Again thanks to Bourdain and his No Reservation Washington episode I went to Ben’s Chili Bowl, the place is an institution, even president Obama and Sarkozy have had a chili dog there, and during the riot after Martin Luther King assassination, the place was granted a permit to operate after curfew hours and serve food and shelter to the activists, firefighters, and public servants. The place was open to business on August 22 1958 by Ben and Virginia Ali. Located on U street, by that time known as the Black Broadway, the place was frequented by Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Bill Cosby, and even Martin Luther King Jr.
The place can’t be more diverse, I was sitting beside a group of Georgetown students, and in the bar also a homeless guy that was asking for money outside the place, everybody enjoying the food with a jukebox playing Michael Jackson songs in the original booths, stools, and counter since they open back in 1958.
I ordered the original chili half smoked, a ¼ pound half pork and beef smoked sausage, with mustard, onions, and their signature spicy homemade chili sauce, as a side cheese fries. The chili dogs were great, amazing smoky flavour, and the sauce is excellent.
Too much history in that place, is a must if you’re in the District, and in top of that the food is simple but good.
Hot dogs remind me the Seinfeld episode “The Chaperone” when Jerry starts dating Miss Rhode Island.
Jerry: Hot dog?
Miss Rhode Island: No, thanks. I'm watching my weight.
Jerry: Ah. I'm watching my height. My doctor doesn't want me to get any taller. So you're Miss, uh...
Miss Rhode Island: Rhode Island.
Jerry: I was almost Mr. Coffee. They felt I was a little too relaxed.
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