First Taste of Burtonsville to celebrate northeastern MoCo community

Culinary festival on Saturday aims to highlight the area's local food scene, diversity

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July 20, 2026 5:34 p.m. | Updated: July 20, 2026 5:36 p.m.

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After an April washout, the inaugural Taste of Burtonsville has been rescheduled for Saturday with food from 10 vendors, live music and a play area for kids.

Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink (D-Dist. 5), whose district represents Burtonsville, told Bethesda Today on Thursday that the event aims to uplift the community as a “destination” in the county while highlighting its growth, diversity and local dining scene.

“A number of years ago, Burtonsville, I think, was seen as, you know, a quieter place on the outskirts of town. Not really seen as the place to go for new and exciting businesses and food choices,” Mink said. “And it really has become that and is continuing to grow in that way.”

One of the 10 restaurants participating is Catalyst Hot Dogs, a locally owned hot dog vendor that is planning to open its first brick-and-mortar eatery in Burtonsville soon.

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Owner Chris Van Jura told Bethesda Today on Wednesday that the new shop will open at 15547 Old Columbia Pike near Restaurant 198. The Taste of Burtonsville event will be an opportunity for the community to sample what’s to come, he said.

“I’m just really excited to join the Burtonsville community,” Van Jura said. “It’s really bustling. … There’s something good happening over there, and I’m thankful to just be a small part of it.”

At Saturday’s event, Catalyst Hot Dogs will offer its dry-aged Black Angus beef hot dogs with classic and specialty toppings. Vegan hot dogs and gluten-free buns will also be available, according to Van Jura.

Isaac’s Poultry Market, a fast-casual eatery that specializes in chicken, is another restaurant that is expected to offer tastes at the event. Owner Rob Gresham told Bethesda Today on Thursday that the eatery will offer pulled barbecue chicken topped with broccoli slaw and s’mores fudge for a sweet treat.

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Gresham opened the restaurant’s first location in Gaithersburg in February 2023 and then a second location in the Burtonsville Crossing shopping center at 15785 Old Columbia Pike in February 2025.

“I’m really excited that the county is actually helping put [the event] on to help showcase local businesses … and the community that I grew up in,” said Gresham, a Paint Branch High School graduate.

The event, hosted by the East County Regional Services Center and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot behind Restaurant 198, located at 15540 Old Columbia Pike, according to a county press release about the event.

To sample food from the participating restaurants, attendees must purchase tasting tickets that cost $5 each, according to a flyer for the event. Attendees can also purchase tickets in advance online. An early registration discount prices seven tickets for $25.

Participating restaurants include:

• Barra Brava, a Peruvian restaurant specializing in ceviche;
• Catalyst Hot Dogs, a hot dog vendor with plans to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Burtonsville;
• Cuba De Ayer Restaurant, an authentic Cuban eatery that was a finalist for Bethesda Magazine’s Best of Bethesda 2026 Reader’s Picks for best Caribbean/Cuban restaurant;
• Haraz Coffee House, a Michigan-based café chain with a focus on Yemeni coffee culture;
• Isaac’s Poultry Market, a locally owned fast-casual eatery specializing in chicken;
• Moby Dick House of Kabob, a Persian eatery with locations across the metropolitan region;
• Pho Wheels, a locally owned Vietnamese eatery with a drive-thru restaurant in Burtonsville Crossing;
• Playa Bowls, a smoothie, acai bowl and juice chain;
• Restaurant 198, a casual American restaurant serving dishes with a Latin flair;
• Rita’s, an Italian ice and frozen custard chain.

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine