Skillet Capitol Hill

Cassandra Cook

So usually I always try to assume positive intent when I have a sub par experience at a restaurant. I’ve been looking to try this place for months and finally had a day off with a couple friends, so I made a reservation for 2pm on Sunday. Got there at 2:02 pm and waited in the door way for about 5 minutes, not greeted or even looked at. One person in front of us, also waiting is finally greeted and says “I have a reservation for one at 2:30” then asks where the bathroom is and walks away. Then as the host is walking away we catch eye contact and she asks what we need help with, seemingly already annoyed, then asks my name and goes to her computer and looks at my friend (a woman of color) and asked “were you with her? Pointing at the lady walking away (who also happened to be a woman of color) I respond “she’s with us?” (Which immediately made my friend uncomfortable) She then says “your reservation is outside and it’s hot and our tables are metal so we won’t be able to seat you yet” I said “ok anywhere inside is also totally fine” and she responds “yeah but like there’s a wait and it’ll be about ten minutes” we agreed and said that was fine and it seemed like she was assuming we were upset or something and immediately says “yeah well the tables are hot and I obviously wont seat you at a hot table, wait outside and I’ll call you in.” I said again, “it’s totally ok whatever works”. Then about 10 minutes later “ladies it’s ready” walks us to a corner table and we sit down. Then another server comes up to us and says “this table was reserved for a group of 5” to which I respond “we were just sat here” and I shrug. Comes back and asks if we are ready to order but we were still looking. Takes our order, which arrive 40 minutes later. My friend who got a burger and fries asks for ketchup and the server pauses for a second and then comes back with ketchup. Odd. My food was the mikes scramble, the potatoes were SO HARD I could barely put my fork in them without them flying off my plate, overcooked, dry and not seasoned at all. Eggs runny not seasoned and soggy bread underneath. The fried chicken also soggy and nonexistent. A total miss, and even harder since it’s impossible for me to eat hard food since I have stitches in my mouth from a dental surgery. (I assumed scrambled eggs and potatoes were a good choice??) even after putting on salt and pepper, it still tasted lifeless. My friend with the burger also couldn’t eat her fries, for the same above reasons, and her burger was burned and overcooked (not the medium rare she ordered). Our other friend was okay with their meal but they just ordered eggs and toast. I couldn’t even come close to finishing my meal, ate barely 1/3 of it. Instead of asking for a refund I left a note. As I was walking out, the restaurant calls me saying they had gotten my note and wanted to know what they did wrong and I explained everything I just said, and she continued to try and justify that the kitchen was understaffed and ask EXACTLY what SHE did wrong, but it didn’t feel like she was trying to ease my experience but simply justify her actions. She said “a table before you a group of 5 was supposed to be in and we were waiting on them” okay.? I explained to her that I myself work in food service and customer service and have worked at one of the busiest locations in the city, and that I totally understand the stress of a busy understaffed day, but that it was a terrible experience and I don’t think I could bring myself to go back. She didn’t offer anything like a refund or meal comp, no real solutions, to which I will never go back. I have NEVER left a bad review like this or a note at a restaurant, but this was one of the poorest experiences I’ve had at a restaurant. With 2k reviews and a 4.5 star rating I was floored this was my experience.

KyLeigh Nichols

Excellent service, tasty food, upbeat and hip environment. We got the chicken and waffles and the Chilaquiles and both were filling and flavorful.

James O'Brien

Skillet was a great mix of hearty breakfast food and a modern coffee shop level of coziness. The fried chicken breakfast burrito was a great brunch that didn't leave me hungry for the rest of the day. Our waitress was delightful and quick to top off our coffees. I would definitely visit again.

Thang Phu

Skillet knows how to do brunch right. Generous portions, friendly staff, very satisfying comfort brunches. Their fennel seeds battered fried chicken is fantastic. The breakfast burrito is also very delicious. Definitely won't be disappointed if you come by for brunch.