Hard Times Cafe (chain restaurant)
| Hard Times Cafe | |
|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Slogan | World famous CHILI and other American favorites |
| Established | 1980 |
| Current owner(s) | Jim and Fred Parker |
| Street address | 1404 King Street |
| City | Alexandria |
| State | Virginia |
| Postal code/ZIP | 22314 |
| Country | USA |
| Other locations | 17 total locations |
| Website |
www |
Hard Times Cafe (sometimes Hard Times Cafe & Cue) is a restaurant chain serving chili and other foods, primarily in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. area. Hard Times has been recognized in several publications, including USA Today,[1] AOL's City's Best,[2] Zagat's "Top 20 Area Restaurants" from 2003 to 2008,[3] and several others.[4]
History
The first Hard Times Cafe was opened in Old Town Alexandria in 1980 by Jim and Fred Parker.[5] They were also the first sports bar in the DC Area to "grill" their wings. After they've been sauced they throw them on the grill for a minute or two. Locking the flavor in and at the same time making it a bit cleaner to eat.
On September 21, 2011, Hard Times Cafe opened at Washington DC's Verizon Center sports arena, home of the Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics, Georgetown Hoyas, concerts and events. Hard Times Cafe now operates two locations on the Verizon Center's lower level concourse—a permanent stand at section 112 and a portable stand at section 119—offering fans a chance to enjoy chili macs, nachos, veggie nachos, chili tots, wings, and chili dogs. Hard Times also has a location at Nationals Park.
Menu
Hard Times serves appetizers, burgers, and salads, but they are generally known for their chili. There are four types of chili available:[6]
- Texas Chili
- Cincinnati Chili
- Terlingua Red
- Vegetarian Chili
Locations
The original location is still in business today, in Alexandria, Virginia. There are a total of 16 locations:[7]
| City | State | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe |
| Clarendon | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| College Park | Maryland | Hard Times Cafe |
| Fairfax | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Frederick | Maryland | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Fredericksburg (314 Jefferson Davis Highway) | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Fredericksburg (5099 Jefferson Davis Highway) | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Germantown | Maryland | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Hagerstown | Maryland | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Manassas | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Nationals Park | Washington, D.C. | Left Field Concourse |
| Rockville | Maryland | Hard Times Cafe |
| Springfield | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Verizon Center | Washington, D.C. | Lower Level Concourse |
| Waldorf | Maryland | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |
| Woodbridge | Virginia | Hard Times Cafe & Cue |