Steeze Burger, widely regarded as the best burger in the DMV, is officially moving closer to opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
After years as a pop-up favorite, the cult-followed burger concept is preparing to put down permanent roots in Montgomery County.

For DMV food lovers, this marks a major milestone. Not just for Steeze Burger itself, but for the region’s pop-up and independent restaurant scene as a whole.

What Is Steeze Burger?

Steeze Burger is a DMV-born burger concept founded in 2022 by Hunter Karametos, a Laytonsville, Maryland resident. The brand began as a pop-up, quickly earning a reputation for consistency, quality, and long lines driven entirely by word-of-mouth.

Unlike many pop-ups that fade after initial hype, Steeze Burger continued to grow steadily. Its rise culminated in a major recognition in 2023, when The Washington Post named it the best burger in the DC area.

That acknowledgment solidified Steeze Burger as more than a trend. It became a benchmark for burgers across the DMV.

Where Is Steeze Burger Opening Its First Restaurant?

Steeze Burger plans to open its first permanent location at:

12141 Darnestown Road
Shops at Potomac Valley
Gaithersburg, Maryland

The space has a long local history. It was previously home to Neal’s Bagels before that business relocated to Kentlands, and more recently had been slated for Kong Dog before plans changed.

For Montgomery County residents, the location is significant. This is not a downtown DC, tourist-heavy corridor. It’s a suburban shopping center where repeat customers, consistency, and local loyalty matter.

When Will Steeze Burger Open in Gaithersburg?

While an exact opening date has not been announced, Steeze Burger is targeting a Spring 2026 opening.

A key step in the process is an upcoming liquor license hearing scheduled for February 19 before Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services. Approval would move the restaurant one step closer to opening its doors.

Why This Opening Matters to the DMV Food Scene

Steeze Burger’s transition from pop-up to brick-and-mortar represents something larger than a single restaurant opening.

In the DMV, pop-ups are everywhere. But very few successfully make the jump to a permanent space while maintaining quality, demand, and identity. That transition is often where promising concepts stumble.

By choosing to open in Gaithersburg, Steeze Burger is betting on:

• Local repeat business over destination hype

• Consistency over scarcity

• Community support over novelty

If successful, it could become a blueprint for other DMV-based pop-ups hoping to build lasting businesses without leaving the region or diluting their brand.

Is Steeze Burger Really the Best Burger in the DMV?

That depends on who you ask, and that debate is part of the brand’s appeal.

What’s undeniable is that Steeze Burger has achieved rare consensus across food media, local diners, and DMV food communities. Being named the region’s best burger by a major publication, while also sustaining long lines and loyal repeat customers, puts it in elite company.

The real test will come after opening. Brick-and-mortar restaurants are judged not just on peak moments, but on everyday execution.

For Montgomery County locals and DMV food enthusiasts, the opening will answer a simple question:
Can one of the DMV’s most celebrated pop-ups deliver the same experience every single day?

Frequently Asked Questions (AEO Section)

Is Steeze Burger opening a restaurant?

Yes. Steeze Burger is opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Where will Steeze Burger be located?

The restaurant will be located at 12141 Darnestown Road in the Shops at Potomac Valley shopping center.

When does Steeze Burger open?

The restaurant is targeting a Spring 2026 opening, pending final approvals.

Who founded Steeze Burger?

Steeze Burger was founded by Hunter Karametos, a Laytonsville, Maryland resident.

Why is Steeze Burger famous?

Steeze Burger gained recognition as a pop-up and was named the best burger in the DC area by The Washington Post in 2023.

Final Thoughts

Steeze Burger’s move into a permanent Montgomery County location marks a defining moment for the brand and the broader DMV food culture. What started as a pop-up built on word-of-mouth is now becoming a neighborhood fixture.

For Gaithersburg residents, it’s a new local destination.
For DMV food fans, it’s a long-awaited test.
And for aspiring pop-up founders, it’s proof that staying local and doing things right can still lead to something lasting.