Clarksburg Premium Outlets to add Chick-fil-A

Patrons of the Clarksburg Premium Outlets mall will have a new dining option by the end of 2025. Chick-fil-A has signed a lease to construct a restaurant on a pad site at the Simon retail property. The restaurant will have a drive-thru. It will be located on the Clarksburg Road side of the property. The Montgomery County Planning Department really put Simon and Chick-fil-A thru the regulation and red tape wringer on this (it's just a fast food restaurant, guys - Good Lord!), but construction is finally set to begin.

Hangry Joe's opens in Montgomery Village

Where do you go for Nashville Hot Chicken in Montgomery Village? To Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken at 19292 Montgomery Village Avenue, in the Montgomery Village Center. The newest location of the rapidly-growing chicken sandwich chain is open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, seven days a week. Delivery is available through UberEats, DoorDash and GrubHub.

Baskin Robbins "coming soon" in Montgomery Village

Baskin Robbins is "coming soon" to the Montgomery Village Center, according to a banner posted at the ice cream parlor's future storefront. It will be located just off the Centerway Road extension through the strip center. Baskin Robbins is currently amid the biggest expansion in its history. The new stores opening across North America will feature the chain's new, modern "Moments" interior design. That includes sleeker ice cream dipping cabinets that feature a new "novelties" collection, a colorful wall mural unique to each location, upholstered seating and swivel chairs, and upgraded digital menu boards.

Spicy McNuggets, Spicy McCrispy return; Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry debuts at McDonald's

McDonald's has new, limited-time only menu items in Montgomery County, whether you are seeking something hot or cold. The fast food chain's popular Spicy Chicken McNuggets return for a third time. Also back for an encore are the Spicy McCrispy and Spicy Deluxe McCrispy chicken sandwiches. And for the first time, McDonald's is offering a Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry. It combines vanilla soft-serve ice cream with "strawberry flavored clusters," and shortbread cookies. 

Kobe Japan nears opening in Montgomery Village

Kobe Japan looks like it could be opening very soon at 19224 Montgomery Village Avenue, in the Montgomery Village Center. The permanent sign has been installed, and is already lit at night. Coverings remain over the windows, but an artist was on a ladder above the paper putting the finishing touches on wall art inside the restaurant when these photos were taken. The hibachi and sushi restaurant will be the second great Asian dining addition to the center, following the debut of BooBoo Pho in February.

BooBoo Pho opens in Montgomery Village

BooBoo Pho is now open at 19230 Montgomery Village Avenue in the Montgomery Village Center. It's in that new section of mostly-empty storefronts; enter the shopping center across from Centerway Road, and just keep going straight towards the back of the property, and it will be on your left. This is the prime time of year for a piping hot bowl of pho, but BooBoo Pho also has banh mi sandwiches, spicy chicken wings, fried rice, salads, stir-fry dishes and BooBoo's Signature Milk Tea. 

Early reviews are giving the restaurant high marks for the food and cleanliness. Check out the full menu here. BooBoo Pho is open 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM Monday - Saturday, and 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Sundays. They have a special 15% discount good during the first month of operations; an employee said they opened Monday. Another great addition to the new and improved Montgomery Village Center!

Booboo Pho, Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken opening at Montgomery Village Center

Booboo Pho and Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken are coming soon to the Montgomery Village Center. Booboo Pho's permanent sign was up and lit last night at 19230 Montgomery Village Avenue. The Vietnamese restaurant is hoping to open around New Year's Day. It's certainly great timing because there is Pho weather ahead.

Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken will be located in the space next to the new Starbucks at the center, according to the property map. A Rockville Pike location of Hangry Joe's just opened last week, as the Nashville Hot Chicken chain continues its rapid expansion in Montgomery County.

Gaithersburg to hold public hearing tonight on Royal Farms, Starbucks at Spectrum development

Gaithersburg's Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will hold a joint public hearing tonight on three proposed additions to the Spectrum development along Watkins Mill Road between I-270 and MD 355. A Royal Farms convenience store, with gas station and car wash, has been proposed for a site near the future interchange with I-270. Also on the drawing board is a Starbucks, and a pad site for a future retail or restaurant tenant.

Royal Farms has shown some renderings of what its structures will look like. The store, best known for its award-winning fried chicken, will have 61 parking spaces. If approved, it will be the first Royal Farms in Montgomery County.

Rendering of car wash at
proposed Royal Farms

City staff have not made a recommendation on the proposal yet, as it is very early in the process. The Mayor and Council will determine how long to keep the public comment period open at tonight's meeting, which will be held at 7:30 PM at City Hall.