Matchbox — Restaurant in Silver Spring

Clearly under new management. Karl is incredible and we are so happy he’s there.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ From the moment we walked into Matchbox, we felt like guests in someone’s warm and inviting home — the service was friendly, attentive, and unhurried, making it clear they really care. Our server greeted us with a smile, explained the day’s specials, and checked back at just the right moments without being intrusive.

To start, we ordered the crispy Brussels sprouts (as suggested on the happy hour menu) — they arrived hot, perfectly caramelized and seasoned, with a delicate crunch and just enough tang. For our mains, one of us went with the wood-fired thin-crust pizza (a signature here) and the other with the chicken + waffles dish. The pizza had that satisfying char from the oven, the crust had great bite and flavor, and the toppings were fresh and generous. The chicken + waffles was a standout: the waffle crisped up beautifully, the chicken juicy and well-seasoned, and the combo of sweet and savory worked flawlessly.

We also tried the shrimp & grits — richly flavored, creamy, and seasoned in a way that felt both comforting and elevated. The menu shows they offer things like ribeye, crab cakes, and pasta dishes too, which gives you a sense of the breadth of chef-crafted options.

As for drinks, we indulged in a specialty cocktail (one of the happy hour drinks) and a craft beer. The cocktail was vibrant, well-balanced, and creatively composed (not just the usual), and the beer was served at the perfect temperature with a clean pour. Their happy hour menu is a good value too — especially if you come in between 3-6pm on weekdays.

The atmosphere added to the experience: warm lighting, comfortable seating, and a lively yet relaxed vibe. When our food arrived, everything was hot and beautifully plated, and throughout the meal the staff checked in just enough to make us feel cared for. At the end of our visit, we were thanked sincerely and wished well — a small touch, but it left a big impression.

In short: if you’re looking for a place with excellent food, thoughtful cocktails, and service that makes you feel welcome, Matchbox delivers. We’ll absolutely be returning — and recommending it to friends. Highly...

After my last restaurant week review of this spot I had a craving again!! Their hot honey pizza, & sliders are EVERYTHING, so I went back, just to another location. I found out that each location has different items!! Let’s go try them!! . Where I am: @matchbox369 @thompsonrestaurants . Location Reviewed: 919 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring M.D. . Items Reviewed: STAMP!! Their Dragonfruit, & Pineapple Mojito Mocktails ($5 each). Refreshing, palate cleansing deliciousness!!

STAMP!! Their Mini Burgers ($17 for 3 with pickles, Gouda, & onion straws on brioche buns). One of my go to’s when I come here…GET THESE!!

STAMP!! Their Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza ($18 with vodka sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, hot honey, & basil). This crust, with premium ingredients…my other go to when I’m here!!

STAMP!! Their Sweet Chili Salmon Pizza ($22 with roasted salmon, sweet chili sauce, mozzarella, & green onions). Nice chunks of a smoky salmon, spicy chili sauce, tasty!!

STAMP!! Their Shrimp Alfredo Pizza ($22 with sautéed shrimp, Old Bay cream sauce, spinach, & mozzarella). Creamy, garlicky Old Bay sauce, with a crisp crust, & meaty shrimp!!

STAMP!! Their Chicken & Waffle Pizza ($ with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon, mozzarella, honey butter, & maple syrup). MY FAVORITE!! It caught me off guard, sweet, crispy chicken, bacon, & cheesy…it worked!!

LIKE THAT!! Their BBQ jerk Chicken Pizza ($ with jerk chicken, jerk bbq sauce, roasted bell peppers, mozzarella, & green onions). Well seasoned chicken, with a mild jerk bbq sauce.

STAMP!! Their Apple Pear Salad ($16 with mixed greens, candied pecans, bleu cheese, apples, & a vinaigrette). Fresh, & tasty!!

LIKE THAT! Their Carolina Seafood Gumbo ($25 with chicken sausage, crab meat, shrimp, & rice). Hearty, well seasoned, tasty!!

STAMP!! Their Classic Brownie ($10 a brownie with Hagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream, chocolate, & caramel sauce). Fudged up, sweet, chocolaty DELICIOUSNESS!! . Parking: Decent. . Recommendations: Get everything I STAMPED!! . Accessibility: It’s wheelchair friendly, & it’s differently abled persons friendly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️=STAMP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕=LIKE...

If you were looking for confirmation on where to go for brunch, you’ve found your review. Unlimited Brunch At Matchbox in Downtown Silver Spring (that’s where I went, but there’s other locations that have brunch as well). This was my second time in a month going for brunch because it is SO WORTH IT. The DJ was phenomenal, Leayrohn played the best brunch music, people were dancing through the doors, I even got his IG before I left.

Bairon our waiter was just as attentive and cool as ever, a really great example of what customer service should look like. My son was with me, who is graduating in 2 weeks and he really enjoyed our brunch date. I met both managers, Ty and Jim when Bairon told me that the patio area could be reserved for large parties, I had to find out more because a graduation brunch would be wonderful. Both managers provided me with information and let me know I could contact them with any further questions regarding large party reservations. Not only is the area nice, but DTSS is really a great place for a day/ night out. The patio area is nice in general, but so is the entire restaurant. It’s just a wonderful place for casual dining.

Now to the brunch The food was AMAZING!! I cannot stop talking about it and recommending visiting for the brunch deal. Make sure you have reservations because space does fill up fast. The stuffed French toast is delicious and the variations of dishes with grits are great! They also have a little section with popcorn and cotton candy which is such a cute touch. Here is what we ordered:

Catfish & grits Shrimp & grits Chicken & Waffles Stuffed French Toast 3.6.9 Burgers Chicken Wings Blueberry Lemon Pancakes Chicken Fettuccine Pizza Espresso Martini Strawberry Margarita

$38 per person $14 for kids under 10

There is ample parking in downtown silver spring via parking garages which are meter based payment. It’s a very nice area for dining at anytime. I will be having brunch again...