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    Hard Times Cafe

    3.6 (718 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Business Info

    HARD TIMES CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Juke Box
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Hard Times Cafe

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    The outside of the restaurant definitely will make you stop if you are not from the area.
    Kwame S.

    I "quickly" stopped by Hard Time Cafe because I was in the area to run some errands. I'll say that I had wonderful beverages, food, AND conversation during my visit. First, I really enjoyed the Country-Western ambiance of the restaurant and the low-key vibe of the restaurant. For my dining pleasure I went with the Chilli Cheddar Cheeseburger. Yes, I know the restaurant is known for it's chili, but I was not really in the mood for having chili as a main course for dinner. So, I figured that I could have best of both worlds because you can choose from one of four chili options for the Chilli Cheddar Cheeseburger. I thought the portion sizes were pretty huge for the $15 price tag. You definitely will get a deal here. Overall, I thought the food was great. I'll say that I wish the shredded cheese on the burger was melted prior to it arriving to me. If you are getting one of the chili burgers or hot dogs, I highly recommend that you dine in because the food can get very "squishy". ;) Half way through eating the cheeseburger, I had to use my knife and folk to finish it because the bun was too soggy to continue eating with my hands. What really set Hard Time Cafe apart for me was the friendliness of the patrons. Upon sitting down at the bar, I was greeted by two regulars. I assumed they were regulars because they seemed to know other customers and the staff. What was supposed to be a quick dinner ended up being an occasion where I was chatting with folks for about 1.5 hrs. I probably would have stayed longer, but I had a bit of a trek to return home, and I did not want to get home too late. Overall, I had a very good experience at Hard Times Cafe. The food was delicious; the atmosphere had a friendly vibe; service is pretty fast; and the prices were not too bad (my total without tip was about $60 - burger, three cocktails and a tall beer).

    James R.

    This is an institution in Old Town serving up chili. You can order Cincinnati or Texas style. I ordered the Cincinnati and then you choose whether to add beans, cheese, onions. Service is very quick and the staff are pleasant. The vibe is roadhouse with some funny bumper stickers. The prices are some of the more reasonable you will find in Old Town.

    4-way Chili Mac
    Alexandra M.

    hard times, oh hard times how I love you so your 4 way chili mac fills my belly your cornbread fills my heart you bring the family together I always have leftovers pls bring back your college park location thank you for kids eat free on sundays

    Cornbread
    Shari D.

    Our server Deborah was an absolute gem! She was knowledgeable and very helpful when we were reviewing the menu. HTC is an authentic homey, southern style eatery. They have different types of chili that you can get any style. Also, they have the most delicious, buttery and moist cornbread I've ever had! The prices are moderately priced and the portions are hefty. Definitely looking forward to coming back and trying some more items on the menu.

    Chili Tacos and Chili Bubba!
    Jonathan K.

    The FOOD. Mm mmmmmm so delicious and very healthy portion sizes (and by healthy I mean huge!). It's a small cafe that got bench seats for the most part, typical diner feel. Service was VERY fast (we ordered and food was out within 5 minutes) and generally friendly! Very happy with finding this place! Chili was delicious, no matter which one you pick!

    Restaurant front

    First time here, what a joy. Brought out a sampler of chili to try. Every sample was amazing. I would like to take some of each one back home to Washington state. My favorite was the meatless but I just can't have meatless chili. All come without beans. I had the Texas style over tots with cheese, onions, and jalapeños. Amazingly good. Service was prompt and friendly. This is a place to be featured on diners drive-ins and dives. Just that type of atmosphere. Wood tables, wood benches and small in scale allow them to give great service.

    chili tots
    K S.

    favorite chili spot and bar food in DC since 1980 hope this spot is here forever food is the best chili tots (i mix the chili) and toss a lot of hot sauce and house vinegar on it chili lime wings ambiance can't be beat nice to see the open kitchen service is great and beer is always cold enjoy

    Chili Mac with the Texas Chili and Terlingua Red Chili over spaghetti, the complimentary chili sampler and cornbread.
    Yvonne R.

    This was my second tine here. I was praying they still existed years after my first visit. First of all the service was excellent. My server was so friendly. Service was very fast. They start you off with a complimentary chili sampler of four chilis. I chose the Texas Chili with a bit of a kick and the Terlingua red chili which is just flavorful. The Cincinnati had a sweet flavor that I don't really care for and the Vegetarian chili is just not my thing!! You can order the chili in many different ways. I picked the two chilis over spaghetti and topped with cheese. This called the Chili Mac. All chili orders come with a great cornbread. The servings are very generous and was too much for me so I was happy to take leftovers to enjoy later!! This is a small, no frills place that delivers a lot of bang for your buck! If you like chili, you must come here and enjoy!!

    When you can't decide on ONE then pick two!!!

    So delish! What awesome staff and loved the taste-testing they offer to help you decide staff were welcoming and VERY helpful. Excellent customer service...and especially on a busy Fall weekend. Dont Miss the chance to check this place out!!!

    Annette I.

    The Hard Times Cafe celebrates cowboy culture and chili, hence, the horse out front. Our server was beyond friendly and gave us a complimentary tasting before asking which chilis we'd order. I had the Cincinnati and my date had the Vegetarian. Both were toothsome and tasty. The Long Island Iced Teas and onion rings rounded out the meal with deliciousness at a reasonable price. This was probably pretty high calorie but fairly Keto. I shall return with pleasure... 5/5 stars! Kudos to Debra for her amazing hospitality!

    Destiny R.

    Honestly upon walking in the place had a smell. Then we had a sampler of the chili and every one lack luster. I have zero complaints about the service but they food was awful. Got the wings and they were disgusting with a burnt taste. I literally haven't ordered wings in old town since because of this experience.

    Cincinnati chili over cilantro rice

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    3 months ago

    Been going here for years. Still great food and friendly service. I miss the old songs they used to play though. Still an old favorite.

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    4 months ago

    Love the chili. Actually I love everything about it including the ambiance. The wings are good too.

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    9 months ago

    Fun place, great cincinnati chili, casual very friendly staff and reasonable prices, been eating there for many years

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    11 months ago

    I've been a customer since Hard Times opened in the 80's. Great chili and now they have an impressive expanded menu.

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    Ivy & Coney

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    How am I so late to discovering Ivy and Coney I'll never know! I wound up going to check out a…read moreLions game with my friends from Detroit only to discover it's also a Chicago sports bar! As a HUGE Bears fan, this was truly a treat for me and I appreciated everything from the decor to the menu. Chicago dogs? Italian beef? MY HEART! This is the perfect dive bar to catch a game and I absolutely love the environment. As a Chicago(land) native, Ivy and Coney hits home in all the right ways. Tucked away in the Shaw neighborhood, this unassuming spot is a Midwest haven in the heart of DC. Let's start with the food: the Detroit-style pizza is phenomenal. Crispy edges, generous portions (you get 8 slices!), and packed with flavor. Perfect to share! Other notable mentions included the cheese curds, smash burger, or legit Chicago-style dogs. The space itself is exactly what a dive bar should be: cozy, casual, a little rowdy when it needs to be, and full of character. The back bar with the retractable roof is a hidden gem for game days. When I visited it was a beautiful evening and having the roof retracted added a special touch! And the staff? Peak Midwest nice (IYKYK). Friendly, quick, and genuinely happy to see you. Catch me here on Mondays, Thursdays, or Sundays (i.e., whenever my team is on the screen!). Whether you're here for sports, snacks, or just the atmosphere, Ivy and Coney delivers every time. It's my new go-to spot for a slice of home, and if you're from the Midwest (or just love great food and chill vibes), it should be yours too.

    Vibes are great here. The drinks are good and a reasonable price, the bartenders are fun to talk…read moreto, everybody is "Midwest nice" (in the best way - you can make friends with your seat neighbors), the playlist is fire, and you can just hang out and have a good time. We love it here!

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    Dinner at Bungalow on Tuesday evening and the service was excellent. Bryce was attentive without…read morehovering. The food was the best I've ever gotten there. Recommend the salmon with risotto. I give it a 10 out of 10.

    We have been to the Lakehouse twice before, always had good service and good food. The food was…read morevery good this time, as well, but the service was very disappointing. First, the hostess acted like we were an intrusion into her evening, didn't welcome us or make eye contact. She sat us at a booth, which didn't work, so she did seat us at a table. I asked for a vegetarian menu, knowing there was one, but she walked off, did not return. Our waiter was a young man, spoke very softly; we both had a difficult time hearing him. My wife ordered her drink; I asked for a few more minutes. That drink did not appear until half my meal was over, which I did not appreciate. And I had to ask 3 times to get the drink, including asking another waiter. We ordered salad and main dish; my vegetarian menu finally appeared. It just seemed both the hostess and our waiter did not care to attend to us. I do not know if we will be returning; and to top this all off, both the hostess and waiter called us 'Guys'. When two older women are sitting at the same table, we are ladies, or simply nice to see you two tonight. Please tell your wait staff to get this right. We like Bungalow Lakehouse, it is close to home, and the atmosphere is comfortable.

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    Hard Times Cafe - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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