As the calendar turned to January 30, 2026, the American food scene welcomed a trio of fresh concepts and expansions, each putting its own spin on what it means to dine, shop, and snack in the new year. From potato-forward creativity in Maryland to a streamlined grocery experience in South Florida and the on-the-go burger buzz of Wahlburgers food trucks, these openings and expansions are reshaping the way communities eat and gather.
Let’s start in Maryland, where Tato’s—a potato-centric dining concept—has been making waves since opening last year at Commas Food Hall in Ellsworth Place, downtown Silver Spring. Now, Tato’s is set to expand to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, taking over a space previously occupied by 7-Eleven and, more recently, Chocolate Moonshine, as reported by Store Reporter. The heart of Tato’s is the humble potato, but don’t be fooled: the menu is anything but basic. Diners can choose from fries, wedges, and loaded potatoes, all customizable with an array of toppings. Protein lovers will find bacon, pepperoni, pulled pork, steak, and chicken, while vegetarians can pile on mushrooms, arugula, olives, citrus, and hummus. Cheese fans can select from vegan mozzarella, traditional mozzarella, manchego, and cheese sauce, with sauces ranging from ranch and marinara to buffalo guac dressing, green sauce, sour cream, and BBQ.
Tato’s describes its mission as more than just serving food—it’s about creating a “shared, interactive dining experience centered on transforming potatoes into customizable meals.” The emphasis on community and creativity is clear, with the brand aiming to turn a familiar ingredient into a personalized and social event. Guests aren’t just eating; they’re building their own meals and memories, one topping at a time.
Meanwhile, in Delray Beach, Florida, BJ’s Wholesale Club has pulled back the curtain on its first-ever BJ’s Market in the Sunshine State. The grand opening took place on January 30, 2026, at 14595 S. Military Trail, in the Marketplace of Delray—a 55,000-square-foot space that’s been vacant since 2022. According to The Palm Beach Post, this new format is roughly half the size of a traditional BJ’s Wholesale Club and is designed to offer a “streamlined grocery experience” for shoppers who want to make quick trips without sacrificing savings.
“BJ’s Market is an innovation lab,” the company said, explaining that the concept is tailored for “quick, in-between grocery trips.” Shoppers will find everything from individual salad kits and half-gallons of milk to multipacks of pantry staples and bulk cleaning products. The idea is to provide the same value and savings BJ’s is known for, but in a more accessible, neighborhood-sized store. No special membership is required for current BJ’s Wholesale Club members, who can shop the new Market right away. For newcomers, a “founding member offer” starts at $15 for a one-year membership.
The technology-forward approach doesn’t stop at the checkout. The BJ’s mobile app allows shoppers to use “ExpressPay,” scanning items as they shop and skipping the traditional checkout line. Curbside pickup and same-day delivery round out the suite of digital conveniences, making the new Market a nod to both tradition and innovation. As BJ’s tests this smaller format, the Delray Beach location is “perfectly situated” for members living between larger clubs in Boynton Beach, Parkland, Royal Palm Beach, and Coral Springs.
Heading north along Florida’s Treasure Coast, Wahlburgers—the burger chain founded by chef Paul Wahlberg and his famous brothers, Donnie and Mark—is rolling out a different kind of expansion: food trucks. The Wahlburgers food truck opened at The Home Depot in Vero Beach on January 20, 2026, following the debut in Stuart on December 16, 2025. The very first Florida food truck set up shop in Rockledge back on September 20, 2025, and a fourth location is slated for the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport on February 28, 2026, according to TCPalm.
Publicist Kate Lieb told TCPalm that more food trucks are expected to open later in 2026, though she kept the locations and dates under wraps. The expansion is part of a broader strategy to “meet guests where they shop,” with Wahlburgers partnering with Adaptiv Provisions to operate outside select Home Depot locations. The trucks aren’t just a novelty—they’re open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving up the chain’s signature certified Angus beef burgers on toasted brioche buns, crispy golden fries, house-made shakes, breakfast burritos, and breakfast burgers. The menu draws from the Wahlberg family’s kitchen memories in Dorchester, Massachusetts, blending nostalgia with convenience.
What’s on offer? For breakfast, customers can grab a fried egg sandwich with Chef Paul’s Wahl sauce, a breakfast burger with a certified Angus beef patty, or a breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheddar, Monterey Jack, tater tots, and chipotle mayo. The burger lineup includes the classic “Our Burger” with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Wahl sauce, the BBQ Road Burger with white cheddar and chipotle barbecue sauce, and the HD Smash Burger, featuring two seared patties and signature HD sauce. Chicken tenders, crispy chicken ranch sandwiches, seasoned fries, tater tots, and house-made shakes (including salted caramel, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry) round out the offerings.
Wahlburgers, established in 2011, has built its reputation on both the star power of its founders and the quality of its food. The food truck expansion brings the brand’s casual-dining ethos to new audiences, especially those who might not have time for a sit-down meal. “It’s all part of an expansion strategy with Wahlburgers launching an off-premise format designed to meet guests where they shop,” TCPalm noted, highlighting the chain’s adaptability in a changing food landscape.
Each of these ventures—Tato’s in Maryland, BJ’s Market in Delray Beach, and Wahlburgers food trucks along Florida’s coast—reflects a broader trend in the industry: meeting consumers where they are, both literally and figuratively. Whether it’s the communal, hands-on approach to potatoes at Tato’s, the quick-and-efficient grocery runs at BJ’s Market, or the grab-and-go comfort food of Wahlburgers, the message is clear: convenience, customization, and community are at the forefront of the modern dining and shopping experience.
As these concepts take root and expand, they’re bound to influence not just what’s on our plates, but how we gather, shop, and savor the everyday moments that make up our food stories. With each opening, the American food landscape grows a little more diverse—and a lot more interesting.