Dave's Hot Chicken's sci-fi salute to Rockville

Dave's Hot Chicken has been in a slow-motion construction process over the last few months, but some significant effort has been put into the exterior facades of the former McDonald's building at 11564 Rockville Pike in recent days. In contrast to the blank walls found at most fast food chains' buildings, Dave's has now emblazoned its walls with graffiti-style art. The stylings are capped off with a huge "Rockville" mural that takes up an entire wall. It's also a nice touch that the orangeish red paint on the roof overhang matches the scorching color of the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich pictured on the sign out front.

Andy's Pizza opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Andy's Pizza is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. One reason this is exciting news is that they serve award-winning, authentic New York-style pizza. The second is, you can buy it by-the-slice if you prefer. As much as I revere Sbarro as a classic denizen of American mall food courts, this is a much higher quality product. Look for Andy's Pizza on Level 2 of the mall, in the Dining Terrace food court by CAVA and Chipotle.

Water issue shutters several businesses at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A damaged water pump in the Old Navy wing of Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda forced several businesses to temporarily close last night. Kapow Buddy and Yogi Castle were among the restaurants impacted. The Cheesecake Factory in the same wing still had water service, and remained open for business, and the Dining Terrace food court was unaffected. Water could be seen in the parking lot outside the Old Navy wing, where the entrance by The Cheesecake Factory was cordoned off with tape. A plumbing crew was on-site last evening attempting to repair the damage so the affected restaurants could resume operation today.

 

Ding Cafe closed in Rockville, to reopen December 6 with new drinks, giveaways

Ding Cafe has temporarily closed at 785 Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. It will reopen this Saturday, December 6, 2025, with new drinks on the menu. Stopping by this weekend could pay off - literally. On Saturday, they'll be giving away 100 free drinks. And on Sunday, December 7, they will offer 100 buy-one-get-one-free drinks, and customers will receive 20% off purchases all day.

Sixty Vines seeks permission to add retractable screens to pergola at Downtown Crown

 

Sixty Vines, the new restaurant at 212 Ellington Boulevard at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, is seeking permission from the City of Gaithersburg to add retractable screens to its outdoor dining pergola structure. The retractable vinyl curtains will utilize the MagnaTrack Vinyl Screen System. Those screens will be black in color, and will not count as increasing the building footprint under City regulations. Sixty Vines' application will be reviewed by the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its meeting tonight, December 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the application.

Update on Terra Gaucha restaurant in Rockville (Photos)

Terra Gaucha is currently on pace to open before the end of the month at 1651 Chapman Avenue at the new Twinbrook Quarter development in Rockville. Signage has just been installed on the exterior of the building. "Terra Gaucha was born out of the desire to bring the best of Southern Brazil to the US. We made this dream a reality when we opened the first home of the Ultimate Churrasco Experience in Jacksonville, back in 2015," the growing chain recounts on its website. "You’ll not only enjoy our premium cuts, but will also indulge in a variety of Brazilian inspired dishes and an array of cheeses and cold cuts at your disposal at our Gourmet Hot and Cold Table."

Buffalo Wild Wings closing at The Square at Rockville

Buffalo Wild Wings will close next month at The Square at Rockville, formerly known as Rockville Town Square, according to employees at the restaurant. The sports bar-style chicken wing spot has been removed from the development's leasing map, and its space is now listed as "available." No reason for the closure has been announced yet, but I noticed that the dining room was closed one night last week, and patrons were being seated at the bar only. That could reflect a staffing issue - or employees may be dropping off after learning they won't have a job much longer. The dining room was open as usual the next night I checked.

BWW also seems to be focused on its new GO restaurant concept, with a streamlined menu and emphasis on takeout and delivery orders, that reduces overhead on inventory and staff size. One of those is now open "up the Pike" at the Rock Grove shopping center. The closure of Buffalo Wild Wings was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Gold Bunny Donut a smash success among Black Friday shoppers in Bethesda

 

Selling out is bad when you're a punk band, but fabulous when you are a new vendor on your first day in the mall food court. Gold Bunny Donut made its debut in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda yesterday, and the Black Friday mobs literally ate it up. Before the end of the shopping day, Gold Bunny had sold out of donuts. These rich, filled fresh donuts really hit the spot for manic shoppers trying to keep their blood sugar up and their holiday shopping costs down on Black Friday.

Mallwalkers also got their first look at Gold Bunny's eclectic menu. Alongside familiar flavors like vanilla and raspberry were options you won't have at Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme, such as ube - a nutty vanilla-cotton-candy flavor experience derived from the Filipino purple yam, Earl Grey tea, Everything Bagel, and Black Sesame. Bombolone-style Jumble Donuts can be ordered with Apple Pie, Biscoff, Black Sesame, Chocolate, Oreo, Peanut, or Red Velvet filling. Finally, there are Asian tea beverages and a Dowich sandwich with sliced meat and greens.

Gold Bunny Donut opening Black Friday at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Gold Bunny Donut has set an opening date for its Westfield Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda. With impeccable timing, it will open tomorrow, Black Friday, November 28, 2025. Gold Bunny features fresh-baked donuts with rich fillings, providing plenty of carbohydrates to sustain your holiday shopping spree. Look for it in the former Donutchew space at the end of the Dining Terrace food court on Level 2 of the mall.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe opening new Rockville location

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is "coming soon" to 835-F Rockville Pike at Wintergreen Plaza, according to signage posted in the window of its future storefront. It is moving into the former Capital Cryo space at the busy shopping center. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has two existing Rockville locations, in White Flint and near Shady Grove Hospital. This more central location aims to serve populaces such as Richard Montgomery High School students, and the Town Center area and surrounding neighborhoods.

Walnut Hill Shopping Center to add drive-thru Chipotle

Next year, you could be picking up a Chipotle burrito without even getting out of your car in Gaithersburg. The Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue will be adding a Chipotle restaurant on the North Westland Drive side of the property. A bank building will be demolished to clear the way for the restaurant, which will have a drive-thru. The drive-thru will be only for online pickup orders, and is called a Chipotlane. There is at least one other Chipotlane in Montgomery County, at the Briggs Chaney Chipotle at 13801 Outlet Drive.

Dinner-and-a-movie deal at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

Here's something you used to see in downtown Bethesda, before the Montgomery County Council stupidly but intentionally allowed the demolition of the Regal Bethesda 10 cineplex at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, without mandating a replacement movie theater be part of the redevelopment of the property. Dinner and a movie! Today it's happening where there is a 16-screen cineplex in walking distance to restaurants in Bethesda, and that is at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Order any entree at California Pizza Kitchen on Level 2 in the Nordstrom wing of the mall, and your movie ticket at the AMC Montgomery Mall 16 cineplex on Level 3 will be only $11. This is a great deal to take advantage of while doing your holiday shopping, for a date night, or when going to see any of the big holiday movie releases.

Andy's Pizza opens in Gaithersburg

Andy's Pizza has opened at 145 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Andy's serves New York-style pizza in whole pies, or by the slice, and is quite an upgrade from previous tenant MOD Pizza. It is a double win to be able to order by the slice, with such high-quality pizzas. Next up for Andy's: a Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda.

Update on Dave's Hot Chicken in Rockville (Photos)

Dave knows Nashville Hot Chicken. Rapid construction? Not so much. The former McDonald's building is now getting a fresh coat of paint, inside and out. A new "coming soon" sign has been placed on what appears to be a permanent signpost near the roadway. Dave's Hot Chicken will be located at 11564 Rockville Pike, across from the White Flint Metro station.

Signage installed at Gold Bunny Donut at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The sign is up at Gold Bunny Donut at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. They are also hiring baristas, donut bakers, and cashiers. Gold Bunny's selling point is donuts with rich fillings. Look for Gold Bunny Donut on Level 2 of the mall in the Dining Terrace food court, in the former Donutchew spot.

Derwood McDonald's damaged by errant driver

A driver recently struck the McDonald's restaurant at 7200 Muncaster Mill Road at the Red Mill Shops shopping center, causing damage to the building. It struck the side of the restaurant from the drive-thru lane. The damage was not sufficient to require closure of the restaurant, which remains open for business. Repairs are being scheduled for the impacted section of the wall.

Bartaco construction advances in Rockville (Photos)

Construction walls around the future Bartaco at 11886 Grand Park Avenue at Pike & Rose have been removed, providing our first look at the progress inside. It appears the interior fit-out is ahead of schedule, and that is reflected in the fact that Bartaco is now hiring for all positions at this location. You can see the facade now features large roll-up doors. Still to come inside: the Southern California and Latin American-inspired decor.