's Tacos is right on target for its expected fall opening at 12266-A Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza in Rockville. The eagerly-awaited Mexican restaurant will open on October 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Guests will have the opportunity to win free queso for a year. Soft opening hours will be held by reservation only on September 29 and 30 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Signage installed at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar in Rockville

The sign is up at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, which is expected to open by the end of summer 2024 at Federal Plaza in Rockville. Kura is splitting the former Chuy's space with Torchy's Tacos. Asked for an update, a Torchy's spokesperson says only that they are still scheduled for a fall 2024 opening; there is still not an official opening date on the calendar. The windows at Kura remain covered, so we can't yet get a sneak peek at the progress inside, which is to include sushi conveyor belts and KuraBot robots. 

Update on Torchy's Tacos in Rockville (Photos)

Permanent lighted signage has been installed at Torchy's Tacos at 12266-A Rockville Pike at Federal Plaza in Rockville. Last night, it was already lit up. It's not quite as large and prominent as former tenant Chuy's' was when viewed from the Pike, but includes a sharp rendering of the Mexican chain's devilish mascot.

Outdoor seating has put placed on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. Pitchfork door handles have been installed on the entrance doors. A liquor license hearing for Torchy's has been scheduled for August 15, 2024. Just yesterday, the company posted a help-wanted ad for a Local Store Marketer for this location on Indeed. Torchy's Tacos is expected to open by fall.

Torchy's Tacos construction picks up steam in Rockville

Torchy's Tacos is now under construction at 1776 E. Jefferson Street at Federal Plaza in Rockville. Construction crews are working into the night on the interior fit-out of the Mexican restaurant, which is replacing another famous chain, Chuy's, at the shopping center. Chuy's sadly departed in 2020. Torchy's is expected to open this fall.

Torchy's Tacos opening in Rockville

Torchy's Tacos has leased the former Chuy's space at Federal Plaza on Rockville Pike, according to signage posted in the windows. Chuy's closed at 12266 Rockville Pike in 2020. 

Like Chuy's, Torchy's has an apostrophe "S," was founded in Austin, Texas, and owns all of its locations rather than license franchises. Unlike Chuy's, Torchy's leans more toward the fast casual model, and less toward a decor that looks like a freight train carrying a shipment of hubcaps crashed into a Texas flea market. 

Torchy's does have a full-service bar, unlike most fast-casual restaurants, however, and relies on a very simple marketing gimmick of serving "damn good" tacos. Which sets the bar very high, as Torchy's will live or die on the Pike based on the first few bites taken by customers, who are a short drive from Taco Bamba, Nada, and El Mariachi in Rockville, not to mention Tacos Don Perez in Glenmont.

The Good Feet store opens, Lane Bryant closes at Federal Plaza in Rockville

Out with the old and in with the new at one of the many busy shopping destinations in Montgomery County. The Good Feet Store is now open at 12274-D Rockville Pike. Exiting the shopping scene at Federal Plaza is Lane Bryant, which has closed permanently. The plus-size apparel chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020, inititally closing 157 stores. This one survived, but is now getting the axe.