Flavor Hive, the viral halal fusion brand co-founded by local social media star Shihan Chowdhury and business partner Amgd Gende, is opening its first Maryland restaurant in Rockville. Chowdhury, known online as “Chilipeppercooks,” is a Montgomery County native and graduate of Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, making the expansion a hometown milestone for the fast-growing concept.
The new restaurant will be located at 5568 Randolph Road in the Montrose Shopping Center, taking over the roughly 2,000SF space most recently occupied by Shouk, next to MOM’s Organic Market. Flavor Hive is aiming to open during the second week of February.
Flavor Hive is best known for its signature “walking chips bag” concept. Diners can bring their own bag of chips, whether Doritos, potato chips, or any other favorite, and have it filled with halal proteins such as chicken, ground beef, lamb gyro, or falafel, along with a variety of toppings and sauces. For customers who don’t bring their own chips, the restaurant offers house-made potato chips cooked in avocado oil. Co-owner Drew Kellogg says all of Flavor Hive’s recipes are made using avocado oil…