As 2025 comes to a close, our very own “Mr. MoCo” Alex Tsironis is looking back on a year full of memorable meals across Montgomery County (photos available below). After countless restaurant visits, pop-ups, and takeout orders, narrowing the list down was no easy task. While there were dozens of dishes worth mentioning, these ten stood out as the ones that immediately came to mind when reflecting on the year.

Before sharing the list, Alex wanted to thank everyone who followed along throughout the year on The MoCo Show, MoCoSnow, and Taste MoCo. The continued support, engagement, and enthusiasm from the community have meant a great deal. And as he noted with a laugh, photo quality aside, this list comes straight from the heart. Just a guy, a phone, and a lot of great food.

Darband in Rockville delivered one of the most impressive platters of the year with its Combo 2, featuring Chenjeh beef, Kubideh ground beef, and boneless chicken. Each skewer was packed with flavor, and the chicken in particular was a surprise standout, changing Alex’s usual skepticism about grilled chicken at restaurants.

At iL Pizzico in Rockville, a ribeye special earned its place on the list. While the ribeye itself was excellent, the bigger takeaway was a lesson learned. If there’s a meat special on the menu at iL Pizzico, order it and pair it with their pasta. Recent lamb chops only reinforced that strategy.

Little Island Kitchen in Montgomery Village brought bold comfort with its oxtail Alfredo. The dish delivered deep, rich flavor and was incredibly satisfying, blending soulful slow-cooked oxtail with creamy pasta in a way that lingered long after the meal ended.

The Nibbler in Gaithersburg cracked the list late in the year thanks to its steak sandwich. Alex tried it for the first time just days ago, and it instantly earned a spot among his favorites, a testament to how strong first impressions can be.

O’Donnell’s in Potomac made the cut with its crabcakes. While they come at a premium price, they were ordered during a family dinner and proved to be well worth it. Sometimes, classic dishes done right still shine the brightest.

Phowheels in Burtonsville showcased one of the most creative dishes of the year with its oxtail cheesesteak bánh mì. It’s a mashup that sounds unconventional but works perfectly, combining tender oxtail with bold flavors in a sandwich that delivers on every level.

Sardi’s, with locations in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park, earned recognition for its Bang Bang Chicken. The chicken thighs were exceptionally flavorful, and as always, Sardi’s sauces elevated the dish. Alex noted that this one isn’t for everyone. If you’re not into chicken thighs, it might not be your favorite, but for those who are, it’s a 10 out of 10.

Thai Tanium in Gaithersburg revived Alex’s love for soft shell crab. He had mostly stopped ordering it altogether, but this version pulled him right back in and reminded him why the dish can be so special when done correctly.

Vignola Gourmet, located in Rockville and North Bethesda, landed on the list with a pappardelle Alfredo with added mozzarella. This was a delivery order plated at home, which explains the less-than-restaurant-style presentation, but the flavor more than made up for it. Rich, comforting, and memorable.

Rounding out the list is Yuxa Flame in Rockville with its Uyghur lamb kebab served over bread. Though the restaurant is closed for the season until spring, the dish remains unforgettable. For those craving it now, their food is still available through Hulu Skewers on delivery apps.

These ten dishes capture just a snapshot of the incredible food scene across Montgomery County in 2025. From longtime favorites to new discoveries, they highlight the diversity, creativity, and quality that continue to make MoCo such a great place to eat.

 

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A new law taking effect today, January 1, in Virginia would significantly change how children under 16 are allowed to use social media, and it raises a big question locally…would you want to see something like this in Maryland?

In simple terms, the law requires social media platforms to determine whether a user is under 16 and, if so, automatically limit that child’s use of each social media app to one hour per day. The limit applies per app, not across all platforms combined. That means one hour on TikTok, one hour on Instagram, one hour on Snapchat, and so on. Parents can increase or decrease that time limit, but only by providing verified parental consent.

Social media companies must use “commercially reasonable” methods to figure out a user’s age. This can include neutral age-screening tools or signals from a device or browser, such as privacy settings that indicate the user should be treated as a minor. If a phone or browser flags the user as under 16, the platform must treat them as a minor.

The law also limits how companies can use age-verification data. Any information collected to determine a user’s age can only be used for that purpose and to provide age-appropriate experiences. It cannot be used for advertising or other unrelated tracking.

Importantly, the law does not give parents access to their child’s social media accounts. Even if a parent approves additional screen time, platforms are not required to let parents read messages, view posts, or control the account beyond setting time limits.

The law also prevents platforms from penalizing minors for hitting the one-hour cap. Social media companies cannot lower the quality of the service, block features, or charge higher prices just because a minor is limited to one hour per day. However, platforms are still allowed to offer different versions of services for minors, including free or restricted options, as long as those differences are tied to privacy or legal compliance.

Supporters say laws like this address growing concerns about screen addiction, mental health, and excessive social media use among kids. Critics raise questions about privacy, enforcement, and whether age verification creates new risks or pushes responsibility away from families.

With Maryland lawmakers often discussing youth mental health and online safety, this kind of law sparks an obvious local debate. Would parents support automatic, enforceable time limits? Would teens find workarounds? And should Maryland require tech companies to enforce boundaries that many families already struggle to set at home?

It ultimately comes down to a bigger question: would you want to see a law like this in Maryland?