Ay! Mama Taqueria, the family-run birria spot displaced when Silver Spring's Solaire Social food hall shut down last fall, opened its new location at Westfield Montgomery Mall on Monday, Aug. 10.

The restaurant occupies the former Falafel Inc space in the Dining Terrace food court at 7101 Democracy Blvd., next to Chick-fil-A. Burritos run $13 to $14, and a $12 meal section offers a burrito bowl, quesadilla or three-taco plate with rice and beans.

The opening caps a quick turnaround for the family-owned business. Ay! Mama originally operated inside Solaire Social, a 13,000-square-foot food hall in downtown Silver Spring that opened in May 2024 and closed abruptly in October 2025, forcing all vendors to vacate. The restaurant had initially opened under the name J&J Mex-Taqueria before rebranding as Ay! Mama Taqueria.

Solaire Social was one of at least two Montgomery County food halls to close in 2025, according to Bethesda Magazine.

The menu at the new Bethesda location leans on the family's birria recipe, with birria tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas and tortas. Fillings include carnitas, chorizo, al pastor, barbacoa and lengua, plus fajitas, carne asada and vegetarian options. A breakfast menu is also available.

"If you are shaken up by $20 burritos, you'll be relieved that Ay! Mama's burritos are $13-14," blogger Robert Dyer wrote Monday.

The Bethesda Beacon reported Aug. 8 that the restaurant had signed its lease just days before doors opened, according to MoCo Show. No grand opening event or specific operating hours have been announced.