I like this place and would give it an extra half star if the rating system allowed me to do so. It has an authentic local feel to it and the service is great and friendly. I have been here for lunch twice so far. My friend raved about his smoked pastrami sandwich the first time we ate there. I think they smoke it themselves. This reminds me of a more authentic local BBQ place that I would find in Texas or in a more rural area. Half of the restaurant is the bar area where they have two mid size flat screen TVs that play sports. The music seemed to range from country to classic rock. I am not sure if this was from a juke box or just what they had piped in or played themselves. Today I went for half priced burgers. It was a great value for the quality of the food. I had an order of yummy fried pickles to go with the burgers. The coffee is really good here too. I would like to come back and try their breakfast sometime. (It is good to note that if you participate in dining for miles you get three miles for every dollar you spend here and double miles at the beginng of the week.) read more

We wanted to like this place. Cool atmosphere, nice workers. Unfortunately the food was not good. Our sodas were flat. My second one tasted... weird. I had the steak sandwich. It was just ok. Nothing special at all. My friend had the California chicken sandwich. It was awful. The meat did not taste right and sandwich had no flavor other than that. The only thing good we're the fried pickles. read more

Ordered delivery from here thru Grubhub. Got the chili mac and fries and everything was excellent. Fries were the best kind, that thin crispy kind and chili mac was good too. Only complaint is that the portions are a bit small. Other than that, everything is awesome. read more

Best dive bar in Arlington and it's not even close. Food is way better than it has any right to be. Great weekday specials and weekend brunch. read more

Honest burgers, righteous beers, awesome chicken tortilla and chicken yucca soups, lots of booths, great outdoor space, excellent value, friendly folks, and no pretense -- every neighborhood should have an equivalent to the Cowboy Café. I'm so glad mine has this beloved local gem! read more

so unwelcoming. i came here on saturday (11/02/19) around 10pm. My friend and i came in hoping to be seated.. there was a party on one side and two tables available on the other side with the bar. the waitress was chatting with the customers IN FRONT of us the entire time. she looked at us and proceed to chat. several people walked by us and other workers glanced at us and ignored us. we patiently waited for a VERY long time. we wanted to say something but didn't want to disrupt anything with the ongoing party. there were no sign that said the place was fully reserved for the party. read more

A dive, & nothing wrong at all with dives that have good bar food. Except this one really doesn't. The ambiance is what you'd expect from a dive (again this is fine), including busted chairs/tables, filthy condiment bottles, dark, old, generally not that clean. Staff is friendly & service prompt. But food just meh. Burgers really good, chili ok too. Beyond that it ranges from nothing special to bad. I give 2 stars because the service really is good & in uppity young millennial zip car kale Arlington, this place is a welcome oasis to normalcy if you're from the industrial rust belt like me. Also not that they can really do anything about it but the parking situation is ridiculous read more

Friendly neighborhood gem with great burgers and a nice patio for outdoor dining. Be sure to try the sweet potato fries and homemade pickles. Oh, and if you like sports, there's a giant screen TV. read more

If you need food and alcoholic beverages delivered, this is a great choice! Ordered delivery and everything was great. The jerk wings were great (with avocado ranch) and I loved the drinks (which came in little jars). I was concerned about drink quality when ordering delivery, but I have zero complaints and will definitely order from here again. read more

Gotta stop by this place!!! Food is fabulous... drinks are great and the staff was so much fun!! We will be coming back regularly for sure!!! Get the bananas foster French toast; you won't be disappointed. read more

This was the absolute best "hole-in-the-wall" bar i've been to in a long time. After a night of drinking, it was the perfect spot to treat my hangover. The service was above board and the drink selection wasn't unique but sis have some interesting takes on classics. For example the Manmosa was your typical Mimosa, but add in some vodka. I had a bloody mary (or 4) and then the cowboy hash, which was a massive portion of potatoes, chorizo, jalapeno hollandaise and 3 perfectly poached eggs. I usually like to rate places according to my expectations for a place, and with the food this place far exceeded my expectations. It was rustic, hearty and delicious. I couldn't stop eating. Highly recommend! read more

Cowboy Cafe - Cowboy Hash - Burgers Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

This restaurant was not as good as I thought it was going to be. I tried it twice just to make sure it wasn't just a bad night but the second time around was worst. The waiters make me feel uncomfortable because I feel like they hate their job and do not want to be there. They always had an attitude when they served you. The bartenders can be friendly but can overcharge you on drinks. When we ordered the fried pickles one time, I'm almost 99.9% sure they gave us cucumbers because it wasn't even a bit sour like a pickle, it tasted bland like a cucumber! And the color was off like it was really old. The burgers are overcooked, not much flavor and fries came cold. The chili on the chili mac was plain jane, no flavor, and tasted funny. Eh, I say go down the street to Metro 29. It's not worth trying to cram yourself into the small parking place nearby. read more

Jamaican jerk Wings lacked flavor and were over cooked. Paid 4 dollar for container that was half full of rice. Mac and cheese was ok. Was an overall horrible meal. Maybe it was a bad night for the cook! read more

I've only been here once in my life, and upon logging into Yelp! I realize it has been 28 days since my last visit. Clearly - I'm not a regular. But here's why they get 5 stars: I walked in, sat down, and asked for a Woodford Reserve neat. The bartender (who I later found out is named Kelly or Kelli) popped back at me with "1 ice cube, right?" Hello!?!? That's service!! And look, I know servers and bartenders remember this stuff everyday, but not after just one visit and not in someplace that is kinda busy. Tonight the bar is packed - every seat - and most of the tables are full at 10pm. Jalapeño popper app - great! Not from a box! This isn't your "Friday's" frozen popper. Yummy! Crispy on the outside (but it comes with sour cream - ask for ranch dressing if you're like me). Dinner - pulled pork and tater tots. Again, yummy! The pork is moist and smoky, prepared North Carolina / Low country style (BBQ aficionados know what this means - vinegar and spice based sauce, not ketchupy red sauce). A ton of meat on your sandwich. House made tater tots. The only disappointment is the slaw - it has that strong sweetness to it With some vinegar that's not quite balanced - I think it's Sysco's best but couldn't swear to it. Gotta tell you - twice in and twice good. I think it's a good value when compared to the $11 beers a block away at Thirsty Bernie's and the "Triple-D" mark up for mediocre food and less than average service at Metro 29. I'd classify this as a "hidden gem" except that lots of local folks seem to know it! I guess it was just hidden from me. The final analysis: try it out. I'd be shocked if you were disappointed! read more

Cowboy Cafe - Holy hell that's a big BBQ sandwich! - Burgers Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I do not know why this has such awesome reviews except that everyone that goes here is drunk or hungover. I w was really disappointed w the food as I was expecting a great meal but just got lots of food. I would go back if I was close and nothing else was open or hungover but other than that really not impressed with this place. read more

Cowboy Cafe - Bacon chicken hash - Burgers Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Local staple with solid food, drinks, and service. The fajitas were excellent. The ambiance was unique and charming.

I literally logged into Yelp just to review this place. We came in after reading it was voted best in Arlington 2022. We quickly find a seat and our table was a little dirty so we grabbed a couple of napkins and started to clear the debris. The waitress comes over, does not greet us but instead has a spray in her hand and sprays the table and us and proceeds to wipe. She then yells out a big "ugh" and slaps the menu down on the table and walks away. I looked at my partner and said we are getting the heck out of here! Such a shame because we did nothing to deserve such treatment and will not be returning. read more

The description of the tacos didn't say it came with cream so I had to pick it off with the incredibly stale chips it came with. Tacos themselves (without the cream) were barely warm but decent. read more

It was OK. Not inexpensive for a semi-dive place, but it is Northern Virginia! It was pretty crowded for lunch on Sunday so the service was slow, but.... she didn't charge us for a soda and a coffee to make up. Burgers are good, tables are small, not really a clena feeling to the place. I wouldn't seek it out, but would go there again for a second chance. read more

The burgers here are really good and prices are reasonable. They even have daily specials on different things on the menu. Half price burgers Tuesday, sandwich deals Monday. Love a good dive restaurant where the food is actually delish. Parking is a a bit confusing - the tattoo/piercing place a few doors down has parking for the restaurant along the side of it. read more

I'd driven by Cowboy Cafe tons of times, and the name alone convinced me I had to try it. And it's not bad. The tater tot appetizers are loaded with cheese, and are best remembered as "pretty good", but not great. The fries are weak, but the burger I had was "pretty good", but not great. The beer selection, you might guess, is "pretty good", but not great. The atmosphere comes off as a wannabe biker bar/military bar, but the area is probably a bit too yuppie for that. The bar area is pretty small, and even the booths don't seem like they'd seat four people. It's not a bad little place at all, but in Arlington/Falls Church/etc., it's one of hundreds of bars, and I can't see recommending this place over many others, even though it's perfectly fine for what it is. read more

Cowboy Cafe - Burgers Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

How did I just discover this place?! I'm a native Texan and have been craving a good marg-- they have the best spicy margaritas. So happy they deliver due to COVID. Drinks come in the cutest glass mason jars! Jerk wings are great too! read more

The Cowboy Cafe has transformed from a great local bar to a top-drawer restaurant and nightclub. The new owners have remodeled, and the ambiance is more open and sophisticated. They have a remarkable chef now (Patrick) instead of a cook, and the new menu is reasonably priced and sure to please. I even like the vegetables, (don't tell my mom)! Some of the D.C. area's best musicians perform at the Cowboy Cafe, ( the Deacons, Doc Reed, 11th Hour, Bob & Jerry and many others), and there is never a cover charge. Whether you're taking the family out to dinner, going out on a date, or just relaxing with friends, the Cowboy Cafe is an excellent choice. If you've been there before, you'll be pleasantly surprised by all the upgrades. If you've never been, come out soon to experience the best food or music that you're likely to find for less than $50 dollars a plate. read more

Cowboy Cafe - The Deacons at the Cowboy - Burgers Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We love this bar! Unbeatable service, fantastic prices, friendly staff, great food, and their new patio area is beautiful! I cant recommend this place highly enough! 10/10 read more

My side of cornbread tasted like it was made two days before and was heated up in a microwave to the point it got burnt. Absolutely disgusting. Very reluctant to come back and order anything else from here if this is how they prepare a simple side dish read more

Average at best. Food is underwhelming, not horrible but not really good either. Staff is nice though

Burger Night!!! What can I say - Cowboy Cafe knows how to do a proper burger. The menu has a solid line up of classics or be creative and let your imagination run wild. Here we have a California with bacon added and TNT sauce on the side. An all time favorite creation that I have literally traveled thousands of miles for since moving away from the area. I dream of these burgers!Tater tots in this case or wonderful curly fries if you prefer. The food is great and the service is even better. No matter who is working you are always treated like family and welcomed back with that classic southern hospitality. A special thanks to Kelly, Amanda, Andrew, and Sosina for always making me feel at home! read more

Cowboy Cafe - Burgers Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The nicest thing I can say about this restaurant is that I was permitted to sit down and use the bathroom. Ordered the cheese burger and ice tea. The burger looked great but had no taste. Unable to finish the food. read more

Food was super good and love the place but god damn the girl with the slicked back brown bun is the fucking worst, so mean all three times I went. I would've given 5 stars but man you gotta get rid of that waitress read more

I really like this place. They open early, which is so nice when all of the local places don't open until 11:00. Breakfast, for me, starts around 7:00 or 8:00. After that, and you're talking lunch. So this place is cool. The staff is really nice and the prices are reasonable. The breakfast food is a solid "B", which is good but not fantastic. Enough to keep me coming back though. The bloody Mary's are inexpensive and tastey!!!! For specials, the tacos and the wings are a solid "A". The jalapeño margarita is awesome. Definitely worth trying. You'll be glad you did. It's a gem read more

I've been going to Cowboy Cafe in North Arlington for the past 4 yrs...its is much better now that they have new owners. I never feel rushed to leave - the local bar flies add great charisma to the bar. The new flat screens are a nice touch - they have a PS3 hooked up in back & a Wii on the front flat screen. Just ask the bartender for the controllers & you're good to go! They have a good happy hour & the food has gotten much better in the past few years. I highly recommend their burgers & smoked briskette entrees. I could live off of their pickles alone. Beer selection on draft changes week to week but they always have a great selection of beers to choose from. All in all it is a great local dive bar. read more

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Went to Cowboy Cafe for brunch on St Paddy's Day. It was busy, but we found a spot at the bar. The bartender was friendly and checked on us a reasonable amount. We ordered mimosas and bloody Mary's. They were good, though the orange juice seemed a little heavy. Maybe that's just my personal preference. We ordered avocado toast and the biscuits and gravy. The portion sizes were decent and I felt full when I left. The atmosphere is unique and quaint. There are two parking lots. They are adequate for the size of the establishment, but if it's crowded, parking may be difficult. Overall it was a great experience. I'll definitely be back to try other items on the menu. read more

** Updated: New owners are great, the menu and staff are great! This version of 'The Cow' is worth checking out...again. Go for brunch! (regarding 2nd owners - who, using poorly disguised names, sent me threats after this post.) Be careful of the bartenders - especially at night. They are notorious for over charging your credit cards! Last time I was there, someone gave themselves a double tip! They do NOT deserve a double tip, let alone 15%... It was much cooler before the owners changed. read more

It used to be easily a 5 star rating but has fallen off big time recently. I've come for brunch about a dozen times but after the last couple, it's probably written off for me now. Food is usually better on weeknights but it's just too inconsistent now. On my last visit, I ordered shrimp and grits which is the most expensive brunch item ($15.95). The other couple of times I've had it, it was pretty damn delicious. When my dish came, it was about a scoop of grits and 4 small shrimp. Cost to make this dish would be about 70 cents. I flagged the waiter down to point out that there was no andouille sausage like on the menu. Confused or reluctant, he took the plate back to the kitchen. 15 minutes later it returns, now with more grits and what looks like ground beef. He explains that they didn't have any andouille so they substituted breakfast sausage and that it's all the same. There were plenty of solutions to this problem... The waiter could've pointed out that the item was not available when I ordered. The waiter could've pointed out that the item was not available before serving a half-assed plate of a handful of shrimp for $15. The waiter could've asked if breakfast sausage was OK when I returned the dish. This was an abortion of shrimp and grits, enough to keep me away from here for brunch. I don't know if they change cooks for the weekend, or if it's a new staff but it's too hit or miss to recommend now. read more

Three-and-a-half stars, but since that isn't possible, I'm rounding down to three. They would've gotten the round-up to four stars, but they served me draft beer in a faux pint glass. You know, the kind of glass that LOOKS like a pint glass, but it has extra-thick glass at the bottom and only actually holds 12 ounces. If I were reviewing just on the basis of drinking, I'd hammer them on that, especially since their drafts were priced like they were actually serving a full pint of beer. Drinkers beware. Anyway, the food was decent, there's a lot of variety on the menu without looking like they're trying too hard, and the service was adequate. I'll go back. read more

I have to thank my son for this great recommendation, he was right the food was very good. The Cheesesteak was delicious, loads of tender, juicy well seasoned and cooked steak with just the right amount of melted jack cheese and fresh lettuce and tomato. The American Sliders were better than just ok, but not great. What takes this to a 5 Star rating was the amazing Chicken Wings... cooked to perfection, tasty well seasoned, juicy chicken that nearly fell off the bone... my husband and grandson could have eaten a dozen more they were so good, definitely ordering double the next go round. read more

DONT GO THERE. THEY PRACTICE PREDATORY TOWING. The food is mediocre but the real problem is that if they dont like how you parked they will have your car towed - I think they get a kickback on each one. read more

Good Dive bar, good food, Erica the bar tender was great. Enjoyed 50c wing day.

The ONLY dive bar in Arlington. Galaxy Hut doesn't count thanks to the Clarendon crew. While looking for a decent meal (with alcohol) between classes, a friend and I decided to stop by here since we had the Scoutmob deal. I never noticed it since I drive by his place on Lee Highway all the time, but its very easy to find. This is a real dive bar. Cheap beer and cheap bar food. Both of us sitting at the bar, we order some burgers and a few beers. I ordered the Lojo, which came with some spicy sauce, blue cheese, and grilled onions medium rare. My buddy ordered the schroomer, which came with sauteed mushrooms and swiss cheese. I think the draft beers we ordered (can't remember which) were only $5-6 a pint before happy hour. Not too bad. The burgers were good but mine was a tad bit overcooked (more like medium). However, regular size PBR's are only $2.50 all day and $2 during happy hour. Drafts were $3.50-$4 IIRC and rail drinks only $4. What I loved about this place too was how chill everyone was. Definitely a real dive bar with real regulars just hanging out. The bartender, Erica IIRC, was very cool and laid back. Easily my favorite bar in Arlington aside from TNT. I'm not sure why this place only has 3 stars but easily deserves a higher rating. read more

I lived walking distance to Cowboy for 2 years and would have loved to call this our local spot. However, everytime I've eaten there, the bald headed owner acts like he's doing me a huge favor when he serves me. Almost everytime I've eaten in his restaurant, myself and my friends are the only patrons in the entire place. This guy should be lucky someone is coming in! The poor service is disappointing because the food at Cowboy is the best bar food in Arlington. In fact, it's better than more than half the restaurants. The brunch menu has changed a bit over the past few years but the Hueuvos Rancheros are amazing! I highly recommend the brisket as well. read more