Hard Times Cafe

This place is probably one of my favorites at the nationals ball park. The line goes by fairly quickly and the food is delicious.
Tip: get the nachos. My friends and I split the vegetarian nachos and it was a dream come true. My friends even thought it tasted like real meat. Great nachos to watch the nats win.

Picture a carb. Any carb, be it nacho chips, tater tots, macaroni, or the bun supporting a ballpark hot dog. Hold that picture in your mind, concentrate on it. Now visualize a tidal wave of chili, cheese, sour cream, and chopped jalapeños engulfing your chosen carb. See what the power of positive thinking can do? You just came up with one of Hard Times’ signature dishes at their stand in Nationals Park.
I wouldn’t necessarily direct anyone here before I sent them to local legend Ben’s Chili Bowl or the fancy-​pantsy Blue Smoke/​Box Frites/​Shake Shack enclave, but if you’re sitting in the left field section this is one of your closest options for major caloric intake. The chili-​flooded nachos and tots are pretty solid and they don’t skimp on the toppings so each is big enough for sharing. But we’re not gonna do that, are we? This is America, where freedom means everyone gets their own heart attack in a tray! God bless.

The most disappointing experience on the day at Nationals Stadium. It was the 2^nd Sunday of the NFL season and the Stadium was only half full. No lines so we queued up for our last culinary experience of the day. I had seen someone walked by with the Nachos and they looked good which is why I had to get them. I do consider myself a bit of a nacho connoisseur and these were good but not great. Yes, the jalapeños were diced as opposed to sliced into larger pieces and the sour cream, chili and cheese presentation looked good but it was a meager portion for $ 11. Much better spent elsewhere in the stadium which by the way had a lot of other good choices.

If you want loaded nachos at Nationals Park, this is the place to go. Located at sections 129, 118 and left field. Wings are also very good which you find at the left field area stand.

Very good vegetarian chili has mushrooms inside yum and has a nice kick. I got to try a nice hearty bowl for free at the jdfr walk. Im still in shock that it has no meat! Must have low calories :)

Baseball food exists on a very wide spectrum — sometimes you spend $ 8 for frozen patties and soggy fries, while on other magical occasions you find the perfect, beer-​complimenting snack to nosh on in glory. That magical moment happened to me last night. The Chili Nacho Pile at the Hard Times Café stand.
Somewhere around Section 130 I had the greatest ballpark nachos of my life. Hands down. First off, the gentleman working there deserves a shout out. He was so kind and positive, and seemed actually interested in making sure we had an awesome nacho experience. He recommended we do a little of the veggie chili and the meat chili (great decision!). The chips were crisp and sturdy, covered with an appropriate amount of the chilis (enough to go around, but not too much that we couldn’t handle it). Next he sprinkled fresh looking, shredded cheddar across the chili (not the gross nacho «cheez» stuff). Then he offered us jalapenos, which are not big slices, instead it’s small ground up pieces of jalapenos tossed across the nachos as a pretty and tasty garnish. Finally, he laughed and obliged when I explained that sour cream was my favorite condiment and asked for an extra generous dollop.
The nachos were great– perfect for two of us to split. And to the gentleman serving them up near section 130, my boyfriend and I salute you, the master of nachos and good times.
I will find this man and I will eat his nachos again.