Cowboy Cafe

Service was great, but the food was absolutely terrible. The pickles and sauce were the only good parts — large and flavorful. Unfortunately, everything else was a disaster. The tots tasted so bad they were the first food I’ve ever spit out. The pickle was spoiled. The burger had a strange fishy taste on one side, and the Philly cheesesteak was kid-sized with frozen-tasting meat. The chili mac good but barely covered top of the pasta. Even my 16-year-old, who never leaves food on the table, couldn’t finish the meal. It might be a great spot for a beer, but for the love of God — stay away from the food.

Here’s a NED-style review for Cowboy Cafe: --- ✅ What Works Well - Classic American diner with a Western twist—hearty breakfast and comfort food. - Known for big portions, especially pancakes, eggs, and country-fried steak. - Friendly, down-to-earth service with a relaxed, casual vibe. - Great spot for early mornings or a filling brunch. - Affordable prices and solid, no-nonsense cooking. --- 👎 What to Watch Out For - Dated decor and simple ambiance—focus is on food, not aesthetics. - Can get crowded during peak breakfast hours. - Limited vegetarian or lighter fare options. - Some dishes can be greasy or heavy. --- 🎯 Verdict Cowboy Cafe is a solid choice for classic diner fare with a Western flair—perfect if you want a hearty, straightforward meal in a casual setting. Rating: 4.2 / 5 --- Want best breakfast picks or peak hours?

Ordered carryout. Because we're on vacation I requested silverware and napkins, we didn't get either of these. Luckily, I was able to find a spoon to eat my chili mac with in my wife's purse and we used a hotel towel as a napkin. Chili mac was pretty good. Requested and paid for mayonnaise on my wife's burger and didn't get that either. Requested no onions and add pickles and got about 10-12 pickles and a big thick slice of onion. We believe the abundance of pickles contributed to the bun being kind of soggy. The meat seemed tough and dry, but it was still red so didn't seem overcooked. Fries were average. Pickle was really spicy. If you order carryout, I would suggest you double check everything BEFORE you leave. I would also suggest avoiding the burgers.

IF I COULD GIVE THIS SPOT 100 STARS I WOULD!!! I WAS IN THE AREA A WEEK AGO CRAVING A BURGER SO I GOOGLED “burgers” AND COWBOY CAFE POPPED UP ON THE LIST OF PLACES TO CHOOSE FROM- THE PHOTOS AND REVIEWS INSTANTLY GRABBED ME SO I GAVE IT A GO. THIS IS A PLACE WHERE ALL THE REGULARS FREQUENT. I FELT SO WELCOME AS SOON AS I WALKED IN. JACK THE BARTENDER IS FANTASTIC! (and quite handsome too) 🙂 I STARTED OFF WITH THEIR “PICKLETINI” WHICH HAS PICKLE BRINCE INSTEAD OF OLIVE JUICE. 10/10. THE PICKLE GARNISH WAS A NICE TREAT- SOUR AND CRUNCHY. I HAD TWO DRINKS 😌 I WANTED A BURGER BUT CHANGED MY MIND AND GOT THE CHILI NACHOS. A HALF ORDER TO ME LOOKED LIKE A FULL ORDER!!!1000 POINTS FOR THE HUGE DOLLOP OF SOUR CREAM AND LOADS OF SLICED JALAPEÑO ON TOP!!! THEY EVEN HAVE MERCHANDISE. A PLUS COWBOY CAFE MADE ME A REGULAR NOW

Forgot to get a photo of the burger because I was so hungry. Cozy place, I love all the thingys pasted on the walls. Waitress was super nice, we got the fried pickles (BOMB) , burgers but I forgot which, and fries. I wish my fries were a but crispier because I think crunch was missing from this meal, but overall great.

Small place with great atmosphere, efficient service, and good food. We enjoyed the grilled chicken, bacon burger, and Reuben sandwich. Interesting decor, too.

This is a local dive bar type establishment with great food and good drink. Have been to Cowboy Cafe multiple times in the past 2 months and have yet to have a bad meal. My favorite is the mixed fajitas. The serving is enough for two, but you will need to order more tortillas. You get 3 meats (a lot of steak, and chicken plus 6 shrimp). The vegetables are well seasoned and tasty. I like jalapenos so I always ask for them to Sautee (add) some to my order. The staff personalities are all over the place, but they make it work. Service is hit or miss if you sit at a table, but always consistent sitting at the bar. Can't remember what day they offer half price tacos, but well worth ordering.

A little different! The food and service is outstanding, though it’s a little different. We all got coffee, but when you ask for a refill they either bring you a new cup or have to take yours to refill. The Irish coffee is a mix your own concoction with lots of alcohol. I had the Cowboy hash and it was outstanding. I also tasted the French toast. It was also outstanding! We drank all their coffee, and ended up waiting for them to brew another pot. We ate outside (COVID avoidance). Lots of color and the seating was comfortable. Parking is easy, though one of the lots is across the street and could pose a bit of a problem if a patron drank more than they should. Parking is plentiful. Definitely worth the stop. A little quirky. I really want to come back to sample the menu for lunch or dinner and enjoy an adult beverage or two.

THE best burgers in Arlington. Here's why: I bit into it, and juice came out! I wish that kitchen staffs in this area would learn a lesson that I did back in my youth when I was in the biz that you don't make a burger better by cooking it faster by squeezing every bit of juice from it. And the vibe here is great too. Reminds me of the old Jay's Saloon in Clarendon.

Not going to win any culinary awards, but if you're looking for a quintessential dive bar with a broad menu of food (apps, burgers, salads, chili) and a half-dozen TVs for your favorite sporting event, this Arlington original will keep you happy! Service was great and the drinks were plentiful.

We went for just a quick drink and it was pretty reasonably priced. It maybe the cheapest place to get Guinness on tap and we sat outside so the qr code ordering was just easy. What was not easy was the parking situation, their lot is close by but very cramped and they had a sign there was a lot near the school you could park at too. That might be easier since their lot is terrible. A small but nice and cheap bar so I would go back.

Definitely need to try this again. I went on Tuesday during half off burgers and it was such a great deal. Normally around $15-16 a burger w fries and was 7.75 half off which is a steal! I ordered the shroomer and asked for medium rare but it was more medium than anything. Also I felt the patty could use some more salt/umami since the cheese and the mushrooms seemed to be lacking but the deal and the size was so good I still enjoyed it. The fries were very good, one of the best I've had in the area. The service was fast and they refilled my drinks without me asking. Also I like the divey vibe. Parking is tough since they only have like 3-4 spots. Otherwise still great and hope to come back!

Some of the best burgers in North Arlington. Tuesday is half-price-burger-day, but still isn't too crowded. Overall, it is pretty much what you expect from a place name Cowboy Café. Booths, tables, high-tops and bar seating, plus some outdoor seating for the warmer months. TVs and random stuff on the wall. Service is generally good and pretty quick. The crowd is friendly. So, all-in-all an enjoyable, affordable, and tasty choice.

If you're a fan of nachos, Cowboy Cafe is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by a laid-back vibe, perfect for unwinding with a cold drink and some seriously, consistently good food. But the star of the show? The nachos. Or the burgers! The nachos portion size is generous, making it a great shareable dish (though honestly, you might want to keep them all to yourself). The crispy, perfectly salted, made in-house chips are layered with a generous helping of gooey melted cheese, seasoned chicken (or your choice of protein), fresh pico de gallo, and just the right amount of jalapeños for a kick. What really sets them apart, though, is the house-made chips. Guacamole and sour cream add a fresh, creamy contrast to the dish. Whether you're pairing these nachos with a beer from their extensive selection, Cowboy Cafe has earned its spot as the go-to spot for anyone craving a mouthwatering snack. If nachos are your thing, trust me, you won't find better in the area. Highly recommend. Also, their burgers are soooo good!!

Solid three and a half stars for a good half-price burger (even full price, it's worth it, a hefty fresh patty though more medium than med-rare) on a Tuesday evening. Friendly, quick service, good food, cold beer. A dive-bar ambience, which is fine with us. Park in the larger small lot west of the McDonald's property (now under construction), there are only 3-4 spaces next to the building.

A local dive bar not too far from the Ballston area. Parking can be a bit tricky- they have dedicated lot but its a few stores down before you actually pass the place. The interior looks exactly what you would expect a dive bar to look like- sort of dark and dingy but not dirty, with all kinds of weird decorations. Service has been consistently friendly and attentive. The food is very much bar food- burgers, sandwiches, wings. They do half a pretty good half smoke too. The wings are decent but I've had better. Overall its a decent place to grab a bite to eat- you know what you are getting and its consistent.

It's a no for me. We have heard good things over the years whenever anyone talks about ricks tattoos next door so today while my parents got ink we stopped in for brunch. I was excited and optimistic. But it was really just not a good experience for us. We were greeted and met quickly which was a plus but no decaf coffee or sweet tea... ok- lol The menu was good. Prices seemed normal until we got the portions. My husband ordered the biscuits and gravy while my daughter got a side and fruit. I got the bacon and chicken hash with potatoes and poached eggs. First the biscuits and gravy came out soggy and cold. The gravy had a weird gritty texture and was mixed with some sort of tomato salsa. It was just gross. I was also surprised to see a side for 4.50 which was one split biscuit and then my husbands meal was $11 and was literally one extra biscuit. He could have got two sides and saved two bucks. The math and portions were def off. My hash was good but the grilled tomato was a strange addition. Again it was good but nothing to write home about. The inside was filthy. Dusty and really old. Bathrooms unkempt. Def a hole in the wall. Locals seem to love it but this will be my last call in this spot. Outside more enjoyable. Appreciated the murals and space for our daughter. Service was ok. Girls were chill. No refills. No check in after our meal. This just wasn't our prairie song...

This place is amazing! Great food, music, and liquor. Highly recommend them. Bar tender was nice and kept refilling beers.

this is my favorite go to spot. It's not fancy - but it is fantastic! The service is great - shout out to Kelly, Benny, and Aidan and the food always hits the spot!

Cowboy Cafe is a dive bar/restaurant in North Arlington off of Lee Highway (now Langston Blvd.) They have pretty great food, a nice beer selection, and overall good service. Their hamburgers are their specialty in my opinion (the best of these are The Duke, the ChiliBurger, and the California Burger). The one downside is that parking can be hard to come by here (there are a few on-site places and there's a small, difficult to negotiate lot that's nearby, adjacent to the McDonald's), and it can get very crowded at peak times. Also recommended are the Cowgirl chicken entree and the Cajun Chicken Pasta. There is also an outside dining area but I've never eaten there. For those who want to just sit at the bar there's a limited number of seats.

Went on a Saturday afternoon. Covid measures in place in terms of ordering and outdoor dining. Not all tables under an umbrella; something to consider if it looks rainy. There are 2 TVs outside. I ordered the Blue Moon burger- a burger with melted blue cheese- with extra lettuce. It was amazing!!! I happily fought the burger and won. Although graceful eating it was not! There was plenty of cheese, the lettuce was crisp and fresh. The onions the perfect crunchiness. Ok tomato. There bun held together. Next time I would ask them to cut it in half in the kitchen; it was hard to do with a plastic knife. The fries were perfection. Crisp deliciousness. I can't believe this burger has existed this long and I didn't know about it!!! The one bathroom had issues with the toilet paper. Had to use the other bathroom. Definitely will be back.

Good service and good food. We had tacos on special, with the fish and pork being the best, and the onion rings were a nice indulgence.

Visiting from our of town and my nephew mentioned special priced wings Wednesday so we grabbed a couple dozen to take home. We had to call to get the definition of what the different wing names were (which I can't remember). Basically, we enjoyed the dry run ones and does them into the various sauce choices they offered. Parking was not adjacent , and it was a complicated thin area to navigate, but it was close enough. I would get these wings again; the size was generous, and the sauces were all delicious. They were good without any sauce as well.

I give cowboy a 3.0/5 stars I ordered it for pickup and took it to go. You could tell the quality in the food did not translate extremely well. I ordered chicken wings extra crispy and they came out soft and nearly rubbery. I also ordered the chicken sandwich and it just didn't taste flavorful at all to me. The onion rings were very very good, and I did enjoy the chipotle ranch sauce but I was not enjoying the rest I didn't finish either of them

Nice local bar that has a standard menu. Greatest appeal is the outdoor seating. Covered too. Their baked wings are large. Yet, I wouldn't call them hot wings. They were thick, and flavored really well. The seasoning was great. More of a dry rub style. The mac-n-cheese was some reggie. Nothing spectacular. Had the Brownie dessert (w/Vanilla Ice Cream). You have to really like chocolate/Chips for that thing. I couldn't eat it all.

My bar of choice usually comes in one variety: dive. That's hard to find in Arlington, where the bars mostly come in one variety: douchey. Cowboy Cafe is an exception to this rule, a bar with a local vibe that I haven't seen since the days of Jay's Saloon and Bar. I walked in after work on a Thursday and while it was too early to see what the HH crowd was like, there was a few regulars perched at the bar friendly chatting with the bartender like they have all been friends for years. In one corner there was a coin operated breathalyzer machine, next to that was an older lady chain-playing a machine with various bar games. You could have mistaken her for those people at casinos that camp next to a slot machine with a stack of quarters. It was then I knew this was going to be a great dive. But what about the food? I was hungry so I ordered the Barnyard: a burger so large I couldn't physically fit any of it into my mouth. The bartender shared with me her secret: she orders an extra bun and makes two burgers out of the behemoth of two 1/2lb beef patties, bbq pork, two slices of cheddar, a fried egg and bacon. I was very satisfied after all that. When it comes to local watering holes Cowboy Cafe has brought me hope that not all Arlington bars are full of bros, preps, and DBs. It's just a real local bar with real good food.

I have given this place a few chances now, and I even removed a bad review as per the manager's request after good communication with him. Went in today, the place was full of drunks, yelling and screaming. For five minutes, I sat and waited to be greeted by a waitress. When I departed to leave, one finally appeared. Sorry, but avoid this place. I shall not return. My money is going to a place that caters to the customer.

Food is still good and I still love this place. But the service was really sub par this past visit for Sunday brunch. They were clearly understaffed and couldn't keep up.

A musty dive bar with sticky seating, stained menus and pretty good nachos. I appreciate a good dive bar, but this place is so divey I almost didn't want to drink from the glassware. (Noñ seriously!) After wiping the rim of the glass off with my napkin, I felt a little bit more comfortable enjoying my beer. My friend and I split a huge plate of nachos with chicken. Sooooo good! Those nachos were done the right way, with the cheese layered in between the chips, instead of just stacked on top. They were piled high with jalapenos, sour cream, and huge chunks of flavorful chicken. I expected that this would be an appetizer, but clearly my friend knew something I didn't because when this massive plate of chips made its way to our table, my friend just smiled knowingly.

Tried their breakfast menu on door dash order. I spent over $100 to sample several items with my family and after receiving biscuits and gravy with burnt char particles in the gravy and eating a spoonful resulting in me vomiting up the food we didn't eat anything else. To add insult to injury several options to other items were missing (e. g. Waffles) and my chicken and waffle item was not delivered. After calling in and speaking with the manager who didn't take responsibility but rather belayed accountability on the chef and not receiving any of the promised follow up, it was clear that this incident was likely a recognized pattern as opposed to an isolated incident. Being a business owner I admire and respect the efforts and economic effects of local small businesses but I also appreciate that small business is not charity and business should honor their craft and respect their patron by providing quality products and services. My initial take is that this isn't a business that regards themselves as such

We love eating at the Cowboy Cafe. Recently tried the new QR code to order table side. It was quick and easy. We were able to order drinks right away. And then apps while we debated what to have for our main meal. They also have an option for group orders that I look forward to trying on our next "ladies night" excursion.

Great food and outdoor seating area! I was thrilled Aydan was our server tonight. Yay! He was just awesome! Service was efficient and fast and he's the best! Everyone else was friendly and helpful too! It's my new favorite neighborhood place to eat, hang out and watch some sports!

A little different! The food and service is outstanding, though it's a little different. We all got coffee, but when you ask for a refill they either bring you a new cup or have to take yours to refill. The Irish coffee is a mix your own concoction with lots of alcohol. I had the Cowboy hash and it was outstanding. I also tasted the French toast. It was also outstanding! We drank all their coffee, and ended up waiting for them to brew another pot. We ate outside (COVID avoidance). Lots of color and the seating was comfortable. Parking is easy, though one of the lots is across the street and could pose a bit of a problem if a patron drank more than they should. Parking is plentiful. Definitely worth the stop. A little quirky. I really want to come back to sample the menu for lunch or dinner and experience the Cowboy Cafe in full swing!

Cowboy cafe has grown on me throughout the years- it's rough around the edges but a place that does a ton of food pretty damn well. We ordered a lot during covid and loved we could get beer delivered. We've eaten inside twice post lockdown and had a good time- especially sitting at the bar. We love their shot and a beer deal and they have a strong orange crush. I recommend their Philly cheesesteak, their burgers, and their Cajun pasta- all a great value and pretty tasty. They built a cute outdoor patio area we are hoping to try out this summer.

We always had good experiences with the food here, until now. :( This is a picture of the kids tenders and fries we ordered last week. The chicken seems processed and dry (like frozen/reheated) and these are not the type of amazing shoe string fries Cowboy Cafe has served in the past. I hope it was a one time thing and not a permanent change to this menu item. This was a big disappointment.

Their private parking lot is a little challenging. The place is tiny with outside seating area. The food was nice with adequate portion size. They have half price cocktails during brunch time.

It may be known as a dive bar but I can tell you the service is phenomenal. The food is exquisite and I always have a fantastic time there.

People need to understand... this is a local DIVE bar. We come here to drink with our friends, be loud and grub on greasy food. Yes, we all know each other here so you may get some looks if you're a newbie...deal with it. Leave your princess tiaras at the door, chill out and just relax. No, usually you are not going to be seated when you walk in, just go grab a seat yourself. Quit expecting 5 star cuisine... this is not really a restaurant vibe either. It's a fun local joint that has been in the community for a long time. If you're looking for something more, thats great... go grab your sunday brunch over in dupont with the stuffy hipsters PS - the burgers have remained amazing. So good.

Been here a few times for drinks and apps, but today I ordered fried dill pickles and asked the server for a sauce to go with it (dairy-free so no chipotle ranch for me) and he suggested hot sauce. It was perfect. We all loved it and dipped all the food in it. So much so - we asked what it was called and it's the TNT hot sauce that they must make in house. We then checked out the menu to see what dishes it was in and saw the buffalo chicken sandwich. So, obviously we had to order it to go and get extra TNT sauce. Highly recommend

First time here, disappointed. It wasn't bad but I can't say any of the food was good and we didn't even order anything special(quesadilla, hot dogs, and Mac and cheese). None of us finished our food, left hungry. None of it was so bad I felt I needed to ask to see a manager. It all seemed on the cusp of being good if they had used any seasoning on any of the food. Too bad. The servers were nice and attentive.

This place needs to clean up its bathrooms. Stars off for this. I was afraid to touch anything in there. I realize this is the "Cowboy" cafe, but hey, this is Arlington, not Laramie. We ate outdoors for lunch. The waitperson was great, trying very hard but things seemed very disorganized. Did not seem to be a manager pulling things together. Additionally, the amount of plastic cups used for our order was unacceptable. And it did not seem to me that they were even being recycled. If you take the 5 plastic cups (we had 5),and multiply it by the number of customers during the course of the day and the total goes from unacceptable to astonishing. I really try to be realistic as to what to expect service wise, especially during Covid and its aftermath, so I try to be kind to staff (bottom line!). But I am struggling here. Been quite a while since I have been here. Prices were very reasonable. The burgers are still as darn good as it gets. They just need to get the food to the table quicker.

ORDERED off Uber cause the wife heard great things... I ordered Chili Mac and I have to be honest.. It was pure trash more noodles and cheese than anything... Cornbread was small and weak, also ordered a Moscow Mule, hahahahahahahahah.... My wife seemed to enjoy her meal. But she hasn't eaten since yesterday. I will never ever ever step foot in this place and will never order from here. As a disabled Veteran my money is very important to me, I feel ripped off and let down.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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