Ben's Chili Bowl

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  • Address
    1213 U St, U Street
  • Show map Close map
  • Phone
    667 0909
  • Website
  • Transport
    underground rail: U Street - Cardoza
  • lunch & dinner daily, Fri & Sat to 04:00

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Lonely Planet review

Newlyweds Ben and Virginia Ali launched this neighborhood institution in 1958. It became a lunch staple for all the locals, including the stars playing at the neighborhood clubs. Everyone from Redd Foxx to Duke Ellington to Bill Cosby has eaten at Ben's. Despite radical changes in the neighborhood, Ben's Formica counters and bright booths still look pretty much the same. And the spicy dogs ('Our chili will make a hot dog bark!') are always drawing crowds at lunchtime.