California Tortilla to expand outdoor dining space at Cabin John Village in Potomac

California Tortilla is planning to add more outdoor dining space at its Cabin John Village location at 7727 Tuckerman Lane in Potomac. The fast-casual Mexican restaurant will convert part of its indoor dining room into a covered patio area. This will require busting out the existing storefront, so it is a pretty significant remodeling project. The work will be completed in early 2023, hopefully in time for warmer weather.

Buy one taco, get one free today at California Tortilla

Today is Taco Tuesday, and the last one for a while, at California Tortilla in Bethesda. Buy any taco, and get one of equal or lesser value free. You can get as many as 5 free tacos in your visit today. The offer is valid on in-store purchases only, and doesn't apply to delivery orders.

4871 Cordell Avenue

(301) 654-8226

FREE CHIPS AND QUESO AT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA TODAY IN BETHESDA!

Got those taxes done? Celebrate turning your hard-earned cash over to The Man with free chips and queso today, at California Tortilla in Bethesda!

Taxes not done? Fortify yourself with free chips and queso at California Tortilla for the long night ahead!

Either way, just tell the cashier at Cal Tort this double-secret password:

TAXES SCHMAXES

And that free side of chips and queso is all yours, with any purchase! While supplies last. And depending on your tax situation, this may be all you can afford today.

California Tortilla

4871 Cordell Avenue

FREE CHILI OR SOUP IN BETHESDA TODAY! (PHOTO)

This secret password will get you free turkey chili, or chicken tortilla soup, today at California Tortilla in Bethesda: Just make any purchase, and say the password, "BRRR-ITO." In return, you'll get a free sample of whichever you prefer.

If this isn't chili and soup weather, I don't know what is.

California Tortilla is located at 4871 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda.

SMASHBURGER AND CAL TORT SQUARE OFF IN ENERGIZED WOODMONT TRIANGLE (PHOTOS)

The Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda has more energy since the opening of Smashburger this week. There seems to be a slight increase in activity, and possibly in the number of people, for some distance around that intersection of Cordell and Norfolk Avenues.

Some people are just looking in the windows to see what the new place is about. Others notice the employees of the soon-to-open Roof Bethesda scurrying to and fro, through the massive second floor windows of the Norfolk-Cordell II building. Last evening, Christmas music wafted down to the streets below as Roof hosted a corporate holiday party ahead of its December 20 opening.

That Steven Karr-designed building is lighting up what used to be a dark and dreary corner. Which is what I had expected. Just the night before, there was a test of the new LED light sculptures on the future plaza outside the Gallery Bethesda apartments. We're starting to get a very small sense of what's to come over the next 5 years in the transformation of the Woodmont Triangle.

One business noticing the new energy is California Tortilla. Smashburger has a sidewalk sign announcing, "NOW OPEN."

Cal Tort quickly responded with a humorous re-Tort: their own sign facing Smashburger's across Norfolk: "NOW OPEN ALSO."

BACON CHICKEN CLUB BURRITO RETURNS AT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA!

After nearly 4 years of waiting, Bethesda bacon lovers can once again find the Bacon Chicken Club burrito at California Tortilla.

But for a limited time only!

For the uninitiated, the Bacon Chicken Club contains the following:  grilled chicken breast, Monterey Jack cheese, and smoky hardwood bacon, topped with Jalapeno Ranch and Roma tomatoes, on a bed of romaine lettuce and Mexican rice, wrapped in a soft corn tortilla.

Small size is $6.19.  Bigger bacon appetites demand the $6.99 regular size.

CALIFORNIA TORTILLA CHRISTMAS TREE (PHOTOS)

Another Christmas tree drawing attention in downtown Bethesda is the new one at Cal Tort, on the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.

HUGE LINES FOR FREE BURRITOS AT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA BETHESDA GRAND OPENING (PHOTOS)

California Tortilla gave away a lot of burritos yesterday - I hope you got one.  The lines went on and on.  Are you in one of these photos?

They're spunky and they know it!
As day...

...turns into night

FREE BURRITO AT BETHESDA CALIFORNIA TORTILLA GRAND OPENING TODAY!

All of the hard work that went into preparing the new California Tortilla at 4871 Cordell Avenue - and moving into it from the original location across the street - will pay off today.  For you!

That's because you'll receive a FREE burrito from 11-2, and from 5-8 today during the Grand Opening.

NEW BETHESDA CALIFORNIA TORTILLA TO OPEN OCTOBER 3 [PHOTOS]

ORIGINAL LOCATION

CLOSED LAST FRIDAY

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Cal Tort fans: "Keep your fingers crossed" for a Wednesday, October 3 Grand Opening of the new location at the corner of Cordell and Norfolk Avenues.

Last Friday, the legendary original Cal Tort closed its doors forever across Cordell.

Regular readers have already gotten an exclusive sneak preview of the new Cal Tort's slick interior here on the blog.

Remember the large sun that hangs from the ceiling inside?  Get this:  it lights up!

Now that's impressive.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEW BETHESDA CALIFORNIA TORTILLA (PHOTOS)

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Here's an exclusive sneak preview of the interior of the new California Tortilla restaurant in downtown Bethesda:

This sun suspended from the ceiling is
the centerpiece of the room; check out
those high-quality chairs - with cushions!

An appropriately avocado green wall color

George Kovacs light fixtures - swanky!

CALIFORNIA TORTILLA BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION/GRAND OPENING UPDATE (PHOTOS)

PLUS:

YOU MAY BE A

SPUNKY CASHIER

AND NOT EVEN

KNOW IT YET!

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

The new California Tortilla on Cordell Avenue is coming along quickly.  I have some photos of the new interior, and it's looking swanky.  The finishes on everything are particularly nice, and look way more expensive than the prices you pay on the menu.

I have word from Burrito Queen Pam herself, that the new location is now scheduled to open in 3 weeks.  The great thing about building the new Cal Tort across from the original, is that this is a rare case of being able to enjoy everything on the menu of a restaurant, while you're waiting for its Grand Opening!

Finally, Bethesda job seekers will want to know that the new flagship location is hiring now:

NEW CALIFORNIA TORTILLA SIGN IS UP! (PHOTO) - BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

The lighted sign for the new Bethesda location of California Tortilla has been installed!

There's still a lot of work to do, but you can always go to the original Cal Tort on the other side of Cordell Avenue, while we await the new store's grand opening.

NEW BETHESDA CALIFORNIA TORTILLA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here are some pics of the future Cal Tort at the corner of Cordell and Norfolk Avenues in "Old Town" Bethesda:

New window cutouts

CINCO DE MAYO IN BETHESDA: THE BEST EVENTS

Cinco de Mayo is Saturday!  This is one of the most festive days of the year, all over the world.  And that includes Bethesda!

Primero, wherever you go, be ready to correct "that guy" who is going to announce this is Mexican Independence Day.  Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day!  (That's actually September 16, by the way).  But what can you do with a guy who doesn't know the difference between El Grito and a Chipotle burrito?

Bueno.  Now on to the guide!

THE BEST

GUAPO'S

I'm picking Guapo's as the top spot, because they're doing more for Cinco de Mayo than any place I've heard from so far.

Saturday evening, they will have an actual mariachi band in the house.  The Budweiser Girls will be handing out giveaways and beer samples.  And a DJ will finish out el noche from 10 PM to close.

It sounds like an evening of not only genuine Mexican atmosphere, but also fun, and that's what Cinco de Mayo is really about, right?

Guapo's, 8130 Wisconsin Avenue.  301-656-0888.

DATE NIGHT

OK, so what if you aren't single, and your date isn't going to be favorably impressed by Budweiser Girls?  I have the solution:

PLAZA DEL SOL

The Gazette said that Plaza del Sol has the best Mexican food in downtown Bethesda.  Their chef is the former executive chef of Lauriol Plaza downtown.  You may have heard of it!

What makes it a great date night spot, is that they are having a live, flamenco performance by guitarist Miguelito, and dancer Ginette at 7:00 PM Saturday night.

Plaza del Sol, 4932 St. Elmo Avenue. 301-215-4199.

BEST OF THE REST

Now, a number of places are keeping quiet about their plans.  I'll try to keep you updated here, and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow as late news comes in.

For now, here are some I've heard from, and in other cases, I have to channel Carnac the Magnificent to guess, because they're not sharing!

UNCLE JULIO'S

Every day is Cinco de Mayo at Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row!  So I'm surprised their marketing for Saturday simply says, "Beer.  Margaritas."

I guess that's enough for certain target audiences, but don't forget, they've got great food, patio dining and - of course - their famous Swirls!

Uncle Julio's, 4870 Bethesda Avenue.  301-656-2981.

UNION JACK'S

Specials from 4-9 PM:  $3 Coronas, $15 Corona buckets, $5 Margaritas.  You get the idea.

They'll also have Game 4 of the Capitals vs. the Rangers on at 12:30 PM.

Union Jack's, 4915 St. Elmo Avenue. 301-6-JACK-61.

TIA QUETA

This is a family-owned Mexican restaurant in Old Town Bethesda.  The most distinctive feature of the restaurant, is their rooftop patio, the only one in Bethesda besides the Doubletree hotel!

They celebrate Friday and Saturday, with special prices on appetizers and drinks.

Tia Queta, 4839 Del Ray Avenue.  301-654-4443.

CALIFORNIA TORTILLA

Caltort is making it a 48-hour affair, too!  Make any purchase Friday, May 4, or Saturday, May 5, and you will receive a coupon for a FREE TACO, which you can redeem between May 6-15, 2012!

California Tortilla, 4862 Cordell Avenue.  301-654-8226.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo from Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row!