Hard Times Cafe (chain restaurant)


Hard Times Cafe 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, AOL's City's Best, Zagat's "Top 20 Area Restaurants" from 2003 to 2008, and several others.

History

The first Hard Times Cafe was opened in Old Town Alexandria in 1980 by Jim and Fred Parker.
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 operated 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. Until closing after the 2015 season, Hard Times also had 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:

Locations

The original location is still in business today, in Alexandria, Virginia. There are a total of 6 locations:
CityStateType
AlexandriaVirginiaHard Times Cafe
College ParkMarylandHard Times Cafe
Fredericksburg VirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue
Fredericksburg VirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue
RockvilleMarylandHard Times Cafe
SpringfieldVirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue

Additionally, Hard Times has had former locations that have subsequently been closed at the following sites:
CityStateTypeYear closed
ClarendonVirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue2016
FairfaxVirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue2019
FrederickMarylandHard Times Cafe & Cue2017
GermantownMarylandHard Times Cafe & Cue2014
HagerstownMarylandHard Times Cafe & Cue2017
HerndonVirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue2010
ManassasVirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue2017
Nationals ParkWashington, D.C.Left Field Concourse2015
Capital One ArenaWashington, D.C.Lower Level ConcourseUnknown
WaldorfMarylandHard Times Cafe & Cue2018 or 2019
WoodbridgeVirginiaHard Times Cafe & Cue2016
BethesdaMarylandHard Times Cafe2016-ish