Even if most of the times I've been to Ben's I was looking for a late-night snack after bar-hopping down U St., I'll still say this place is great at any time of day. Everyone knows of Ben's Chili Bowl as a DC institution, a part of history that's survived years of both good and bad. Considering that, then you know the food must be good if it's still around. I'm a fan of their chili half-smokes with cheese, which are insanely meaty and heavy and all-around delicious. But of course with food like cheese fries and loaded half-smokes, Ben's is more a treat than a go-to for when your own kitchen pantry fails you. Even breakfast is delicious and greasy with their egg and cheese sandwiches, hotcakes, etc. Go here and sit in the restaurant if you can so you can marvel at all their memorabilia. But even if there's no room, don't pass up a half-smoke to-go.
Pros: best half-smokes in DC, awesome cheese fries, cheap
Cons: it's heavy food, so not good to come here often
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