Little R gang in Wheaton

[fabsroman]

So Limerick is the shizzle ah - will have to check it out... Royal Mile went South when it got sold out to some Indian Investors. Nothing against Indians, but Indians running a Scottish Pub? No wonder it folded. Who wants Curry Haggis anyway!

I do miss Ferdinands - no more takin the elder folk out for Continental Style Prime Rib ah... =(

Christiana's was OK, but didn't get me to defect from my fav Italian joint's in Downtown SS - DiMarco and Sergios, but how can you not think of Nicks Diner across the street ah! That place is still standing room in line good for breakfast.

Over the years I've been half tempted to take the plunge and rent one of the many continually turning over storefronts to make a dedicated burger joint - ala Lil Tavern from the 70's. Such a gamble though.

Back in the 80's, my parents and an Uncle almost bought the old HoJo restaurant outside of the aforementioned "illegal sanctuary" right before it turned into the Stadium Store. They were gonna make a Filipino Restaurant out of it, but decided against it since again, back then so many restaurants were up and down in the area.

I'll throw out one more throwback - Barnaby's... Miss that place too! I appreciate the multicultural experience in Wheaton, but we need more Americana there these days.

I am friends with the owners of DiMarco right on route 29. I play cards and have hunted with the current owner's dad, and his dad was the one that started it up.

I also know the owners of Olazzo's which is located in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Marco, the owner of DiMarco, the owners of Olazzo's (i.e., Roberto and his brothers), and the owners of Roman Cucina out in California all went to high school together. The owners of Roman Cucina are my cousins and my dad and uncle are good friends with the parents of Marco and Roberto/Romano/Ricardo.

http://www.romancucina.com/

They used to have three locations in California, one that was right on Newport Beach, but they are in the midst of transitioning/moving to Texas.

By the way, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Long story, but I had never spoken to my cousins (my dad's brother's kids) until 2002. My dad and his brother had it out when I was really young. Anyway, I was sick of working at the firm I was at and was at dinner with my cousin, who I just met. He had just started Roman Cucina with his younger brother. Mind you, he and his brothers and sisters did not go to college. Anyway, he turned to me as I was complaining about my job and said "I have no idea why an attorney like you cannot start your own practice." LIGHT BULB. Here I am 12 years later loving life. Yes, the income is not steady, but we live within our means and always have a large reserve fund. I actually like my job now and cannot imagine doing anything else.

 

[babalou]

I remember going to the Tropical Fish store and Marchones in the Wheaton Triangle. However, it is a craphole nowadays. Then again, I think that entire area is a craphole. How does the saying go about putting lipstick on a pig?

Wheaton Plaza wasn't always a craphole. I worked there until 1994 and it was pretty decent. My sister and brother in-law actually prefer the Costco there over the one in Rockville. Then again, my view of Montgomery County is that it has steadily gone downhill since I was born there in 1971.

I love Marchone's! Have not been there since the late eighties doing food runs from Covington Buick when it was in downtown SS. When I was a kid I also used to go to that tiny crammed Barbarian Books for comic books. I do miss Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour at Wheaton Plaza, too.

 

[outrider58]

I remember going to the Tropical Fish store and Marchones in the Wheaton Triangle. However, it is a craphole nowadays. Then again, I think that entire area is a craphole. How does the saying go about putting lipstick on a pig?

Wheaton Plaza wasn't always a craphole. I worked there until 1994 and it was pretty decent. My sister and brother in-law actually prefer the Costco there over the one in Rockville. Then again, my view of Montgomery County is that it has steadily gone downhill since I was born there in 1971.

Back in '76 it was a crab hole.

 

[Second Amendment]

Back in '76 it was a crab hole.

Growing up in Little Havana...oh, I mean Langley Park was a joy as well.

 

[fabsroman]

I love Marchone's! Have not been there since the late eighties doing food runs from Covington Buick when it was in downtown SS. When I was a kid I also used to go to that tiny crammed Barbarian Books for comic books. I do miss Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour at Wheaton Plaza, too.

I forgot all about Barbarian Books. It was just to the left of the Tropical Fish store. Used to go in there a lot. It was probably traumatic for me when it closed and I repressed the memory.

 

[engine42410]

If our elected officals really want to stop crime then watch the movie the purge.

 

[one-star]

Hehe, only a true local still calls is Wheaton Plaza... May have to grab something from Marchones for dinner just for ole times sake. The trend seems to be to slowly gentrify the area, but I believe that the county prefer's to keep places like Wheaton and Mont Village on the lower end of the socio-economic level.

If they'd just level the Triangle and make it into some kinda thing like Rockville Towne Square, then maybe, just maybe the riff raff would disperse.

I've heard rumors that the old BB&T Tower - tall white office building accross from the Firestone - may turn into another "luxury" highrise condo/apartment with a Harris Teeter in the basement. Kinda like the one in Rockville off Old Georgetown.

On one level it would be nice, but we would lose a bunch of places I love (Saigonese, Marchionnes, Christiana, Thomas' Market, Kalunta's, etc) in exchange for a bunch of horrid chains and near chains like DTSS.

What they need to do is turn some of their sec 8 apartments into market rate to get rid of the issue. As it stands Wheaton has a higher density of public housing than anywhere else in the County. Ambassador, Amherst Sq, Pembridge Sq, Metropointe, Bucknell Apts, are all either MHP or HOC owned.
Then you get into the vouchers that "grandma's" property management company loves to get for the guaranteed rent and you have a real poverty density issue.

 

[outrider58]

Growing up in Little Havana...oh, I mean Langley Park was a joy as well.

I started out in District Heights-Capitol Heights. Just kept moving west.

 

[fabsroman]

On one level it would be nice, but we would lose a bunch of places I love (Saigonese, Marchionnes, Christiana, Thomas' Market, Kalunta's, etc) in exchange for a bunch of horrid chains and near chains like DTSS.

What they need to do is turn some of their sec 8 apartments into market rate to get rid of the issue. As it stands Wheaton has a higher density of public housing than anywhere else in the County. Ambassador, Amherst Sq, Pembridge Sq, Metropointe, Bucknell Apts, are all either MHP or HOC owned.
Then you get into the vouchers that "grandma's" property management company loves to get for the guaranteed rent and you have a real poverty density issue.

And where exactly are you going to push those poor people too? Yeah, Wheaton might become nicer, but where is the riff raff going to go? Glenmont Apartments? Aspen Hill? Anything in Olney? I assure you, Bethesda and Chevy Chase will have nothing to do with it. They might be able to relocate in Rockville.

Next question is whether the riff raff can vote. If so, then they might oppose further development that would remove the low income housing/rentals. The landlords might oppose it too since they are receiving guaranteed income from section 8. Honestly, if you are not on one end of the other of government handouts, you are stuck in the middle and going nowhere. For instance, renters get greatly reduced housing and the landlords receive guaranteed rental income, all on the backs of the taxpayers. I'm looking at some low income stuff in Westminster right now so I can get in on the back end.

 

[jasonk1229]

Yep, it was called Boy Scout Troop 372 ...

I hear troop 1033 could roll them all

 

[Afrikeber]

The owner of Ferdinands was a buddys uncle and we used to eat and drink there all the time! I loved that place. I can also say that I'm a huge fan of the new limerick pub!!!

Paul Kee (the chinese resturant near both of the above two) is also a great little spot and if you haven't eaten at the peruvian chicken place at the intersection of University and Georgia then you haven't lived!!!!

The general mall area is on the incline but it's going to be a slow process. They now have a farmers market thing behind Elbys in the square by the mall which is kind of nice and the Costco, Dicks, Sweet Frog, and Panera are helping clean up the area. I used to date the girl who's mom ownder Silver Stars Gymnastics (next to where they put the "illegal sanctuary" and was always in wheaton).

Also if you go to Christina's on University and don't see Lobster Bisque ask for it!!! It's better then Ruth Chris lobser bisque!

Just by chance I went to Limericks early on a Sunday and had their Irish Breakfast which was awesome. After that two draft Guinness pints..man felt great all day after that. Been to the Peruvian place and they have a soup I always get. never been to Christina's only because of the parking hassle but now I will to try that lobster bisque.

 

[rh92]

Addresses in that area have always been confusing.

Grandparents lived at Randolph and Viers Mill for years, and it was called "Silver Spring"

My grandparents lived at Randolph and Viers Mill too.
Maybe we're cousins.

My friend lived near CT ave and Veirs Mill and it was called North Kensington.

I remember when I was a tad bit younger (middle school, 05-07), Wheaton was a hole. It still sort of is, but cleaner thanks to Costco and other additions to that area.

 

[sleepingdino]

I miss the old days when Wheaton Plaza was an outdoor mall. Wheaton is less dumpy now, but the people are much the same economically. The new immigrants and the lower middle class have to live somewhere.
If downtown Silver Spring can be improved, so can Wheaton, but it takes decades.

 

[fabsroman]

I miss the old days when Wheaton Plaza was an outdoor mall. Wheaton is less dumpy now, but the people are much the same economically. The new immigrants and the lower middle class have to live somewhere.
If downtown Silver Spring can be improved, so can Wheaton, but it takes decades.

It is going to take a century or more to improve parts of Baltimore City. Anything can be improved. Question is whether the citizens and politicians are willing to do it.

 

[babalou]

I started out in District Heights-Capitol Heights. Just kept moving west.

Man, I do not remember that about Langley Park. I am 48 and grew up in Takoma Park on Garland Avenue near Carroll. Right near the Columbia Union College. Moved to Twinbrook in 8th grade. Went to Langley Park a lot to the old Korvettes, Pappy Parkers, that Shakeys Pizza near the Tic Tock, and the old Kiddie Land off Riggs near Philadelphia Av. I had friends that were SDA that lived in Langley Park/Takoma Park on the streets with Indian names. Do not remember The Havana part, although Takoma Park was really a true mixing bowl in the early to mid 70's. Damn I am getting old.

 

[Brooklyn]

It is going to take a century or more to improve parts of Baltimore City. Anything can be improved. Question is whether the citizens and politicians are willing to do it.

Baltimore can only be saved at the risk of the surrounding areas, if they stay on the liberal track. They will.

Rudy pulled NYC out of a dive in 5 -10 years. Baltimore has slid to far, and unlike NYC has nothing unique enough ( like wall st ) to force companies to stay. A decent business climate in the rest of the state might encourage business to move elsewhere in MD, but that is not likely.


And attempt to repair Baltimore will require wholesale destruction of the political machine followed by war on the gangs. This will not happen.


What will happen is a series of incompetent attempts to restore order to prevent the coming yuppie flight, the result of which will be to displace crime into surrounding counties. If ir succeeds the city will get better at the cost of the counties and the fight from MD will escalate past the tipping point.


Earth to Howard county -- you are next.

Meanwhile we are all packing to leave.

 

[outrider58]

Man, I do not remember that about Langley Park. I am 48 and grew up in Takoma Park on Garland Avenue near Carroll. Right near the Columbia Union College. Moved to Twinbrook in 8th grade. Went to Langley Park a lot to the old Korvettes, Pappy Parkers, that Shakeys Pizza near the Tic Tock, and the old Kiddie Land off Riggs near Philadelphia Av. I had friends that were SDA that lived in Langley Park/Takoma Park on the streets with Indian names. Do not remember The Havana part, although Takoma Park was really a true mixing bowl in the early to mid 70's. Damn I am getting old.

I lived across the street from Tick Tock till '73. Carol Highlands. Neighborhood was fun but Jr. High was a bitch.....Rollingcrest penitentiary....I meant Jr. High. Got held up at gunpoint in tenth grade at Northwestern High School in College Park in '73. Kept on heading west....

 

[JBinDC]

I lived across the street from Tick Tock till '73. Carol Highlands. Neighborhood was fun but Jr. High was a bitch.....Rollingcrest penitentiary....I meant Jr. High. Got held up at gunpoint in tenth grade at Northwestern High School in College Park in '73. Kept on heading west....

Tick Tock was always the easiest place to get booze while going to school at Maryland - that is unless you could get it at Lassick's in College Park. I never remembered that area down by Riggs Rd to be particularly safe lookin...

 

[El Patron Grande]

Been to the Peruvian place and they have a soup I always get.

El Patron Grande says:

Holy s**t, you've got to give me the name of that place. 'Cause after the Wheaton Plaza's Crisp & Juicy closed due to a fire, I have to drive my honey sexpot and our little rascal all the way to Rockville for some nice pollo con yuca.

El Patron Grande swears that if you do not provide the name of the place he will go to a Santero witch doctor across from Tic-Toc's in Langley Park and put a hex on you!

 

[EL1227]

I hear troop 1033 could roll them all

That's ONLY because they confiscated our pea-shooters at Broad Creek, otherwise we ruled.