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Ben’s Chili Bowl

2.5 (22 reviews)

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Veggie burger with vegetarian chili
Jessica A.

I was fortunate to get an events dc gift card while attending a conference at the convention center. I haven't had Ben's chili bowl in years, so I thought it was best to take advantage of the opportunity to get a free meal. I don't eat red meat, so I was very glad they had vegetarian options. I ordered the beyond meat veggie burger with veggie chili and American cheese add on, and the meal came with fries. The burger was good, but the chili could've used more seasoning. I don't remember loving the veggie chili when I ate it with the veggie dog at the original location, so it's probably just not for me. I also do think it's very overpriced. I had to pay in addition to the gift card, bringing my total to about $25 for a lunch meal. It was a hefty amount, but it's still way overpriced.

Bill W.

Absolutely Horrible and Way Overpriced ! So a hot dog with chili and fries is $15.50. I know it's DC and inside the Convention Center but let's be real for a second ! The bun broke in half so that tells me it lacks some freshness, the hot dog must have been on the grill or rollers longer because it was somewhat crunchy with no flavor, the fries were decent, crunchy exterior ... The chili is not to write home about, I don't see the WOW factor .. To many decent places to eat outside of the building at a fraction of the price ! Not Recommend !

Chili Dog.
Eric W.

Ben's Chili Bowl now has a location in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. It's positioned near the main entrance of Hall D and while at Otakon it was always busy. This is not a large location and only has two registers, so expect a wait when ordering. They serve a similar menu to Ben's other locations, but has Pepsi products instead of Coke. Ordered a Chili Dog, but went with only that as the prices here are a little expensive. I received my order in a reasonable amount of time. It was a good hot dog and the chili sauce has the right amount of bite. From seeing the French Fries others ordered, they looked good. Overall, it was worth the stop and it's different from other food options offered in the convention center, but the prices are an issue.

Entrance to Great Food!
Keno W.

Heading back from vacation in The Bahamas.We had a layover in the DC area.I was thinking,man!How can I get me a Ben's Chili half smoke.The famous smoked sausage of the D.C. area.Well guess what...they have a location at Regan National airport. As soon as we landed,I looked at the airport map and made a beeline to Bens Chili bowl. It was busy,however people were being served very quickly.They had burgers, chili (beef,Turkey or vegetarian .I absolutely started with the classic half smoke with mustard, onions and chili on it .The flavor was good! I took a bite into my sandwich and it exploded with juices, which was a good thing.The sausage could've had more seasoning in my mind, but the flavors worked.The chili was thick and hearty,it could have used more salt. The crowd there was great, soccer was on the big screen,pilots,Airport workers and flight attendants were all enjoying their food laughing having a good time before their next flight or final destination. Only issue I had was that one classic half smoke and chili fries cost me $18.42. I know, it's airport food but come on guys... no disrespect. A sausage on a bun?! $18.42? Next time in DC I think I'm going to hit up a local spot like in the heart of town...until next time DC.

Please note the advertised "SHAKES", which are not actually on the menu!
Max S.

I was headed to DC for a conference, and someone suggested that I go to Ben's Chili Bowl, which is apparently a beloved DC institution that has been around for decades. Unbeknownst to my interlocutor, there is now a branch of Ben's located within the Walter Washington Convention Center. I tried it for lunch on the first day of the conference, hoping and expecting to enjoy their burger, fries, et al. Unfortunately, it was a huge and total disappointment. The burgers were made of what tasted like the lowest quality meat I have eaten in years; they reminded me of the public school lunch burgers I ate in the Bronx years ago. The fries were limp and semi-soggy. The strangest part of the meal was that, despite the sign above the counter proclaiming, in huge letters, "Half Smokes - Dogs - Burgers - Shakes", I was informed by the person at the counter that "we don't serve shakes at this branch of Ben's"! Overall, there is no excuse for a burger joint to serve such lame food. I will bump up my score from a 1 to a 2, mainly for the efficient service and convenient (if you happen to be attending an event at the Convention Center) location.

Dung H.

Overrated. Too salty. Staff was not attentive, friendly and helpful at all. Pricey for fast food.

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9 days ago

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9 months ago

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1 year ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Food took forever to come out and was not that good for how long we waited and he threw up in the bathroom after like wtf vro

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

45 min after eating here, I was running to the bathroom with the "BUBBLEGUTS"!!!! Haven't eaten there since.

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

We door dashed on a cold snowy day. Great chili dogs, fries and yummy banana pudding. Highly recommend!

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4 years ago

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DCity Smokehouse - Ribs

DCity Smokehouse

4.0(691 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$

Maaaaaan we got greedy and ordered a bunch of stuff because we wanted to taste it all. Had enough…read moreto be stuffed and to have left overs. Brisket- Smoked perfectly with an amazing texture. Jalapeño grits- Fire! A great mix with the brisket chili which was fire as well. Wings- Cooked to perfection. Ribs- Amazing as well. Bbq Sauce- Perfection. I loved the taste tasted but didn't really need it because everything tasted great without it. It was icing on the cake. I'm going to post a pic of my leftovers but don't go by this because I just threw it all together.

I stopped here on the way home after a long drive, hoping to find a good BBQ spot along our route…read more Unfortunately, the visit was disappointing from the start. The food was just okay, and the portions felt very small for the price. After spending nearly $170, I expected to leave satisfied, but that wasn't the case. The service made the experience even worse. When my daughter and I walked in, the cashier was focused on her phone and didn't acknowledge us. I had to say hello to get her attention; she gave a quiet, half-hearted greeting without looking up. Since it was my first visit, I asked which side dishes were popular, but she seemed annoyed by the questions and gave short, curt answers. When I asked about regular fries, her response made me feel as though I'd asked something unreasonable. I was placing a fairly large order, so the dismissive attitude was especially frustrating. My daughter also needed to use the restroom. I asked the cashier where it was, but she only confirmed that there was a bathroom and didn't explain how to get there. I had to ask again, and she then told my daughter to wait until I finished ordering so she could unlock the door. By that point, I was frustrated and told the cashier that her attitude was rude. She muttered something in Spanish to her coworkers, and I responded in Spanish that the way she had treated us wasn't acceptable. When I paid, I had to ask for a receipt because one wasn't offered. For nearly $170, I expected better food, more generous portions, and basic courtesy. The cashier's attitude made what should have been a simple stop for dinner an unpleasant experience. I wouldn't return, and I'd recommend checking recent reviews before deciding to eat here.

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DCity Smokehouse - Inside

Inside

DCity Smokehouse - Oxtail and Onion Rings

Oxtail and Onion Rings

DCity Smokehouse - Crown apple and ginger

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Crown apple and ginger

Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern - Texas Brisket

Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern

3.8(352 reviews)
28.7 mi
•$$

Their mac and cheese is absolutely delicious! I had it for takeout after a haircut, and the service…read morewas fantastic. The food arrived quickly and was both tasty and satisfying. The customer service was exceptional, and I could imagine the ambiance there is amazing too if you're looking for a fun and lively atmosphere.

I'm a huge fan of slow and low smoked barbecue, so when this place popped up on my Yelp I had to…read morepull up to see what it was hittin on. Walking in it definitely passes the eye test. Looking through the menu I really thought I had found a gem. However, not so much. The armadillo eggs were supposed to be fried brisket and cheese stuff jalapenos. which sounds amazing, but the filling was more like a puree of brisket and cheese, weird texture definitely no tender bits of brisket which was a shock. I would've like some chopped brisket in the filler, but the texture was way off. I went on to have the smokehouse sampler with Chicken, Brisket, and Pulled pork. I got Brussel sprouts and mac & cheese for sides. The brisket was dry and felt reheated. The chicken was tough and the breast was over cooked, and the pulled pork was dry and bland. The only thing saving this food was the sauces. For a smokehouse, the food doesn't have the flavor profile of smoked meat. My wife got the eastportorican, which is a cuban, but it was dry. There was only 1 server for all the tables, so I'm not sure if they were just under staffed and having a hard time, but you only get one chance at a first impression and this was not a good one. I actually had no complaints about our server either, she was doing better than most people would in her situation, and the customers were pretty patient.

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Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern - Menu

Menu

Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern - Buffalo Wings. Good, not crispy or spicy. Got ranch instead of blue cheese. Asked for BC twice. Never got it.

Buffalo Wings. Good, not crispy or spicy. Got ranch instead of blue cheese. Asked for BC twice. Never got it.

Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern - Chicken Our Signature Smokehouse Wings

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Chicken Our Signature Smokehouse Wings

Beitna Smoked Meat & Steakhouse - Wonderful Dinner at the New Kanoon Steakhouse.

Beitna Smoked Meat & Steakhouse

4.1(71 reviews)
20.7 mi

We ordered a family tray of assorted kebabs and grilled meat with rice and roasted peppers and…read moretomatoes and it was so good! It cost us $150 and it was way more than enough! It fed 4 people and we had leftovers for the rest of the week! We actually had to freeze some because we were worried it was going to go bad but luckily we devoured it before it did! We've come here to eat a few times now and it's always been a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is absolutely delightful. The vibe is a mix between eating at a good friend's house and eating at a nice restaurant. The service is excellent as well! I'm so bad at remembering to take pictures but my sister took a picture of the lamb chops, brisket sandwich and the mint lemonade. I HIGHLY recommend the mint lemonade and lamb chops! So good!

We recently visited Kanoon Smoked Meat & Steakhouse with my nephew's family, who were visiting from…read moreNew Jersey. We were looking for something different from the usual halal kebab restaurants in the area, and Kanoon--a relatively new Palestinian restaurant in Herndon, Virginia, specializing in zabiha halal smoked meats and steaks--fit the bill. The highlight of the meal was the quality of the meat. We ordered the beef brisket, smoked lamb ribs, and a mixed grill platter. Everything was tender, juicy, flavorful, and well-seasoned. The hummus was excellent, the French fries were fresh and crispy, and the portions were generous. The restaurant was modern, clean, and inviting, with a comfortable atmosphere. Although we arrived for our 7:30 p.m. reservation on a busy evening, we were seated right away. The dining room felt welcoming and family-friendly. One thing that stood out was how quickly the food arrived after we ordered. While the prompt service was appreciated, it made us wonder whether some items had been prepared in advance. The service was courteous, though there is room for improvement. Our server was friendly and eager to help but appeared relatively new, which may explain why we had to request a few basic items, including water, napkins, serving utensils, and steak knives. The biggest drawback is the cost. Our party of five spent more than $40 per person, including the mandatory 18% service charge and an additional 15% tip. While Kanoon is not inexpensive, the quality of the food, generous portions, and atmosphere help justify the price. We also appreciated the complimentary baklava. Overall, Kanoon offers a distinctive halal dining experience that is hard to find in the area. It is an excellent option for meat lovers, families sharing platters, and anyone seeking halal steaks and smoked meats in an upscale setting. We enjoyed our visit and would return for another special occasion. Zafar Iqbal, PhD

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Beitna Smoked Meat & Steakhouse - Decor was just right!!

Decor was just right!!

Beitna Smoked Meat & Steakhouse - Sirloin Steak

Sirloin Steak

Beitna Smoked Meat & Steakhouse

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Heritage Smokehouse

Heritage Smokehouse

4.3(119 reviews)
38.5 mi•Rosebank
•$$

Food and service was great! We will definitely be back! The server was attentive,…read moreKnowledge, and kind.

I recently returned to Heritage Smokehouse and it was better than it's ever been before. Don't get…read moreme wrong, it's not like it was ever not good. But I do think the sauces and sides have been lackluster in the past. Not this time! I was pleasantly surprised to see about five or six different sauce options including an absolutely incredible "White Lightning" sauce. SO good! I remember in the past there being literally just BBQ, hot sauce, and mustard so it's nice to see there being more of a variety. The sides I tried including the beans and coleslaw were also delicious. I remember the coleslaw being good in the past but for whatever reason, this one just hit different. It was perfectly seasoned and went well with the brisket and white lightning sauce. Did they change the recipe or am I just losing my mind? I'm not sure but my stomach was definitely happy either way. My boyfriend also mentioned how the mac and cheese was much better than before and although I didn't try any myself, it even LOOKED better than previous versions. The cheesy sausage was delicious as usual, the brisket was moist and fell apart, and the wings were perfectly cooked and slathered in a delicious buffalo sauce. OH and the drinks? So good. If you like tiki-inspired stuff, you'll love their menu. Is there someone new back in the kitchen working some magic or did I just really miss coming here? I'm not sure but it was one of the best meals I've had here so far and I will definitely be returning!

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Heritage Smokehouse - Poke Cake....well it was and so delicious.

Poke Cake....well it was and so delicious.

Heritage Smokehouse - Chopped brisket, chicken thing and leg, homemade pickles, potato salad, potato salad, roll, two dipping sauces

Chopped brisket, chicken thing and leg, homemade pickles, potato salad, potato salad, roll, two dipping sauces

Heritage Smokehouse - Long Bar with kitchen in the back

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Long Bar with kitchen in the back

Billiken's Smokehouse - Hot sauce

Billiken's Smokehouse

3.6(271 reviews)
47.9 mi
•$$

Excellent food and service for a BBQ joint. Highly recommend. One of my favorite places downtown…read more Also will let you explore the house if you ask. Try it before they are forced out.

Disappointing service from a rude server at a place we've long enjoyed…read moreWe've been loyal customers here for quite some time, visiting at least twice a month, usually on Friday or Saturday nights when we enjoy the live music. Unfortunately, our last two visits have been marred by the same new server who was consistently rude and dismissive. On our most recent visit, we waited over 10 minutes before she approached our table. My husband ordered a meal (he loves the BBQ), but I cannot eat the smoked food due to stomach issues. I simply ordered a rum and coke with lime. She responded with "Pepsi?" and later repeated back only "Pepsi" when confirming the order, completely ignoring the rum portion even after I emphasized it. When my husband requested sangria -- something the bartender has happily made for us on previous Friday/Saturday visits -- she insisted they don't serve it and that he must have had it on a Sunday. We never visit on Sundays. Later in the evening, we moved closer to the fire pit because it was cool outside. She brought our water over and checked on us a couple of times. We told her we were fine. Toward the end of the night, my husband went to the bar to order another drink (as we've done before when the server isn't readily available). When it came time to close out our tab, the server arrived with the manager (Nolan) in tow. His presence felt awkward and accusatory -- as if we were about to skip out on the bill or posed some kind of problem. When we expressed confusion, he said he was just there to "warm his hands." As longtime, regular customers, we found the overall treatment disrespectful and off-putting. We tried speaking with a manager afterward to share our experience, but it didn't seem to go anywhere. We genuinely wanted to continue supporting this spot for the music and atmosphere, but after two poor experiences in a row with this server and the strange handling at close-out, we will not be returning. There are plenty of other options nearby.

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Billiken's Smokehouse - Brisket, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, & Cornbread

Brisket, Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, & Cornbread

Billiken's Smokehouse - Outdoors

Outdoors

Billiken's Smokehouse

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Ben's Chili Bowl

Ben's Chili Bowl

3.7(4.4k reviews)
0.9 mi•U Street Corridor
•$$

You can't visit DC and not visit Ben's! Came to try a dog and the chili - I opted for the…read morevegetarian/ vegan option and some banana pudding. My sister in law got the turkey dog and chili with fries and a cup of cheese. My brother got the original spicy chili. We unanimously agreed that the food was delicious. The service was good and the ambiance was fire. They answered our questions and didn't rush us - we felt welcomed. An extra plus is all the space/ seating they gave, the walls full of photos and their accolades and the mural outside. If you're in the area, visit Ben's - especially this location as it's the original.

They moved across the street was from their original location. So the eye catching signs and…read moredecorations are across the street, but the new location is identifiable regardless (plus the old spot has signate stating the new location). Honestly everything was just okay. I got the half smokes (basically a chili dog). It was pretty good. I don't like how there weren't prices on the menu, which I don't know how normal of a practice it is around here but it was odd. They have very minimal service, as we sat ourselves (at the bar) and since we were at the bar they just passed the food to us. I think it is mainly self service though. We were there when it just happened to be their anniversary so the owner was there so that was cool, but she was busy so we just acknowledged from afar.

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Ben's Chili Bowl - Wonder what's up there?

Wonder what's up there?

Ben's Chili Bowl - Milkshake

Milkshake

Ben's Chili Bowl - Amazing time capsule

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Amazing time capsule

Ben’s Chili Bowl - hotdog - Updated October 2026

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