Important Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.

Foursquare City Guide

See all
2,049 photos

Ben's Chili Bowl

Hot Dog Joint, Burger Joint, and Diner$$$$

U-Street, Washington

Save

Share

Ben's Chili Bowl

8.4^/10

1,323

ratings

Ranked #1 for hot dog joints in Washington
Has a stamp of approval from Eater and Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
"Grab a chili half smoke with everything and some chili cheese fries!"(22 Tips)
"everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to President Obama"(16 Tips)
"Bill Cosby is the only person who eats free at Ben's Chili Bowl."(11 Tips)
"Travelers: Get the chili dog and chili half smoke to get super full!"(30 Tips)

374 Tips and reviews

Filter:

chili
chili half smoke
obama
good for a late night
bill cosby
casual
good for a quick meal
milkshakes
great value
breakfast food
good for groups
spicy food
landmarks
trendy
good for singles
sweet tea
people watching
happy hour specials
jukebox
chili cheese dogs
(15 more)

Log in to leave a tip here.

Sort:

Popular
Recent

Julie JEWELeSApril 29, 2012
Try the Half-smoked With Chili - So yummy
Michelle J MillerSeptember 27, 2013
They have veggie chili, burgers & dogs!!
Pepe CharlemagneSeptember 12, 2014
Tasty Food, good value
Ricky SherrillSeptember 27, 2014
One of my guilty pleasures when in DC.
HashtagNYUJune 19, 2015
SO GOOD. MUST GO. Read more
Albert HsuFebruary 12, 2011
Ben's chili half-smoked tasted really great. No wonder lots of famous celebrity come here.
Alex DobyanDecember 11, 2014
It's tourist kitschy, but good for a late night.
Matt PalmMarch 19, 2013
The strawberry shake is amazing!
Camille WrightMarch 5, 2015
Two words: CHILI FRIES
Will ChungNovember 11, 2011
Travelers: Get the chili dog and chili half smoke to get super full!
Connor TurnerJune 20, 2011
It's best to go on an off time, but there is nothing like a Chili Half-Smoke and a large pop. Read more
Candi WilliamsOctober 15, 2012
The french toast was delicious!!! :)
Louie LouieJuly 21, 2017
Chili is a powerful meal.
Claud-Michael PringleSeptember 26, 2013
If u don't go for the food go for the history
Julian BondJanuary 9, 2012
Order two, there that good, you'll want more!
Jason SproesserMarch 10, 2013
Window seats make the experience better. It's almost like dinner and a show
Terrea MitchellOctober 17, 2015
Had the breakfast. Bacon was crispy but not burned.
Eric WApril 9, 2012
Bring cash. They have an ATM but its cramped to use it
Mike WaltersNovember 18, 2011
Order a bill Cosby with everything and chili cheese fries
Chris BrownNovember 16, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Chili cheese fries. Get them.
Honey Bear ♛January 31, 2013
U can't walk on U St. Without stopping at Ben's Chili Bowl.
Kustom KaneApril 27, 2016
Yeah chilli cheese fries are a go!
Worthy SheepJuly 1, 2012
Bring cold hard cash and ask for extra cheese on everything.
Eric TysenMarch 26, 2013
Gotta try the potato salad, seriously.
Romy ReynebeauJune 14, 2012
This place is cash only but totally worth the inconvenience
Ben RDecember 14, 2015
Late night half smoke, of course.
DesireeJune 18, 2014
It's all about the Half-Smoke!
SpazzoMarch 16, 2015
Half smoke, veggie chili and Chili👍
Terrence GJanuary 16, 2013
Get the half smoke it kills!
Lynnne.August 12, 2010
Get A Reg. Hot Dogg.,Wiff Chilli Ketchup Mustard Relish.,Lil Oninons.,&& Fries. YUM. =]
AyeBrookeAugust 22, 2023
happy 65th anniversary
Alex MonsalveAugust 7, 2012
Good place but their advertising on four square they don't honor it!
Ciprian RusenDecember 4, 2013
I don't understand why this place is so highly rated. The service is slow, even if the place is not full. The burgers are boring. The only good thing about it is the price.
Diego ReynosoApril 15, 2015
Best chilli dogs around
ROBERTSeptember 28, 2014
Hot dogs chill and milk shakes
Lillian WaltonDecember 30, 2012
Brig cash, order drinks when you get your food not at the register, and only bill Cosby and Obama eat free. Service is meh. Good spicy chili.
Tina ZimmermanMarch 1, 2012
The Chili Fries are my favorite!
Douglas BellJanuary 25, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Two words: half smoke.
travel42August 3, 2011
The vegetarian chili is excellent, even for meat-lovers!
Mekka PrayogaDecember 29, 2011
This is not for Asian people, the level of the hotness is low for the dog
Dion HSeptember 17, 2012
Try the Ben's Famous Chili Dogs
Antoinette M WilliamsApril 4, 2010
Turkey Halfsmoke with Veggie Chilli and mustard! No reliable parking...bring a friend to take the wheel while u order.
DJ CostantinoFebruary 16, 2013
Get the Half-Smoke. No questions.
Julia Lord NickleDecember 22, 2014
Get the half-smoke.
Jan RosenbergNovember 4, 2014
Fabulous hotdogs!
ꌅꁲꉣꂑꌚꁴꁲ꒒ ꌅꐇꌚ꒒ꂑMarch 2, 2016
hotdog pedas rupanya
Christopher BarnesSeptember 2, 2013
Best food in the city.
Amit JoshiMarch 11, 2013
Try the turkey dog!
Eric LeachFebruary 9, 2012
Hot dogs are so good, chili mmmmm
Евгений П.April 23, 2017
Nice meals;)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2,049 Photos

Related Searches

ben's chili bowl washington •
ben's chili bowl washington photos •
ben's chili bowl washington location •
ben's chili bowl washington address •
ben's chili bowl washington •
ben olsen's chili bowl washington •
ben olsens chili bowl washington •
ben's washington •
ben's chili bowl washington •
bens washington •
bens chili bowl washington •
bens chilli bowl washington •
ben's chili bowl u-street washington

More Great Places in Washington:
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
#

Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA

You must enable JavaScript to use foursquare.com

We use the latest and greatest technology available to provide the best possible web experience.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue.

Download Foursquare for your smart phone and start exploring the world around you!