Audio: Mark Choe, owner of Mark's Kitchen, discusses his restaurant and his connection with the Takoma Park community

Mark Choe (pronounced Choy) has been a staple in Takoma Park for over 20 years.

Prior to opening Mark's Kitchen, Mr. Choe opened the Takoma Market in 1988 (which is now a Subway Restaurant franchise). In 1994, Mark created a Carroll Avenue restaurant monopoly, when he owned the market, Mark's Kitchen, and Everyday Gourmet. After experimenting with this monopoly, Mark sold two of the businesses, and focused strictly on his own restaurant.

When Mark Choe opened Mark's Kitchen in 1990 he brought to Takoma Park an unpretentious neighborhood restaurant that not only serves homemade food, but also serves as an important community resource and an active member of the Takoma Park community.

Mark's Kitchen features a combination of traditional comfort foods and unusual offbeat selections that frequently have a vegetarian as well as a Korean accent. Tofu is one of the major food families at Mark's Kitchen, but there are also many other inventive vegetarian choices, hearty meat and fish options, club sandwiches, all day omelets, and milkshakes.

Mark's Kitchen is open 7 days a week and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, espresso drinks and beer and wine.

Mark has been extremely involved in the Takoma Park community over the years. He has sponsored local recreation teams and neighborhood events. He is a cherished member of the Takoma Park community.

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