Day 21 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in the DMV, and this one had me ready for a boodle fight. Matthew’s Grill hides behind a pretty unassuming name in a Gaithersburg shopping center, but inside, the Filipino food is the real deal.
I’ve grabbed their takeout before, but this was my first time actually dining in, and we got lucky: we chatted with Jumbo, who walked us through the dishes, and the team treated us to two kinds of lumpia plus sago’t gulaman, a sweet Filipino iced drink with jellies. Everything we ordered was incredible, truly! If you’re craving crispy pata, sisig, and lumpia done right, Matthew’s Grill in Gaithersburg is the spot, just know they’re only open Friday through Sunday so you’ll want to plan around it.
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What Makes Matthew’s Grill So Fantastic!
Matthew’s Grill leans Kapampangan, meaning the cooking traces back to Pampanga, the province widely called the culinary capital of the Philippines, and that heritage shows up all over the menu. It’s tucked into the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center next to Lotte Plaza Market, named after the owner’s son Matthew, and it started out more as catering and buffet before growing into the sit-down spot it is now.
It’s casual, generous, and the kind of place where the team genuinely wants you to eat well. The one catch: they only open Friday through Sunday, so it takes a little planning, but the food more than earns the trip. If you’re building a Filipino food crawl, Kuya Ja’s Lechon in Rockville is another DMV spot worth adding to the list.
What to Order at Matthew’s Grill
Everything we got was a hit, and you get a lot of food. Here’s what I’d steer you toward.
Matt’s Crispy Pata ($32.99)
If you order one thing, make it this. It’s two deep-fried pork hocks with super crispy, crackly skin and the most tender meat ever underneath. It comes with sawsawan, a soy and vinegar dipping sauce with just the right acidity to cut through all that richness. It’s a total showstopper!
Sisig with Egg ($21.99)
Sisig is one of their most popular dishes and it’s easy to see why. Think crispy, caramelized bits of pork mixed with juicy, tender pieces, all rich and meaty and packed with umami. Get it with garlic rice. The two together were perfect.
Lumpia ($5.99)
If you’ve never had lumpia, these are Filipino spring rolls fried until beautifully golden and crispy, and they’re a must-try at this price. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – I promise they’ll be a hit!
Sizzling Gambas ($20.99)
I actually gasped when this came out, because it arrives at the table still sizzling. You get tons of shrimp with onions, bell peppers, and other veggies, and it’s super flavorful. If you want a seafood option instead of all pork, this is the one to get! I hear their kare-kare is another top seller, so that’s next on my list.
Their Kamayan Is Next on My List…Hopefully!
One thing I’m dying to go back for is their kamayan, also called a boodle fight. If you haven’t done one, it’s a hands-on communal feast where the food gets laid out over banana leaves and everyone digs in with their hands, no utensils. It’s as much an experience as it is a meal, and it’s made for a group. I saw that Matthew’s does it and I cannot wait, so round up your crew and ask the team about setting one up. It’s exactly my kind of delicious fun!!!
The Vibe and Experience
Matthew’s is low-key and welcoming, the kind of neighborhood spot where the staff actually talk you through the menu. Getting to chat with Jumbo and learn about the dishes made the whole meal that much better. It’s a casual sit-down room in a shopping center, perfect for a group that wants to share a big spread. For more Filipino food around the DMV, I’ve got a whole roundup of must-try Filipino restaurants worth bookmarking if you’re interested so definitely make sure to take a look!
Good to Know
- 📍 213 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (in the Festival at Muddy Branch center, next to Lotte Plaza Market)
- Hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 11:30am to 7pm. Closed Monday through Thursday.
- Free surface parking in the shopping center lot, which is plentiful.
- Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available. You can order online and book a table on the Matthew’s Grill site.
- Vegetarian-friendly options are on the menu, including lumpia gulay (vegetable lumpia).
- Kamayan boodle fights are worth asking about ahead of time rather than expecting to find on the standard online menu.
Is Matthew’s Grill Worth A Trip?
100000%. The food was incredible start to finish, the portions are generous, and I’m already planning to go back for the kare-kare and a kamayan. If you’re in the Gaithersburg area on a weekend and want a real-deal Filipino feast, Matthew’s should be high on your list. Just remember those Friday-to-Sunday hours and come hungry.
Have you guys been to Matthew’s yet? LMK by commenting below, Nomsters, and if you’re a fellow crispy pata and sisig lover, save this and send it to the friend who’d love to join you for a meal.