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  • 0

    We'd been here a few times and each time the food was mediocre at best.  For some reason we keep coming back, hoping it would be better next time.  I actually like chili quite a bit, and I live near this place, so I keep on trying it, wanting it to work. My final visit was in a group of three, and not one of us enjoyed our food.  One person in the group was pregnant and ready to eat anything, and she barely touched her chili with tater tots.  

    The service was good, but the food was greasy and each of the chili dishes actually contained very little chili.  It seemed like the chili fries were plated without being drained first, and probably sat in the window for a while as well.  A minimal amount of chili was put on top, and then a large amount of firm cheese sat like an umbrella on top of the dish.  

    We were not thrilled with the onion rings either, and left most on the plate.  Again they seemed like they had not been drained of their grease, and the batter was chalky and bland.

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  • 0

    Not my cup of tea. This is the second time my husband has taken me here and the second time I've been disappointed. He adores the wings, I thought they were okay. We ordered chili but the texture and oiliness put me off. Now the deep fried mini corn dog appetizer was pretty delish. Otherwise, I guess it just isn't a place for me, I wanted some healthy options, it's a pretty carby, salty, oily.
    On the other hand, it's good for kids. Our 2 year old had a ball and I didn't worry at all about her messing stuff up because there were old fries on the seats and floor when we first sat down :)

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  • 0

    Doesn't look like much but it's great place! everything I ate there surprised me. it was much better than i thought it would be. i really enjoyed my ribs and my sisters vegetarian chili.

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  • 0

    I would describe this place as mediocre bar food in a family environment, at best.  We had the Southwest egg rolls which were okay. He has a buffalo chicken wrap which he liked and I had the chicken quesadila which was sub par.  The service was decent as the waitress was nice, but there were lulls of lack of service.

    The environment itself was stuffy. I wish they had outdoor seating. It felt overly warm and crowded and loud. You could hear a lot of kids screaming.  The bench seats seem to accommodate people who are 300 lbs overweight, which really isn't that case with me so I had to scoot up to the edge of the seat to get close to the table.

    I'd say this place is ok. I probably wouldn't come back as I was less than impressed with the food quality and the environment. Also, I wouldn't bring a group larger than four.

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  • 0

    We told them it was our first time here and the waitress told us to wait a moment and quickly brought a sample of all their chili to our table with cornbread! It was just the beginning of a magical evening! Texas wings all the way!!

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  • 0

    Got a gift card to this place. Not a good dining experience at all, unfortunately.

    The interior of the restaurant is charming enough, with wooden booths and  a small but creative space. The food, unfortunately, was another matter.

    We ordered onion rings as an appetizer, and I honestly can say these were the absolute WORST onion rings I have ever been served. Ever. The batter was tasteless and flaky, the onions not much better. The honey mustard sauce that came with it didn't help much (and was pretty bland itself). I don't know if it was just a bad batch or if this is standard fare here, but yuck.

    The main courses were okay (I had the mini Elvis burgers), but not what I would go out of my way to have again. The prices are high for burgers ($9-10 for one regular sized or three mini sliders).

    Our server was somewhat short with us and somewhat disinterested, but I can't really ever blame wait staff (unless they go out of their way to be unnecessarily rude) since I know how tough the job is. I did have to flag down a different server to finally pay the bill though.

    Unless I get another free gift card I won't be by again.

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  • 0

    Mmmmm chili.  Mmmmmm wings.  Mmmmm tots.  Hard times is the local Maryland chain that has been bringing the aforementioned to the DMV since 1980.  Serving chili up to the music of David Bowie, Michael Jackson, and Wham must have done something special for them.  Hard times now operates 17 locations in the DC area, including one in the Verizon Center.  I know what you're asking.  What about the food!?

    4 types of chili: Texas, Terlingua Red, Cincinnati, and Veggie.  I prefer the Cincinnati myself, but a lot of my friends are die-hard Texas fans.  

    The wings are really the true reason I go to Hard Times.  Search and search and search- I haven't been able to find wings in the burbs with that much meat on the bone or flavor on the meat outside of Hard Times.  I love the Old Bay wings ( true MD suburbanite). I love the Texas wings too!  I love the chili lime wings, oh they're good.  But I also LOVE the honey mustard wings!

    I know! I know!  This sounds crazy, but just trust me!  Try their grilled honey mustard wings.  This isn't the "honey mustard" you're thinking of, nor the "droids your looking for."  But trust me, you won't regret it.

    You can also order them by asking for the "Cadillac" wings, that's an insider secret.

    The honey mustard wings are sweet, tangy, savory, with a great balance of flavor.  My local Hard Times, the Rockville location, has become quite the institution.  I ate there weekly as a highschooler.  I ate there on vacations as a college student.  Now, I eat there whenever my friends want something solid, enjoyable, and hearty- which turns out to be quite often.

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  • 0

    Really not that great of a place.  The whole little local chain has managed to make a small name for themselves and keep people coming back but I really don't know how other than there is no real competition in the area.  The food is mediocre at best and over priced for what it is. The staff try to be friendly but that doesn't make up for the weird and simple bland menu or the funky layout and decor of their restaurants. This place is good if you have nowhere else to go or are just looking for a quick drink and don't mind the ambiance.

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  • 0

    Love their grilled wings and chili mac.

    These are probably one of my favorite places to eat wings.  Come here on Wednesdays as they are discounted after 4 PM (dozen wings any style for $5.89).  Usually order the 4 way chili mac with Texas chili.  Make sure you work out after this meal, as the Texas chili will weigh you down.  It is  heavy and rich.

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  • 0

    My husband and I stopped by for lunch over the holidays. It's got a great dive feel and a huge bar. I'd recommend the fried pickles (though in spear form, they were perfectly crunchy) and the Chili Tots. I went with the Texas Red. I'm usually not a huge chili fan, but this was terrific. Great flavor and finely ground beef. With the tots it was a huge lunch, but really hit the spot. My husband prefers the spicy Terilingua chili. Great spot for a casual lunch!

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  • 0

    Staff was super friendly. Food was awesome! I would recommend this place to everyone.

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  • 0

    If you come here, you need to get their GRILLED chicken wings preferably old bay flavor. The wings are so flavorful that you don't need the dressing with it. The root beer in a draft is a must have when you are chowing down on some good ol' chili. I ordered the 4 way chili mac with the vegetarian chili and teringula (sp?) red. Portion is moderate but the plate was packed with flavor. My bf ordered the texan burger and all I can say is that texan sauce is the boss. Fries are nice and crispy.

    Cornbread is okay, it goes well with any chili.

    Tip: if you don't know which chili flavor to pick, just asked your server if you could get a sample.

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  • 0

    We weren't impressed with Hard Times.

    I got the Terlingua red burger - the bun was very dry and so was the burger (despite asking for medium). It had very little flavor, so the bites without chilli were very unappetizing. The chilli was good, though, slightly spicy, just the way I like it. But it wasn't enough to save the burger.

    Plus, we went during happy hour. We were glad to get half price nachos, which were good and came in a large portion for the price, but when the nachos are the highlight of the meal, you're in trouble. We did get drinks, but the happy hour only included the bland stuff - yuengling, bud light, etc, and not any really good beers. Getting a pint of one of those for $3 isn't a deal in my book.

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  • 0

    I love Hard Times - but NOT this one.  I have frequented this place with my husband before we got married, and now with my whole family (two pre-teen boys) as well.  I bought the Hard Times chili mix and even the Hard Times vinegar, so we could enjoy it at home between visits.  I'm even on the Hard Times mailing list.  Which is why I will NEVER go back to THIS Hard Times.

    For my birthday, I got $5 'to spend any way you want!' at Hard Times.  I was so excited, because I love their vinegar - have tried to make my own to no avail - and we were out of it at home.  So I drove several miles out of my way (we live near Olney) to pick up my $5 worth of vinegar.

    After several people questioned the coupon, the owner came out.  He was livid.  He said, 'This is exactly why we need to STOP doing these types of promotions!'  I didn't understand.  He said, 'You have to dine in.'  I said, 'I could sit here with the bottle, if you want - but it says 'to spend any way you want.'  

    The owner nearly screamed at me: 'This is SUPPOSED to be an incentive to SPEND MONEY, not a way for you to get a free bottle of chili vinegar!'  He gave me my vinegar - since I had a valid coupon and all - and I walked out.

    I will never, ever go back.  There's a perfectly good Hard Times in Germantown and another one in Bethesda.  This man totally ruined the Rockville location for me - and he won't see another cent of my money.

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  • 0

    This go round I ordered the Frito pie. Simple yet delish. Chili fries were good too. Crispy fries just like I like them.

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  • 0

    Food wasn't bad. In fact it was good, but the chili wasn't any better than the stuff you find in a can. The portion size of the pasta with chili was far too small for the price. Going the store and grabbing a can of chili is quicker, cheaper, and just as tasty.

    The place could also use a good dusting/de-cobwebbing.

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  • 0

    The two stars is for this particular Hard Times, which I like a lot less than the others I've been to.

    Hard Times has a great selection of bar food, focusing on southwestern flavors, and their staple is the four kinds of chili they serve -- Texas (regular), Terlingua Red (supposedly hotter, doesn't taste all that hot to me), Cincinnati (flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg and other spices, not really all that chili like in flavor) and Vegetarian. All four kinds are great. Their go - to for me is their chili burger. Tasty tasty tasty.

    So why two stars? The first, and this is a major thing for me, is that the chili isn't usually hot enough (I mean temperature) when they bring it to you, which for me sets off alarm bells. I'd imagine people do get sick from eating at this one occasionally, they just don't seem to be keeping the chili hot enough.

    The second is that the service at this location varies widely, from good to atrocious, and I've gotten poorly prepared food, which is why I don't go there anymore.

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  • 0

    What can I say, this place never disappoints! Try the chili lime wings grilled.

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  • 0

    Hard Times Café is a good place to go to after a long night at Clarendon Ballroom or Spider Kelly's in Clarendon. It's got great chili, spaghetti chili, and okay burgers as well.
    The food is above average but tastes a lot better have a night of drinking. Service has always been good and same with the food.

    However, I would probably prefer to eat at other areas in Clarendon for dinner, but this is a solid after party place to chow down.

    Cliff notes: Come here after a night of drinking

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  • 0

    Hard Times is one of the reasons why I continue to run 10Ks and Half Marathons.  The truth is I run to eat!

    I admit it -- the chili here beats the chili from Ben's Chili Bowl. Gasp! It truly is a chili parlor that focuses on the quality of its chili. You have the option to choose from 4 types of chili that you can eat alone or top on a burger, spaghetti noodles, nachos or other entrees-

    The Terlingua chili is the spiciest.

    The Vegan chili doesn't taste bad for chili that has no meat.

    The Texas chili has that dry, ground beef texture and taste.

    And, last but not least -- my favorite, the Cincinnati chili, which is a good mix of savory and juicy beef with a hint of cinnamon-y sweetness.

    I've been here a handful of times and I discovered my favorite -- the Chili Cheeseburger Sliders!  With it comes 3 decently-sized mini-burgers (they're each a bit more substantial than say a White Castle slider because each slider comes with chili of your choice on top of the mini-burger patty) and a small side of french fries.  If you're conscious about portion control and eating something sinful in moderation (like me), the Chili Cheeseburger Sliders are your best bet.  I honestly believe that because Hard Times Chili is power packed with punch and flavor, you don't need a huge burger to have it on.

    If you're more of the simplistic type, I'd recommend the standard bowl of chili.  The cornbread here is just okay -- I've had better cornbread from Safeway.

    If you're with a big group or you can eat a LOT, I recommend the Nachos!  HUGE serving for $9-$10.  You definitely get your money's worth with that appetizer!

    Sign up for the Hard Times mailing list and you'll receive a few coupons and learn about specials each month!  You get a free chili mac just by signing up!  Hard Times has become a favorite of mine and I will probably continue to come here at least a few times each month for some carnivorous goodness!

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  • 0

    Boy does this place have a ton of chili! Fries and chili = heaven on Earth

    I've never tried their wings but if it's anything like the chili you should definitely try it.
    If you don't know which chili to try ask for their sample tray.

    This particular location looks a little sketchy but the best places always do.

    Don't come here if you're on a diet everything was pretty deliciously greasy.

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  • 0

    I really wish Yelp had a half star rating system. 3.5 stars. I had a random craving for chili one day and remembered reading about this place on Yelp so the roommate and I decided to check it out. I ordered their homemade rootbeer while perusing through Yelp reviews to help me decide on which chili to get. I am a huge fan of their rootbeer. It was super awesome and super carbonated (To the point where my straw wouldn't stop floating! I took a picture but it didn't come out so I'll post a new one the next time I go).

    After reading through reviews, I decided on the terlingua red since I love some spice in my food and decided to go with it 4-way chili mac style (spaghetti, chili, cheese, and onions). I didn't expect such a huge portion (see my posted picture) and it was really good! The chili wasn't as spicy as I had hoped but maybe I can augment that next time with some jalapenos. It definitely wasn't OMGBESTCHILI ever but it was good, thus the 3.5 stars and not 4.

    The waiter we had was really friendly. This place looks like a small dive-y place that I could come to enjoy cheap beer and some chili during their happy hour and catch a game since there are several flatscreens spread across the bar and restaurant. They have different happy hour specials every day of the week. I'll definitely update this review as I come back and try their other chili!

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  • 0

    Hard Times is one of the only restaurants I'd miss if I moved out of the DMV.  

    Best wings I've ever had, and they run deals on half-priced wings pretty often.  I prefer the Texas chili, usually with tater tots, but apparently it has double the fat and calories as the Terlingua, which isn't exactly a healthy option itself.  Everything in moderation, right?  I usually eat about a third of the portion (okay, maybe half), then eat the leftovers over another meal or two the next day.  

    Hard Times has a warm, divey atmosphere with basic wooden booths and a couple of TVs (on my last visit, they were showing college wrestling... February is truly a dark time for sports).  There are usually a couple of families and groups of local high school kids, a nice place to spend a Saturday or Sunday evening.  We like this location because it's a minute off of 270.

    My only complaint... and Hard Times, I hope that you hear me loud and clear... we'd love a franchise in Silver Spring.  Till then, only four stars.

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  • 0

    When I'm not on my diet and when I don't care that my blood will run even more red with the Terlinga chili flowing through it and especially when I don't want to come to my senses...I come here for the chili.

    My Rockville location right off of I-270. It's dark and looks like the last remnants of a biker bar. As if there would be bad dealings here, but it's ok...the place is usually filled with cops. The wood benches makes for unpleasant, hard seatings, but when i'm going to abuse my body on the inside, I guess a mere pain in my butt won't kill me.

    I get three standards here (not all at the same time): Terlinga Red on spaghetti with cheese and onions, the ChiliCheddarBurger and the Authentic Coney Dog (w/terlinga chili). This is my trifecta of pain and joy.

    Don't get me wrong the Texas and the Cincinnati are good. Both have their merits and place on the wall. But, if i'm going to do chili here, it's going to be the Terlinga with its spicy kick and redder than blood. I always get a side of jalapeno. The spices ranging from a mix of chili powder, cayenne, paprika, cumin and other spices that i'm sure that they will kill me if I shared it. Actually, i'm kidding...the recipe is on the website. I know that the chili is cooked in its fats giving it a great flavor, but you're doing no good for my arteries, but when you come here don't worry about your health.

    The cheddar burger is a great cut of beef that is chargrilled giving it that smokiness and flavor that a standard flattop grill can't get, then with the chili and cheese. Get ready for joy. The coney island dog will need to be eaten with a knife and fork.

    Warning: If you do attempt to eat this by hand, you will look like you are giving fellatio in the worst way possible and you will be looked at as a hero, madman, or simply Adam Richman, but you will most likely get a date afterwards.

    It's a great place to hang out, have a beer and some chili. Now, excuse me, I have to get my antacid tablets before my date. Wink, Wink!

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  • 0

    Came here on a Wednesday, and their wings (with bones) were the happy hour special that day.  That was perfect since we were craving for wings and came here because of the good reviews on Yelp.  It took forever for us to get our food (25 wings and a serving of loaded fries).  I liked the chili lime sauce on the wings, but the meat itself was wayyy too dry.  The chili fries were also too greasy...even for chili fries.

    Price is pretty good in general, but its even better if you come for the specials.  Service is slow and not very attentive.  There was a lot of waiting involved.

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  • 0

    Hard Times is a DC institution and since moving to Silver Spring, my wife and I have been at this one a number of times.

    The chili and wings are as good as any other location. Good service, great place to watch sports.

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  • 0

    Found this place via yelp while on the way to Rockville to do some shopping. If you like chili, stopping here is a no brainer.

    Things that are awesome:

    -having a sampler of their four types of chili (enough for two spoonfuls of each, also just enough to get you hooked, conveniently)
    -boneless wings, with choice of sauce
    -most items on the menu $10 or less

    Things that are even awesomer:

    -a bowl of crispy tater tots smothered with chili and cheese, as soon as I saw this on the menu I knew what I was ordering

    A bit loud inside, and definitely shabby rustic (think wood benches, wood paneling, wood you-name-it) but next time I want some chili, HTC is where it's at.

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  • 0

    I'd forgotten all about Hard Times.  Back in the day, my husband and I used to frequent this place.  Not sure why we stopped.  Probably because you can only eat so much chili before it just gets gross.  

    But on this day, we were in the area, and driving past this place made us crave chili...even though it was 130 degrees out.  I never said that we made sense.

    My Terlinga Red chili was just as I remembered it.  A plain and sturdy chili that stood up well to all the toppings I put on it.  But the standout from that meal was the bowl of tater tots topped with chili that my husband ordered.  Oh, I didn't like the tater tots drowning in chili...but the tots that were chili free, were hot, crisp, crunchy and one of the most delectable order of tater tots I've stolen from my husband in years!  This is what I'm definitely ordering next time...only with the chili on the side.

    Standard, basic bowls of chili.  Decent wings.   Fast but unspectactular service, and a nice dive-y atmosphere to relax in.  Not the most amazing place I've ever been, but it definitely serves its purpose.

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  • 0

    It's hard to go wrong with a genuine neighborhood hangout like Hard Times. The place has a rustic feel, which i like. The service is prompt and friendly, and the food is down to earth, simple but good. They are known for their burgers and chill, but my favorite is their huge salads.

    Great place to hang out.

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  • 0

    This is a no-kidding Chili Parlor. You think you know chili? We'll just see about that.

    With Mac? All-the-way wet? And don't forget to have some of their root beer (made with honey) to wash it all down.

    This place is a D.C. icon.

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  • 0

    Best burgers on Tuesday!  you know why?! because they're half off!

    Come between 3-7pm and then the appetizers are half off too!

    On a hot day, you'll be wearing half of your clothing too because it's extremely warm!!

    I recommend you get your burger one level below how you normally get it because they grill them much faster and tend to over cook them!

    The Whiskey River BBQ Bacon burger is a dream! and the bread they used is not heavy at all. The fries are fillers and i recommend you enjooy them last or not at all!

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  • 0

    We ordered the Frito Chili Pie w/Texas chili and it was pretty good.  As a kid we used to eat Frito Pie all the time, but the only difference is that the frito pie we at as kids had melted cheese (like nacho or velveeta cheese) and this Frito Pie had shredded cheese.  The Frito Pie was good, but it wasn't quite as good as I remembered, and I think it was because of the cheese.

    We also ordred the Original Texas (flavor) Grilled Wings. OMG!!!! Those wings were P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-A-L!!!  I cannot stress to you enough.  OMG!!!  OMG!!!  OMG!!!  I think these must have been the BEST wings that I have ever tasted IN MY LIFE!!!  If you come here, you've gotta try them and YOU MUST get them GRILLED.  That is what makes all the difference!  (FYI:  I'm giving this place 5 STARS based on these WINGS!!  They were THAT GOOD!)

    The corn bread was just average, but that was ok, b/c the wings were hittin' so hard!  The jukebox was playing Shania Twain "the woman in me" which I sang along with and serenaded my husband.  (Made me go to iTunes & pick up a couple of Shania hits that I had forgot about!)  Overall, I liked this place.  Next time we come I think we're gonna opt to get a HUGE HEAP of WINGS!

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  • 0

    Hard times cafe is a great place to get great chili, have a beer or nurse a hangover. The star of the joint is obviously the chili, which they have four different varieties. The spiciest happens to be the vegetarian, but (in my opinion) the most flavorful are the terlingua red and the Cincinnati style. I usually get a 5 way with half terlingua and half Cincinnati. However, I've tried them all and you can't go wrong if you live good chili.
    The wings are good (especially grilled!) and the draught root beer is a great touch.  BUT the real prize at hard times is the onion rings. Crispy and hot, the rings are thinly coated and taste out if this world. If you like rings, make sure you try them here. Pure gold.

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  • 0

    Love Hard Times for their huge meaty wings, real (bean-less) chilli, and tasty burgers! They run specials most days with $5 burgers on Mondays and 1/2 price wings on Wednesdays. The chilli cheddar burger loaded with Texas chilli is amazing, and their fries are thick and substantial - the kind with the skin left on. Good options for vegetarians too - veggie burgers and vegetarian chilli.

    Also, I'll second Dana's warning about the speed camera van on Nelson street, watch out for that.

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  • 0

    Been to a few HTC's but this is the first time I actually ever ate food at one.  I love the chili... especially the one I know I can't spell.  I also love that they have recipes online.  I recently made their chili recipe at home and it was easy to make and tasted (somewhat) like the real thing

    This location is smaller than many of the others.  No pool tables or anything.  Not a lot of tables.

    I don't know if I'm allowed to say this but if you are coming from 270 be careful - I'm told there is one of those pesky speed cameras on the road leading up to the shopping center.

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  • 0

    Don't know what all the excitement is for when it comes to this place.  The chilli is mediocre and bland, with my favorite being the vegetarian.  That's really saying something when I can knock down a rare steak and rare burger like no other.  The burgers are decent and have a slight edge on the chilli.

    They do run great specials, and great discounts for employees of some local businesses which keeps me coming back.  As long as they keep that up, I'm all in.

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  • 0

    A stalwart staple of local cuisine, standing strong against the malevolent tide of recession-sizing and rising prices.

    Means cheap, big portions.

    A classic, laid-back atmosphere surrounds this personal favorite of mine. Wooden booths comprise the seating, ceiling mounted TVs are scattered throughout, and music from the juke box fills the air while a bar sits in the back. Pitchers of beer are the perfect accompaniment to the four speciality chilis that are more or less the restaurant's calling card (ask for the free sampler). A brief look at the menu shows nothing is above $10 (that I can remember) and portion sizes are generous. Rounding out the experience is an incredibly friendly staff that will happily stand around to chat if you're so inclined.

    The emphasis on the chili at Hard Times becomes apparent when you look at the menu. Chili can be ordered alone or topped on just about anything else they serve: burgers, spaghetti noodles, cornbread, and a bed of Fritos. And boy is it good. Many store-bought or even homemade recipes featured in cook-offs don't carry a fully-fleshed flavor and are often dried out or bear a dull/muted color. A good chili should have a powerful impact when first tasted and depart with a lingering yet pointed impression when swallowed. Aesthetically, it should also look fresh and pull you in with rich tones. This place nailed it, particularly with their Texas chili that has a strong, meaty flavor and is kept moist stewing in its slightly greasy sauce. A real man's meal.

    Overall, Hard Times is a great solution for bouts of gastonomic indeciveness. Particularly in the warm spring and summer months, it proves itself as a sturdy resource to simply relax with some good food, friends, and a beer or three.

    Hard Times has multiple locations throughout the Maryland region (Rockville, Bethesda, College Park).

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  • 0

    I love, love, love Hard Times.  I don't live in Maryland anymore, but when I'm visiting home, I almost always come for the wings and/or chili.
    I LOVE wings.  And grilled wings are elevated.  The grilled Texas wings are my favorite thing.  And I'm not crazy about blue cheese dressing in general, but I could eat theirs on its own.
    The Cincinnati chili is my favorite, hands down.  With mac and shredded cheese--such great comfort food.  Now that they sell the mix in boxes, I can make it at home in Massachusetts.  It tastes exactly the same as the restaurant.
    I've heard the burger is good, but really, chili is the way to go.  I've always wanted to try the frito pie, but the wings always call.

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  • 0

    I go here all the time and I really don't know why. I inevitably eat too much and get incredibly ill, the food isn't good for you by any stretch of the imagination, and after I eat the last thing I want to do is go back to work when lying down on the sidewalk seems to be all I'm physically capable of.

    Also, the music is way too poundingly loud. Here, have a little Toby Keith on TEN with your chili.

    But still, still I go. The chili is good, yes. I second the dry Texas. The Cincinnati is good and fairly close to the traditional (I used to live near the city, in Dayton) but I'm not one for sweeter meat dishes. The veggie is pretty good, I hear. Get the sampler if you need help, as indicated below.

    I always get the Texas chicken salad. The meat is too hot, because there's too much sauce on it. I use way too much Mexi-ranch dressing, because as I said, I walk in here and go berserk with the fat grams. I have a colleague who always gets the burger (1/2 price on Monday, I think) but it doesn't look so great to me. I've had the chicken sandwich - good. The fries are serious - overcooked and skin-on. Fries for meat-lovers, I guess.

    This is also the home of the Chili Bubba, and a Frito Chili Pie, if you're really into indigestion. My ex-boyfriend liked to eat signature menu items (I know - whatever. At least he was adventurous) and got the Chili Bubba once - which is essentially chili over cornbread. You can also order several different toppings, like cheese, sour cream, etc...or do the Cincinnati thang and go for the different "ways" - three, four, five - determined by whether you get it with spaghetti, beans, and what have you. Cincinnati - home of Oktoberfest and chili rituals.

    You can get a side of chili - the sweetly named "Tenderfoot" for a bit cheaper, and if you're trying to stay relatively nutritionally sane, this and a side salad could work. I considered this the other day but the Texas chicken salad crawled into my head and refused to leave.

    The draft root beer is one of my favorite totally inappropriate drinks for mid-day (they bring it without ice so ask for a side and spoon it in), and Hard TImes Lager (which is no doubt some lesser known local brew with a special label on it) is a-ok.

    There's a bar that sometimes fills up at night, and regular drink specials. Stick to beer and sodas here. You can see the guys cooking right behind it. There are several televisions, all news and sports.

    The Germantown location is a better bet if you're into pretty spaces where the booths don't feel like they're going to fall apart. The prices have also gone up a bit which doesn't thrill me for the location or the condition of the place in Rockville, but that's when I tell myself to lighten up - it's Hard Times. The managers also come by your table during your meal to say hi and ask how you're doing. Nice touch. Kelly is my favorite daytime waitress. She's all business, baby, but she's always got your back.

    Wow, I know a lot about Hard Times. That's kind of pathetic. I need to get out more. And I also bumped it up a star, because it can't be too bad if I'm paying this much attention.

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  • 0

    As mentioned by the previous reviewer, Hard Times is the closest I've seen to Cincinnati-style chili.

    Again, a nice restaurant located in a strip mall (in Rockville? You're kidding!) It tends to get a little loud inside but the incredible chili makes up for it. Vegetarians, there's even a meat-free chili but watch out as it has a lot of kick. I've never had a disappointing meal here. If you're health-conscious skip Hard Times, as almost everything is smothered in cheese or chili (or both)

    Also a word to the wise: the texas chili is the best but is also incredibly greasy. Be sure to order it "dry" and you'll get the excellent taste without an inch of fat on the bottom of your plate.

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