Smoke BBQ closes in Bethesda

Smoke BBQ has permanently closed at 4858 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda. "Smoke BBQ is permanently closed," a sign in the window Monday said. "Thank you to the community for all your support over the past fourteen years." Smoke BBQ opened here in January 2013, and it was an impressive run in a tough business environment. 

Another Stop Work Order issued to Bethesda restaurant

Workers had just applied a fresh coat of white paint at the future Silk Route restaurant in Bethesda, when the establishment was hit with its second Stop Work Order since construction began. But it wasn't Montgomery County halting work this time. The order was issued by water and sewer utility WSSC. It cites WSSC code Section 105.5.2, which typically means a restaurant is performing plumbing or gas work that directly contradicts code requirements, despite having an active permit or approved plan from the utility. In this case, the inspector made a notation that "Work started before permit issuance." Silk Route is located at 4839 Del Ray Avenue.

Customers say goodbye to Old Georgetown Grille in Bethesda

Old Georgetown Grille left a farewell message in the window to its loyal customers when it closed last month at 7755 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. Now some of those loyal patrons have returned the favor. A large poster board with goodbye messages from customers has been posted on the window of the shuttered diner, which had been in business for decades. That long tenure led to some heartfelt messages on the poster, including those from patrons who had been dining there since childhood. OG Grille's building is being demolished to make way for a new apartment tower.

Signage installed at Buffalo Wild Wings GO in Bethesda

Permanent signage has been installed at the future Buffalo Wild Wings GO restaurant in Bethesda. The fast-casual chicken wing restaurant is located at 4611-C Sangamore Road at The Shops at Sumner Place (a.k.a. Little Falls Mall). Location-specific brand signage is also visible on the interior wall of the space, which was formerly home to Wild Bird Center. Stay tuned for an opening date!

Shotted Specialty Coffee opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Shotted Specialty Coffee is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Saudi-inspired coffee and dessert bar features several unique beverages and menu items you won't find at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts. Try a Karak Chai or Warm Date Toffee for a taste of the Arabian Gulf. They even have soft-serve ice cream. 

The chain, which is thriving in Northern Virginia, was conceived by its founder as a way to use coffee as an ambassador for Saudi culture. Its corporate values are aligned with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative, part of which is aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy beyond oil with the promotion of culture and tourism. Customers are invited to experience Saudi culture and hospitality at all Shotted locations, and three Saudi holidays are celebrated with special events.

But Shotted isn't ignoring trends closer to home. Witness their Pumpkin Series menu for fall, which features the limited-time-only Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Chai Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and Pumpkin Cream Matcha beverages. It will be interesting to see what seasonal drinks they might have as the holidays and winter approach. Look for Shotted Specialty Coffee in the former Gold Bunny Donut space in the Dining Terrace food court, on Level 2 of the mall.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Wetzel's Pretzels opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Wetzel's Pretzels is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The arch-rival of Auntie Anne's has made a triumphant return to the mall nine years after closing its original kiosk here. It arrives just in time for a major motion picture tie-in promotion with The Cat in the Hat, which opens in theaters nationwide on November 6. The partnership centers on a limited-time-only drink, The Things' Blue Lemonade Freeze. A super-patriotic red-white-and-blue presentation combines frozen lemonade with Blue Raspberry Granita and Cherry Boba. 

Special movie-themed packaging for standard menu items is also part of the promotion, while supplies last. The Cat in the Hat drink will be available through December 6, ensuring Black Friday refreshment. If you haven't tried Wetzel's Pretzels before, now you can finally conduct your own head-to-head comparison with Auntie Anne's under the same roof at Montgomery Mall. Look for Wetzel's Pretzels on Level 2 of the mall, in the corridor between Macy's and the Dining Terrace food court.

Update on Silk Route restaurant in Bethesda

Construction on Silk Route, a Persian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant at 4839 Del Ray Avenue, has resumed after Montgomery County inspectors issued a Stop Work Order this past spring. So far, interior walls and doors are nearing completion. This was previously the longtime home of Tia Queta. The restaurant is also now hiring staff.

Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar opening soon in Bethesda

Permanent signage has been installed at Bob's Soup Dumplings & Bar at 7776 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The signs have been hooked up to power, and are now lit at night. Window coverings remain, so the progress on the interior fit-out of the Chinese restaurant cannot yet be seen. Bob's began with a splash of intrigue, originally proposed as a new Bethesda location of Bob's Shanghai 66, the award-winning Rockville restaurant considered one of the best in the entire region. But there was apparently an internal conflict of some kind, which has largely played out behind the scenes - a "there's more to this story" situation. The Rockville Bob's has only stated in the local press that the Bethesda location is not affiliated, and the owner of the Bethesda Bob's has not yet told his side of the story publicly.

Old Georgetown Grille closes in Bethesda

Old Georgetown Grille has closed at 7755 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. The American diner operated for over 20 years. Their building is going to be demolished to clear the way for a new apartment tower. Smaller buildings on adjacent lots are already being taken down by a demolition crew. 

Shake Shack opens in Bethesda

They did it! They finally opened the new Shake Shack at 7535 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda today. After months of realizing the light at the end of the tunnel was actually an oncoming train, the burger chain was able to make the oft-rescheduled opening date of October 2 stick. This is the second Shake Shack to open in Bethesda, and this one has been anticipated since 2012.

Bethesda Shake Shack opening postponed...again...to October 2

After numerous delays, setbacks, and postponements, the Shake Shack at 7535 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda was finally going to open its doors on September 30. Until it wasn't. Hungry customers converging on the burger restaurant Wednesday were instead greeted with a new sign with yet another new opening date: tomorrow, Friday, October 2. Inside, workers were training, as they have been for the last several weeks. One day to go!

CAVA temporarily closed for renovations at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

CAVA has temporarily closed its location in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The reason for the closure is a renovation of their stall. Or, as CAVA is referring to it, a "Mediterranean makeover." They'll reopen in "Winter 2026," which would be sometime between December 21 and 31.

The Korean Dessert Fruit Ice Cream opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

The Korean Dessert Fruit Ice Cream is opening at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It is a freestanding kiosk located on Level 2 near Snipes in the Macy's Home wing. It will be serving fruit-shaped ice cream with a thin shell coating on the outside. Considered a viral dessert on TikTok some time ago, it is now arriving at the mall.

Bethesda Shake Shack opening date pushed back to September 30

There's been another delay in the opening of the downtown Bethesda Shake Shack at 7535 Old Georgetown Road. It has now been pushed back from September 17 to September 30. Inside, the fast-casual burger restaurant looks ready to go, so much so that employees have had to keep a sign in the window to inform the many hopeful gawkers that it is not yet open. If you just can't wait, there are always the relatively-nearby Montgomery Mall and Cabin John Village locations that are open now. But here in the downtown, there are 19 days to go!

Luke's Lobster closes at Bethesda Row

Luke's Lobster has permanently closed at 7129 Bethesda Lane at Bethesda Row. Signage has been stripped from the storefront, and the interior appears cleared out. It's the end of an era, as Luke's was one of the highest profile additions of the previous decade at the Federal Realty development. Luke's was also one of the biggest names in the lobster roll fad, which never actually ended, but became such a popular item that it wound up on many restaurant menus beyond the trucks and eateries that only sold those mayonnaise and butter drenched sandwiches. Perhaps the ubiquity of the lobster roll cut into demand for the OG specialty shops.