An explosion of new restaurants at struggling Rockville shopping center

A struggling shopping center in Rockville is about to get a shot in the arm from several new restaurant tenants. Two chains and one independent brand have signed leases at The Shops at Congressional Village at 1701 Rockville Pike. Kajiken will serve up steaming bowls of abura soba, combining thick noodles and sauces imported directly from Japan with customizable toppings. At west coast chain Kanpai's Rockville location, you will have 100 minutes to eat all the Japanese BBQ and shabu soup you can handle. And for those who prefer a side of novelty with their sushi rolls, Uzu Revolving Sushi will provide a constant stream of mechanically-delivered delights. All three restaurants have "coming soon" signage in their future storefronts, and will only add to Rockville's emerging status as the top destination for Asian dining in the DMV.

Contents of Rockville restaurant to be auctioned off

Freshii, a fast-casual restaurant at 9613 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, is closing, according to an online auction listing. The contents of the restaurant will be auctioned off beginning February 21, 2024. Among the items available is a still-in-sealed-package soup warmer. 

The Freshii chain was acquired by Canadian firm Foodtastic in 2022. Freshii was already based in Canada, where the majority of its restaurants are located. It hasn't fared as well in the United States, where many locations have shuttered since 2017. QSR Magazine has a good analysis of the financial pressures Freshii franchisees in the U.S. have been struggling under.

Man throws coffee, chair at employee at Rockville restaurant

A man who was asked to move aside by an employee cleaning at a Rockville restaurant allegedly reacted with violence, according to Rockville City police. The suspect responded to the request by hurling a chair and a cup of coffee at the employee, police said. Police were called to the restaurant in the 1300 block of Rockville Pike at 1:14 AM on January 23, 2024. There is a 24-hour McDonald's on that block.

Police described the suspect as a Black male of medium-build, 5'7" in height, with a beard and a light complexion. The suspect was last seen wearing a brown sweater.  If you can identify the suspect, or you witnessed the assault, you are asked to call police at 240-314-8900.

Rockville Pike Arby's to become McDonald's

The former Arby's restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike, which has sat vacant since it closed in May of 2021, has finally gained a new tenant. McDonald's has leased the building, which will now be remodeled into the newest location of the Golden Arches in Montgomery County, and slightly enlarged. With an existing McDonald's only a block away at 11564 Rockville Pike, it appears that this may be more of a relocation than an addition. It's shocking that rapidly-expanding chains like Jack-in-the-Box, Cookout, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Shake Shack and Raising Cane's passed on this prime location in a densely-populated area, but count on McDonald's to realize the value of prime real estate, and of an amenity their current White Flint McDonald's lacks - a drive-thru.

Popeyes, The Children's Place officially closed at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

It's official: Popeyes has permanently closed in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. So has The Children's Place, an apparel store for kids. Both spaces have been cleared out, and signage removed. Chicken-loving mall walkers will have to turn to Chick-fil-A, McDonald's or (soon) Pollo Campero in the food court.

Popeyes

The Children's Place

Stanford Grill in Rockville to rebrand as Glenwood's

Stanford Grill, the restaurant that opened in 2015 at 2000 Tower Oaks Boulevard in Rockville, is getting a new name. Parent company Blueridge Restaurant Group announced today that it will rebrand all of its Stanford Grill locations as "Glenwood's" in the coming months. The company said the rebranding is part of major expansion plans that will include a goal of opening 13 new restaurants in nearby states over the next few years, as well as a major investment in the existing Maryland restaurants it operates. 

"Since the opening of Stanford Grill, our focus has been on offering the local community an upscale yet approachable dining experience that prioritizes attention to the smallest details," Blueridge Managing Member David Jones said in a statement today. "Our approach has been less about us and more about understanding our guests’ desires. Consistently providing delicious cuisine, refined service, and a beautiful setting has been and will continue to be our priority." 

“While the announcement of this new name brings excitement for our Company’s future, we will stay true to the principles that have established us as one of the most popular dining destinations in our area. These principles are what made us who we are, and we will remain committed to them, regardless of our name.”

Police called after assault at Rockville restaurant

Rockville City police responded to a report of an assault at a restaurant on Rockville Pike early Tuesday morning, January 23, 2024. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 1300 block of Rockville Pike at 1:14 AM Tuesday. There is a 24-hour McDonald's located on that block.

Kelly's Cajun Grill to open at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kelly's Cajun Grill is "coming soon" to the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, according to signage there. We're kind of late to the party with this franchise, as several malls in our region already have, or have had, a Kelly's Cajun Grill. There's an Asian element woven into what otherwise sounds like a typical - if rather short - Louisiana menu. 

Bourbon Chicken is the specialty of the house at Kelly's Cajun Grill. It's "world famous," they say, and has been its signature dish since the first location opened in Florida in 1991. They also have Blackened Chicken, Shrimp Etouffee, and Blackened Fish. For every spring roll or noodle, there's still a side of rice and beans or Cajun fries. If Popeyes has indeed closed for good, Kelly's Cajun Grill can gar-on-tee that there will still be Louisiana flavors in the food court at Montgomery Mall.

Popeyes closed again at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda...is it the end this time?

Popeyes has been closed in recent days in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Yesterday, it was indeed closed during normal operating hours, as seen here. Popeyes has closed for short periods in the past, only to reopen for business. 

One reader reports that the owner has retired, and that this closure is for good; Google is also stating that this Popeyes is "permanently closed." What's certain is that Montgomery County is in desperate need of a Popeyes with a drive-thru.

Teazzi Tea Shop to open first DMV-area location in Bethesda

Teazzi Tea Shop, a Taiwanese tea chain, will open its first store in the Washington, D.C. region right here in Montgomery County, in downtown Bethesda. It will be at 4941 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Teazzi currently has 4 New York City-area shops, as well as locations in Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Sunnyvale (California), and Las Vegas. The company has franchisees gearing up to open in Seattle and San Gabriel (California), and in a second Boston location. 

Tea selections at Teazzi include Four Seasons Oolong, Golden Oolong, Amber Oolong, Deep Roast Oolong, Dark Roast Black Tea, and Jasmine Green Tea. Menu options include milk tea, fruit tea, floam, tea lattes, and Teazzi's signature (but optional) topping of oats. Construction on the Bethesda shop will commence in the coming weeks.

Photo courtesy Teazzi Tea Shop

Eko House to close in Rockville

Eko House, the African restaurant and lounge at 150 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square, will cease operations "effective Sunday, January 14th, 2024." The business is citing "misalignment with our landlord" as the reason for closing. Owners Yomi Ajao and Francis Odiase say they are actively seeking a new location for Eko House, and hope to reopen soon in that new space. Eko House opened two years ago at the struggling Rockville Town Square, which has a number of vacant storefronts.

J. Chow's closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

J. Chow's as seen on December 27, 2023

It was certainly suspicious when J. Chow's Chicken, Ribs & Salads was closed during normal operating hours on December 27, 2023. The eatery in the Dining Terrace food court hasn't reopened since. Their equipment is still there, but someone has now unplugged the beverage cooler. Store Reporter and The MoCo Show both report that J. Chow's has closed. Sad news indeed for this family business that managed to survive both Lerner's plug-pulling on the much-missed White Flint Mall by relocating here, and the pandemic.

December 27

This weekend

Moby Dick House of Kabob opens new Rockville Pike location

There's a delicious new dining option on Rockville Pike. Moby Dick House of Kabob has opened its latest area location at 11431-A Rockville Pike. This was previously a Verizon store, located next to 7-Eleven in the shopping center that is also home to Matreshka Russian Gourmet. The local Persian chain got its start in downtown Bethesda in 1989, and has an existing Rockville location at the Fallsgrove Village Center, and 21 others in the Washington, D.C. region.

Update on Montgomery County's first Taco Bell Cantina (Photos)

Montgomery County's first Taco Bell Cantina is getting closer to opening at 8662 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. The latest additions to the interior are the electronic menu boards, soft drink fountain dispensers (Baja Blast!), and self-ordering kiosks. Booth seating has also been installed. I'm intrigued as to why the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco Deluxe Box is showing on the menu board - it's not currently a featured item at Taco Bell, and not rumored to return to the menu soon, that I am aware of.

Gaithersburg City Council eases path to approval of Guapo's dining pier at Rio Lakefront

Rio Lakefront continues to pose a major competitive challenge to rival developments in the City of Rockville, with the foundational advantage of free parking. Last night, Gaithersburg's City Council voted 3-2 to shorten the approval process for a proposed dining pier at Guapo's at the popular development off of I-270. Councilmembers Neil Harris, Lisa Henderson, and Robert Wu voted in favor of the expedited process; Councilmembers Jim McNulty and Yamil Hernández cast the dissenting votes. The majority voted to approve the first of two options, declaring the pier proposal to be a change of minor effect, and allow the Planning Commission to make the final decision on the matter. Their other option would have been to declare the proposed addition to pose a detrimental impact to the property, which would trigger a longer approval process with a public hearing, and a final vote by the Council.

Opponents, and some who voted in favor, focused on two major concerns. First, the possibility that an increasing number of restaurant tenants would seek to have their own barges on the lake, thereby blocking water views for pedestrians and other tenants. And second, the possible pedestrian conflicts with servers frequently crossing the boardwalk with trays of food.

But the horse has already left the proverbial barn on this issue from a rhetorical and legal standpoint. The Mayor and Council have already approved a similar dining pier for Copper Canyon Grill at the property. Any other tenant could now cry foul with that precedent being set, and the time for hand-wringing about the potential drawbacks was when the original Copper Canyon pier was on the table for debate.

Guapo's supporters, including Mayor Jud Ashman, said they were confident that property owner Peterson Cos. would be capable of policing these questions on its own, and would be unlikely to allow actions that were detrimental to its long-term success. Ashman added that he would like to see more outdoor dining options in the city, in general. It's likely that Peterson will also benefit from higher revenues as more barges are approved, as it will be leasing additional square footage to the tenants in question.

Police called after assault at Rockville restaurant

Rockville City police were called to a restaurant just north of the Town Center area on the afternoon of December 21, 2023, after someone reported being the victim of a 2nd-degree assault there. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 700 block of Hungerford Drive (MD 355) at 5:00 PM Thursday.

Police called after assault at Rockville restaurant

Rockville City police officers were summoned to a restaurant in the Fallsgrove Village Center late Sunday afternoon, December 10, 2023, after an individual reported having been the victim of an assault there. The assault was reported at 5:05 PM Sunday. 

Wendy's boosts visibility on Rockville Pike (Photos)

The Wendy's at 808 Rockville Pike is suddenly a lot more visible from the busy state highway. It appears that a chainsaw was taken to one tree, five bushes and a couple of hedges on the Pike side of the property. You can now see more of the recently-renovated fast food restaurant building from the road, which should help draw in more impulse diners driving past. See the bottom photo for a "before" comparison.

After

Before

Indecent exposure at restaurant in Derwood

Montgomery County police were called to a restaurant in Derwood yesterday afternoon, December 3, 2023, to investigate a case of indecent exposure reported there. The incident was reported at a restaurant in the 15800 block of Frederick Road at 4:25 PM Sunday. There is a McDonald's and a Wendy's restaurant on that block.

No Regrets Pizza aiming for March 2024 opening in White Flint

No Regrets Pizza Co. is on-track for the "early 2024" opening promised by its coming-soon window signage at 5454 Nicholson Lane in White Flint. Located in the ground floor of the Harwood Flats apartment building, the pizzeria is currently anticipating a March 2024 grand opening. Operating hours for the 35-seat restaurant will be 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week. There will also be a full bar. Pizza lovers who leased apartments upstairs at Harwood Flats are clearly having no regrets!