Del Frisco’s Will Close Two D.C. Area Steakhouses Amid Sale of National Chain

National steakhouse chain Del Frisco’s will close locations of Del Frisco’s Grille in downtown D.C. and North Bethesda this month, diminishing its presence in the market just weeks after billionaire sports and restaurant mogul Tilman Fertitta announced plans to acquire the brand.

A Del Frisco’s Grille spokesperson tells Eater that Sunday, October 20, will be the final day of business for those locations.

“We appreciate the continued patronage of the many guests who have dined with us at these locations and thank our team members for their passionate dedication to Del Frisco’s Grille,” the spokesperson says in a statement.

Del Frisco’s upscale Double Eagle Steakhouse in the posh CityCenter development won’t be affected by the closing, according to a public relations representative.

Fertitta, who owns the NBA’s Houston Rockets and is CEO of Landry’s Inc., announced a deal to buy the Southlake, Texas-based steakhouse conglomerate late last month. Landry’s already runs Del Frisco competitors Mastro’s, Morton’s, Vic and Anthony’s, Strip House, and Brenner’s. The sale, expected to close at the end of October, included 35 Del Frisco’s locations coast-to-coast.

The location of the Del Frisco’s Grille in Maryland is massive, sized around 7,700 square feet. In 2014, it became the first restaurant to debut inside the fast-growing Pike & Rose complex. Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chao opened across the street this summer.

Del Frisco’s Grille’s downtown location opened at 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in 2012. Popville flagged the location’s potential demise last week, citing an employee with knowledge of the closure.

This summer, Del Frisco’s Grille attempted to go healthier with dishes like gluten-free cauliflower steak frites and a Mediterranean shrimp bowl with turmeric. The expense account-friendly restaurant was also known for its spin on a French dip, lengthy wine list, and weekday happy hour with $7 bites, cocktails, and wines by the glass.

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