Matchbox Diner & Drinks | Eastown — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

I’m not quite sure what to make of the small restaurant and the somewhat gaudy purple paint, but inside it has a fun “arty” feel to it, with Caribbean murals and black-and-white photos on the wall. There are plenty of tables to be had, so we pick a booth, as the sign at the entrance bids us “please seat yourself”. Despite it being nigh ten o’clock, the dining room is only about 30% capacity. Where is everyone? Sure, church has yet to let out but if we were over to Wolfgang’s, it would be much busier.

A prompt, friendly waitress greets us with menus and water, asking what we’d like to drink. Both of us get cups of standard, non-descript diner coffee—made only slightly better with cream—and I spring for a small glass of tart grapefruit juice. I do make note of the thick plastic glasses that remind me of every classic diner we’ve ever visited.

We also order a cinnamon “knot” in the hopes it is their version of a cinnamon roll, so we can compare to our current favorite at San Chez Cafe. It arrives, sprinkled with cinnamon powder (not a fan of that method), and indeed it is some kind of doughy knot with a sugary glob of near-tasteless icing on top. I can tell after the first bite that it’ll sit in the pit of my stomach for a couple hours afterward. Disheartened slightly, I delve into the comprehensive menu options for my main course.

After much consideration, I choose the Smoked Chicken & Black Bean Hash. It’s a bed of thick-cut potato and sweet potato chunks, tossed with black beans and a slightly spicy sauce, commingled with slices of boneless chicken, roasted red peppers, and topped with two poached eggs. I order rye toast and get marble rye that’s too dry and too toasted. Although I like the general concept of the dish, and the eggs are poached perfectly, the potatoes are cut too large; the chicken is dry and overcooked; and the whole thing just doesn’t quite come together. I’m left with a greasy taste in my mouth that is not pleasant and lasts well beyond the meal’s end.

We pay the bill, then prepare to head back out into the chill. A gaggle of hungry diners has converged in the entry, attempting to enter and be seated. (During our stay, they may have turned the sign around so newcomers couldn’t choose their own table.) As we shimmy our way past, I hope they are aware that Brandywine intends to provide home-cooked food with a diner feel and I hope they have a better experience than I. Our servers were nice. Food, for the most part, was standard fare that left me flat and disappointed, but it also made me pine for Juliet’s superior...

My partner and I had a fantastic brunch at Matchbox Diner & Drinks, and it’s a place that really hits the mark. The interior has a great vibe—part classic diner, part stylish bar. It’s got this mix of comfort and cool that makes you want to stick around for a while.

The service was top-notch. The staff was friendly and welcoming, making us feel right at home. Colleen took really good care of us. She was attentive without being overbearing, which is exactly what you want when you’re out for a relaxed brunch.

Now, let’s talk about the food. We tried the Matchbox Eggs Benedict, the Reuben, and the Poutine. Everything was on point. The Eggs Benedict was well-prepared, and the Reuben had that perfect balance of flavors. The Poutine was a solid choice too, with the right amount of richness. Highlight - the extra crunchy fries without being dried out. My only suggestion? They could be a bit more generous with the hollandaise on the Eggs Benedict—I like my eggs swimming in that sauce!

The drinks were a highlight as well. The Bloody Mary was just the right blend of spice and flavor, and the Old Fashioned was made exactly how my Partner like it—strong and smooth.

Overall, Matchbox Diner & Drinks is a great spot. Whether you’re looking for a hearty brunch or just a good place to relax with some drinks, this place has you covered. We had a great time, and we’ll definitely be back. It’s a solid 5-star experience, no...

I give the food 5 stars, but the service 1 star. We arrived around 11 and were told the wait for a table for 2 would be 25-35 min. An hour later we were finally seated after watching multiple tables sit empty but not be cleared off for 15-20 minutes after people had left. The line waiting for tables continued to grow and people continued to get frustrated as we all saw the multiple open tables that were left uncleared and people were told the wait would be 25 minutes. There should not have been a wait at all considering that half of the tables were just unoccupied and waiting to be cleared off. The 2 top table next to ours was untouched the entirety of our meal. The table to our other side said they'd never experienced such a wait even during busy Saturday brunch so I hope this was just an off day. Now onto the food. The food was fantastic. One bite and all was forgiven. It was worth the wait. My friend and I split 2 entrees: the sweet, decadent creme brulee french toast was indulgent and delicious. Then we also had the classic breakfast combo of scrambled eggs, hash browns and sausage links. Even splitting these the portions were huge! Plenty of food to satiate any appetite. The sausage links were large and flavorful, fluffy scrambled eggs. Hash browns could've been a bit crispier but were pretty great regardless.

Highly recommended for the food and hopefully the table turnover is quicker next...