RASA to replace Slapfish at Montrose Crossing (Photos)

Slapfish has closed at 12033 Rockville Pike in the Montrose Crossing shopping center. This is not a total surprise, as the restaurant was urgently seeking a sublease over the summer. The chain itself has run into choppy waters in recent times, canceling a massive number of planned openings in Texas and Arkansas. Slapfish will be replaced by RASA, a fast-casual Indian restaurant with four existing locations in the D.C. area.

Signage has been torn off the storefront. The restaurant did leave a cordial goodbye message in the window, which is a good strategy to at keep a friendly impression of the brand in customers' minds. Diners are being redirected to the chain's not-exactly-convenient Ashburn location. Located in a more business-friendly jurisdiction, the Ashburn restaurant appears to be more resilient against the stormy seas than its Montgomery County counterpart was.

Slapfish review (Video+Photos)

Slapfish opens tomorrow, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM at 12033 Rockville Pike, in the Montrose Crossing shopping center. The first 107 people in line at 11 will get a free lobster roll. But this morning, you can watch my review from a soft opening event last night.

In keeping with the sustainability theme of the
restaurant, water comes in boxes rather than
plastic bottles; at right is a cane sugar-sweetened
cola available on tap

Chowder Fries

Chowder Fries are loaded with bacon,
clam chowder, cheese and onions

Jersey Sauce (left) and
Awesome Sauce (right) are among the
dipping options

Lobster Roll with fries

Fish and chips with fries

Whitefish is used for the fish and chips

Great colors in the lobster roll

Served on a warm butter roll

The first 107 people in line at 11:00 AM
Friday will get one of these free

Slapfish sets opening date at Montrose Crossing

Slapfish, a seafood shack-inspired fast casual restaurant at 12033 Rockville Pike, will host its grand opening on Friday, July 20, 2018, at 11:00 AM. The first 107 people in line will receive a free lobster roll. If you can't make it Friday morning, the first 50 people in line on Saturday at 11:00 AM will get free Clobster Fritters. Slapfish is located in the Montrose Crossing shopping center.

Slapfish to open mid-July at Montrose Crossing

I have a couple of updates on fast-casual seafood shack Slapfish. Their grand opening at the Montrose Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike is now scheduled for mid-July.

Slapfish offers at least one region-exclusive item at its locations, and they have announced the menu here will feature a Clobster Cake, made with half Maryland crab and half New England lobster. That will be in addition to the standard menu, with popular favorites like Clobster Grilled Cheese, the Ultimate Fish Taco, and Chowder Fries.

The rapidly-growing chain expects to open ten locations over the next six months. It currently operates 13 restaurants.

Slapfish posts "coming soon" signage at Montrose Crossing

Fast-casual seafood restaurant Slapfish, which will be somewhat like Luke's Lobster and LobsterME with a Mid-Atlantic twist, has posted coming-soon signage at its future Montrose Crossing location. It will be next to the already open Honeygrow, at 12033 Rockville Pike.

CAVA, which is two doors down from Slapfish, has also recently opened.

Slapfish to open at Montrose Crossing

Slapfish will be in the space at right

Fast-casual seafood chain Slapfish will open a restaurant this year at the Montrose Crossing shopping center. It will be located in the new retail structure facing Rockville Pike, in the space next to Honeygrow, which is now open. While Slapfish has primarily been a western U.S. chain, it is making inroads here in the Mid-Atlantic now, with another location planned for One Loudoun.

Fish tacos, shrimp burritos, fish sandwiches, chowder fries and a variety of lobster dishes are just some of the items on the menu. Slapfish will also work seafood from our region into the choices. Whether they can make work what Lobster ME couldn't, will be interesting to watch.