Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Take-out
Breakfast
Twin Cities vegetarian cafe with an extensive menu. Includes vegan pancake, stir fry with choice tempeh, tofu, or seitan, and greasy spoon style dishes like breakfast eggs, toast, and hash brown. Worker-owned with punk-rock atmosphere. Open for dine-in and takeout (no patio as of 2022). Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-12:00am.
109 Reviews
First Review by condekedar
schel112
Points +964
Good, greasy food! - Edit
I’ve always had good experiences here. Yes it’s dirty, yes the workers are often rude, yes the music is often super loud, and yes there’s homeless people that might try and grab your plate before you dump it in the bin, but that’s what makes this place great! It’s open almost 24 hours, so it’s a great late night option, and there’s a paid parking lot right next door. The bahn mi is always good, and way overloaded with good things, baked goods are awesome, and everything is super cheap. It’s self service and cash only, which is kind of inconvenient, but there’s an atm on site.
Read morePros: Lots of options , Good atmosphere
Cons: Cash only
Guest
plantingseeds
Points +478
Hankering for Hard Times - Edit
I like this oftentimes grouchy, always grungy place. It has this funny way of cheering me up if I’m feeling blue. It has a personality all its own. I’m a fan of the breakfasts and the baked goods. I enjoyed the food more before I went vegan (it seems pretty dairy reliant for flavor) but it’s still good. I give it 5 stars for always being there for me. It’s like an old friend who’s door is basically always open and ready to make me something I can eat!
Read moreGuest
MegganAnderson
Points +324
Breakfast ALL DAY! - Edit
Enough said! A TON of vegan options!
Read morePros: Good people!, Great atmosphere!, Best bathroom graffiti this side of the MS!
Cons: Cash only.
Guest
Jackhiggins
Points +13
The worst service and food - Edit
We went as a group from the hospital because many of the people in the group are Vegan. We asked for a table and were standing there for 15 minutes and the restaurant was pretty much empty which isn't a good sign on a Saturday night. We were seated and one of my co workers was finishing her water from work from her water bottle and the server grabbed the water bottle off the table and said NO outside beverages allowed! I am not sure if she thought it was empty but nevertheless. We ordered and our food took forever. The servers keep going in and out of the restaurant... Maybe they were taking smoking breaks because nobody was to be found when I wanted to add something to our order! When the food came two of the dishes were not right and the food looked like it was just slopped on the plate in a pile of oil. This restaurant by far has the worst service and food I have ever been too. I advise people to stay away. Not to mention when I asked for a manager the server told me there is no manager! The food and service is despicable!
Read morePros: Parking
Cons: Cold food, Terrible service, The resturant smells of smoke
ryleighjane
you have very obviously never been to hard times. it is a punk cafe in which there are no servers and it is a sit yourself. as for if you liked the food or not that is a personal preference, but the staff are very friendly.
Read moreGuest
Toryk1999
Points +47
So vegan friendly - Edit
Vegetarian restaurant with lots of vegan options. Great for breakfast at any hour. Open till like 4am but the kitchen closes at 3am. Soo cheap and sooo yummy and greasy lol
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Inexpensive
Cons: Cash only , Ambiance isn’t very nice
Guest
ElijahCook
Points +13
Bad food, waitress - Edit
Bad food. Waitress was very rude. I had to wait 30 minutes for my water.
Read morePros: None
Cons: Bad service, Rude waitress , Bad food
ajsweiven
They don't have waiters or waitresses here. You get water by taking a cup and filling it up yourself... I dont think you've ever been here.
Read moreGuest
dorothea13
Points +360
Grungy and great! - Edit
Grungy (in the best way) diner with lots of vegan options. Biscuits and gravy is super good, will definitely come back. Cash only so come prepared.
Read moreGuest
RavenousRabbit
Points +452
Super delicious baked goods! - Edit
I’m giving this place 5 stars for their uniqueness, amazing hours, being vegetarian and very yummy baked goods. The food we ordered was more like 3-4 stars. Kinda like, well, it is food, but we were not excited to eat it. We got a burrito, which had seriously just plain black beans and rice in it, a quesadilla special which also just seemed to have plain black beans and rice in it... was supposed to have some kind of nacho cheese, but if it was in there, it was barely detectable. We also got a breakfast plate- the biscuit and sausage were good (prob best things we ordered from the menu) but the hash brown was super greasy (some people I’m sure like that) and a salad w/ tahini dressing, which was just really chunky and thrown together- very large pieces of cauliflower and broccoli. The dressing and salsa were good, but VERY garlicky... like, ruin your breath for days strong... must have been raw garlic. There were an uncanny amount of canned black olives both in the salad and accompanying the burrito and quesadilla, which tasted just like a can. Food took a long time, even though it wasn’t super busy and the folks there seemed to be using it more as an Internet cafe.
Read moreAnyways, the cheddar/scallion scone was SO GOOD!!! I wanted to go back for more baked goods, but we didn’t have time before we left town. The ordering process is interesting, you fill out a slip... but, don’t you DARE try to put 2 people’s order on one slip, even if you’re ordering together!!! They also seem very perplexed and weirdly disappointed when you order a lot of food. Maybe they hate money or work or just want to act suspicious that maybe you’re ordering for more than just yourself (fill out your own slip! Follow the rules!!) I like that they’re open super late. Has a punk/metal vibe that we appreciated. We’ll come back next time we’re in Minneapolis and just order differently.
Guest
SamanthaBurns
Points +165
Best breakfast plate ever - Edit
This place was delicious!! I absolutely recommend the biscuit breakfast plate. Im a super picky eater and only like amazing food and this hit all the right spots.
Read morePros: Cheap, Delicious, Comfort food
Guest
sophiawood
Points +507
Muffin galore! - Edit
I had the vegan rancheros and they were delicious! Also had a vegan raspberry-chocolate muffin which was quite honestly the best muffin I’ve ever had. I’ve heard great things about their vegan pastries so I’m happy I finally got to try!! They also had composting which I thought was great. The vibe of the place is cool too, and they have large windows that let in a bunch of natural light. Nice place.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Composting , Lots of pastries
Cons: Not 100% vegan
Guest
Izzyeddleman
Points +255
Grungy but G*R*E*A*T food - Edit
The restaurant is pretty grungy and loud, but the mood was upbeat and the food was fabulous.
Read morePros: Food is yummy, Atmosphere is very casual, Inexpensive vegan food
Cons: Bus your own table, How to place your order is vague
Guest
lizaxberg
Points +127
Dope Af - Edit
I love it place. It is cheap, quick, and all veggie! It also has tons of vegan options. Beware it’s cash only. It is also open 24 hours. Highly recommend going and getting basically everything.
Read moreGuest
jennycuts
Points +20
The Best! - Edit
this place is heaven. super laid back with ridiculously good food. the vegan pancake is magic and the staff is super cool and friendly.
Read moreGuest
Fricka
Points +1587
Left-wing place that reminds me of Berlin - Edit
I am from Berlin and this place very much reminded me of home. All veg, cash only, left-wing, clear political statements and self-service. Following the peaceful veg-movement, weapons are not allowed inside. All sodas are without corn syrup. Options with vegan replacements such as vegan cheese, low prices, board games available. My veg-grilled-cheese sandwich was a bit boring, containing only that (flavorful though), but my friend's falafel sandwich was satisfying and the selection of vegan muffins looked intriguing, too. Will go back when I am around again!
Read morePros: Left-wing, social, Affordable, Many all veggie options
Cons: Partially a bit boring
Guest
rackoo
Points +466
Wow. Great inexpensive food, coffee, & atmosphere. - Edit
I love it. I’ve only come here for breakfast, but it was fantastic. They have a full menu all day and good, cheap coffee and baked goods. Nice hot sauce and other condiments. Open early!
Read moreLots and lots of vegan items including baked goods. If it was all vegan jt would be perfect.
Pros: Delicious food with veggies, Lots of vegan food, Nice divey comfortable atmosphere
Cons: Not 100% vegan
Guest
veganwflightbenefits
Points +584
my favorite dive - Edit
Open 22 hours a day slinging great vegetarian dive grub. Cheap coffee and baked goods. Vegan options easy to spot on extensive menu. You write down your order on a ticket and give it to them, pay, and wait for them to call your name at the counter for your food. Cash only.
Read moreGuest
Awillbob
Points +143
Good Vegan food ....BUT - Edit
I travel a lot and always try to eat at a vegetarian or vegan restaurant. I love HappyCow and have used it all over the world and this is the FIRST negative review I’ve ever given!! BTW, I tried to give a 1-star review but HappyCow adds a star to vegetarian restaurants —which is bullshit!
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: The place SMELLS bad - yecch!, THEY SELL CIGARETTES! How non-socially conscious, Staff is rude and indifferent
Guest
Herbivoroushomie
Points +20
Super great - Edit
I always love this place. It’s cheap prices make up for the grunginess. The flood is usually pretty good. Amazing baked goods!! Good place to go for breakfast food. Ton of vegan options and pretty much can make anything vegan.
Read morePros: Tons of vegan options, Good prices (mostly), Chill place for food
Cons: Loud music (sometimes you have to shout), You can tell they don’t clean often
Guest
StephanieWilson
Points +211
Vegan Biscuits and Gravy - Edit
The vegan biscuits and gravy were awesome. I’m a Texan so I did have to add some hot sauce though! I had a mint mocha espresso that was nice and refreshing too. The atmosphere is laid back punk rock. To keep prices down they have you write your own order down and turn it in as well as bud your own table. I really liked the concept.
Read moreGuest
BreeCarlson
Points +34
Absolutely amazing food - Edit
Went here with 3 omni friends and really enjoyed all of the food! They got vegetarian meals and I got the Vegan Biscuit Breakfast. My husband and I shared the vegan big fat pancake as well, it was WAY too much food for us but so amazing we ate our fill and took the rest home! I also got a vegan mint mocha for my drink and it was delicious as well. It's an interesting setup for service, you order your food and drink via a pen and paper then wait for your name to be called, and clean up after yourself. Thus eliminating the need for waitstaff, which was odd at first but a very efficient system! Next time we visit Minneapolis we're coming back here!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Huge portions
Cons: Staff can be a bit curt, but still friendly
Guest
Bgeezy
Points +744
Must try biscuit and gravy!! - Edit
This place is badass! Staff are cool and environment is similar to a divey bar. The biscuits and gravy are so good and the hot chocolate was easy to make vegan. I would deff deff deff return!
Read moreGuest
Katy.Rathbun
Points +35
10/10 would recommend to a friend - Edit
The ordering process was a little confusing but we figured it out. Even my omnivore loved the vegan biscuits and gravy. Also, the organic black coffee was to die for.
Read morePros: the food & range of options , the coffee, the atmosphere/music
Cons: they only take cash , confusing to order the first time
Guest
EricAlexander
Points +42
amazing - Edit
Ordered the Bahn Mi. It was superb.
Read moreGuest
MagdaDepa
Points +582
Excellent food - Edit
Visited this place on my trip to MN. I wanted some good options for breakfast that are vegan.
Read moreIt was very hard to choose just one thing. I picked vegan helter skelter. It was delicious. If you are not used to greasy food than skip hash browns or ask to make them less oily. Although even though I'm not usually fan of oil this was still delicious. I chose big plate and it was way too big. I'd go with half size next time.
They use honey in some items so just ask.
I also purchased muffin to go. It was so good and moist. And very big. I had 2 meals out of it.
I highly recommend this place to everyone.
Location looks little grungy but don't let this scare you away from great food.
Guest
smethekin
Points +70
Best part of Minneapolis - Edit
We absolutely loved this place. They have half-off day old pastries sometimes which makes these treats such a bargain. They have the best Banh Mi but I also loved the Helter Skelter. Their soups were consistently pretty good. Some people might be bothered that the place is grungy looking or that the staff aren't always the friendliest. The food is good but, depending on the cook, quality varies. Best bet is to order during slower hours.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-09-02
Pros: Great value, Can donate used goods here
Guest
Isabelrose
Points +125
Community Staple, But... - Edit
Is Hard Times a community staple? Yes. Do they have a large menu with many vegan options? Yes. Are they one of the few totally vegetarian places in the TC? Yes. However, the food has never been good. It tends to be too simple, unseasoned, and not fresh. The coffee is bland. The portions are large and the prices are reasonable, so if all you're looking to do is sit down and have a vegetarian or vegan meal, Hard Times is fine. But the quality in my opinion is not good.
Read moreI will say it's a good spot to hang out, it's open late, and has a certain vibe which many people like.
Pros: Cheap, All vegan and vegetarian, Large menu
Cons: Poor food, Not friendly service, Sketchy crowd
Guest
PetuliaS
Points +39
Great desserts! - Edit
They have they best vegan desserts here, and reasonably priced. When I go, I usually get a bag of desserts to go! Their other food is good too, the Bahn Mi and vegan gyro are my favorites. Not typical Minnesotan atmosphere, just straightforward, culturally and economically diverse. Love it!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan choices, Good.food, Hours
Cons: Music
Guest
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