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Photo by Jay Paul
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Photo by Jay Paul
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A classic pepperoni pizza fresh from the oven at the chain's first Richmond location (Photo by Jay Paul)
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Photo by Jay Paul
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Photo by Jay Paul
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From left: Eric Brannon, Jose Mendoza (tossing pizza), Maria Lamos and Ty Neal prep for the restaurant's Thursday opening. (Photo by Jay Paul)
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Photo by Jay Paul
A D.C.-based restaurant chain is lighting its first match in the Richmond area this week. Matchbox American Kitchen and Spirit opens its new location in Short Pump Town Center on Thursday, Sept.15, sparking a new destination for modern dining and pizza.
Matchbox has a wide variety of fresh food and drinks for all ages, with dishes such as the fried-chicken Cobb sandwich and seared-salmon salad that will be featured alongside chain-standard items such as artisanal pizzas and its signature 3.6.9 mini burgers. “They’re really a gourmet version of what people would call sliders,” says Ty Neal, a Matchbox Food Group co-founder. “With the Angus beef and brioche bun, they are definitely one of the menu favorites.”
Another popular item, according to Neal, is a signature wine, the “Matchbox blend.” Created through a partnership with California winemaker Jed Steele in 2013, the blend is a red wine that cannot be found elsewhere. And this month, that partnership will release a new white wine to go along with the opening of the new Short Pump location. Entrées at Matchbox average between $20 and $25, but you can grab a quick bite off the large appetizer menu, which generally ranges between $10 and $15. And while some of the menu items may be classic, the eating space itself is cozy and modern: With its open and multi-level design, Matchbox is welcoming Richmonders with an up-to-date dining experience.
Featuring a 7,000-square-foot interior — seating roughly 200 — and patio (accommodating 40), Richmond’s Matchbox is the fifth of the chain’s locations in Virginia, with other locations in California, Maryland and Texas. Stop by for lunch and dinner daily, and for brunch on both Saturday and Sunday.
“We’ve had a pin in the map on Richmond for a long time,” Neal says. “Being from D.C., we felt it was a great place to continue our expansion since it's right in our backyard.”
Matchbox American Kitchen and Spirits is located at 11720 W. Broad St. and opens Thursday, Sept. 15. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
