Ben’s Chili Bowl
Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Grits
French Toast and Half Smoke
As true an American Classic as they come, U Street landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl had always been one of those places I knew I’d visit eventually but given my general distaste for hot dogs I’d never had a pressing “need” to wait in line for the experience, a situation I’d heard was far less common at breakfast and one that proved non-existent during poor weather in the early hours of October 11th, 2013. Every bit as ‘hole-in-the-wall’ as they come and seemingly unchanged since opening its doors in the late ‘50s it was with good humor that we walked in the door of the small restaurant to find a fully suited pastor holding court about the ongoing government labor stoppage as Motown Era tunes played overhead and with a “just ignore him, always carryin’ on” we were quickly seated and left to peruse the menu although our order was already in mind. Every bit a place for locals as for tourists and with service friendly and fun it would not be long before our orders arrived from the griddle; a pair of breakfast specials no better and no worse than the typical diner along with one of Ben’s famous “Half Smokes,” ostensibly just a well-made hotdog with a slight smoky undertone, though certainly more memorable in this setting and something I’m glad to have finally checked off my culinary ‘to do’ list.
