Clyde’s of Gallery Place sits right next door to Capital One Arena, which makes it one of the easiest pre-game options in Penn Quarter. We stopped in for brunch ahead of the 1:00pm puck drop against the Devils and had no trouble making the short walk over once we finished eating.

Reservations book up early on game days, so if you know you want a table, lock one in as soon as the schedule is out. The downstairs bar runs on a first-come, first-served basis if you prefer that route. We sat in the large upstairs dining room, which was packed – a sea of red jerseys from both Caps and Devils fans. (Even the visitors have to eat). The energy was high but the service stayed consistent and attentive.

For brunch we ordered the Chicken & Biscuits and Clyde’s Classic Cheeseburger.

The Chicken & Biscuits arrived as a huge plate of food. The fried chicken had a nicely seasoned, crunchy breading that held up well under the gravy. The chicken was moist and tender, not dried out from over cooking. The over-easy eggs were cooked exactly right – whites fully set, yolks still runny. The sausage gravy had great sage flavor, the right amount of sausage chunks, and just a little peppery spice. The bacon was crispy without being overdone and brittle, and the biscuits were excellent: a touch of sweetness, soft inside, with a crispy bottom.

The Cheeseburger was ordered medium and came nice out juicy (maybe a shade toward medium-plus, but still cooked properly). The thick patty had clean seasoning – just salt and pepper – and tasted like it was made from quality ground beef. We went with cheddar from the variety of cheese options: American, Swiss, blue, or cheddar; it added a nice creaminess without overpowering the beef. The Cheeseburger was served on a sesame seed bun. The fries were coated and crunchy, arrived hot, and had just a light touch of seasoning. There was an option to add a fried egg and bacon for a more brunch-style burger, but we passed.

Clyde’s remains a reliable choice for game days thanks to its location, consistent execution, solid service, and broad menu. It’s a comfortable, low-stress spot for brunch before an afternoon game or dinner on a regular night. Definitely recommended if you want something straightforward and close to the arena.