The porch, pavilions and outdoor stage for live music look out on panoramic views of Sugarloaf Mountain.
hiking Sugarloaf Mountain. For all of them, The Comus Inn“ felt like a return to home.” Ryan elaborated,“ We also appreciate that we are custodians of a historic place that has value to the community.”
Executive Chef J. R. Tiernan’ s menu strikes a balance between the fine dining offerings upstairs, and the casual bar food offered in the downstairs beer garden. He strives to use local meat and fowl( including Ag Reserve’ s Deere Valley Farm), local produce( Happy Mushroom Farm just down the road is a steady supplier) and serves Maryland classics such as crabcakes and local oysters. The family-friendly, dog-friendly, casual atmosphere outdoors continues to draw large crowds. Burgers, brats, and hot dogs are cooked on an outdoor grill and various local beers are on tap. Drop-by customers can buy ice cream from the front window Wednesday through Saturday afternoons and evenings in the warm months. The
new owners have added umbrella tables in the front of the restaurant to create a sidewalk café atmosphere.
Tiernan is determined to build on the The Comus Inn’ s heritage of serving as a friendly gathering place while remaining conscious of the responsibility to the community. Tiernan says,“ We bought 500 pounds of turkey from Deere Valley farm for Thanksgiving dinner take out, and provided Thanksgiving dinner to the Clarksburg fire department.” He also stresses,“ We want to be good environmental stewards. We compost kitchen waste here on site and participate in the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration project,” recycling empty oyster shells back to the Bay.
Moving forward, prospects for the current life of The Comus Inn look bright. The food and ambiance are getting great reviews from professional critics and patrons alike, with lots of repeat customers providing the proof.
When asked about the challenges, Tiernan chuckles,“ Being in a historic building looks charming, but there’ s always lots of maintenance.” At more than 150 years old, that’ s probably an understatement.
Throughout its storied past, The Comus Inn has been a constant presence in a community where few restaurants exist. Its fabulous view of Sugarloaf Mountain, especially the beautiful sunsets, as well as its role as a gathering place, make it a treasured institution in Montgomery County’ s Ag Reserve now and likely for many years to come.
Melane Kinney Hoffmann has lived on a 50-acre farm, with 40 acres in hay, in the Ag Reserve for 30 years. She and her husband Tom raised 3 children, horses, and rescue dogs on the farm, and have been involved in numerous efforts to preserve rural land and protect the Ag Reserve. Melane serves on the Montgomery County UpCounty Citizens Advisory Board.
12 plenty I autumn harvest 2025