Bites Nearby: The Potomac Grill

The Potomac Grill on Rockville Pike features American grill favorites with a twist. And that twist often involves bacon.

The menu features American grill classics like steaks, seafood, salads, soups and sandwiches. Children’s meals are less than five dollars, but truly adult-sized portions of grilled burgers, non-frozen chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, shrimp and hand-cut french fries.

This restaurant is serene but also kid-friendly -- a tough combo to find in an independently-owned, non-chain establishment. Servers quickly bring drinks and bread for hungry childrenn, and put our their orders in first while parents relax with a draft beer or chilled glass of white wine. children’s orders in first.

The french onion soup is a solid starter, and the Original Potomac Grill burger is huge. It features over half a pound of beef topped with cheese, grilled peppers and onions, double-thick smoked bacon, lettuce and tomato on a fresh brioche. Another faboo sammie is the Gabby’s French Dip -- a huge french roll stuffed with super-thin prime rib, topped with bacon, then covered in melted jack with au ju on the side.

The wine list is ecletic and reasonable, the seafood fresh and the steaks are possibly the best on the Pike...minus the fancy steakhouse prices. The restaurant calendar features meal specials, live music and happy hour celebrations.

1093 Rockville Pike in the Talbott Shopping Center, Rockville, MD. 301-738-8181.

Open Mon - Sat, 11am - 11pm; Sun, 10:30am - 9pm.