Cheap Eats 2007: Matchbox

Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Michele Kayal , Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Don Rockwell

Matchbox

713 H St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-289-4441

Cuisines:
Pizza, Italian, American, Modern

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Gallery Place-Chinatown

Price Range:
Moderate

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Not Accepted

Special Features:
Late Night, Party Space, Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Plates of mini-burgers—salt-and-peppery Angus patties topped with Gouda and pickles on buttered brioche; a calzonelike crust folded around layers of mozzarella, pepperoni, and spicy meatballs; apple-and-pear salad with Gorgonzola; brick-oven pizzas such as the fire-and-smoke, sausage-and-onion, and Matchbox meat varieties.

Price Details:
Appetizers, $5 to $12; entrees, $6 to $25.


It’s no longer a matchbox: An expansion more than doubled the size of this always-packed Chinatown hangout and added a second pizza oven to the multilevel space.

The long bar by the entrance remains unchanged—and one of the best places in town to enjoy a Chimay Ale. A good accompaniment, and the best reason to eat here, is a plate of miniburgers—three, six, or nine little sandwiches with tiny patties of seasoned Angus topped with a pickle slice and served in a glistening roll with a little smear of mustard. Specify that you want them medium-rare, and request that the mountain of onion straws atop the plate be freshly fried. Good, well-dressed salads help temper the richness.

The consistency of the pizza has declined, and much of the rest of the menu is beyond the Cheap Eats budget. But the miniburgers and fries, the good beer, salads, and the occasional good pizza are reason enough to brave the crowds.

Open daily for lunch and dinner.