Fuddrucker's closes in Rockville; Smashburger reopens (Baltimore, Columbia: closing, living in, restaurants)

[wildcat3]

Fuddrucker's closes on Rockville Pike

Rockville Nights: Fuddrucker's Rockville closing

Smashburger reopens however down Rockville Pike

Rockville Nights: Smashburger Rockville opening today

[Rufus Clay Banger]

Fuddrucker's makes a good burger. Never had Smashburger. Would possibly try it if Rockville were my thing. I try to avoid that hellhole at all costs, though.

[LesLucid]

Originally Posted by Rufus Clay Banger

Fuddrucker's makes a good burger. Never had Smashburger. Would possibly try it if Rockville were my thing. I try to avoid that hellhole at all costs, though.

We had a SmashBurger up here in Frederick for a while. I thought it was pretty good but burger places don’t seem to do well up here for some reason. We’ve had SmashBurger, Elevation Burger, BGR Burger all in just the past few years. They were all pretty good but didn’t last. Five guys, Wags, and Beef, Buns & Paradise have survived but Wags is a full service restaurant, even though known for its burgers.

[bufflove]

That entire ~5 square block area is being redeveloped. 10 new buildings, a Wegmans, 2000 residential units, 500k sqft of office space, 1 acre park, etc. next to the Twinbrook metro station. Massive improvement from the status quo, to say the least.

[personone]

Fudruckers was under the model of the 90's era-style, semi-chain restaurants. It kinda re-branded a little in the mid-2000's, but never really differentiated itself. Those types of restaurants can't really survive nowadays with so many options around (from healthier, to international, to high-end). When I was back visiting my parents in Columbia years ago, I noticed the Fudruckers there had closed too, so I'm surprised the one in Rockville survived this long. Burger places don't usually do well long-term.

[Llep]

I loved Fuddruckers. The one in the city I live in now has been closed for years. I was living in Richmond, VA, in the late 80s when they opened one there. I still remember the commercial which was hilarious. As I recall it was someone with a normal voice telling someone with a real hillbilly voice the name of the new restaurant and he was like “Whuttt, I can’t say that on the radio “ like it was a dirty word! I loved getting the biggest burger and slathering it with cheese and mayo, slathering the fries the same way. Those were the days!

[personone]

I remember when I was a teen (in the 90’s), the only local Fuddruckers that I was aware of was in Baltimore in the Inner Harbor. I grew up in Howard County, so I only got to go on special occasions a couple times per year. I had fond memories of the restaurant back then. The burgers seemed good and large (different from Mc’Donalds), and unique fries and good desserts. It was the type of place that teens would love. That was before they became a bigger franchise.

When they opened up the one in Columbia in the mid-2000’s, it didn’t seem as special and seemed like more of a standard burger chain. Part of that perspective was probably because I was older, and became a little more health conscious. I just never really loved it. Although looking at the yelp reviews for the Rockville location, it had very good ratings so it looks like it was well-received.

Another area restaurant that I had fond memories of, but is no longer around, is Hamburger Hamlet. We went there once in a blue moon when I was a kid, and they stood out because they were the only restaurant I remember having a warm brownie with ice cream and fudge dessert. Of course, that is now a standard dessert at many restaurants now. I went back once when I was older before it closed, and I was not impressed at all. Although I did feel nostalgic when it closed. The commercialization of all the different restaurant options nowadays makes those nostalgic memories a thing of the past.

[Mr Beco]

Originally Posted by wildcat3

Fuddrucker's closes on Rockville Pike

Rockville Nights: Fuddrucker's Rockville closing

Smashburger reopens however down Rockville Pike

Rockville Nights: Smashburger Rockville opening today

Amazing, I haven't been there in years but when it first opened, was the place to be! That entire site is slated for redevelopment.