Ben's Chili Bowl

If you don't know about Ben's, you don't know nothin', man. Ben's is a veritable institution, a mom-and-pop place where everything looks (Formica counters, red bar stools, and a Motown-playing jukebox), tastes, and probably even costs pretty much the same as when the restaurant opened in 1958. Ben's has won James Beard Foundation recognition as an "American Classic," and praise from President Obama, who ate here with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty 2 weeks before the presidential inauguration (catch the video on Ben's website). Bill Cosby's been coming here so long, Ben's has named a chili half-smoke after him.

The most expensive item on the menu is the veggie-burger sub for $8.95. And while we're on the subject, Ben's is an unexpectedly fine choice for vegetarians, who especially like its chili and chili-cheese fries. Carnivores love the regular meat versions of these items and, of course, the half-smokes and the breakfast items: Try the salmon cakes, grits, scrapple, or blueberry pancakes. Everyone turns up here, from folks in the neighborhood on their way to work, to weekend nightclubbers who stream ravenously out of nearby nightclubs at 2 or 3am.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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