After less than two years in business, Pines of Rome Express, the popular Bethesda Italian restaurant’s carry-out and delivery-focused offshoot, has closed its Rockville site at 121B Congressional Lane.
The shutdown puts an end to the express concept, which sought to use a fast, takeout-focused business model to expand the popularity of the Bethesda signature meals. Beside Mykonos Grill and next to the old Bed Bath & Beyond store, Pines of Rome Express had opened in the former Congressional Deli area.
For Pines of Rome, a Bethesda tradition for more than 50 years, the initiative was a big step and their first foray outside of their native location. At 4918 Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, the original Pines of Rome restaurant—a Bethesda landmark famous for its white pizza, classic spaghetti & meatballs, and other traditional Italian fare—will remain open.
The main restaurant, which opened in 1972 at 4709 Hampden Lane, relocated to its new location on Cordell Avenue in 2017.Although the precise causes of Pines of Rome Express’s shutdown were not immediately known, the decision was verified over the phone on Monday morning.
