Eat & drink · Budget eats
Ben's Chili Bowl
Opening hours
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 AM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Images provided by Google Places
Historic chain eatery that's famous for its spicy hot dogs, chili-cheese fries & milkshakes.via Google
A historic landmark operating since 1958, famous for hosting civil rights leaders and presidents.
- Signature
- Original Chili Half-Smoke
Reviews from Google
The servers here were incredibly nice and went out of their way to make us feel right at home! As for the food, it was good, but in my opinion, nothing exceptional. From the outside, the building looks just okay, but once you step inside, the place is incredibly vibrant and packed with so much wonderful history. It’s definitely worth a visit for the welcoming atmosphere and the historic vibe!
It’s been a few years since I stopped by but today my son and I had an amazing time, we ordered two half smokes with everything on it, chili cheese fries and banana pudding. We looked at all the pictures on display as we waited for our food. The Food was served hot and delicious, the banana pudding was sooo dreamy, it was made to perfection and as we both had our eyes closed savoring the taste we heard a voice “ are you enjoying my banana pudding “? It was the one and only Miss Virginia herself, she started to clean up our table and making sure that we were okay. What an amazing experience. My son took a picture her, what an Icon ♥️🥰
I was walking by Ben’s Chili Bowl on my way to the U Street Metro station when someone stopped me and said it was an absolute must-see landmark. I'm so glad I paused to take it in. Founded in 1958, this spot is a massive pillar of DC’s Black history and civil rights movement, famously staying open to serve the community during the 1968 riots. While I didn't have time to go inside and eat on this trip, just seeing the iconic building and the vibrant mural on the side—featuring Barack and Michelle Obama—made the walk worth it. It’s a powerful piece of living history in the heart of the city!
American history never tasted this good! The museums and government buildings are sights to see but Ben’s Chili Bowl is the place to be! I’ve had the pleasure of going to the original location some years ago and after visiting the temporary one I decided it was time to show some love to this historic business. The chili is that and much, much more. It’s seriously that good. It’s good on its own, good with a glizzy, good with a burger, it’s probably good with your momma! The service was super nice, quick and I got my order pretty quickly. The milkshake was also good to pair with. I can’t wait to be back in the District of Champions to have some more chili!
Stopped by Ben’s Chili Bowl while visiting Washington, DC, and it definitely lived up to its reputation. The food was served quickly, the staff was friendly, and the atmosphere reflected the restaurant’s long history and connection to the community. The chili dog was flavorful, the portions were satisfying, and the experience felt like a true DC landmark. Whether you’re a local or just visiting the city, this is a great spot to grab a casual meal and enjoy a piece of Washington history. I would gladly visit again on my next trip to DC.