Tato’s Potato Bar Opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

A new food concept has officially opened inside Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and it’s built around something simple most people already love. Potatoes.

Tato’s Potato Bar is now serving customers at the Dining Terrace food court, taking over a spot that used to be occupied by a convenience store near one of the busiest entrances. Foot traffic here is constant, so the location alone gives the new eatery a strong start.

At first glance, the idea feels familiar, but there’s a small twist.

A Different Way to Build Your Meal

Most fast-casual spots start with rice or greens and then add protein. Tato’s flips that approach. You begin with a baked potato and then add whatever toppings or proteins you want on top.

Menu boards guide the process, step by step:

• Pick your potato

• Add toppings

• Choose sauces

• Finish with protein if you want

It’s simple, filling, and honestly… pretty easy to understand even if you’re walking in for the first time and not really planning to eat.

And yeah, it looks like comfort food first, health food second. But that’s kind of the point.

First Impressions From the Food Court

The setup is clean and straightforward. Nothing overly complicated. People order, customize, grab their tray, and move on. Exactly what you’d expect in a mall environment where everyone’s either shopping, rushing, or just tired and hungry.

One thing that stands out is how visual the menu is. You can almost picture your meal before ordering. That usually helps new places a lot.

Also worth noting, the concept leans heavily into customization. Some people will go basic, others will stack everything on top.

Honestly, both approaches work here.

Personal Take

I have to say, the food actually looks good. Like, really good.

A baked sweet potato as a dessert option would make sense here. Not sure if they offer it yet, maybe they do and I just missed it. But it feels like something that would fit perfectly on this kind of menu.

Yes, it’s a serious carb load. No way around that. Still, it looks filling and satisfying, the kind of meal people grab when they’re not counting calories and just want something warm and solid.

And sometimes that’s exactly what people want.

Why This Concept Could Work

Potatoes are affordable, familiar, and easy to build around. That matters in a food court where customers want quick decisions and dependable meals.

Success here will likely depend on:

• Consistent portion sizes

• Fast service

• Clear pricing

• Repeat visits from mall regulars

Comfort food concepts tend to do well in busy retail spaces because they’re easy to understand. You don’t need to explain a potato to anyone.

A Growing Trend in Fast-Casual Dining

Across the U.S., more fast-casual brands are leaning into customizable comfort meals. People like having control over what goes into their food without slowing down the ordering process.

Loaded potatoes fit that shift naturally. They’re:

• Familiar

• Filling

• Flexible

• Budget-friendly compared to many mall meals

It’s not a revolutionary idea, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes execution matters more than originality.

Final Thoughts

Tato’s Potato Bar adds something new to Montgomery Mall’s dining options without being overly experimental. The concept is simple, approachable, and easy to try.

Whether it becomes a long-term success depends on consistency and customer response, but early impressions suggest it has potential.

At the end of the day, it’s comfort food in a busy mall setting. Warm, customizable, and quick.

And honestly… sometimes that’s all people are looking for.