matchbox Penn Quarter

matchbox Penn Quarter reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. J

   Jamie VIP

   Los Angeles28 reviews

   5.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Quick service and friendly staff! I highly recommend.
   

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2. M

   Michael VIP

   Washington DC17 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on April 30, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   During the NHL season Matchbox is one of my go-to spots given their location, good food and generally friendly servers. This view tested yesterday. Three buddies and I had reserved a high-top table in the bar area for pregame dinner and drinks. The confirmation we received reflected our wishes. When we arrived (2 min before our reservation time) the Manager informed us that no high-tops were available and that we would have to sit at a regular table. When we questioned how this was possible he claimed that seating was a only request and that he could not hold bar tables “for an hour“ even if they were reserved. He never apologized and to make matters worse would not give us the happy hour drink specials available at the bar even after I showed him our confirmation and tried to reason with him. This “Manager“ should not be in a client facing role. Our very pleasant and efficient server would make a far better Manager.
   

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3. R

   Robert

   Baltimore1 review

   5.0

   Dined on April 20, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Good food, good service, friendly staff and very affordable.
   

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4. C

   Colleen

   Atlantic City25 reviews

   4.0

   Dined on April 19, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Great spot for lunch. Food was delicious. Service was ok.
   

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5. M

   Matthew

   Washington DC4 reviews

   2.0

   Dined on April 14, 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was disappointing and average. Scallops were previously frozen and small (5 small scallops, a few mushrooms in a corn sauce), but served in a massive bowl which made it look even less that it was. We frequented this restaurant many times while living in DC, but with so many options, it’ll be our last.
   

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6. T

   Taima

   Washington DC16 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on April 2, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   I will say that we went for Happy Hour and it was crowded. We sat in the bar area and the young lady that was supposed to go be the waitress kept disappearing. The bartender, Manuel, was great. He confirmed that there was actually a Happy Hour after the waitress told us there wasn’t one. There was another guy who stepped in and helped as well. He was great and attentive. If you go for Happy Hour, go early and check out Manuel
   

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7. A

   A

   Atlanta11 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on March 24, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Nice server but never came by to see if needed anything including more water
   

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8. J

   Jennifer

   Columbus11 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 22, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   We had a nice time. Friendly staff. Food was good. We loved the arancini!
   

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9. C

   Christian

   Raleigh2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on March 22, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   It was my wife's birthday. With an event nearby at 4:30, I reserved for 3:15 at matchbox. At 3:04 pm, my friends check in for our reservation. The hostess says our 6 person table isn’t ready. Wait at the bar. At 3:11 pm, I'm texting my friend. Table isn’t ready. I arrive. I see my friends at the bar. Why aren't they at our table? I wait. The hostess talks to other guests. I call the restaurant. Easier than pushing to the front. The hostess says, "You aren't here, we gave away your table." I say, "I'm standing right in front of you" and start to wave at her. She sees me. Says, "We contacted you. You didn't respond." FALSE. I walk up to her to try to get a table. She continues blaming me. You didn't respond. I show her my phone. I responded AND they responded with "Great! We'll see you shortly." She says, "We called." At 3:21 pm, 6 minutes after my table was supposed to be ready. I texted them at 3:22! My friends were at the bar. Why didn't she get them? The manager walks up. “We gave away your table. You should've responded to the text.” I show him my phone. He doesn't apologize for wrongly accusing me. He says, "We gave away your table. You have to wait." My friends at the bar come to the hostess stand. I explain the hostess gave away the table. The hostess lies and says my friends WANTED to sit at the bar instead of getting our table. They clearly just didn't want to seat us. “You didn't respond to the text,” comes again, but you can't fake facts. Did they keep saying this to make us seem irresponsible to the people waiting around us? Maybe they were treating us this way because I'm a young black man and my friend who checked us in is Puerto Rican and Iranian? I assume this shouldn't matter in 2025, but it's hard to know seeing they were treating everyone else nicely. Another “You have to wait 30 minutes." With our event being at 4:30, I explain to my wife the situation. We frantically search Google to find a new place and leave. Worst part of our day.
   

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10. K

    Karen VIP

    San Francisco44 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Great good before the Caps game. Did a good job of setting up a table for 7 as we had reserved. Great server too.
    

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