i visited there once. i was nervous being in a new city and a new place, but Mrs. Virginia came over and just started talking to my friends and I and we felt like we were old regulars. it was amazing!
From Canada here. Been to Ben's this past November. My tummy is still happy about it. A half smoke and some cheese fries. It's junk but fantastic junk. And when I was there I realized how much of a landmark for the African American this place is. Just one of those simple feel good places in this world. Long live to Ben's.
I had the chance to visit a few months ago, and I can state that the hype is real, and Virginia is still working, bussing tables, and cookin' dogs. Worth the visit. Worth the detour even.
10 yrs. Married before a 1 week vacation together. That is the life of a restaurant owner mom/pop place, i know some owners, work every day, long hrs., sometimes no time away because they don't want anyone else to be in charge. They are blessed by God to have gotten a vacation in 10 yrs. Congratulations, and may God bless you all and your business. btw, next time in D.C., 2 places i'm going, ben's chili bowl, and horace and dickies, my family rural kentucky.
I went to Ben's a few years ago, after Tony's suicide. I saw his episode of No Reservations with the author George Pelecanos years ago, and was drawn to the amazing history of this restaurant and the family who owned and operated it. After I finished my meal, on my out, I stopped to look at the hall of fame pictures they have on display, of which, Tony's was one. After a few minutes, Mrs. Ali came up to me and asked me where I was from. I told her and informed her how I had learned about her family restaurant, and she was gracious enough to let me know about her experience with Tony. She, like many others, (myself included) was shocked at his death. I am grateful for her kindness and willingness to spend some time with me. Being from Canada, I never would have learned about, or experienced it, without Tony's show. Restaurants like Ben's only last as long as they have, because of the amazing people who own it and the people who work with them. Thank you, Mrs. Ali!
There always has to be one who has to hate just to hate. One dislike my ass. Ben's chili bowl is as good as it gets. This iconic hub has served and protected DC through many a hard time and I thank them for their service and half smokes. This ain't no pinks in LA, this is real food!
Jonas Farley though it is well known, it's just a walk by by people from Washington. They rather go to other places because it's just a place of history rather than a huge hit with the locals. Even other Washington ppl in this comment section mentioned it. It's just a tourist site but when you actually go there, chilli is just chilli. It was only famed because of this video and Obama plus other sources of media. That's how business relations work.
@merfwriter High end doesn't equal better, and Washingtonians really do go here, or at least did go here before it became a major attraction these past 10 years. - Born and raised in uptown Washington DC.
d.c. is really a great place to live. I always go to Ben's chili bowl I don't even eat every time I go there tho. I like their breakfast more than anything. if u haven't been to d.c you def have to take a trip
Wasnt aware this was a famous establishment. Was in D.C. for a conference last year and my boss took me to this place after a long long long night of drinking. Enjoyed thoroughly, and was the first time I have ever had a chili dog before. Really enjoyed it, but the restaurant was nowhere near as busy in this video. Granted, I am not sure what time we got there and it was probably after midnight. >_>
@TheRenegadeAssassin you are right... notice how Anthony doesn't talk about how good the food is he just talks about the history of the place I would still recommend anyone that is in the area stop by and check it out
I have lived my whole life to date in DC and I have never gone to Ben's chili Bowl. I drive past it, worked next to eat, lived a few blocks from it, stopped at a few joints near it, even had my first Eritrean meal across from it. But, I have never stepped in Ben's chili bowl once and neither have any of my close friends or family members. I think when you're from DC, it's not a thing to you, you just have this "they're not going anywhere anytime soon" attitude. Besides, most true Washingtonians would rather go to the local carryout and pick up some chicken and mumbo sauce.
Haters gon hate. Potatoes gon potate. Ben's has been there forever and has served about 4 or 5 billion people and bamas wanna debate whether or not people from DC eat there? It's a landmark, an institution. Imma go get me 2 chili cheeseburgers and a large lemonade right now.
went there with my dad labor day weekend. we weird food trips. one labor day we went to Philly for a Philly Cheese Steak. Another labor day went to Ben's for a hot dog. Hot dogs are not that great. my dad got the half smoke and said it was alright. I got a chili dog. Don't like chili-mustard combo that they do, its not all that good. I get the veggie dog or one of those where you get chredded cheese. One of the dogs has chred chez and obama didn't have any cuz got 1/2 smoke and wanted some.
And I was born in S.E. DC and know my way around all of DC, and you're right, Washingtionians Really dont go there. People from DC go to their local carryout on the corner for chicken wings or fish subs. Or go down to the warf, buy fresh fish, and then take it to fish house and they'll fry the fish for you. But, remember Armads Pizza on Wisconsin? No that was some good as pizza!
"Nothing in DC is more overrated", you're exactly right! I was born and raised in DC, and the people who were born and raised in DC know that this shit aint nothing special. The clili taste like scrapped burnings from the bottom of the pot. Do you remember the Shrimp Boat? Or Eddie Lennards? Or the Edgewood Diner on 4th st., n.e.? Or a place called Chiefs Table? Most people go to their local corner carryout for chicken wings. I dont know how they turned a profit in the 80's and 90's.
Ben's is the kind of establishment whose political and cultural legacy made it almost impossible for Bourdain to keep his hipster impulses under control - his self-satisfaction and smugness on display in this clip are comparable to his posturing that time when he visited Laos and indulged himself at length in discussion of the Vietnam War. Bourdain could never talk just about the food; he had to turn every single culinary narrative into Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas or Catcher In The Rye.
Adam Erwan They're not muslim, fuck nut. The half smoke is half beef and PORK. What would it matter if they were? Get into the 21st century with the rest of us.
Nothing in DC is more overrated than this slop. Notice Tony never comments on the food and whether he likes it? There's a reason for that. Tourist trap? President photo op? Yes. The best place for a chili dog? Comeon.
