Burger Tap & Shake inches closer to Bethesda with Tenleytown location

Burger Tap & Shake and Shake Shack likely top the restaurant wish list of most Bethesda burger fanatics. Those who've followed my ongoing Shake Shack Watch know that Douglas Development has previously brought that NYC import to one of its properties in the District. Douglas currently has at least a couple of downtown Bethesda spaces available. Douglas most recently landed BTS at its 4445 Wisconsin Avenue retail building in Tenleytown, just "down the pike" from Bethesda.

That Tenleytown location is expected to open tomorrow, July 6, according to a press release. A short Red Line trip will bring you to the Six Buck Chuck, the popular BTS house burger with lettuce, pickles, onion, tomato and AP sauce. AP sauce is their not-so-secret secret sauce - a blend of mayonnaise, mayo, ketchup, house-made barbecue sauce and chipotle sauce. That burger is made with 30-day aged, naturally raised Local Harvest beef chuck and brisket, and served on a buttered, toasted house-made bun.

Shakes are another high point, as the restaurant's name suggests. In addition to a variety of classic and modern flavor, adult milkshakes like Talladega Nights and Oreo Speedwagon add alcohol. A dozen craft beers on tap, wines by the glass and specialty cocktails will round out the upscale beverage menu.

With Chef Jeff Tunks' Passion Food Hospitality (which includes BTS in its portfolio) poised to open a new location of their Passion Fish concept on Bethesda Avenue later this summer, the countdown to adding one of the burger "kings" of Washington in Bethesda continues with resigned optimism.

Photo: Burger Tap & Shake