Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro
Row 1
Once upon a time in Washington, D.C., the word “pizza” held little meaning. Twenty, even 10 years ago, talking pizza to its denizens was like talking pretzels to a New Yorker who’d never been to Philadelphia or a hot dog expert who’d never been to Chicago: wasted breath. Yes, there was something fun about the Jumbo slice, but when a city uses Ledo as a benchmark... well, moving on.
Times change. Where once there was barely more than Manny & Olga’s (thank goodness for long-timer Pizza Paradiso), now, besides 2Amys and Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza (both ranked in 2015), there’s Ghibellina, Graffiato, and Seventh Hill (all were in the running). There’s even an “upscale jumbo’ slice, Italian Kitchen on U (context is everything). Seriously, though, along with the aforementioned, Matchbox numbers one of the D.C. spots helping to put the city on the map.
Now, there are five additional locations besides the flagship joint in Chinatown that launched in 2002 (two others in D.C.; one each in Virginia, Maryland, and Palm Springs, California [which recently underwent a menu revamp]; with new spots in Dallas and Virginia in the works) where you can find the seriously-singed signature Fire & Smoke pie with fire-roasted red peppers, Spanish onions, chipotle pepper, tomato sauce, garlic purée, smoked Gouda, and fresh basil.
Could Matchbox become the next Cheesecake Factory? No, seriously, that’s a question people are starting to ask since news broke that its restaurant group is seeking $11 million from public investors to fund a national expansion to 48 locations by 2020. The answer? Maybe. Just ask yourself to name the last pizza chain of any quality that’s grown that big.
— Arthur Bovino, 101 Best Pizzas in America 2015, 8/6/2015
Map: Surroundings & Nearby
Foursquare Tips
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If God ate pizza, He'd eat at matchbox. At the fucking bar. And He'd cuss because God rocks you. I reccommend the following bartenders: Shannon, Laura, Eric and I'm warming up to Lauren and Lindsey. -
It seems unoriginal, but trust me, this pepperoni pizza is like no other. Do it. -
Sit at the bar. You can order anything on the menu and the bartenders, Shannon M. + Laura M., are terrific. -
Between the best pizzas in town and juicy little mini-burgers that come, as advertised on servers' shirts, in sets of 3, 6, or 9 (we recommend 9), no wonder Matchbox is on fire in D.C.! -
Wifi Password is matchbox -
Go to Matchbox and get a pizza with white sauce. -
The Fire & Smoke Pizza is the truth!!!! Spicy heaven. -
The ginger snap drink is delicious! The pizza is great too! -
Go to Matchbox DC and get the fire & smoke pizza. authentic wood-fired pizza = yum to the nth power... also it's muy caliente! -
nothing like three miniburgers and a Dead Guy Ale for lunch. -
While Matchbox is known first and foremost for their pizza, their Bistro Burger served with bacon and Gorgonzola on a buttered brioche bun is one of the best around. -
I'm a meat eater, but veggie pizzas here are excellent. -
Holy Prosciutto and Fig pizza, Batman! -
Try the Fig and Prosciutto. It's amazing. Get it in a half and half with the fire and smoke if you want the spice too. -
Enjoy some of the best sliders/mini-burgers in DC. -
Mini-burgers are tender and juicy, pizza is almost at NYC standards -
The Prosciutto + Black Mission Fig pizza is delicious sweet and savory option made with roasted garlic, mozzarella, gorgonzola, black pepper honey, and arugula. -
The mini burger appetizer is a must! Hand-pattied certified angus beef, toasted brioche, pickles, onion straws, and a choice of gouda, mozzarella or gorgonzola.
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Joey and Christina are great bartenders. Matchbox also boasts the best onion rings in the District of Columbia! -
They have Fireball!!! Whiskey!!