 | Washington D.C. Ben's Chili Bowl Reviews | 1 - 9 of 9 |  |
Ben's Chili Bowl has been around since 1958, and it is somewhat of an institution in Washington DC. It is located in the U Street Corridor next to Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle. Before there was Harlem, there was U Street also known as "Black Broadway".
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After spending some time walking around the neighbourhood, hitting the street markets, it was time to go to Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street. This restaurant has been around since the 50s and the food is great. Chili, chips, even vegetarian chili, but it is spicy and delicious. Photos of famous visitors line the walls and the decor is the same as original design.
The owners Ben and and Virginia Ali (I met Virigina, a lovely lady) started this great restaurant and is a staple of this wonderful neighbourhood in Washington.
the menu:
HOURS SERVED
11am - 2am M-Thu
11am - 4am F-Sat
Noon - 8pm Sun
Ben's Famous Chili Dog $2.80
Grilled and served on a steamed bun with mustard & onions and of course Ben's Spicy Homemade Chili Sauce.
Ben's Original Chili Half-Smoke $3.95
Bill Cosby’s Favorite! Experience the Chili Half-Smoke originally made famous by Ben's in 1958. Split and grilled on request, served on a warm steamed bun with chili, mustard,
and onions.
Ben's 100% Beef Chili Burger $3.65
Cooked to order right before your eyes. We will dress these 1/4lb burgers with your choice of condiments and loads of
HOT DELICIOUS CHILI!! Just say when! THESE ARE TRULY THE BEST BURGERS IN THE BUSINESS!!
w/Cheese add $0.35
Ben's Chili Burger Sub $5.50
Two all beef patties on a 6” sub roll.
Garnished with mayo, lettuce and chili. w/Cheese add $0.70
Tuna Sub $5.50
Freshly made tuna salad on a sub roll with creamy mayonnaise & lettuce. Spice it up with peppers, relish and onion.
Veggie Burger $4.45
Made from high protein soy beans
Served hot on a toasted bun anyway you like it. A vegetarian favorite!! Leave a Comment Theme: AmericanPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 1213 U Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20009Phone: (202)667-0909Directions: NW section of WashingtonWebsite: http://www.benschilibowl.com/ Other Contact: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travel
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While a bit off the beaten path, Ben's is a true DC experience. The chili is exceptional, but best of all, it's open both late at night (to prevent a hang-over) and early in the morning (to get rid of a hang-over). If you go between noon and 2pm on a weekend, expect to wait.
Half-smoke with a side of chili fries Leave a Comment Theme: OtherDirections: 1213 U St. NW a few short blocks from the U Street/Cordozo metro stop also walkable (@15 minutes) from the Dupont Circle metro
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Ben's Chili Bowl has been a Washington landmark since the 1950s, and many celebrities, including long-time patron Bill Cosby, have graced its floors for a delicious made-while-you-wait chili dog. Ben's is an extremely famous place to eat and has been featured on TV shows like "Unwrapped" on The Food Network...but don't worry, this restaurant's location means that it's NOT a tourist trap! It's located on U Street, which is considered a "bad neighborhood" to many in DC (it has also been proudly Black-Owned-and-Operated since its grand opening, which unfortunately still turns some people off)...but not to worry, Ben's is quite safe and located right across the street from the metro stop. Locals flock there for lunch. And if you can't make it for lunch, don't sweat it...Ben's keeps CRAZY hours and is open until 2:00am on weekdays and 4:00am on weekends.
Bill Cosby's Original Chili Half-Smoke...just go for the gusto! Leave a Comment Theme: AmericanPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 1213 U Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20009Phone: 202-667-0909Directions: NW section of WashingtonWebsite: http://www.benschilibowl.com/
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Ok, so maybe its not the best chili I've ever had but I recommend it nonetheless because it is an institution here in DC. Opened in 1958 by African-American entrepreneurs Ben and Virginia Ali, Ben's Chili Bowl has been feeding the hordes into the wee hours for just under 50 years !!!! Bill Cosby, a DC native, loves the place and visits whenever in town apparently. Considering the surprising lack of quality, craveable late night food in DC you have no excuse to miss this place :) Come for chili, hot dogs, burgers, fries etc. They even have veggie burgers for non-meat eaters !!!
Chili Half-Smoke with chili-cheese fries !!! Don't miss it... Leave a Comment Theme: Fast FoodPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: 1213 U Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20009Phone: (202) 667-0909Directions: NW section of Washington Metro: U Street (Green)Website: http://www.benschilibowl.com/
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Ben's Chili Bowl is another Washington institution. Though you MAY find the chili just "pretty good" (I have never been overly impressed with the food), the legend that is Ben's Chili Bowl is what attracts many people to this great restaurant.
Black owned and operated since 1958, Ben's has watched Washington change and develop in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city, though has maintained its authentic 1950s feel. Pictures of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X adorne the walls, while the exposed grill is busy with a line of cooks preparing any number of Ben's excellent menu items.
The diner is opened late into the night (until 4:00 AM Friday and Saturday), so it is also popular amongst folks walking home from the bar.
I enjoy the chili cheese dogs (gets some napkins)! I also like Ben's Beef Chili Burger! Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 1213 U Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20009Phone: (202) 667-0909Directions: NW section of Washington, U Street CorridorWebsite: http://www.benschilibowl.com/
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World famous chili dogs come in a variety of heat (spice) levels and a lot of other 'fast food' offerings, like chicken tenders, etc.
Many famous people have stopped here, including presidents, musicians, etc. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 1213 U Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20009Phone: (202) 667-0909Directions: NW section of Washington, Metro U St/CardozoWebsite: http://www.benschilibowl.com/
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This is not just another restaurant. It's a Washington tradition, dating back to 1958. Ben's has long been a favorite late-night place for bar patrons, theater-goers, and everyone else on U Street. That includes many famous performers, who often visit after their shows. This place has achieved national recognition (see the web site, under History). No visit ot U Street is complete without stopping at Ben's Chili Bowl.
It stays open until 4:00 am on weekends, and opens for breakfast at 11:00 am (noon on Sunday).
The chili is homemade, and is what makes the chili burgers, chili dogs, and chili cheese fries so good. It's not exactly health food, but certainly worth having at least once. I never had breakfast here, but it's said to be very good. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: 1213 U Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20009Phone: (202) 667-0909Directions: Located on the north side of historic U Street, next to the Lincoln Theatre, close to the best clubs, and across from the U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial Metro stop, it's ideally situated.Website: http://www.benschilibowl.com/
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Ben's Chili Bowl is a U Street institution. It was established in 1958 and was one of the few businesses to survive the race riots of the 1960s that destroyed much of the neighborhood. This small diner-like restaurant has been a favorite of people such as Bill Cosby, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and even Dr. King. While the original owners have retired, their sons now run the family business which has recently attracted President Obama to eat one of their famous half smokes.
Ben's has also expanded to a second location in Nationals Stadium across town in South East. During a recent game we decided to give it a try, and I had the "Original Chili Half-Smoke" which is considered their signature dish. This is a slightly spicy half pork and half beef smoked sausage on a steamed bun with mustard, onions, shredded cheese and a spicy homemade chili sauce. At the restaurant on U Street this dish costs about $5, but in the stadium it was perhaps $7. Very sloppy and delicious. Leave a Comment
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