Hard Times Cafe

This review is mostly for their wings, which are fantastic. They make Texas style wings, which I don't know exactly what that means, but I think it involves a rub, and then the key to their deliciousness, getting finished on the grill 😋 I would come here just for the wings, and the good service, but having chili is just a bonus. I think they have 3 or 4 types of chili, including Cincinnati style, Texas, and vegetarian, and multiple ways to have it served; over spaghetti, over corn bread, over Fritos, etc. Be warned, they aren't open at all on Mondays.

I ate most of it before I remembered to take a picture. The exterior does nothing to help the place. The inside has fantastic atmosphere, staff is helpful and the building is clean. If you like Chilli and wings you have to stop.

The Five Guys of Wings!! I swear I saw God smile when these wings were made! Delicious, full of flavor and has meat!

This place is rustic and dark. But that is the charm of an old time joint serving 4 styles of chili including a vegetarian version (spicey!!).
We've been going here for decades and always enjoy the food.
Try the chili in a sample of all four first if you don't know which you'd like.
Combine them if you like too!
Personally, I live the Texas and Terlingua Red combo.
Try it as a four way! (menu describes it)

Enjoy!

Best wings ever, awesome cooks/servers and super cool atmosphere with nostalgic cowboy comics and movie posters on the walls.

Super friendly staff!! We enjoyed our delicious Chili taters.

Food never disappoints, don’t let the fact of it being in shopping center and dive bar feel persuade you from going in. Great chili, wings and burgers.

Stopped in for lunch 8/22. Server greated me before I even sat down. Got the wings and they were piping hot and delicious. Anytime my water would go down at all he had it filled back up. All the staff was extremely friendly. I love Hard Times. It’s a shame so many have gone out. I hope this one never does. Their wings are my favorite. Highly recommend.

Great food and staff,use to work here years ago too,when Maggie was manager...Chicken Alamo is real good!!!frfr💯🔥💯

Amazing, no frills, comfort food. It is physically impossible to leave this place not absolutely full to the gills with chili.

Great selection of chili. Their veggie chili is surprisingly good. Best item on menu, Original Texas Grilled Chicken Wings!

I've eaten here half a dozen times, usually for takeout, and the food is just as you'd expect it to be for a place like this -- delicious, greasy and filling. I can't recommend the frito pie enough. I love chili and Hard Times is a great place to get it.

The WINGS!!! I've literally never had better.
Fall off the bone juicy, grilled and seasoned to perfection 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 chilli lime was amazing, can't wait to try all the flavors 😋

Great restaurant/ neighborhood bar. The chili is award - winning and the wings are second to none. Wings are kinda our thing. The wings here are fresh. Never frozen. The only other wing joint that I've encountered with fresh wings was in N.Y. The chicken alamo is incredible. The steak salad could easily compare to those served in upscale restaurants. Cozy atmosphere, cold beer, great food, and usually a pleasant staff. What's not to love?

I have been going there for chili for over 30 years. Even in the time of COVID their food tastes the same and the people are great. If you like chili this is the best place to go. My favorite is the Chili Bubba... Cincinnati chili over a big piece of corn beard. With tomatoes. Cheese and sour cream... it is PERFECT

Good beer and dishes at peaceful atmosphere

One of my favorite places to eat! I love the Texas chilli, but get the sampler so you can try all of their chillies. The onion rings and chicken wings are killer and don't forget to get yourself a draft root beer!

My favorite area restaurant! Only place I have ever found Cincinnati chili outside of Cincinnati!

This place is dim, dirty and the only place to get legit ChiliMac. This place is generally well staffed and service is quick. Try not to look closely at the walls and hanging decor as they have at least a decade of dust and spills on them. Worth it.

We come here every time we visit friends in Rockville, and we have never been disappointed. I love the mini corn dogs (because I am really a toddler at heart) and their fish & chips is perfectly prepared. Hubby loves the chili and burgers. I have yet to find anything we wouldn't order again here. And the staff is so nice, it's like sitting down with family.