Ballston Quarter Unveils 12 New Restaurants, Including the Return of Chick-Fil-A

Ballston Quarter mall is unveiling 12 new restaurants with plans to open in the development, bringing the shopping center’s total to 22 confirmed eateries ahead of its scheduled re-opening this fall.

Forest City, the company that owns and manages the under-construction former Ballston Common Mall, announced the line-up of eateries today (Thursday). Some of the restaurants will be located in the development’s 25,000-square-foot “food hall,” while others will be spread throughout the mall or even located in the apartment building attached to the project.

The restaurants announced today include the return of Chick-fil-A, an old staple of the Ballston Common mall, and the first location of D.C. chain Compass Coffee outside the city. Union Kitchen Grocery and Baltimore-based The Local Oyster are also planning a location at Ballston Quarter, as is the previously-announced Ted’s Bulletin.

“Our overall mission for Ballston Quarter is to feature some of the most unique, trendsetting restaurants and reimagined brands possible, with a strong focus on best-in-class regional favorites,” Will Voegele, Forest City’s senior vice president of development, wrote in a statement.

The developer announced the mall’s first retail tenants last month, and several “experience-oriented” businesses in February. Forest City added it plans to announce more restaurants for the development ahead of its opening in the fall.

Full details from a press release on the 12 new restaurants, after the jump.

• All About Burger: All About Burger is a D.C.-based burger chain known for its vast selection of milkshakes, burgers, hot dogs and cheesesteaks. The 2,793 square-foot Ballston Quarter location will be the eatery’s fifth storefront overall, joining existing locations in Arlington, VA, Southwest and Northwest D.C., and Baltimore.
• Chick-Fil-A: As one of the largest fast food chains and family-owned businesses in the country, Chick-Fil-A has more than 2,200 locations and 125 locations in Virginia. The beloved family-favorite and an existing Ballston-staple will be returning this fall with its famous chicken-centric menu in a new 2,925 square-foot Ballston Quarter location.
• Compass Coffee: Compass Coffee was founded in Washington, D.C. by two former Marines who set out to change the way people experience coffee with nine different blends with unique notes and flavors. With seven locations in D.C., the 2,170 square-foot Ballston Quarter location will be located on the ground floor of the residential tower, which will be Compass Coffee’s first location outside of the District.
• French Exit: French Exit began as a pop-up sandwich shop founded by Chef Matt Baker, which featured a rotating menu of creations including a croque-madame, a Korean braised short rib hoagie and a fried chicken sandwich. The 820 square-foot Quarter Market location will be French Exit’s first brick and mortar store, which will offer similarly inspired dishes.
• Maizal: Maizal is a South American restaurant serving a fresh take on one of South America’s most coveted street foods, the arepa, a cornmeal patty topped with fresh meats and vegetables and served with sides such as yuca fries and street corn. Maizal’s 843 square-foot Quarter Market restaurant will be Maizal’s first location in Virginia and second location to date.
• Mezeh: Mezeh is a regional fast casual restaurant serving freshly made-in-house Mediterranean staples such as tabbouleh, hummus, caramelized eggplant and homemade fruit juices prepared in small batches daily, free of preservatives for guaranteed freshness. With eight locations in Maryland and Virginia, the 1,932 square-foot Ballston Quarter location will add to its expanding list of regional eateries.
• Slapfish: Slapfish is a casual seafood restaurant originally founded by Andrew Gruel in Huntington Beach, California. With roots as a food truck, and 11 locations nationwide, Slapfish features locally-sourced dishes such as fish tacos and sandwiches. The 2,314 square-foot Ballston Quarter location will be the second location on the east coast, joining their Rockville, Maryland restaurant, which is slated to open in June 2018.
• Sloppy Mama’s BBQ: Sloppy Mama’s BBQ is a family-owned business specializing in authentic American BBQ. Created by a husband and wife duo, Sloppy Mama’s is dedicated to making the best smoked meats in the DMV region. The 195 square-foot Quarter Market location will be Sloppy Mama’s second standalone location, joining the existing storefront in Union Market.
• South Block: Northern Virginia’s first cold-pressed micro juicery, South Block, opened in 2011, bringing cold-pressed juices, smoothies and acai bowls to its customers sourced with the freshest local ingredients. The 1,231 square-foot Ballston Quarter location will be located in the ground floor of the Ballston Quarter residential tower, and it will be South Block’s tenth location in the D.C. region.
• Ted’s Bulletin: Ted’s Bulletin first opened in 2010 as a modern American diner offering traditional comfort food dishes. With six locations in the D.C. region, Ted’s Bulletin will open its newest location at 4,534 square feet in Ballston Quarter this fall.
• The Local Oyster: The Local Oyster is an oyster bar featuring locally sourced ingredients and regionally inspired seafood dishes including crab legs, Old Bay-seasoned shrimp and lobster. The 1,495 square-foot Quarter Market location will be The Local Oyster’s second location since the first restaurant opened in Baltimore, Maryland in 2015.
• Union Kitchen Grocery: Union Kitchen Grocery offers a selection of locally made gourmet foods with an international flair, including items ranging from house cured meats to freshly-made chocolates. This 2,812 square-foot store will be located on the ground floor of the Ballston Quarter residential tower, and will be Union Kitchen’s fourth expected store in the D.C. region.