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Restaurant Cook Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Friendly's (MACKS Rest. Inc)

Restaurant Cook

Glen Burnie, MD · On-site

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

GRILL COOK MISSION To deliver high quality, tasty, hot food, fast, to every guest. ESSENTIAL ... Offer a sincere, personal welcome to every guest entering the restaurant. * Smile and make eye ...

Friendly's (MACKS Rest. Inc)

Restaurant Cook

Glen Burnie, MD · On-site

$11.50 - $15/hr

GRILL COOK MISSION To deliver high quality, tasty, hot food, fast, to every guest. ESSENTIAL ... Offer a sincere, personal welcome to every guest entering the restaurant. * Smile and make eye ...

Sonic Drive-In

Cook

Manassas, VA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

At SONIC Drive-In restaurants, you'll have all that, along with great pay, flexible hours, a cool uniform and the camaraderie of fantastic co-workers. As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will ...

Sonic

Cook

Manassas, VA · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

At SONIC Drive-In restaurants, youll have all that, along with great pay, flexible hours, a cool uniform and the camaraderie of fantastic co-workers. As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will ...

Sonic

Cook

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

At SONIC Drive-In restaurants, youll have all that, along with great pay, flexible hours, a cool uniform and the camaraderie of fantastic co-workers. As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will ...

Sonic Drive-In

Cook

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

At SONIC Drive-In restaurants, you'll have all that, along with great pay, flexible hours, a cool uniform and the camaraderie of fantastic co-workers. As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will ...

Sonic

Cook

Leesburg, VA

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

At SONIC Drive-In restaurants, you'll have all that, along with great pay, flexible hours, a cool uniform and the camaraderie of fantastic co-workers. As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will ...

Sonic Drive-In

Cook

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$14 - $17/hr

At SONIC Drive-In restaurants, you'll have all that, along with great pay, flexible hours, a cool uniform and the camaraderie of fantastic co-workers. As a SONIC Drive-In restaurant Cook, you will ...

Lorien Health Services

Cook

Columbia, MD · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Whether you have experience as a Dietary Cook, Healthcare Cook, Food Service Cook, Senior Living Cook, Restaurant Cook, or Kitchen Team Member , this is an excellent opportunity to grow your career ...

Lorien Health Services

Cook

Columbia, MD · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Whether you have experience as a Dietary Cook, Healthcare Cook, Food Service Cook, Senior Living Cook, Restaurant Cook, or Kitchen Team Member , this is an excellent opportunity to grow your career ...

Raising Cane's

Cook

Sterling, VA · On-site

$16.50/hr

Starting hiring pay at: $16.50 As a Cook at Raising Cane's, you will set the pace of the Restaurant by ensuring all of the food we serve meets our high standards. Working in the Kitchen at Raising ...

Raising Cane's

Cook

Sterling, VA · On-site

$16.50/hr

Starting hiring pay at: $16.50 As a Cook at Raising Cane's, you will set the pace of the Restaurant by ensuring all of the food we serve meets our high standards. Working in the Kitchen at Raising ...

Raising Cane's

Cook

Sterling, VA · On-site

$16.50/hr

Starting hiring pay at: $16.50 As a Cook at Raising Cane's, you will set the pace of the Restaurant by ensuring all of the food we serve meets our high standards. Working in the Kitchen at Raising ...

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All JobsRestaurant Cook JobsRestaurant Cook Jobs in Washington, DC

Restaurant Cook information

See Washington, DC salary details

$10

$15

$19

How much do restaurant cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for restaurant cook in Washington, DC is $15.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.08 and $16.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a restaurant cook do?

A restaurant cook is responsible for preparing and cooking food according to the restaurant's recipes and standards. They handle tasks such as chopping ingredients, operating kitchen equipment, and ensuring food safety and cleanliness. Cooks may also help with menu planning, inventory management, and plating dishes before they are served to customers. Their role is essential in delivering quality meals and maintaining the overall efficiency of the kitchen.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a restaurant cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restaurant Cook, you need solid culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often a high school diploma or culinary certification. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale systems, and food handling certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are key soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure consistent food quality, safe kitchen practices, and smooth kitchen operations in a fast-paced environment.

What are some common challenges faced by restaurant cooks, and how can they be managed effectively?

Restaurant cooks often face challenges such as working under time pressure, managing multiple orders simultaneously, and maintaining consistency in food quality. Effective communication with kitchen staff and front-of-house teams is essential to keep operations running smoothly. Staying organized, preparing ingredients ahead of busy shifts, and practicing good time management can help cooks navigate these challenges and ensure a positive dining experience for customers.

What is the difference between Restaurant Cook vs Line Cook?

AspectRestaurant CookLine Cook
CredentialsFood safety certification often requiredFood safety certification often required
Work EnvironmentKitchen of a restaurant, preparing various dishesKitchen of a restaurant, focusing on specific station
Job RolePrepares a variety of menu items, may oversee other cooksPrepares specific dishes or stations during service
Industry UsageCommonly used in restaurants, hotels, cateringCommonly used in restaurants, especially during busy hours

Both Restaurant Cooks and Line Cooks work in restaurant kitchens and often share similar certifications. However, Restaurant Cooks typically have broader responsibilities, preparing a variety of dishes and sometimes supervising staff, while Line Cooks focus on specific stations during service. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

How much do restaurant cooks get paid in a restaurant?

Restaurant cooks typically earn an hourly wage that ranges from minimum wage to around $15-$20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the establishment. Entry-level cooks may start at lower rates, while experienced cooks or those with specialized skills can earn higher pay. Overtime, tips, and benefits can also affect overall compensation.

What is the work of a restaurant cook in a restaurant?

A restaurant cook is responsible for preparing and cooking food according to recipes and quality standards. They handle tasks such as chopping ingredients, operating kitchen equipment, and maintaining cleanliness and safety in the kitchen environment. Strong cooking skills and knowledge of food safety regulations are essential for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Cook jobs in Washington, DC?

For Restaurant Cook jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Restaurant Cook jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Restaurant Cook jobs in Washington, DC are:

Restaurant Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Cook job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,245 per year, or $15 per hour.

Restaurant Cook

Friendly's (MACKS Rest. Inc)

Glen Burnie, MD • On-site

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Friendly's Restaurant rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 87 rated restaurants

Job description

GRILL COOK MISSION
To deliver high quality, tasty, hot food, fast, to every guest.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Maintain a clean, neat, safe, food handling environment.
  • Maintain a constant state of urgency.
  • Deliver high quality, tasty, hot food to every guest.
  • E the final quality control checkpoint-be proud of everything.
  • Be considerate of special requests and their importance.
  • Always consider eye appeal as well as taste and temperature.
  • Be a quality maniac! Make sure food arrives at the table at peak quality.
  • Be rush ready, never allow a lack of planning to interfere with the guest's satisfaction.
  • Make products as fast as possible, with precision and fantastic eye appearance.
  • Expedite orders from the window to the dining room. Find runners or run yourself!
  • Inform management of slow-downs and the need to take corrective action.
  • Work as a team-utilize our systems and procedures for maximum efficiency.
  • Alert team members of online orders to insure coordination of all products.
  • Have impeccably neat uniforms, tables and welcome areas that are always set and ready to go.
  • Offer a sincere, personal welcome to every guest entering the restaurant.
  • Smile and make eye contact.
  • Anticipate the guest's needs and react before they need to ask.
  • Create an emotional attachment to our restaurant by helping our guests create great memories.
Skills & Requirements Qualifications

What Friendly's Restaurant employees say

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