WALDORF, Md. — Thompson Restaurants launched its 15th Milk & Honey location on April 15, 2025, at 3257 Plaza Drive in Waldorf, marking the start of an ambitious expansion for the Southern-inspired restaurant brand. The family-run hospitality company, with 33 years in the food industry, plans to open additional locations in Hampton, Virginia Beach, and Alexandria, Virginia, this summer, strengthening its presence in the DMV region.
The new Waldorf restaurant introduces a vibrant dining experience, blending bold Southern flavors with a modern, stylish atmosphere. The space features dramatic lighting, metal-tiled ceilings, copper-crushed velvet banquettes, and patterned tile floors, complemented by whimsical wallpaper for a refined yet inviting ambiance. Milk & Honey Waldorf operates Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday until 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The menu showcases Southern-influenced dishes like Crispy Salmon Hash, Carolina Low Country Gumbo, Deviled Eggs, Caribbean Jerk Lamb Chops, and Chicken and Biscoff Waffles. Guests can enjoy daily dinner specials from 4 p.m., including a $24.99 Snow Crab Leg with Old Bay Fries or the $39.99 “Taste of Milk & Honey” Unlimited Dinner Special. Fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, decadent desserts, and creative cocktails round out the offerings, emphasizing high-quality ingredients.
“This new Waldorf location is an exciting one as it marks the start of several new Milk & Honey openings coming down the pipeline,” said Alex Berentzen, COO of Thompson Restaurants. “We see how much the brand’s Southern cuisine is loved in other cities, so we are on a mission to expand it even further in the DMV and beyond.”
Thompson Restaurants, the largest minority-owned food service management company in the U.S., has seen significant growth, with recent openings in Charlottesville and Fort Washington, Maryland. The company’s portfolio includes 14 brands across more than 70 locations, such as Matchbox and Wiseguy Pizza, and employs nearly 2,800 people. Plans for a unified gift card and loyalty program in 2025 aim to enhance customer experience across all Thompson brands.
The Waldorf opening aligns with Charles County’s growing commercial landscape, where new businesses like Milk & Honey are boosting local dining options. However, some local sentiment, as seen in posts on X, noted the lack of a liquor license at the Waldorf location, which may affect the dining experience for some patrons.
Milk & Honey’s expansion reflects Thompson Restaurants’ strategy to capitalize on the demand for Southern cuisine, as evidenced by their successful Charlottesville launch, which replaced Ralph Sampson’s American Taproom. The upcoming Hampton, Virginia Beach, and Alexandria locations will further this mission, targeting vibrant markets in the region.
