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Welcome to a.m. Intel, your bite-sized roundup of D.C. food and restaurant news. Tips are always welcome, drop them here.
Pink Taco, the flashy Mexican chain with A-list fans like Snoop Dogg and Jennifer Aniston, plans to open in Navy Yard next spring. A news release says the company will open its first D.C. locale next spring at 100 M Street SE, bringing on a festive menu filled out by enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, and long list of margaritas like a Cadillac that comes with a mini bottle of Grand Marnier. The rocker chic chain was founded in 1999 by the late Harry Morton, son of Hard Rock Café co-founder Peter Morton and grandson of Morton’s Restaurant Group founder, Arnie Morton. The brand will also expand to NYC next fall with an outpost in Times Square, adding to a growing domestic footprint in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Miami Beach. Newly named Pink Taco COO Stephan Schneider, an operations vet who worked for nightlife conglomerate Hakkasan, is leading an international expansion to Europe and the Middle East.
Chaia brings veggie tacos to Bethesda
Chaia, the fast-casual counter that sells vegetarian tacos at two D.C. locations, opens its first Maryland shop at 7237 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda on Tuesday, September 28. Along with its familiar tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, sweet potato nachos, the company is introducing its first kids’ meal menu. Chaia Bethesda opens at 11 a.m. six days a week (closed Mondays) with indoor and outdoor seating options, plus a taco pickup window.
Going green at Union Market
Greenheart Juice Bar & Cafe will bring its healthy lineup of cold-pressed juices, juice cleanses, nutrient-dense smoothies, cashew milks, salads, and bowls to Union Market next month. The new stall will be joined by another D.C. location next spring in Georgetown, with expanded breakfast and lunch options at both.
Get to The Point this fall
Ivy City Smokehouse will help stock a new grab-and-go shop situated next to The Point in Buzzard Point this fall. Dubbed Beside the Point, the carryout-focused extension will also serve pizza, salads, soft-serve ice cream, dog treats, local craft beers, and wines.