Ben's Chili Bowlsimilar businesses >

202-667-0909
Picture for Ben's Chili Bowl
City's Best

1213 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Fax: 202-667-0058

Average Rating 3 (46 Ratings)

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Find this business under: Restaurants-Mexican, Restaurants

  • Business Hours: Mon. 06:00 AM-02:00 AM, Tues. 06:00 AM-02:00 AM, Wed. 06:00 AM-02:00 AM, Thu. 06:00 AM-02:00 AM, Fri. 06:00 AM-04:00 AM, Sat. 06:00 AM-04:00 AM, Sun. 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
  • Credit Cards Accepted: Other

A big crowd at a restaurant is always a good sign, and since 1958 there has been a steady stream of customers from the late and great like Billie Holliday, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole who all performed on U Street, the ''Black Broadway,'' to current musical acts who are performing at the nearby 9:30 Club as well as longtime fan Bill Cosby. By staying relatively unchanged for more than four decades, Ben's Chili Bowl has become decidedly old school. Take the huge throwback sign out front for example -- or the linoleum counters lined with chili dogs in red baskets. The staff is outfitted in red hats and aprons. One of the only hints of the modern era is the veggie burger option on the menu.

Ben's opens early for breakfast and stays open late for the starved bar crowd. Expect prompt service, but as the numerous signs suggest, a few well-placed bucks will guarantee that you won't wait long. The limited menu offers hot dogs, half-smokes, hamburgers and steak sandwiches. Of course, you can always stick with the chili. After all, it's that kind of place.

-- Nick Freshman

46 Ratings and Reviews

  • This place is the worst

    Review rating : 1out of 5   RevRilly - 09/13/2009

    Do not waist your time. Hard Times Cafe's chili is so much better. The place is nasty. People outside begging for money and the food was awful. We saw it on TV ... I can't believe it ... the half smokes were burnt and everything was way over priced. We could have ate at Red Lobster for less! All we got was sick chili and half smokes for a bill of $63. No way do not go! Do NOT GO. sick ... sad ... just bad!!!! I wanted to give no stars but the ad would not go through! 0000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

  • A Washington Institution

    Review rating : 3out of 5   Metfan217 - 09/15/2008

    This place is a piece of Washington history. You absolutly have to go experience it, in order to appreciate it. I'm not the biggest Ben's fan, but you do get a pretty good meal. It's not the best chili I've ever had, but it certainly has a good flavor. The half-smokes are spicy and well cooked, and the chili-cheese fries are messy goodness. It's a dump, truth be told, but that's part of the experience. Like Pat's in Philadelphia and the Varsity in Atlanta, these are institutions. Ben's is worth a monthly excursion down to U street from GW, where I go to school. It doesn't impress everyone, but it just has this uncanny charm, and a pretty fulfilling lunch.

  • OMG

    Review rating : 1out of 5   Steffaniein - 07/10/2008

    it has to be the nastiest place to eat. $8. will buy you 2 hot dogs that are burnt. Don't eat here. You are better off going to the 7-11 for a really good hot dog.

  • Review rating : 5out of 5   Mesha502 - 06/28/2008

  • Mediocre

    Review rating : 1out of 5   INSULATEDTOOLS - 06/27/2008

    I had the chili with my wife a couple of years ago. She wouldn't finish hers, and I thought the chili was mediocre, at best.

  • Best Vegetarian Meal!!!

    Review rating : 5out of 5   VCP421 - 06/25/2008

    My son has a thing about eating at places featured on those Food Heaven type shows and when he heard about Ben's and knew we were planning our trip to D.C. that is where he insisted on having lunch one day. I did a quick review of their menu online and agreed since they have Vegetarian Chili and burgers so I agreed. I have to say it was one of the best meals we had while in town. The prices were comparable with most of the other lunches we had while in town and we will definitely return next time we are in town.

  • Poor Excuse for Chili

    Review rating : 1out of 5   RFSykes - 06/13/2008

    Perhaps the most overrated, overhyped restaurant in DC. If you really want a good bowl of chili, possibly the best in all of DC, go to Jetties on Foxhall Road just south of the intersection with Reservoir.

  • OVERRATED BEN'S

    Review rating : 1out of 5   Nfanmail - 06/11/2008

    Ben's Chili Bowl is without m a doubt the most overrated place in DC. The chili is the most awful thing I have ever tasted tha ti called "chili" and although the main fare nis hotdogs and "hal-smoke" sausage, do they have kraut and German mustard? NO! I'm not even going to give this glorified dump one star. Darn. turns out I haveta....

  • Review rating : 1out of 5   GKandL - 05/16/2008

  • Chili?You've got to be kidding

    Review rating : 1out of 5   ahhastickem - 02/28/2007

    I pride myself on knowing good food. I cook myself. Like anyone I enjoy good food when I'm eating out. Ben's, is not good food. In fact, it's some of the worst I've ever had. I had heard people speak highly of Ben's and thought it would be great. Not even close. You can get that kind of chili in a can in the condements section of your local grocery store!

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