Ben's Chili Bowl: A local landmark
In a town famous for monuments and memorials, there’s one local landmark that definitely stands out. Ben’s Chili Bowl has become not just a local eatery but a city institution, with a whole host of celebrity fans to boot.
Serving up classic chili on nearly anything you can think of since 1958, this U Street hole in the wall rose to popularity thanks to frequent customer Bill Cosby. The little diner has been featured everywhere from Oprah to Good Morning America, the Today Show to the Travel Channel, and has become recognized as a must-visit spot in the nation’s capital. Even President Obama has stopped in for a meal.
Before you can think of what to order at Ben’s, you first have to wait your turn. At any given time, huge lines clog the front counter, and you have to jostle for a seat in one of the three main casual eating rooms. But the effort is definitely worth it.
Ben’s chili has put it on the map, and for good reason. The smooth meat sauce is spicy and simple, great on its own or terrific on anything it’s poured on. And that can be a whole lot indeed.
There’s the all meat chili dog (grilled and served with mustard and onions), the famous half-smoke (a quarter-pound half pork and beef smoked sausage) and the 100% beef burger, all delectable on their own or simply stellar with chili on top. The chili doesn’t stop there either. You can get it on turkey burgers, veggie burgers, jumbo turkey or beef hot dogs, even on French fries with cheese.
Ben’s Chili Bowl may not be the healthiest spot (salad lovers would be better served elsewhere) but really that’s not the goal here. Just one bite of the famous chili half-smoke, or the gooey, messy chili-cheese fries, and you’re sold. As one fellow diner put it best, “Ben’s is junk food heaven. There’s no guilt here, only gratitude.”
Posted by D.J. Siegel
