Ben's Chili Bowl Restaurant Review
1213 U St. NW (12th St. NW) 
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Washington, DC 20009
202-667-0909 | Menu
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Cuisine
Open
Breakfast Mon.-Sat., Lunch & Dinner dailyFeatures
- Kid-friendly
- Open late
- Casual
- No Credit Cards
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| Ben’s is a true neighborhood fixture along the U Street corridor. Opened in 1958, it has always attracted plenty of local diners and big-name entertainers, not for its looks, which are free of frills, but for its chili, the dish that made it famous. Composed of ground meat and kidney beans, the chili is served with crackers and, if you want, a scoop of shredded cheese that melts down through the mixture. Mildly hot and aromatic, this is one chili that will stick to your ribs. Also famous: the chili dog. Ben’s is apt to be crowded, even mid-afternoon, so plan to double-park like others do and wait for your chili. Or park, eat in, and order up a whole meal of country-home cooking, with a bowl of chili as the centerpiece. Another must-eat is the half-smoke sausage; it appeals to almost every taste bud. A “healthy” eats section of the menu includes turkey burgers, vegetarian chili and vegetarian burgers. |
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