Rockville Taco Bell construction update

Work is progressing relatively quickly on the extensive remodel of the Taco Bell at 1100 Rockville Pike at the Edmonston Crossing shopping center in Rockville. The existing restaurant building has now been completely gutted, and the roof demolished. Workers now appear to be shifting to the construction phase. A crane was on-site to assist yesterday. From the vertical wood planks installed, it appears the roofline of the new restaurant will be significantly higher. I don't yet see evidence of a dual-lane drive-thru, however, which would have required shifting the building's footprint on the left and rear sides to accommodate. The following photos document several recent days of work up through yesterday, in chronological order:

MangoLina opening September 14 in Rockville

MangoLina has set an opening date for its new Rockville location. The dessert truck will begin serving customers this coming Monday, September 14, 2026. It is located at the Shell gas station at 2240 Veirs Mill Road. Opening time Monday will be 1:00 PM.

Always Ice Cream "coming soon" to Rockville

Always Ice Cream is coming soon to Rockville Pike, according to signage posted in its future storefront. It will be located at 11802 Rockville Pike at Pike & Rose. The Maryland-based chain manufactures over 250 handcrafted flavors in the state, but has attracted the attention of national media. Always Ice Cream is expected to open this fall. Most of its scoop shops are located in the Annapolis area, but the brand is now expanding into Montgomery and Charles counties.

Just Salad opening in Rockville

Just Salad is "coming soon" to Rockville, according to signage posted in the windows of its future storefront. It will be located at 12242 Rockville Pike, right next to the recently-opened Wonder food hall. The fast-casual salad restaurant is the latest dining addition at the revitalized Towne Plaza development. Reusable bowls and a large number of plant-based alternatives to meat (the real thing is also still available at Just Salad, though) are part of what the chain calls "Earth-friendly" dining. Another location is "just down the Pike" in the Residences at Mazza in Friendship Heights NW.

Pollo Campero closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Pollo Campero has permanently closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to a sign posted at their stall in the Dining Terrace food court. The Guatemalan chicken chain opened this location in July 2024. From what I can tell, this is one of the rare closures we can't necessarily blame the Montgomery County Council for. I see that quite a few Pollo Campero restaurants have closed elsewhere across the country this year.

I recall that the chain went through a major expansion push in 2024, after celebrating record sales growth the previous year. Several of the planned 45 new locations were here in Montgomery County. I notice that a recurring theme in news articles about the other closures is that they all opened during that heady expansion year of 2024. 

Hong Kong Tea House opening in Rockville

Hong Kong Tea House is coming soon to Rockville. It will be located at 605 Hungerford Drive (MD 355). At Hong Kong Tea House, patrons will "indulge in Hong Kong's sweetest secrets," the local chain promises. Specialties include handcrafted milk teas, fruit teas, Vietnamese coffees, smoothies, desserts, and a wide selection of authentic Chinese street foods from a variety of regions. Hong Kong Tea House is currently hiring cooks, baristas, and assistant managers. 

Arby's construction begins in Derwood

Construction has begun on the future Arby's restaurant at 7200 Muncaster Mill Road at the Red Mill Shops shopping center. So far, they are demolishing the interior of the former McDonald's. They haven't added Arby's to the tenants on the shopping center's monument sign yet, but you can see the blank space where it will go. Here's a look inside:

Sneak peek: Bogotá Coffee House in Rockville

Bogotá Coffee House looks close to opening at 115 N. Washington Street in Rockville. Seating and equipment are now in place. Artwork and photos are in the process of being hung on the walls. So far, vintage photographs display scenes of the Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá, the now-demolished Hotel Granada in that grand city, and the historic Pedro A. López Building on the Avenida Jiménez de Quesada. Here's a sneak peek inside:

MangoLina dessert truck opening soon in Rockville

MangoLina has secured a spot for their newest location in Rockville. The dessert truck will be located at 2240 Veirs Mill Road, on the Shell gas station property in Twinbrook. This is the fifth location for the rapidly growing local business, which specializes in frozen and fruity treats. Menu items include ice cream, chocolate-covered frozen bananas with toppings, a pepino split, sorbete de carretón, frozen mangonada drinks, horchata, and smoothies. The MangoLina trailer is now parked on-site, but stay tuned for an opening date!

Signage installed at Crust & Crumb Bakery Cafe in Rockville

The sign is up at Crust & Crumb Bakery Cafe at 718 Rockville Pike in Rockville. Tonight, it was already hooked up and lit. Inside, preparations continue ahead of the cafe's debut. I haven't come across any official website or social media pages for the business, so stay tuned for an opening date.

Subway to close Town Center location in Rockville

Subway will close its Rockville Town Center location by the end of this year, according to an auction announcement for the sub sandwich shop. Everything inside the restaurant, which is located at 2 N. Washington Street, will be auctioned off starting on December 31, 2026 at 9:21 AM. The Town Center Potbelly has been closed for an extended period due to water damage, meaning sub sandwiches may be increasingly hard to find in the center of town as 2027 dawns. But if you always wanted a lighted Subway sign on your wall, bidding starts at 50 cents! Subway fans will still have the store at 1402 Rockville Pike, which was recently fully renovated.

Rockville restaurant for sale

A longtime Rockville restaurant business is being offered for sale. Mosaic Cuisine, located at 186 Halpine Road, is listed as for sale with an asking price of $300,000. A French restaurant that opened in 2001, the business is being marketed as a turnkey operation, with two weeks of training offered to the ultimate buyer. The restaurant's owner is retiring, according to the online listing.

Bogotá Coffee House opening in Rockville

Bogotá Coffee House is coming to Rockville Town Center. It will be located at 115 N. Washington Street. Permanent signage has already been installed above the storefront. When you think of coffee, Colombia automatically comes to mind, so this could be a promising alternative to Starbucks in the Town Center area.

Ay! Mama Taqueria opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Ay! Mama Taqueria has officially opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. You can check out the menu in the photos below. If you are shaken up by $20 burritos, you'll be relieved that Ay! Mama's burritos are $13-14. Look for Ay! Mama in the Dining Terrace food court, next to Chick-Fil-A.

Bartaco adding mural to exterior in Rockville

Bartaco is adding a mural to the exterior of its restaurant at 950 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose on Rockville Pike. Artists have been out working on the addition over the weekend. The new public art piece prominently features the chain's dragonfly logo. Overall, the imagery and colors reflect the brand's "coastal vibe" aesthetic, inspired by Brazil, Uruguay, and Southern California. The mural stands out on a block that has very nice looking storefront designs, but not much in the way of public art.