Matchbox Diner & Drinks
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Nice little diner that has an upscale feel. The service was friendly and the server was very knowledgeable. The food was average, nothing special here. Likely would not go back, but it was worth a visit.
Ambiance: cute diner/restaurant in Eastown GR. There are two patio tables as well. Service: our waiter was great and attentive Food: we came for brunch. We had a few breakfast shots which were delicious! I had the smoked salmon beneficts with has browns. They did mess up my order but brought out the correct one and swapped it very quickly. Awesome spot with a lot of charm!
A quick Yelp search sent us here and the Reuben is phenomenal!! Quant place with friendly serve and nice brunch drink menu. It was mid day and most of the tables were full in this small place. Friendly service. Excellent food. A little pricey but special. The full meat sandwich ended up being two meals for me (my husband devoured his). Their meat tastes very fresh. We are hooked!
If you're looking for an elevated diner brunch spot, you've found the place! Nestled in East town, Matchbox has all the traditional breakfast dishes with a twist that will make you want to come back immediately. You'll have to use street parking, but there are plenty of spaces available on the side streets. Their burger was melt in your mouth, served with the biggest pickle! Can't wait to come back.
Not super impressed with Matchbox. A little under seasoned and texturally not consistent. Too brittle for some ingredients and too mushy or soft for others. The poutine was missing the classic cheese curd and gravy staples which made for a bland taste and the breakfast burrito wasn't anything special in my opinion. Ambience is fine and the book stores and shops nearby are cool to check out while you're waiting for a table.
Food was decent. Prices were okay. Service was okay. Parking was rough. I got the Reuben, wife got the burger. Wife: 4* Me: 2*. I'll definitely give it a second chance. There were some good looking items on the menu and I might've just picked wrong for me, which isn't their fault. Coleslaw was objectively bad though. MOUNTAIN of fries really saved the day. It'll be nice to try the other sandwiches.
Quick service! The cheddar biscuits were a little burned on the bottom. But good. The crispy potatoes were seasoned well but I'd go for hash brown next time. Poutine was cool. Fried egg in steak of runny was a great choice. It was not a busy crowded place on a Monday morning but it was hard to find parking. Music playing and TVs on. There are maybe 4 spots behind matchbox but otherwise prepare to walk from somewhere. If I was invited I would go back but I wouldn't reorder anything I had to today I would try something new. Don't pay with credit card if you don't want a fee.
I have been an avid regular here for the past 8 years since I've moved to Grand Rapids. I come here 2-3 times a month, sometimes more. I always rave about this place and say it's my favorite for breakfast but now I cannot say that. I have been SUPER disappointed in the service here for the past year or so. It seems like they have been short staffed for a while now and it shows. But even so, it'd be nice to get a friendly hello or goodbye, or just an incling that they're happy I'm there. I feel ignored and it just seems like none of the staff is happy to be there. I'm appalled, especially since most of them know my face but barely make a friendly effort when I'm there. As far as the food goes, it's been very inconsistent lately. Especially the American fries.. they have been my favorite potato for so long and now I feel like they're just not fresh and they don't cook them the same. Shown in the pic are the two servings I got (got a second because I couldn't even eat the first) and they were the same. No one even asked me if the second batch was okay.
Cute little place we went to for dinner in East Grand Rapids about 1.5 miles away (if that) from Blodgette Hospital. A lot of "pros" which will have us coming back, but two cons you need to be aware of. First, the pros... 1. Very friendly service. 2. Affordable. Outside of any booze, I think the most expensive thing on the menu was $19.95. 3. EXCELLENT food. Not a bad meal in the bunch. Here is what we had... 3A: Poutine. Pot roast was yummy, fries crispy, gravy had a nice and pleasant aftertaste, queso blanco good, and they added a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg on top. One of the better poutines we had. 3B: Diner burger. Two smashed patties on a potato bun with cheese, pickles, onions, and a dijon. Very very tasty and cooked perfectly to medium rare. Solid taste. 3C: Vodka pasta with shrimp and broccoli. Wow! Very good! 3D: Cheddar biscuits: LARGE(!) and soft. One of the better biscuits we have had. And the cons: 4. A little understaffed for dinner. You may be waiting just a little longer than average for your food. 5. NO parking. This is meant as a neighborhood diner on a very small square acre lot. You will need to park across the street. Normally that's not a big deal, but in winter and or when traveling with folks who may have a little trouble walking...eh... not convenient. Overall, a solid 4 out 5 and worth visiting. Just be mindful of the parking.
This place was so awesome! The menu has so many options. I had the hangover as a burrito and it was delicious. Truly a glorious breakfast. I also enjoyed a cup of the delicious matzo ball soup. It had a harty broth that was delicious. I also enjoyed a spicy bloody mary that was perfect as well. My server was Kristan and she was so very lovely and steered me right. Thanks Kristan!
Stopped into matchbox for a Saturday brunch. It's a bit of a smaller space so we had a bit of a wait as it was pretty busy. Breakfast was good, I had a the matchbox bowl which was a good basic breakfast scramble. My friend got the burger and enjoyed that. Portion sizes are good as well. Overall a solid brunch spot with options for everyone.
My friend and I wanted to check this place out because we've never been and I'm so glad we did! This place is located in East Town in a nice area with street parking. The inside was nice and cozy and we got seated right away. The food was amazing!! I never had French toast on challah bread before and it changed my life. Now this is the only way I want to eat French toast. Our server also said they make it in house. My friend had their California burger and fries and it did not disappoint. The fries covered half the plate lol. Since we came here for lunch, I would definitely come back here again to try their dinner menu. The only reason why I did not give them 5 stars is because I wish there were more vegan options.
Great food! Their eggs benedict is excellent, and the potatoes whether wedges or hash browns always come out perfectly crisp.
7 months ago
I haven't been to Matchbox in a long time and have honestly only thought about it as a brunch spot. My partner and I decided that we wanted to check it out and were pleasantly surprised at their menu and options! We decided to share the fish and chips and meatloaf. I was pleasantly surprised at how good both were! The fish and chips were very light, didn't feel too heavy for the fried food and the amount was perfect. This is a nitpicky thing, but I would have rather had it on a plate than a bowl so the fish isn't sitting directly on the fries - even though I know that's the vibe. The meatloaf was also really good - I loved the crisp edges on the meatloaf as it gave it a lovely texture and the gravy flavor was amazing. We were both pleasantly surprised at how good the food was and will definitely be back! We did not have a reservation, and it does look like you can get one online, but we were seated promptly. The servers did look a little overwhelmed though, it seemed as though they were only 2 people covering the whole restaurant, including making the drinks! So patience is your friend - but honestly, they did a great job of keeping up and we weren't in much of a rush. They just looked a little frantic, which caused the vibe to be a little weird. However, for our date night, we weren't bothered and still enjoyed our meal! Parking around is street and metered, but hopefully you can find something as there are a few other restaurants and bars nearby. We didn't have any issues though, so I think it's just being patient and possibly walking a little bit. I will definitely be back, especially for dinner! read more
I ordered takeout here and it was ready on time - 20 to 25 minutes. I had read good things about their breakfast burritos and was craving one, but several other options other breakfast menu sounded really good! You can order it as a bowl or burrito. Mine was bacon, egg, cheese, tomato, spinach, avocado, and hollandaise sauce. My only 2 complaints: why pour the hollandaise sauce all over the top like this? Does not make it handheld-friendly to eat. Also, I dont prefer the diagonal cut of the burrito; it made it easier for toppings on the inside to fall out. Overall, these complaints made it messier to eat, but it was delicious. The crispy potato fries were plentiful and better than regular french fries like I was expecting; a nice sauce/aiolo for the fries would be nice! The service was friendly and it was not too crowded for a Sunday at 11am. read more
8 months ago
We ordered online with ease, parking is not great (even the back lot was full) but that's typical for the area. Food was prepared and ready on time! Reduced by a star because their take out containers really weren't ideal/good. We kept things upright but one of the items spilled out and onto another container and some of the sauces didn't have lids put on them (but some did), so they were dumped out on the bottom of the container. Regardless though, everything was very delicious. We really enjoyed everything and felt like there was a good variety of items. Despite having a bit of an initial mess to deal with, we still would order out again! read more
Ambiance: cute diner/restaurant in Eastown GR. There are two patio tables as well. Service: our waiter was great and attentive Food: we came for brunch. We had a few breakfast shots which were delicious! I had the smoked salmon beneficts with has browns. They did mess up my order but brought out the correct one and swapped it very quickly. Awesome spot with a lot of charm! read more
6 months ago
A quick Yelp search sent us here and the Reuben is phenomenal!! Quant place with friendly serve and nice brunch drink menu. It was mid day and most of the tables were full in this small place. Friendly service. Excellent food. A little pricey but special. The full meat sandwich ended up being two meals for me (my husband devoured his). Their meat tastes very fresh. We are hooked! read more
If you're looking for an elevated diner brunch spot, you've found the place! Nestled in East town, Matchbox has all the traditional breakfast dishes with a twist that will make you want to come back immediately. You'll have to use street parking, but there are plenty of spaces available on the side streets. Their burger was melt in your mouth, served with the biggest pickle! Can't wait to come back. read more
Not super impressed with Matchbox. A little under seasoned and texturally not consistent. Too brittle for some ingredients and too mushy or soft for others. The poutine was missing the classic cheese curd and gravy staples which made for a bland taste and the breakfast burrito wasn't anything special in my opinion. Ambience is fine and the book stores and shops nearby are cool to check out while you're waiting for a table. read more
2 months ago
Food was decent. Prices were okay. Service was okay. Parking was rough. I got the Reuben, wife got the burger. Wife: 4* Me: 2*. I'll definitely give it a second chance. There were some good looking items on the menu and I might've just picked wrong for me, which isn't their fault. Coleslaw was objectively bad though. MOUNTAIN of fries really saved the day. It'll be nice to try the other sandwiches. read more
Quick service! The cheddar biscuits were a little burned on the bottom. But good. The crispy potatoes were seasoned well but I'd go for hash brown next time. Poutine was cool. Fried egg in steak of runny was a great choice. It was not a busy crowded place on a Monday morning but it was hard to find parking. Music playing and TVs on. There are maybe 4 spots behind matchbox but otherwise prepare to walk from somewhere. If I was invited I would go back but I wouldn't reorder anything I had to today I would try something new. Don't pay with credit card if you don't want a fee. read more
11 months ago
I have been an avid regular here for the past 8 years since I've moved to Grand Rapids. I come here 2-3 times a month, sometimes more. I always rave about this place and say it's my favorite for breakfast but now I cannot say that. I have been SUPER disappointed in the service here for the past year or so. It seems like they have been short staffed for a while now and it shows. But even so, it'd be nice to get a friendly hello or goodbye, or just an incling that they're happy I'm there. I feel ignored and it just seems like none of the staff is happy to be there. I'm appalled, especially since most of them know my face but barely make a friendly effort when I'm there. As far as the food goes, it's been very inconsistent lately. Especially the American fries.. they have been my favorite potato for so long and now I feel like they're just not fresh and they don't cook them the same. Shown in the pic are the two servings I got (got a second because I couldn't even eat the first) and they were the same. No one even asked me if the second batch was okay. read more
6 months ago
Cute little place we went to for dinner in East Grand Rapids about 1.5 miles away (if that) from Blodgette Hospital. A lot of "pros" which will have us coming back, but two cons you need to be aware of. First, the pros... 1. Very friendly service. 2. Affordable. Outside of any booze, I think the most expensive thing on the menu was $19.95. 3. EXCELLENT food. Not a bad meal in the bunch. Here is what we had... 3A: Poutine. Pot roast was yummy, fries crispy, gravy had a nice and pleasant aftertaste, queso blanco good, and they added a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg on top. One of the better poutines we had. 3B: Diner burger. Two smashed patties on a potato bun with cheese, pickles, onions, and a dijon. Very very tasty and cooked perfectly to medium rare. Solid taste. 3C: Vodka pasta with shrimp and broccoli. Wow! Very good! 3D: Cheddar biscuits: LARGE(!) and soft. One of the better biscuits we have had. And the cons: 4. A little understaffed for dinner. You may be waiting just a little longer than average for your food. 5. NO parking. This is meant as a neighborhood diner on a very small square acre lot. You will need to park across the street. Normally that's not a big deal, but in winter and or when traveling with folks who may have a little trouble walking...eh... not convenient. Overall, a solid 4 out 5 and worth visiting. Just be mindful of the parking. read more
4 months ago
8 months ago
This place was so awesome! The menu has so many options. I had the hangover as a burrito and it was delicious. Truly a glorious breakfast. I also enjoyed a cup of the delicious matzo ball soup. It had a harty broth that was delicious. I also enjoyed a spicy bloody mary that was perfect as well. My server was Kristan and she was so very lovely and steered me right. Thanks Kristan! read more
Stopped into matchbox for a Saturday brunch. It's a bit of a smaller space so we had a bit of a wait as it was pretty busy. Breakfast was good, I had a the matchbox bowl which was a good basic breakfast scramble. My friend got the burger and enjoyed that. Portion sizes are good as well. Overall a solid brunch spot with options for everyone. read more
My friend and I wanted to check this place out because we've never been and I'm so glad we did! This place is located in East Town in a nice area with street parking. The inside was nice and cozy and we got seated right away. The food was amazing!! I never had French toast on challah bread before and it changed my life. Now this is the only way I want to eat French toast. Our server also said they make it in house. My friend had their California burger and fries and it did not disappoint. The fries covered half the plate lol. Since we came here for lunch, I would definitely come back here again to try their dinner menu. The only reason why I did not give them 5 stars is because I wish there were more vegan options. read more
11 months ago
Great food! Their eggs benedict is excellent, and the potatoes whether wedges or hash browns always come out perfectly crisp. read more
1 year ago
The Diner Burger was perfectly seared with flavorful dijonnaise and fresh toppings. Fries were tasty, just slightly under salted. Service was attentive, and the upscale casual atmosphere was clean and inviting. Highly recommend! read more
7 months ago
If you want possibly the most meh biscuits and gravy, go here. Now, if you want "scrambled eggs" that taste like a porta-john on a hot summer day, go here. read more
8 months ago
Love this place. Everything is always done really well. They have breakfast and lunch with a full bar and you can order from either at any time. Their matzo ball soup is my favorite item on the menu but I've never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. I also enjoy any of their items that include their pot roast. It's so tender and flavorful. Saturday is busy so get there early or expect a wait. It's a smaller place with a bunch of booth and bar seats and some tables in the front as well as outdoor seating. read more
Breakfast is my go-to at Matchbox, but they also serve lunch and dinner in the fall and winter months. I recently met a friend for a weekday breakfast and had a great meal. We were seated right away, but the space is pretty small and they can get super busy, so reservations are recommended. The breakfast menu leans heavily to the savory side, which is great for someone like me. I've ordered several items from this breakfast menu and favorites include the lox benedict, steak and eggs, and the Matchbox breakfast. I always have to get the American fries - they're small potatoes that are cooked, smashed, and then deep-fried, giving them lots of crispy, craggly edges that are so delicious. I tried something new to me this visit - the veggie brekky bowl. It was a nice portion and I liked the different veggies, including poblano peppers which is not a super common ingredient in this area, so that was fun. I added a bunch of Blis hot sauce which gave it a nice little kick. Other options for lunch/dinner include deli sandwiches, fish and chips, matzo ball soup, and salads. They also have a full bar and a selection of brunch cocktails. Parking continues to be a bit of a pain in this area, but it's worth it for a visit to Matchbox. Get your name on the list and check them out! read more
Business owner information
Gwen B.
Katy,…
I've walked past matchbox many times but never popped in. I'm so glad that I did! The menu isn't huge but certainly has options for everyone. The table for cheese curbs and crab cakes - both of which were lighter than we expected! Then we got burgers, mahi mahi and the lamb. The truffle fries and grits were stars on the plates. Everything was lovely and the service was friendly and quick. This is a great place for when you don't know where to go! read more
3 years ago
Me and my friends came because of high score review . The food is ok. But we did wait more than one hour for the food. We wait for our lunch until 2:30pm, it's not lunch anymore. And the AC is so cold, hungry and cold made me crazy. And all the food become cold when they come out due to the cold AC. Really not satisfying this part. We report this to the manager, the manager did apologize to the long way, however, will she only this is just apologize. She did not offer anything for excessive wait. read more
Matchbox Diner knows how to brunch! I walked right in without a wait this Tuesday morning with a friend. We both ordered the Lox Benny and of course had to share the Crème Brûlée French toast as a sweet treat! The Benedict was delicious and not too salty. The french toast was the perfect treat after our meal. A hidden brunch gem of GR! read more
It's been so long since I came back! But Matchbox is one of those gems in Grand Rapids that I go to whenever I visit. I do highly recommend getting on the waitlist online before you go in just to save you some time because they're ALWAYS packed. The food always meets my standards. The chicken and waffles is sublime! The chicken skin is crispy and well seasoned. The Poutine is a heavy dish but I do recommend sharing with friends and always get the egg on top! The hangover bowl does it's job, cures hangovers lol Ambiance is very loud but very inviting. This place always just gives me good nostalgia. Highly recommend. read more
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River And Odi H.
Thank you very much for the kind words, Tracy! We hope to see you…
The French toast was very soft and delicious. The chicken and waffles were a perfect balance of sweet and savory. We were expecting the French toast to look like what others had posted in their reviews, but still very good! We paired our brunch with some delicious coffee drinks! The service was helpful with recommendations and always attentive by checking in on us. The inside of the restaurant is so comfortable, very homey. One of my new favorite spots for breakfast in Grand Rapids. Can't wait to try more of the menu! read more
4 years ago
Wow I really like Matchbox! I've been here for breakfast a couple times and both times were a pleasant experience. I really enjoyed the service! Breakfast with my husband, you know for some "us" time, is a special treat so we really like to take advantage of these moments. Both times our server was super attentive but respected our privacy at the same time! I'm always on a journey to find the best eggs Benedict. I can confidently say matchbox has a superb one on the menu. The Matchbox! Like my husband says, "If their name is on it, it's got to be good"! The large eggs are poached perfectly. Their hollandaise sauce is creamy and does its job of balancing flavors. Also, get this, the English muffin was not soggy! They know what they're doing ! I usually get the side of potatoes which are crispy and salty. A very nice add on to the richness of the Benedict. I've also had their hash browns, not really a fan of these. They were too buttery and weren't seasoned. Stick with the crispy home fries My husband got the Carlton, a very very savory dish. If you like to be bold in the morning this dish if for you. Will I return? Yes, I would like to try some of their omelets and lunch items! SYOY! read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Unbelievably delicious food! Crème brûlée French toast was thick and sweet and topped with plenty of fruit and nuts. Matchbox Breakfast had REAL shaved him, not processed him. The American potatoes were roasted crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and seasoned just right Our server did a great job making sure we had everything we needed and made recommendations that were spot on. The restaurant was clean and updated. If I lived closer, I would come here every week! read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
Only place where I've found matzo ball soup - but I was disappointed at the amount for the price. I ordered a quart for $12 and it was only 3/4 full, and definitely not a quart! read more
8 months ago
No Parking Available - No Parking Available - No Parking Available. The atmosphere here is masterfully done. There's an outer shell of the old classical building with a wonderful tin ceiling. Then tasteful added wood elements and a hint of modern. The place is very very busy, however there is no Parking Available. I ordered the Carlton Breakfast, which is Eggs, American Fries, Pot Roast, Gravy, and Toast. Individually everything was cooked to perfection. The eggs were amazing, potatoes cooked perfectly with a nice seasoning, amazing pot roast, and Yummy bread. Together the portion size was excellent and at $16 a very good value. The person I was with ordered the Jerry Seinfeld Sandwich. She got the half size ($16), it was very large as big as most places full size. It was stated to be excellent. The service was excellent. Had about a 20 minute wait to be seated. Friendly and efficient staff. Overall an excellent establishment. Did I mention though that there is No Parking Available in the area. If your going to build up and area, parking needs to be considered, not just Street Parking only, bull. The food was 5 stars, however I can't condone No Parking. Therefore the overall score is a 4 Stars. Would I return? Yes, but I hope I'm not driving. read more
1 year ago
Definitely a differ take on Biscuits and Gravy. Cheddar biscuits were a little burnt on the bottom and the paprika was an unexpected but otherwise pleasant surprise. The roasted potatoes were buttery and delicious. Though burnt ends can be a turn off. Overall food wasn't bad and the atmosphere was great! read more
My friend and I came here after our other East town breakfast spot fell through on a Monday morning. It was still warm outside so we snagged one of their outside tables which was big enough to fit 4 people. I got an omelette, she got the lox Benedict. Food came out quickly and was delicious! Friendly servers. Great portion sizes (had to take some home). I loved they they had gluten free toast as an option as well. Overall this place can be summed up as breakfast/brunch food that's clearly above diner dining but not as frilly/costly as more expensive brunch places. We will be back! read more
1 year ago
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More info about Matchbox Diner & Drinks
1345 Lake Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
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(616) 774-8641
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http://www.matchboxdiner.com
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Ask the Community - Matchbox Diner & Drinks
How long is the average wait for a weekend brunch around 11 or 12?
1-1.5hrs. Maybe catch a not busy weekend and it's less. Worth the wait though and you can get inline through the yelp app! Don't be discouraged just plan ahead.
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6 reviews that are not currently recommended
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