When visiting a new city it's always best to ask the locals where to find the best grub. Go to Washington, D.C. and anyone will point you to Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, the capital's best hole-in-the-wall late-night diner that's popularity has grown to cultlike status. Ben's retains its '60s diner style feel, having opened in 1958, as well as the local color and "dirty spoon" grunginess that makes it a memorable experience; picture a classic diner counter with swiveling stools and soul music blasting in the jam-packed place, and you've got the Chili Bowl scene. Though at times the crowds can be overwhelming - the line out the door on a sunny spring afternoon like today is just as bad as the late-night scene since Ben's is open until 2 am weekdays and 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays - as Ben's attracts all kinds of clientele, from the longtime neighborhood families to the wide-eyed tourist thrown in the mix. The restaurant certainly wins no awards for cleanliness or service, but the food is just downright good. Ben's chili is just spicy enough to make you sweat, served in cups, bowls, on chili dogs, chili fries, you name it. It's Ben's famous half-smokes with chili sauce that sets this joint above the rest, as the sausage's smokey flavor far surpasses the run-of-the-mill hot dog, and the top-secret recipe of Ben's Chili Sauce pairs with it perfectly. Now that's a good all-American meal.
The walls are adorned with photos of the famous patrons to grace Ben's Chili Bowl with their hungry bellies, from Bill Cosby and Denzel Washington to politicians Hillary Clinton and of course a huge signed Barack Obama (it is our nation's capital, after all.) Obama reportedly loves Ben's chili, and who wouldn't - it's the real food you're craving. Go patriotic? Go Ben's.
3.5/5 stars (and four chili bowls!)
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