Bens Chili Bowl

i had chili fries which were ok but the service really stunk. The waiter tossed my bag to me rudely and was not friendly at all. I would not recommend this place to anyone I know and will not eat there again!

Posted 08/25/09 | Report Abuse

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If you come to U St, you need to make Bens one of the stops. Chili is great, the atmosphere is busy and friendly and you see someone you know but don't really know personally but you know them from somewhere! The chili dogs is great! Yum!

Posted 12/28/07 | Report Abuse

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bens chili bowl is pretty good for a diner. it is a typical diner but for those who dont eat pork, it is great. you can get turkey products with your meals so that you dont have to skimp out on your meat.

Posted 12/18/07 | Report Abuse

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This place has been there and done that for 50 years! The chili is good, hot and just a bit sweet. The dogs are a bit boring, and the entire feel is a bit 'you should have been here 10 years ago'. The half smoke is decent, but I won't come to Bens intentionally again. But there is a lot going on in the neighborhood these days.

Posted 11/03/07 | Report Abuse

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I always make an effort to stop by Ben's when I'm on U street. Visiting this area on a Friday or Saturday night is a must, the jazz clubs are fantastic, and a quick bite at Ben's is definitely worthwhile.

Posted 06/20/06 | Report Abuse

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Bens Chili Bowl is an institution in DC. They make some amazing cuisine. This is far from a fancy restaurant. They specialize in some casual food such as burgers, fries, sausage, hot dogs and of course their world renowned Chili. This place is open late so it is a nice option if you are out and about late and night. Im a big fan of this establishment.

Posted 06/19/06 | Report Abuse

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Wow. As a native Washingtonian, I have frequented Ben's Chili Bowl ever since I was a very young child. My father introduced me to this establishment. Small but cozy. The taste of the food is consistently great and the proprietor's are very pleasant and down to earth. In my opinion you can't find a better chili cheese half smoke anywhere on the planet. A sure cure for the late night (or anytime) munchies!

Posted 11/30/05 | Report Abuse

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One little known secret about Ben's is their great veggie burger. And of course everything else that everybody loves. Great tasting food, good value, friendly service and the sense that you have entered the pages of history when you cross the threshold. I just hope they don't remodel, and keep a little of the old U street down there with the new U.

Posted 11/01/05 | Report Abuse

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If you come to visit DC, don't miss Ben's Chili Bowl. The good is great and inexpensive. The service is pretty good as well. I am getting hungry right now just thinking about a smothered Chili Dog with onions!

Posted 10/12/05 | Report Abuse

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This place is a Washington institution. Black owned and operated since 1958, Ben's boasts Bill Cosby as one of its most famous regular patrons. The half smoke, perhaps DC's only indiginous cuisine, is a special treat served with chili and mustard. The chili cheese burger and fries are also quite spectacular. They also serve breakfast and delicious shakes. And to feed the late night bar crowds, they're open until 4 am on weekends.

Posted 09/28/05 | Report Abuse

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Ben's Chili Bowl is a Washington, DC institution. Their specialties are fresh off the grill hot dogs and burgers with all the trimmings. For a DC restaurant, they are absolutely reasonably priced. If you find yourself in DC, you've got to swing by Ben's and help yourself to the best chili dog you've ever had!

Posted 09/06/05 | Report Abuse

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Ben's Chili Bowl is a Washington tradition. The beef chili burgers and chili burger subs are good, but you have to try Ben's signature dishes, the chili dog and chili half-smoke. This joint is packed most of the time and stays open until 4:00 am Friday and Saturday. Would you believe that even at those times their is a line of people waiting to chow down on some great food.

Posted 09/02/05 | Report Abuse

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This place is absolutely great for people watching. The food was pretty good, but it was more about the atmosphere. Great for late night eating too. Good idea for anyone interested in an experience!

Posted 07/14/05 | Report Abuse

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Ben's really is all it claims to be: a veritable monument of culture, history, and chili.

A cheap place to eat since the 50s, Ben's offers a rich history and a beautiful menu, including their rightfully famous Chili Half-Smoke and their gluttounous Chili Cheese Fries.

It's easy to scarf down basketfuls of this stuff-- be careful, though; you won't be able to move for hours.

Posted 07/11/05 | Report Abuse

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The food is great but please be prepared for a long line during peak times. I have always been satisfied with my food and will recommend Ben's to others.

PROS: Great food.
CONS: long lines.

Posted 06/28/05 | Report Abuse

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Customer service and family are the key words here...yes, the yuppies & others are taking over the block (which has led to Ben's expansion projects -- or opening of existing rooms to all), but their customer service and menu remain the same...here's hoping the prices don't go up ten-fold in the next five years thanks to the Ellington and everything else they're doing to my fav' strip in DC.

PROS: FOOD, FOOD, FOOD, SERVICE, SMILES, ATMOSPHERE, LOCATION
CONS: MISUNDERSTOOD VENUE, CULTURE-SHOCKED TOURISTS & NEWBIES TO BLACK EXPERIENCE

Posted 06/10/05 | Report Abuse

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Five Reasons to go to Ben's
1. Open till 4am on the weekends.
2. Lets face it, pizza every time after a night out gets pretty old.
3. Speaking as a carnivore, the veggie chili is better than the traditional chili. And don't forget the fries and cheese. Yummm
4. Tradition rules all. Ben's has been around for decades.
5. Out of DC prices. Guaranteed full just around $6

PROS: cheap eats, great chili, a friendly country atmosphere
CONS: not for picky eaters

Posted 06/03/05 | Report Abuse

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The title says it all. It looks small and crowded, although they recently expanded so their is more seating area. The food is the reason to go. I went for my first time with a lot of skepticism based on the looks of the place but I walked out of their with a full stomach. The chili is so tasty and if you are vegetarian they even have a meat free version. Try the chili and cheese on fries...you won't regret your decision.

Posted 05/27/05 | Report Abuse

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