It’s rare to find a man behind the bar and behind the grill at the same time, but the multitasking at Hard Times doesn’t phase Jon Burdette. For this friendly barman, the busier it is, the better.
On Tap: How did you get into bartending?
Jon Burdette: I started out doing private events like bar mitzvahs and weddings. Hard Times was my watering hole actually. I kinda got to know everyone and one thing led to another.
OT: Did it take some time to get used to being both the bartender and the cook?
JB: No. It didn’t. Maybe the first month or so.
OT: What bars or food spots do you hit when you get off of work?
JB: I go to Rock bottom and Harp & Fiddle here in Bethesda a lot.
OT: We’ve heard good things about the wings here. Which is your favorite?
JB: I have to go with the Original Texas. I also like mixing the BBQ and the Texas sauces. After eating the same stuff all the time, you need to start getting creative.
OT: Which sports team draws the biggest crowd?
JB: The NFL doesn’t draw as many people as I would have hoped. It’s a big College Football spot and the Caps by far draw the biggest crowd.
OT: What is your favorite shift?
JB: The busy shifts– Fridays or Saturdays, or wings night on Wednesdays. Time flies and we have a lot of fun. Superbowl Sunday was great last year – we cooked 7,000 wings. There was a blizzard outside but people still wanted their wings!
Catch Jon behind the bar of Hard Times Café in Bethesda Wednesday and Friday nights.
Hard Times Café Bethesda: 4920 Del Ray Ave, Bethesda, MD; 301-951-3300; www.hardtimes.com
