Neighborhood Eats: Ben's Chili Bowl

Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Ann Limpert , Sara Levine

Ben's Chili Bowl

1213 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-667-0909

Cuisines:
Diner, Deli/Quick Bites, American, Breakfast

Opening Hours:
Mon,Tue,Wed,Thu:
General: 06:00 AM - 02:00 AM Fri:
General: 06:00 AM - 04:00 AM Sat:
General: 07:00 AM - 02:00 AM Sun:
General: 11:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
U St./African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Rowdy

Reservations:
Not Accepted

Special Features:
Late Night, Weekend Brunch, Kid Friendly

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Chili hot dogs and half-smokes with mustard and chopped onions; chili burger; fries; two-egg breakfast with bacon and a biscuit; pancakes.

Price Details:
Burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches, $3.25 to $7.40.

Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald used to hang out at “the Bowl.” A former pool hall with Formica tabletops and the original stools from when it opened 50 years ago, Ben’s is very much a local fixture. Chili-slathered hot dogs with mustard and chopped onion are everything they should be, and half smokes—bigger and spicier than a regular dog—are one of DC’s contributions to the culinary hall of fame. Thick shakes are mighty fine, too.

-March, 2008

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