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    Hard Times Cafe

    2.8 (255 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    HARD TIMES CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Hard Times Cafe

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    For some reason, I am in the mood for chili, with Fritos and corn bread   ‍
    Carl C.

    In the mood for chili, cornbread and Fritos for Sunday brunch. Surprisingly, good DMV weather today. Hard Times is a great local staple for these items. The food is always solid and the service is attentive and authentic, especially today. Not geared to be that Michelin experience, but it is good amd reliable diner food that brings me here! Chili portions are big, too!

    Corn bread
    Nancy R.

    We've all heard that old adage, "you can't go home again.".  Well, as it applies to a once family favorite, it unfortunately rings true.  I don't know what happened to Hard Times.  Maybe we just hit it on a bad day but the dishes we ordered we really not good when they used to be hearty and delicious.  The onion rings were so greasy that I don't even think they were drained between oil and bowl.  At least the dipping sauce was still tasty, but, I don't understand why they didn't at least try and rest them on a paper towel or something before serving them up.  We had the Texan, Terlingua and Cincinnati chilis and were disappointed in all three.  When did the meat get so tiny that it is more like grain?   It used to be so comforting and now it was so runny.  Unfortunately, I think the chili of our memory will have to just remain there and we won't chance going back again only to be let down.

    Corn Dog Nuggets & Fried Pickles
    LanChi N.

    Apparently Hard time a has fallen on hard times...Today's visit was lackluster. Our server was great but the kitchen was having difficulties. What I mean is normally fried food is very simple throw it in the fryer wait for it to cook. Everything was cooked and a bit dark versus the normal golden brown(hard to tell cause I took it on and iPhone 13 with enhanced dark mode) . So it looks very golden brown. Why are their old grease like stains on my plate? That means the fryer oil is old and hasn't been changed. The table ordered wings naked no sauce and the Texas bbq. I didn't get a chance to try one but we had a mix of partially cooked and under seasoned wings. The loaded fries were loaded but lacked salt.my coworker had to add salt and even that she said was inedible. My other coworker tried to eat her loaded fries and pile was so glued together and congealed she couldn't even lift it on her fork. Overall...I think there is a reason I have avoided hard times for food...I don't know if it's this location or if it's pandemic effects but dirty grease on plates after frying food is no go for me. Lou's if the food has been sitting there because they can't find the tickets shows a lack of organization in the kitchen. This was shared by food runners who drop food at the table. But the steak tips looked pretty good and another coworker enjoyed it. So perhaps if your looking for lack of flavor and dirty bar food it's your place. At least the pool tables are nice.

    Sirloin tips with sides of onion rings and cilantro rice
    Jane M.

    My husband and I have popped by this Hard Times location a few times over the years for chili mac, wings, and their weekend breakfast buffet, and went there this evening to try their dinner entrees for the first time because they have daily specials, and customers can get $3 each entree on Saturdays. My husband got their sirloin tips (+ sides of onion rings and cilantro rice), and I got their fish and chips (+ cilantro rice), and we were both pleasantly surprised by how large, delicious, and fresh their entrees are. The sirloin tips are so tender and have a delicious char. The cod and French fries were very fresh (definitely not from frozen)! Overall, great prices for much better than expected food! Their service has always been great - the waitstaff has always been so friendly and hospitable. Their breakfast buffet is delicious and hard to beat for $14.99!

    The bar area here is nowhere near the level of College Park's bar.
    Deborah B.

    Chili cheese fries with Cincinnati chili was great, but the service is what lowered the rating. Sitting in the front bar took five minutes before anybody was willing to take our order. When asking if the repair on tap was alcoholic, the bartender did not know. Ordering it anyway it came to our place is very flat. When you get something on draft do you expect it to have a wonderful foamy head this did not, it hardly had any bubbles at all. We also ordered a cider on tap and the bar we were at was "tapped out", so the bartender went into the back bar and poured and glass from there. The front of the restaurant was not busy at all and looking into the back bar it wasn't too busy there either. This was on a Sunday at 2 PM. The hard times and College park has better food is much better service and is laid out in a more friendly way.

    Beer, 4 way - Texas style, corn bread.  YUM!
    Jeff T.

    This is a place that I have always loved. I loved hearing the great commercials on the radio. how hey touted that they were on the Washingtonian Cheap Eats list for years. Then with changes in businesses, the radio adds stopped, they closed some locations, but Hard Times Cafe is still around. When I was sitting here waiting for my food, i was looking online for info on the restaurant and read that both brothers who started the chain passed away. Fred, the last of the two brothers passing away last year. Stepping into the Springfield location. This is my first time at this location I was surprise how they did social distancing with tables. For tables that guests cant sit at, they decorate them with themes for a holiday, Being Easter, they had great Easter decorations on every other table. I thought this was just an amazing touch that you would not expect from a national chain. This type if care comes from family own and run businesses. I ordered a beer that came out quick and very cold and great. They gave me a piece of corn bread with 2 packs of butter and omg I forgot how great the cornbread is. I would have to say, this is the BEST cornbread I think i have ever eaten. I ordered a 4 way Texas style. It was close to the end of the day for the restaurant and was a little worried, some places keep things like chili on too high a heat and it overcooks and tastes burned. But here. The taste was making no I could not wait to eat more. I read online that the Texas chili was from a family recipe from the 1890's I believe. This chili recipe is 130 years old and its awesome. The staff was friendly and helpful and happy that I was there and yes its been a while since I have been there, but I will be there again very soon. And to close. Why why why is this place not on the Washingtonian cheap eats list anymore? $11 for a 4 way, spaghetti, chili cheese and onion is a great price. The spaghetti was also cooked great and unlike many restaurants, the spaghetti did not come on a plate swimming in water. If you have never been. Give this place a try. If you have not been in a while.. Give this place another go. Its worth it all the way.

    Our check for our order. I was charged for a BOWL OF TERLINGUA CHILI and NOT A CUP! No Tip was Given.

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    1 year ago

    Really yummy chili, great on the chili salad. Tasty chix wings and on tap root beer. Attentive service.

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    1 year ago

    Chix Alamo, all day long! I've been coming here for years, that damn spaghetti hits the spot every time.

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    1 year ago

    Been a while. I forgot how dang good the chili is. I had the chili bubba and I'm happily stuffed.

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    We called for carryout Our order was correct and on time. Always great service and yummy chili.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Hard Times Cafe

    Do they still allow smoking in this place?

    No.

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    Mike's American

    Mike's American

    4.4(3.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    My s/o and I are big fans of Mike's American for their consistency in their food and service. We…read moreprobably come here at least once a month. The actual restaurant feels massive but decorated in a rustic way. I want to give a huge shout out to Alicia. She is such a knowledgeable, approachable, and receptive server. She was on top of refilling drinks, making sure we weren't left alone for too long when we were waiting for our food to come, and just had an overall amazing energy. While we really enjoy all of the servers we've had at Mikes, Alicia takes the cake. If there's any way to provide her with recognition, I would highly vouch for it. She could sell me anything on that menu with that kind of personality! Thank you, Alicia! I'm going to make sure we try to get seated at your table again.

    I visited Mike's American after coming across it on Resy and was able to get a same-day reservation…read morefor two on Easter Sunday. As expected, it was busy, but the restaurant does have a fairly large parking lot which made arrival easier. The setup was interesting. After checking in downstairs, I was given a ticket and directed upstairs for seating. I took the elevator, which offered a clear view of the kitchen below as it ascended... definitely a unique touch. Upstairs, another host staff guided us to our table. The space had a lively feel, roaring with chatter from customers, and I could see parts of the kitchen where food was being prepared over an open flame, which added to the overall atmosphere. For the food, we started with the calamari. It was cooked well and had a nice texture, especially paired with the crispy onion shoestrings, which added a good crunch and flavor. It was served over a lobster sauce, although the lobster flavor wasn't very noticeable. The main issue was the salt level... it was quite heavy! I did enjoy it overall, but I would only recommend it to someone who doesn't have to watch their sodium intake. For entrées, I ordered the steak cooked medium with broccolini. The dish automatically comes with mashed potatoes, and while I was able to substitute the salad for broccolini, there didn't seem to be flexibility with the potatoes. After tasting the mashed potatoes, I wish I was offered to substitute it as it tasted like the brown box we grew up on where you just added water. When the food came out, the steak was closer to medium-well or well done rather than medium, and both the mashed potatoes and broccolini were a bit cold. I chose not to send it back since we waited but it did affect the overall experience. My guest ordered the ribs with fries and coleslaw. The ribs were well-prepared--tender with a clean pull off the bone--and were probably the highlight of the meal. The fries were also very good and came out hot. The coleslaw wasn't as well received, described as having too many of the tougher parts of the cabbage. Overall, the experience had some positives, especially in terms of atmosphere and certain menu items like the ribs and fries. While I did enjoy parts of the meal, it's not somewhere I would personally return to, but it may be worth trying once to form your own opinion.

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    Yard House - Tap in to great food, classic rock and 100+ craft & local beers.

    Yard House

    3.7(1.5k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I had to try out Yard House's happy hour because I heard they had 1/2 off appetizers! Appetizers…read morestart out at $7. Everything came out in big portions, so you can definitely share everything at the table. The nachos were really good. Huge portion and perfect for sharing. I would suggest that you ask for extra sour cream. The buffalo boneless wings were good and I loved that they came with a skewer so you don't get messy. Very date friendly appetizer. The tenders were cool, just nothing special. Fries were good but the honey mustard was watery. The burgers were mid. Just a regular burger with no seasoning. The spinach dip was edible but not seasoned. I've had better spinach dip from the grocery store. The ambiance is the same as your typical bar, loud, fast paced, with many tvs. Overall I regret ordering the burgers and spinach dip but I loved everything else and I'll definitely be back! 8 appetizers and 2 drinks only came up to $80!

    Timing is everything.. And so true at this everything busy…read morebar. We had various Kolsch and Pilsner beer, lettuce wraps, margarita pizza, to die for! and crispy beef sechezuan noodles. It's all a repeat for next time!

    Photos
    Yard House - Lobster Garlic Noodles - Maine lobster, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, spinach and parmesan.

    Lobster Garlic Noodles - Maine lobster, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, spinach and parmesan.

    Yard House - Enjoy a variety of appetizers, like our Chicken Nachos, while watching your favorite sports games.

    Enjoy a variety of appetizers, like our Chicken Nachos, while watching your favorite sports games.

    Yard House - Mac + Cheese]² - With white truffle, bacon, chicken, crimini, shiitake & oyster mushrooms, parmesan and panko cheddar crust.

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    Mac + Cheese]² - With white truffle, bacon, chicken, crimini, shiitake & oyster mushrooms, parmesan and panko cheddar crust.

    Kilroy's - Shrimp dinner with baked potato

    Kilroy's

    3.3(348 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    We come to Virginia once a year as my family resides in the area. Every time that we would visit…read moreSpringield, we would take our uncle out to eat. He always recommended Kilroys to us as he was a regular at this restaurant. So, it became our annual tradition to have dinner at Kilroys. When you walk into Kilroys, you'll appreciate the amount of details thag went into the interior design of the restaurant. It should be noted that Kilroy's honors its veterans. My uncle was a proud veteran, so he always felt welcomed here. There is a lot of military memorabilia throughout Kilroy's. The walls are filled with so many photos that walk you back through historic events. There's so much love for the USA in here! The menu consists of a lot of traditional American food. Most of the items are heavy, so expect to leave with a full belly. They have your typical meat, fish, poultry, and pasta dishes. However, they also offer flatbread pizzas! There really is something for everyone. I typically order catfish or trout. Both are delicious, but I really like their catfish. I love Cajun spices, so it's always nice to enjoy something that hits close to home. I also appreciate that their servings are large, because it's well worth the money that you spend here. I would have never heard of Kilroy's if it wasn't for my uncle. Kilroy's definitely lived up to the hype. I enjoy coming here because it's like a hidden gem. It's situated in a small shopping center and you'd probably walk past it as it doesn't really stand out. Kilroy's is definitely a great place to enjoy a hearty meal, hang out with friends, or to grab a drink before heading back home.

    Realized my previous review was 10 years old while sitting @ Kilroy's enjoying a cider and waiting…read morefor the loaded tots and burgers and decided an update was in order. I think it's safe to say we are fans. This place is old school, not just due to the decor but also due to certain staff (although they have recently been joined by some newer folks), attendees, and the menu. We stick with burgers, loaded tots, wings, cider, and a dessert. I visit here with hubs as well as a walking buddy. It's decor is a little conflicted in that is WWI & II focused inside and Jimmy Buffet /beachy w parrots outside. During the pandemic I enjoyed sitting outside eating the tots & sipping cider with my walking buddy after a walk around the lake, unfortunately now the outside seems to have become a smoking area removing it as a good place to eat for those of us who do not smoke. I hope it will regain its nice outdoor dining space in the new year's spring and summer but guess the bar crowd may frequent the outdoor space for smokes which is unfortunate. The bar is open late with sports streaming constantly and been a good place to catch games so I get why they may find it beneficial to keep that crowd returning. Despite the old school vibe and dark decor Kilroy's is clean & the service is friendly although they do over use those food heat lamps. We come here regularly for the Monday burger deal, I would guess we currently average about once a month.

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    Kilroy's - Inside dining

    Inside dining

    Kilroy's - Calimari

    Calimari

    Kilroy's - Inside dining

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    Inside dining

    Dave & Buster's Springfield - Truffle Fries

    Dave & Buster's Springfield

    2.3(658 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I went with my boyfriend on a Saturday night. The crowd level was what you would expect it to be on…read morea Saturday night, but not too too busy. It was easy to purchase the reloadable card at the self service kiosk upon entry. Unfortunately, a lot of the games were not well maintained. For example, many of the basketballs were removed from the basketball shooting game, so we didn't have as many balls to throw. I saw a few kids playing with them around the room. When playing the Flappy Bird game, the machine completely shut down and I didn't get tickets for what I had completed and I didn't get point reimbursement. When playing Mario Kart, one of the wheels was loose. When playing Skee-Ball, half of the balls were missing. Basically, you can tell that the machines are not monitored or maintained on a regular basis. Overall, I had a 7/10 experience. You definitely can have fun, but don't expect the quality of the machines to be great.

    I have a rule about not wasting my time going to a Dave and Busters that doesn't offer bowling…read more This one doesn't offer bowling so I essentially wasted my time and money in this location, but...anything for the kids *shrugs*. I accompanied my friends with their teenage nephew and niece and we decided to make this experience into a whole evening with dinner and [weak] drinks and games. The service at the bar was slow despite it not being too particularly crowded. The slow service actually created the crowd so that was annoying. The bartenders and servers and possibly a manager seemed to be having several heated arguments amongst themselves. The food was not very good. The fries were even more particularly disappointing. Yeah, don't go here.

    Photos
    Dave & Buster's Springfield - Arcade area

    Arcade area

    Dave & Buster's Springfield - Lemon pepper Original Wings

    Lemon pepper Original Wings

    Dave & Buster's Springfield - The reason why we were limited to two hours.

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    The reason why we were limited to two hours.

    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Filet Steak

    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

    3.9(115 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    Dear reader,…read more Firebirds was a thoroughly lovely experience and exactly the sort of place one hopes for when the evening calls for a proper cocktail and a comfortable perch at the bar. We sat there for the evening and had such a fun time, due in no small part to the bartender, who was super nice, genuinely funny, and clearly knew their way around a cocktail. A charming and commendable combination. The atmosphere strikes a very pleasing balance. It feels warm and inviting with a slightly upscale air, but never in a way that feels stuffy or overly serious. Everything felt polished, the service was great, and the whole place had that easy, settled-in quality that makes you want to stay for another round rather than rush off to the next engagement. I also especially liked the Seared Ahi Tuna, which was absolutely worth ordering and deserves its moment of recognition. Overall, Firebirds delivered a very enjoyable evening with good drinks, great service, and an atmosphere that made lingering feel like the correct decision. We will absolutely be back soon, and happily so.

    The Happy Hour selections were delicious! Make sure to get there early because the bar fills up…read morequickly, and Happy Hour pricing is only available at the bar. It's was very vibrant for a chilly Friday evening. The cocktails were great and the portions were surprisingly large--perfect for sharing. We ordered the fireside shrimp, beef sliders, prime rib sliders, crispy cauliflower, and truffle fries. Everything was flavorful and came out quickly. The lemon drops and mules were also excellent. Even better, our entire order for a family of four came in under $100, which was a great value. Shoutout to our waitress, Bre, who was fantastic--attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. We will definitely be returning!

    Photos
    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Fireplace

    Fireplace

    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit

    Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit

    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - FireBirds Bar

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    FireBirds Bar

    Hard Times Cafe - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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