Pappas, the Baltimore-area seafood restaurant, will open a location at MGM National Harbor when the Prince George's County resort and casino opens later this year.
Best known for its crab cakes, of which Oprah Winfrey is a fan, the restaurant founded by Mark Pappas in 1972 joins Shake Shack as the newest additions to the resort's dining lineup. They will both be located in the National Market, its fast-casual dining area.
The expansion presents Pappas — which has locations in Cockeysville, Parkville and Glen Burnie — with an opportunity to reach a new audience, said Steve Pappas, Mark's son who handles the restaurants' business operations.
"We were honored that MGM approached us," he said. "As soon as they asked us, we were on board. We're thankful that they chose us."
In a marked difference from Pappas' other restaurants, the National Harbor location will focus exclusively on crab cakes, selling them alongside sandwiches, soups and other side dishes. There are also tentative plans to create smaller-sized crab cakes for people on the go, Steve Pappas said.