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.

Kapow Buddy opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kapow Buddy is coming soon to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It's the latest in a long line of Chipotle-style fast-casual bowl restaurants. This time, the theme cuisine is Thai. 

Your imagination will suggest to you that a grain base will be loaded with vegetables, proteins, and Thai cuisine toppings, and - incredibly - your hunch is correct. In fact, Westfield says in its promotion of the restaurant that "Kapow Buddy is eager to introduce their famous Thai food in the 'Bowl Style' to offer customers a variety of choices including grains, proteins, toppings, and more." When it opens, look for Kapow Buddy on Level 1 in the Old Navy wing.

Pollo Campero opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Workers had been seen going in and out of the new Pollo Campero in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda over the last two weeks. Now the Latin American chicken chain's latest location has opened for business. As you can see in the photo below, it is already a popular addition to the mall's lineup of eateries. Westfield is going all-in on Pollo Campero in Montgomery Mall, to which it has also leased a space at its Wheaton Plaza mall food court, as well.

Kajiken holding soft opening in Rockville

The doors have opened at Kajiken at 1701 Rockville Pike A7, at the Shops at Congressional Village. A soft opening is being held through Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Soft opening hours are 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM for lunch, and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM for dinner. Each day, you'll have a chance to win a tote bag by playing Rock-Paper-Scissors with restaurant staff. 10 bags will be given away each day, while supplies last.

Kajiken was founded in Japan in 2010. The chain specializes in the abura soba style of ramen. This soupless ramen derives its flavors from a distinctive blend of sauces imported directly from Japan, and cooking oil. Their homemade noodles are thicker and chewier than those served in most ramen establishments. Without a heavy broth in the bowl, Kajiken's dishes tend to be lower in fat and calories than typical ramen. Kajiken is one of several new Asian restaurants opening at the Shops at Congressional Village this year.

Little Miner Taco sets opening date in Rockville

Little Miner Taco has set an opening date for its new Rockville location. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is now scheduled to be held at the restaurant at 39 Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square on Thursday, July 18, 2024. Little Miner Taco was previously located inside The Block, the food hall at Pike & Rose that recently closed. The signature dish that has gained them fame in the Washington, D.C. region is their birria taco.

Yummy Bowl "coming soon" to Rockville

Yummy Bowl is "coming soon" to 2010 Veirs Mill Road in the Twinbrook area of Rockville, according to signage posted in the storefront windows. The growing restaurant chain specializes in sushi, ramen and Mongolian stir-fry dishes. Your "culinary journey through Asia" will also include Korean-style fried chicken, the brand promises. 

Yummy Bowl currently has - or will soon open - locations in Alabama, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. Their Rockville restaurant will be their first in Maryland.

Kusshi opens in Rockville

Kusshi has opened at 36-G Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. The popular local sushi chain has now grown to seven locations with this opening in Rockville. Initial operating hours will be 11:00 AM to 12:45 AM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 1:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Kusshi replaces Sushi Damo in this space, which has been vacant since October 2023.

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.

Kusshi signage installed at Rockville Town Square

The sign is up at Kusshi, opening soon at 36-G Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. This is the latest location for the local sushi chain in Montgomery County, joining existing spots in Bethesda, Pike & Rose, and downtown Silver Spring. There are also locations in Arlington, Tysons, and Glover Park. Here, Kusshi will more than fill the void left by the exit of Sushi Damo. Stay tuned for an opening date!

MOD Pizza closes on Rockville Pike

MOD Pizza has closed at 12027 Rockville Pike at the Montrose Crossing shopping center. The pizzeria opened here in August of 2019. This is probably not a total shock, as the chain closed 26 of its locations in Q1 of 2024. At the time of those closures, MOD described those stores as "underperformers," so we can't rule out the anti-business policies or moribund economy of Montgomery County as contributing factors. 

The "fast-fired" pizza chains as a whole seem to have struggled in MoCo. Blaze Pizza didn't even last two years at Montgomery Mall, closing in 2016, but its multiple outposts right next door in Gorgeous Prince George's County are still serving pies in under 180 seconds today. Yet &pizza seems to continue to thrive at its many Montgomery County locations, including one about a block away from this MOD at Pike & Rose, so they must be doing something right that some of the other chains weren't.

Dumpling for Life opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Dumpling for Life has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The menu includes five kinds of dumplings, with fillings such as pork, beef, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables. Pork-filled pan fried buns and three noodle dishes are also available. Round out your meal with a bean jelly or water chestnut jelly dessert. Look for Dumpling for Life next to McDonald's in the Dining Terrace food court on Level 2 of the mall.

Rockville McDonald's now offering $5 meal deal

McDonald's restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area began a new promotion for these inflationary times yesterday. A $5 Meal Deal is now being offered for the summer season. The meal includes your choice of a McDouble or McChicken sandwich, a small fries, a 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, and a small soft drink of your choice. According to the McDonald's app, you can also choose a Hot n Spicy McChicken, as well. In addition to Montgomery County and the D.C. suburbs, the deal will also be available at participating McDonald's restaurants in the Baltimore region and on the Eastern Shore.

“We heard our fans loud and clear – they’re looking for even more great value from us, and this summer that’s exactly what they’ll get,” McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said in a statement Tuesday. “Value has always been part of our DNA. We’re focused on living up to that legacy and offering delicious, affordable options customers can enjoy any time they walk through our doors, go through our drive thru or place an order through our app.”

Dirty Dough opening in Rockville

Cookies are most definitely the new cupcakes and fried ice cream rolls. And here comes the latest entry in the latest trend, Dirty Dough. The rapidly-expanding chain has leased a space at 36-B Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. How does Dirty Dough differentiate itself from the Crumbl Cookies, Levain Bakeries, and Chip Cities of the world? With stuffed fillings that render their creations not as mere cookies, but "super-stuffed cookie bombs." 

Like the competition, Dirty Dough is constantly producing limited-edition flavors, on a weekly basis in this case. If you need more sugar to go with your cookies, they also serve Dirty Shakes, in which you can have any cookie of your choice mixed in, and Dirty Scoops of ice cream. "Coming soon" signage has been posted in Dirty Dough's future Rockville storefront. The chain has an existing Maryland location in Halethorpe, with new ones coming soon in Baltimore and Laurel.

Peter Chang signage removed at Rockville Town Square

The final trace of local celebrity chef Peter Chang has been removed from his former restaurant at 20-A Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. Kungfu Kitchen abruptly took over the space when Chang made his unexpected exit from the struggling Town Center property in April. Chang's eponymous restaurant operated at Rockville Town Square for ten years. His exit stings all the more as the Montgomery County-averse dining critic of The Washington Post just wrote rave reviews of Chang's newest restaurants in Gaithersburg and Arlington. 

Chang's status among celebrity chefs and prolific restaurateurs is remarkable in that his fame derives entirely from the products of his kitchens. He is rarely seen or heard in the media via interviews or public relations efforts, and doesn't belittle aspiring chefs on competitive cooking TV shows, or engage in publicity stunts. Chang is known for one thing: his cooking. Rockville Town Square is increasingly known for...empty storefronts.

No Regrets Pizza opens in White Flint

No Regrets Pizza Co. has opened at 5454 Nicholson Lane, Suite 180, in the ground floor of the Harwood Flats apartments in White Flint. In addition to handcrafted artisan pizzas in New York and Roman styles, the pizzeria turns into a dinner and cocktail bar destination. Early patrons appear to have no regrets, as No Regrets currently has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Google Reviews, and a 4.5 average on Yelp. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week.

Mía Cane Juicery and Açaí Bar opening in Rockville

Mía Cane Juicery and Açaí Bar is coming soon to Rockville. It will bring the newest beverage trend of sugarcane juice alongside smoothies, açaí bowls and Vietnamese coffee to 785-I Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center. This was Japong Bakery's original spot before it moved to 765-A at the center. 

This will be Mía Cane Juicery and Açaí Bar's third U.S. location, and their first in the Washington, D.C. area. Their first two are in New England: Worcester, Massachusetts, and the soon-to-open store in Providence, Rhode Island. Coming-soon signage is now up at the Rockvile location.

Free donuts at Dunkin' Donuts in Rockville this Friday, June 7

National Donut Day is this Friday, June 7, 2024. That means free donuts at your local Dunkin' Donuts in Rockville or White Flint. Get a free donut with the purchase of any beverage, including the limited-time drinks of summer 2024 like the Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee or the Vanilla Frosted Donut Iced Coffee Signature Latte. 

Dunkin' Donuts has also teamed up with Scrub Daddy to create two Dunkin' Donuts-themed sponges. The Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy sponges come as a set for $9.98 plus shipping. They can be ordered online. 

Photos courtesy Dunkin' Donuts

Strong-arm robbery at Rockville restaurant

Rockville City police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in the Rockville Town Center area on Friday, May 31, 2024. The robbery was reported at a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Montgomery Avenue at 4:07 PM. There are at least four restaurants on that block.

Red Lobster closes in Rockville as chain files for bankruptcy (Photos)

Red Lobster has closed at 15700 Shady Grove Road. The seafood restaurant chain announced late Sunday night that it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. "This restructuring is the best path forward for Red Lobster," CEO Jonathan Tibus said in a statement. "It allows us to address several financial and operational challenges and emerge stronger and re-focused on our growth. The support we've received from our lenders and vendors will help ensure that we can complete the sale process quickly and efficiently while remaining focused on our employees and guests." As part of its bankruptcy filings, Red Lobster will close some locations, sell some - or potentially all - of its assets, and sell its business to a new entity "formed and controlled by its existing term lenders."

This is especially sad news for residents of the Upper Rock neighborhood. The closure removes one of the main dining options within walking distance of the apartments there. Can we get an Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse into this empty building? Montgomery County may be the only jurisdiction of its size in America to have neither. The machinations of the Montgomery County Council against those brands, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and modernity in general are truly bizarre! Believe it or not, your constituents want unlimited bread sticks, and to be able to buy beer and wine at Giant and CVS!