Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (i95)

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:04:50 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by i95

I had the good fortune of attending this past Sunday evening's not only Major League Baseball 2008 season opening game but the opening day of this new, stellar ballpark. And while the lines for Ben's were long...

Just an update here as I had a chance to revisit not only DC's new Nationals Park for yesterday's shut-out of the Cubs but also that park's outpost of the famed Ben's Chili Bowl.

And while still a popular place amongst Centerplate's rather boilerplate offerings, the lines were, indeed, down at Ben's at least yesterday. That said, the food is still good (although not as good at their original U Street locale) and they're still cooking the dogs and half smokes right there. They are, however, reheating at least the place's equally good turkey burgers* (yes, egads to both "reheating" as well as to "turkey" burgers ).

* Which, oddly, don't appear on the stadium's menu anymore.

FYI.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (mr chips)

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:10:57 GMT

Thank you for the update, kurt. This makes it an easy decision about what to eat at the ballparl. The new place looks gorgeous. I hope Chad Cordero's injury is not too serious.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (MikeS.)

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:20:26 GMT

We've got to get a Roadfood meet n eat at the new park together.

And they have now lost at least 1 game :(

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (divefl)

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:00:30 GMT

The real Ben's is probably still going to top the park and be half the price, but I've heard there are game day, walk up five dollar tickets available.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (CookieMonster84)

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:28:28 GMT

oh darn - i'm sad i missed this - i love Ben's - it is right near my house.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (PapaJoe8)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:02:49 GMT

Shoot, wish I was there! I would have sent my bro on my behalf but the Marines sent him from DC to Iraq.
Joe

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (divefl)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:07:44 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Scorereader

The first game I'm attending this year is on April 13th. Not sure where we're sitting yet, as my brother is actually acquiring the tix. I'm looking forward to going, and am happy the Nats have their own stadium, but I'm still miffed they chose that location as the spot. I miss the games being across the street.

Not a bad walk from Cap. South... that we and others found ourselves taking as the greenline was a nightmare with only a fraction of the stadium trying to get out at that time. But, I was glad to find out there was a nice safe walk.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (i95)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:55:39 GMT

Kansas City still has a baseball team?? Are you sure?

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (wanderingjew)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:50:56 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by i95

quote:
Originally posted by wanderingjew

Yes but it probably won't be until next year.

When the Nats are attempting to repeat their World Series run? Good call.

Against Kansas City- right??

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (i95)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:45:07 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by wanderingjew

Yes but it probably won't be until next year.

When the Nats are attempting to repeat their World Series run? Good call.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (Scorereader)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:14:29 GMT

The first game I'm attending this year is on April 13th. Not sure where we're sitting yet, as my brother is actually acquiring the tix. I'm looking forward to going, and am happy the Nats have their own stadium, but I'm still miffed they chose that location as the spot. I miss the games being across the street.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (wanderingjew)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:05:47 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Scorereader

I guess this means wanderingjew will be returning to DC soon?

Yes but it probably won't be until next year.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (buffetbuster)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:00:08 GMT

The new stadium looks gorgeous on tv. I am going to do my best to make it to a game there this summer. The fact that they have a Ben's Chili Bowl makes my decision on where to eat inside the stadium an easy one. Thanks for the report, i95!

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (divefl)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:57:54 GMT

The fries we got from another stand were inconsistant at best. nicely crispy and golden for half, barely cooked for the other half of the plate. Must have thrown two batches from the oil in at one time.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (Scorereader)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:53:46 GMT

I guess this means wanderingjew will be returning to DC soon?

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (divefl)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:16:30 GMT

Even the nachos at booths are looking miles better than the canned cheese cup and salsa offered at RFK. I tried the cheesesteak. Not bad. They put on the onions and peppers that they use for the sausages and it can only be had with wiz, but the meat was recognizable meat being cooked on a griddle. They just need to get some speed going to handle the lines.

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (i95)

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:31:34 GMT

Despite my pathetic attempt at capturing such via my cell phone's camera here...

...DC's famed Ben's Chili Bowl is up, operating and already popular
at Washington, D.C.'s brand-spanking-new Nationals Park...

...home of your first place and undefeated Washington Nationals.

I had the good fortune of attending this past Sunday evening's not only Major League Baseball 2008 season opening game but the opening day of this new, stellar ballpark. And while the lines for Ben's were long, three things:

First, I feared that this first outpost of Ben's would be limited to just the restaurant's famed (and very good) half-smokes however the opposite is true as the Nationals Park "branch" of Ben's also serves fries, hot dogs, chili dogs, turkey burgers (VERY good!) and even turkey dogs.

Secondly, it was just great to see the sons of the owners of Ben's along with the usual U Street crew behind the counter at Nationals Park Sunday night (and all wearing these: ).

Finally and according to Washington Post columnist Marc Fisher and in his column[url='http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/31/AR2008033102525.html']today[/url], the secret is already out that "Ben's dogs and toppings are (also) available at (Nationals Park's) Noah's Pretzels and several Nats Dogs stands."

(Thanks, Bushie, for kindly hosting the top photo!)

RE: Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (jpatweb)

Thu, 21 Aug 2003 08:46:57 GMT

I'll probably head over myself. I'm wondering, though, if it'll be possible to even get in the door.

Celebration at Ben's Chili Bowl (meowzart)

Thu, 21 Aug 2003 08:02:36 GMT

If you find yourself in the DC area tomorrow, join the party:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22921-2003Aug20.html
I'm hiking over on my lunch hour tomorrow.

After reading the article, I found it fascinating that the owner's of Ben's have never eaten one of their signature dishes, the half-smoke, because of their faith. I wonder how many other owners of roadfood establishments have never eaten their own fare? I'm thinking not too many.

Yours in food,
Meowzart