Burtons Grill & Bar, the New England-born bar-and-grill chain, is officially moving into Bel Air, taking over the former TGI Friday's at Tollgate Marketplace. The company lists the new restaurant at 609 Bel Air Road and says it is slated to open this spring. It will be Burtons' first spot in Harford County and adds another pin to its growing footprint in the Baltimore metro.
The expansion was first reported on March 9. According to the Baltimore Business Journal, Burtons is expected to open next month in Bel Air. The chain's official site also lists the Tollgate Marketplace address at 609 Bel Air Road and describes the Bel Air location as "coming soon" with an anticipated spring 2026 opening.
About the chain
Founded in Massachusetts in 2005, Burtons has slowly worked its way down the East Coast, growing to roughly 20 locations across nine states, as reported by WMAR-2 News. The brand leans into scratch-kitchen American fare and has built a following among diners who need to watch what they eat, with an allergy-aware approach that includes a dedicated gluten-free menu.
Replacing a longtime spot
The new Burtons will slide into the longtime TGI Friday's space at Tollgate Marketplace, and the remodel is already underway. Contractors have started remodeling the interior, and Schorn Construction posted on Facebook that it is remodeling the inside, moving windows, and adding a patio, as reported by Patch.
Local approvals
On the paperwork side, county records show the Liquor Control Board granted tentative approval for a new on-sale license for Burtons Grill of Bel Air on Dec. 10, 2025. The decision notice lists the business entity as Burtons Grill of Bel Air, LLC, and confirms the location as 609 Bel Air Road, according to the Harford County Liquor Control Board.
What to expect and when
Burtons' Bel Air page says the restaurant will come with patio seating, private dining, and an expanded menu that covers burgers, steaks, seafood, and salads, and it invites locals to hop on an email list for opening updates. The site reiterates a spring 2026 opening timeline and notes that reservations and catering options will be on the table once the Bel Air location officially opens, according to Burtons Grill & Bar.
