Smashburger Closes Bethesda Location

Sign posted Monday

By Douglas Tallman

This is the front door of Smashburger on Monday night. Douglas Tallman

Smashburger at Norfolk and Cordell avenues in downtown Bethesda has closed permanently, according to a sign posted on its front door Monday night.

Inside, the lights for the electrified menu were still on and condiments remained on the tables.

Smashburger, part of a global chain that started in 2007, opened in the Bethesda location in December 2013. The eatery provided higher-end hamburgers that could be dressed with fried eggs, goat cheese and bacon among other items, as well as milkshakes. It has locations in the United States and nine other countries.

Alan Pohoryles is co-owner of Tommy Joe’s, the restaurant that occupies the second and third floor of the building housing Smashburger at 4903 Cordell Ave. Pohoryles said the burger restaurant closed Monday. He said he was asked if he wanted to take over the space, but he is not interested.

With reporting by Andrew Metcalf