Not the Same Dive Bar

The chef who rewrote the Quarry House's menu is ditching town, leaving the pub's Bonifant Street kitchen in anarchy, the Washington City Paper reports.

Toure Stoney, who introduced barflies to organic, hormone-free hamburgers, has returned home to California for "personal reasons," Quarry House management says. Cooks from Jackie's, the tavern's sister restaurant on Georgia Avenue, are pulling double duty to keep both kitchens going.

So far, the chef swap isn't exactly working, says the City Paper's Tim Carman. The bacon-cheddar burgers are overcooked, he writes, and the chipotle burrito is "a tortilla log of black beans, cheese and zipless chicken."

Even the side orders aren't immune from disaster.

"The Old Bay tater tots came with the seasoning served in a little plastic cup on the side, not incorporated into the cylinders," Carman writes. "Most puzzling."

Thanks to Silver Spring Singular for the lead, and to Hunt Emerson for the art.

"News Bites" (Washington City Paper)

Margaritas Across America

The Austin Grill may take its Tex-Mex menu nationwide.

The local restaurant chain will be acquired by Thompson Hospitality, which hopes to plant Austin Grill franchises in cities like the ATL, Chi Town and L.A., the Washington Business Journal reported Friday.

Expansion plans also include smaller versions of the Austin Grill on college campuses and in airports, Thompson announced on its website. The Virginia-based food service company already has contracts with a dozen colleges, including Prince George's Community College in Largo.

The seven existing restaurants, including one on Ellsworth Drive in downtown Silver Spring, will continue as company-owned joints.

Photo courtesy of The Blairs.

"Austin Grill Being Acquired by Thompson Hospitality" (Washington Business Journal)