Lina’s Diner and Bar locked its doors for good after the close of business Saturday (Nov. 3), according to owner Juancarlo Parkhurst.
“As nice as people were and as well received as it was, it just didn’t have enough traffic to make it a financially viable venture,” Parkhurst said about the restaurant at the corner of Georgia Avenue and Bonifant Street.
Lina’s, named after Parkhurst’s daughter Carolina, opened in May, 2017 with a menu that featured steak frites, cheeseburgers, omelettes, pork belly poutine, grilled bratwurst, and a Croque Monsieur or Madame, among other items.
Parkhurst said that for now, he will be consulting with the owner of three area Bonchons, a Korean fried chicken franchise.
“We will be, hopefully, moving forward within a year or so [with] starting a new concept, La Famosa, which will be kind of a Puerto Rico, Caribbean influenced fast-find concept,” he said, adding that he’s looking to open in Washington, D.C.
“The good news is [for] the bulk of the staff—not all—we’ve been able to find different placements,” Parkhurst said. “I’m very proud to say my chef de cuisine will be assuming the chef role over at The Airedale. A good amount of my staff has been split up among some other restaurants.
“Raoul, who’s been my line cook for years and always follows me around, got another job already and he’ll be waiting for my next venture,” he added.
“We really loved everyone that we encountered and we were honored and privileged to have been able to serve the community for a while,” Parkhurst said of his time in Silver Spring.
Fans who’d like to keep track of what Parkhurst does in the future can follow Lina’s Instagram account, which will remain open.
Top, a caricature by a local artist of Parkhurst’s daughter Carolina, for whom the diner was named. Photo by Mike Diegel.