I was in DC for a few days last month, playing tourist and freezing my butt off (it was REALLY cold). The last time I was in DC was in January 2001 and some things have changed. The area around Ben’s back then was a bit rough. Not anymore. It’s been gentrified along with much of DC. Thankfully, Ben’s hasn’t changed.
![IMG 4009](https://i0.wp.com/walking-ixus.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_4009.jpeg?resize=525%2C394&ssl=1)
As befitting a place with the words “chili bowl” in the name, Ben’s makes pretty much everything with chili on it. Chili burgers, chili fries, chili hot dogs/half smokes. If they ever made a salad, I’d expect it with chili on top as a dressing. I wouldn’t eat it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a Ben’s salad did have chili.
I took a friend there for her first visit and we ordered a lot “to share”.
![IMG 4013](https://i0.wp.com/walking-ixus.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_4013.jpeg?resize=525%2C700&ssl=1)
![IMG 4012](https://i0.wp.com/walking-ixus.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_4012.jpeg?resize=525%2C700&ssl=1)
![IMG 4011](https://i0.wp.com/walking-ixus.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_4011.jpeg?resize=525%2C700&ssl=1)
![IMG 4015](https://i0.wp.com/walking-ixus.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_4015.jpeg?resize=525%2C700&ssl=1)
What you need to watch out for is everything with chili (for sharing) disappearing when you walk over to get beverages and your companion is sitting there with a sheepish look on her face. Your chili is NOT safe!! Lesson learned: eat chili first, worry about beverages later.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
1213 U Street NW
Washington DC 20009