1401 Maryland Ave, NE

A reader reports:

“Check out the progress of the Maryland Ave Chick-fil-A (formerly checkers)! I asked the construction workers and they said end of March completion but looks later.”

1401 Maryland Ave, NE

“Dear PoPville,

Great summary (courtesy of Ryan Aires) of the ANC6A EDZ Committee meeting about the upcoming Chick-Fil-A planned for the old Checkers spot at 1401 Maryland Ave, NE. He wanted to highlight was that DDOT actually requested the 14th entrance/ exit that has no residences be closed, while allowing the G street entrance/ exit to stay open. We are hoping to have another meeting with DDOT representatives to ask them about that.

High level summary – residents are super concerned about the traffic on narrow G Street, and Chick-Fil-A seemed unaware that it would be an issue. Planned opening is March 2017.

Site Design

the existing building will remain more or less how it is now
they are going to build off the back of the building extending it ~28′ to the east
the easement on 14th Street is going to be closed to traffic
one of the designers (I didn’t catch his name) said that this was actually requested by DDOT
the expected flow of cars is:
entry from Maryland Ave or G Street
cars will order on the north east side of the building (facing Maryland Ave)
cars will drive west towards 14th Street, loop around the building and pick up their orders on the Southeast side of the building (facing G Street)
cars can then exit onto Maryland Ave or G Street
the benches will remain for eating on site because there will be a walk up window

Hours of Operation
Monday – Saturday 6am – 10/11PM Read More

1401 Maryland Ave, NE

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“Saw this sign outside the shuttered Checkers, soon to be Chick-Fil-A on Maryland and 14th NE.  ‘No hunting, fishing or trapping’.”

I bet the trapping would provide a plentiful (terrifying) bounty…

An interesting discussion about the recently opened Tenleytown Chick Fil A started on the Cleveland Park listserve and I’m curious where you guys stand. One resident reports:

“Wife went to the new Chick-fil-A on Wisconsin Avenue yesterday around 3PM and was told she could not sit down to eat, could only order to take out. She asked why and someone purporting to be the manager told her that due to problems with Wilson students they are not allowing any patrons to sit down and eat between the hours of 3-5 M-F.”

I put a call into the store and was told that the to go policy is from 3-4:30pm and is only temporary. They are working on “solutions” to deal with the “situation” but are still brainstorming. So in the meantime do you support the temporary solution of only to-go orders between the hours of 3-4:30pm or are you against the policy?

Do you think there are better options? It’s not clear exactly what happened but let’s assume the students were rowdy and loud – what policy could work to ameliorate that situation?

Maybe this will force the students to eat healthy quinoa salads up the block…

rendering of 4600 Wisconsin Avenue, NW at Brandywine

Tenleytown continues to dominate the fast casual food market. Yesterday the Washington Post had a great profile on the founder of District Taco and towards the end revealed this little tidbit:

“Next up are restaurants in Skyline and Tenleytown.”

I emailed Osiris and he tells me that if all goes well the Tenleytown location should be open in 5-6 months!! And it’s coming to Wisconsin Ave and Brandywine St in the brand new Tenley View development.

You can see District Taco’s menu here. Updates as they get closer to opening.

Earlier this month Tenleytown DC reported:

“Chick-fil-A has filed for a construction permit with the District Department of Transportation for the former Payless ShoeSource storefront at 4505 Wisconsin Avenue.”

Of course not without a fight…

“Do parents want their kids at nearby schools-Janney, Wilson, and Deal to be eating this at such an early age? Chick-fil-A, a popular chain among young adults and teens will just cause students at these schools to be unhealthy. There are numerous studies stating the more fast food kids eat as children, the more likely they are to continue these unhealthy eating habits through adulthood.”

Looking towards the metro stop

Just like Chipotle…

Thanks to Ally for sending:

“the long line at chick fil a at around 8, it’s been crazy busy”

A reader writes:

“730am… Are people camping out to be first customers tomorrow? Or is this line for something else?”

From a press release:

“Ten years after Chick-fil-A® opened its first licensee location in Washington, D.C., on the campus of Catholic University, the chain is continuing its expansion into the heart of D.C. The new restaurant in the DC USA Complex will open Nov. 4, bringing 100 new jobs, the chance for 100 adults to win free Chick-fil-A meals for a year and the opportunity for community members to donate books that will benefit a local community organization.

After 12 years and more than $25 million in free food given away, Chick-fil-A’s “First 100” celebration continues to be the chain’s signature grand opening event, which transforms the restaurant grounds lot into a 24-hour community friendly party as the crowd awaits the opening. Read More

4422 Connecticut Ave, NW

From the files of incredibly random timing – that Burger King that was just robbed via the drive-thru is becoming a Chick Fil A! Thanks to a reader for passing on word from Forest Hills Connection:

“Everyone in DC seems to know the Burger King at Van Ness more for its rock ‘n roll and 80’s movie decor than for its food.

By this time next year, the restaurant’s Capital Theater sign, the ET kids and the Kindergarten Cop poster will be gone, and so will the Burger King restaurant and building at 4422 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Going up in its place, says ANC 3F Commissioner Malachy Nugent, will be a new building housing a different restaurant: Chick-fil-A.”

More details and a rendering from Forest Hills Connection here.

And of course it’s T-2 days to Chick Fil A opening in Columbia Heights.

Though they will be closed Sunday.

Chick Fil A is located in the former Lime Fresh space on 14th Street just north of Irving in DCUSA.