Ben's Chili Bowl

Have lived in DC, off and on, since Aug 2007. Tonight, my roommates and I walked to the World Famous Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street.

Good location for the U Street nightlife. Good service despite the fact that it's a line-up at the counter type of operation. Menus are a little difficult to figure out; if it isn't breakfast time, you are eating off the lunch menu. There is no "dinner" menu.

To keep this short: it's a landmark and probably worth trying for that reason.

I ordered the large bowl of "beef" (as in, "Where's The Beef???!!!") chili with cheese and onions on top. It's just so-so. I've ordered chili at Wendy's numerous times in numerous locations and have ALWAYS enjoyed Wendy's chili more than Ben's. And, though it may be "apples to oranges", I ALWAYS enjoy Skyline and Red Star "Cincinnati Style" chili's more than Wendy's.

One of my roommates makes a mean, meaty chili that is more comparable to the style of Ben's. The next time the President of France comes to DC, I suggest he or she stop by our place for some "real" chili.

Heck, I'll even whip up some of my decadent cream puffs for dessert.