| Address | 7006 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Fri; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat; 8 a.m-8 p.m. Sun |
| Phone | (301) 270-1884 |
| Website | www.markskitchen.com/ |
I've been to Mark's twice this month, and sadly have to report that the quality of the service has decreased, although the food continues to be excellent. My new favorite is the Korean short ribs, which were tender and very flavorful. They're served with some delicious rice side dish, yummy sauteed bean sprouts, and steamed carrots and broccoli.
When I had this dish, I would have enjoyed it more if the veggies were not cold. Our table waited nearly an hour for the food on a late Sunday afternoon. We felt like we were forgotten. I had to apologize to my guests after I had raved about the food and told them it normally is not served cold (unless it is salad).
Tonight the service was a little better (weeknight vs. weekend), but it took a while to get the check, and I ended up being late to my next destination. At least all of the food (stuffed acorn squash, sauteed green beans with onion, sweet potatoes with black sesame seeds, and salad) was tasty and served at the right temperature this time.
I love the Chicken Royal Sampler box and the stuffed acorn squash--they're always winners. However, stay away from the salads, especially the ones with seafood. They're overpriced, and the crabmeat in a salad I had recently was totally lacking in flavor.
Mark's kitchen is truly where vegetarians and carnivores can come together to eat. Fresh food, various options with a Korean flair and extremely tasty juice mixes that even my two year old loves! Staff is efficient and friendly, atmosphere is uber-casual and very family friendly.
The space can get a little cramped, especially when it's crowded, but the food is worth it. Try the Bi Bim Bap!
The food at Mark's is ok, although as a former employee I can attest that the cleanliness standards are not that high. The kitchen workers don't wear gloves, and make everything with their hands, which aren't routinely washed. But it's the labor practices of the owner (Mark) that are really reprehensible. Both the servers, and the non-English speaking kitchen labor are cheated out of their full wages. The owner only pays the hourly wage for the time of the server's assigned shift, i.e. 5-9 PM. Of course, like any other restaurant in America, the servers are expected to stay after and clean. But the they aren't paid for this time. When I raised this issue to Mark, he screamed in my face and assaulted me. I quit. Please don't support this business.
Marks is known as a staple in Takoma Park. I was a little reluctant at first... the bright lighting and cramped space doesn't make for a nice dinner location, but I'd heard good things so I went in anyway.
I was pleased with the selection-- all very eclectic and affordable. I settles on the california burger. I was going to make it a turkey burger, but that would mean a $1.50 charge (little too steep for my taste.) The burger turned out to be delicious! The fries were excellent. Only complaint was that the bun was a little old/cheap because it fell apart half-way through the burger.
All in all, I think this is a great place when you want some quick cheap food. I would not go here if I wanted a dining out experience... also the owner was a bit of a jerk... definitely not the most gracious restaurant owner... but for the price, I will most likely come back-- for lunch only!
This unassuming little cafe serves a tasty and very affordable brunch. The menu items include typical brunch offerings as well as vegan twists on typical brunch themes. Unlike some of the other low-cost brunch options in DC (most notably The Diner), Mark's Kitchen actually puts care into the quality and preparation of even simple dishes like scrambled eggs and pancakes. Many low-cost diners turn out pancakes that are rubbery and tasteless, but the buckwheat pancakes at Mark's are smooth and sweet. Mark's also offers a variety of fruit and soy shakes. The small and cramped space is thankfully offset by the colorful clientele from Takoma Park. Mark's tasty and cheap brunch is worth checking out.
In fairness, this hungry vegan and her two omnivorous girlfriends would have been happy with about any food by the time we arrived at a restaurant, but Mark's hit the nail on the head. Squarely. The waiter couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful. The food was great; the portions perfect. The bakery-esque atmosphere was exactly what suits us for a casual lunch. As I just bought a house about 3 blocks away, I will be a regular before you can say tofu ten times fast! The hardest part? Trying to decide which great-sounding vegan option to try first. I settled for the lasagna and wasn't disappointed!
I'm so happy I've found Mark's Kitchen -- the vegetarian options are endless (from the rabbit food to rib-sticking variety) as well as enough non-veggie options to keep my burger-loving boyfriend happy. I randomly ordered tofu cakes and recieved a filling and flavorful plate of kicky tofu patties, brown rice, salad greens, green beans, and sweet potatoes, all in a yummy dressing. We also ordered two tasty Asian-style vegetarian appetizers, both priced around $3! On the Friday night we went the ambience resembled that of a diner or deli (bright, crowded, noisy) full of unpretentious charm. If you're into health food, home cooking, or cheap eats, I highly reccomend Mark's.
I love Mark's Kitchen! I've been a regular there for about 2 years, and it just keeps getting better. The menu is always the same, but oh man is it good. Service is super sweet and very attentive and quick (although you may have to wait a minute or two for menus to come during the busy lunch hours). A favorite for TP residents and poor college students like me!
I guess I will be the fly-in-oinment, but, sorry, Mark's Kitchen is overrated, as are all of the "eating" establishments in this so called "Berkeley of the East." Does not come close. I was born in Takoma Park, live elsewhere, but love the city, however, dining leaves an EXTREME something to be desired. The folks were nice, the crowd pleasant, the place is small enough to be quaint, but the food was, how should I say..lousy, worse carrot juice I have ever had, the entree, blah at best. I have been a few times to try and give it a break, but, sorry Mark. You take us for granted. You're better off heading down a few miles to Udupi, or better yet, Berwyn Cafe.
Great vegetarian place! Service was friendly, but a little slow, but maybe b/c we went on Father's Day. So many options!!! But, don't try the Ginger Iced Tea. Their milkshakes are famous, but I didn't have one.
Mark’s Kitchen sits in the center of what is almost ironically known as downtown Takoma Park, near the intersection of Carroll and Laurel. It’s wildly popular with the locals (just try to get in for Sunday brunch), partly because of its quality food and partly because there’s so little competition there in “downtown”. It’s a casual place, with the feel of a bakery that has seats, and indeed there are baked goods lying around for sale. One doesn’t come here for the candlelight, but at least the tables are close enough to check out what your neighbors are eating. Check the bread rack before you leave to see if you want to pick up a loaf but be warned—it doesn’t come cheap.
Mark’s menu gives the impression that it wanted to be a Korean restaurant, and perhaps still will one day when it grows up, but for now it features a mix of café food and features of nouvelle cuisine with hints of haut. Mark is Korean, and you’ll see him running around. Café sandwiches are well represented, all the usual standards served on fresh bread. There are lots of drink options, juice, shakes and coffees, and a long list of desserts. It’s the dinner entrees that set Mark’s apart. Check the chalkboard behind the semi-open garde mange kitchen for the specials; they may include a vegetable soba or a salmon fillet over pearl pasta. The appetizers/side orders often seem too small and neglected to be worthwhile, as if they were added just to have some extra Korean items. Dumplings, for instance, are flavorful, yet only a handful come in an order and the dipping sauce is forgettable. One assumes they come from a bag in the freezer. Miso soup is small and featureless. By contrast, the entrees taste as though someone has thoughtfully designed them, carefully selected ingredients, and cooked them with pride. Except the Korean entrees, which have been despiced and somewhat westernized. And it’s still hard to forget that you are eating in a crowded bakery.
I’m torn about Mark’s. The prices are decent and the food is often good, yet it’s also often mediocre and its popularity unexplained. The queue runs out the door on Sunday morning, yet we found the brunch food to be bland. The pancakes were well done, the chocolate shake thick, and the orange juice fresh, yet the tofu spinachcakes were tasteless and unexciting and the eggs and potatoes done without any spices whatsoever. From now on, I’ll go to the small and better Everyday Gourmet café down the street for breakfast, and just visit Mark’s infrequently for the occasional light dinner.
Mark's Kitchen offers lots of great vegetarian and vegan options, as well as many dishes with a Korean flavor. Their fruit smoothies are delicious - try the strawberry kiwi.
This is such a friendly neighborhood place! Great for vegans, vegetarians, and non-veggies alike. It's very casual and when it gets really busy, you may have to wait longer, but the people are so cool about it that you don't really mind.
Wow! I have been trying to get to Mark's Kitchen for years, but never got around to it. If I had gotten there sooner, I would be a regular by now! As the only vegetarian among a group who thinks they might die if a meal does not include meat, I can honestly say Mark's is a place where everyone can eat together happily. The menu, a uniquely crafted blend of Korean and American classics, provided my friend and me with various options. Not for the claustrophobic, the seating is a little close; however, it is also part of Mark's hometown diner charm. We did face a bit of difficulty discerning exactly who was our server, but every time we needed something, it appeared. I hope you take my suggestion and make the trek to Takoma Park to eat at Mark's Kitchen...you will probably find me back again for more!
