Ben’s Chili Bowl
Washington D.C. 20009
209-667-0909
For 50 years Ben’s has been serving up award winning* chilidogs, hamburgers, French fries and milkshakes at the same location on U street. And for 50 years the biggest names in show business and politics have bellied up to the counter or slid into one of Ben’s booths to dig into one of DC’s most distinguished culinary delights.
President-Elect Barack Obama Visits Ben's Chili Bowl in January 2009 with DC Mayor Adrian Fenty
The renowned menu hanging above the grill runs from breakfast to lunch to dinner to desert. Of course, the chili is available at all meal times. This dish for which Ben’s takes its name is a smoky, spicy, savory dish made from ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, onions and a magical blend of spices. Smooth and downright creamy, the chili is like a second- cousin of gravy. Non-meat eaters can delight in a vegetarian version wherein texturized vegetable protein plays the part of beef. Either way you’ll get addicted.
The selection of dishes you can order covered in chili is fairly standard fare. Bill Cosby’s Original Chili Half-Smoke, a grilled ¼ lb. half pork and beef smoked sausage served on a warm, steamed bun, (mustard and onions an optional must.) This one is a personal favorite of Mr. Cosby, who, according to a sign posted behind the counter, eats free. Ben’s also serves all meat hot dogs and regular burgers, plus a ½ lb. double patty 6” Ben’s Chili Burger Sub served with lettuce, mayo AND chili? Oh yeah! Healthy options turkey, tuna and Boca round things out.
Orders come in plastic baskets filled-out with crisp potato chips: ideal for mopping the chili you’ll soon realize you can never get enough of. Or if you prefer, order up an extra bowl with cheese and onions. Ben’s has that too.
On the side, French fries are available with or without chili and/or cheese. The homemade coleslaw and potato salad can cool your palate just as easily as a thick and creamy milk shake. Be sure to wash it all down with homemade Sweet Iced Tea.
Should you have found a way to save room for desert, slices of local, freshly baked cake of every stripe abound. (Chili optional.)
You can order carry out or eat in. But I bet my half-smoke you’ll want to plant it in this D.C. landmark. Stay awhile. Dig the décor. Take in some historic photos. (Take some of your own!) Feel the funk flowing from the jukebox. Then dig in. (Note: if you slide into a booth you’ll still need to put your order in at the counter.)
No matter how or what you order, a second visit is coming soon: later that night for an after hours indulgence or come some morning to check out what Ben’s is serving up for breakfast or maybe just to run into Bill Cosby.
* In 2004, Ben’s won the prestigious Gallo of Sonoma 'America's Classics' Restaurant Award from the James Beard Foundation.
HOURS
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Breakfast from 6am - 10:45am
Main Menu from 10:45am – 2am
Friday
Breakfast from 6am – 10:45am
Main Menu from 10:45am – 4am
Saturday
Breakfast from 7am – 10:45am
Main Menu from 10:45am – 4am
PRICE
Cheap, but priceless!
-N.S. (08/06/08)