Try one of Bens beloved classics or taste a new addition to the menu. Ben's Chili Bowl - Wikipedia The U Street original is a Washington icon as much as any monument on the Mall, and, as such, its offerings shouldnt be lumped together with the mostly undistinguished fare catalogued under traditional ballpark food. Yet to me a guy whos called the D.C. area home for more than two decades a trip to the ballpark without a Bens Half Smoke All the Way ($9.99) is a wasted outing. . 9 Reviews View Photos. Our Story | Over Sixty Years of Washington DC History It's a fun way to be social & the weather was perfect too. Even the sprite did not taste good. Virginia Ali is now 89 years old and she started the restaurant with her husband Ben when she was only 24. I had had my fill of expensive good and healthy meals and was very ready for the half smoked just right spicy half beef, half pork sausage dog all the way with Bens famous chili. We look forward to serving you. Also, don't overlook Ben's chili and . Over six decades of Washington DC history in every bite. This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Jammin Island BBQ (Sections 218 and 243) The local island-style barbecue outfit is back (its last season was 2018), and is firing up charcoal grills for plates with Caribbean and Filipino flavors. While the restaurants' chili is still made daily in-house, to meet the demand for retail . They were utility bench players at best: small, undistinguished buns pulled from a bag, topped with ropy strands of succulent beef and a dollop of slaw, then drizzled with Boom Boom sauce. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Buy Original Ben's Chili Bowl t-shirts Ben's Chili Bowl hats, and Ben's Original Half Smokes and Ben's Chili's for shipping to all 50 states. Spend time creating new memories with your kids at Nationals Park -- and spend less on food while you're here. Heat seekers should try the hot chicken or Nashville hot-hot varietyor skip the burn and order the honey-butter chicken. Ben's Chili Bowl is proudly black-owned, and a historic landmark in Washington, DC's culture. expectations and people spoke highly of it. While fans cant go between the stadium and the sportsbook during games, a new app allows users to place mobile wagers within a two-block radius of the park. The Shroom Burger ($10.99) was the real hit here, a screaming line drive up the middle. Grand Slam Grill (Multiple location)A no-frills concession for ballpark dogs and chicken tenders. Our fresh homemade chili is still made with love, using the original secret recipe. DCs residents have a long history of bouncing back from hard times. It was also dessert as metaphor: On the mound, closer Kyle Finnegan was melting down faster than my ice cream, giving up five runs while recording just one out. Arepa Zone (Center Field Plaza, Section 304) The popular Venezuelan vendor serves stuffed arepas, cachapas (fried corn cakes), and cheesy tequeos. This DC icon was a fun trip for the atmosphere and service. Ben's Chili Bowl - Section 109 Steak of the Union - Section 114 La Casita Pupuseria - Section 116 Rocklands BBQ - Section 117 Swizzler - Section 130 Bullpen Tacos - Section 133 Hard Times Caf - Section 134 Melissa's Field of Greens - Section 136 Ben's Chili Bowl - Section 140 Funnel Cakes - Section 142 Char Bar Kosher Grill - Section 143 Fans in the sections listed above are still exposed to objects leaving the field of play, including bats and bat fragments and . With the average game last year clocking in at more than three hours or about 200 TikToks for those who measure time in app-based distractions MLB executives introduced new rules this season to speed up the pace of play. . United States. We are very proud to have donated over 5000 meals so far. we sat at the counter and watched the workers interact with others, never stopping to talk to us for 20 minutes. Nationwide Shipping Buy Original Ben's Chili Bowl t-shirts Ben's Chili Bowl hats, and Ben's Original Half Smokes and Ben's Chili's for shipping to all 50 states. Among newer purveyors is Meats & Foods, on . Hard Times Caf (Section 132) The Washington classic, which opened in Alexandria in 1980, made a stadium comeback after a pandemic hiatus. Washington DC. Since Ben and Virginia Ali opened the doors in 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has been a pillar of the Washington, DC community. When it comes to new things to look for at Nationals Park, one of the biggest recent innovations is mobile ordering. Before you go: Our guide to Nationals Parks bag policy, outside food rules, closest metro station and rules of the park. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. I LOOOOVE this park. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Remove Ads. Yes it was nice, it was ok. Staff are lovely and the place itself seems to have stood the test of time. One of the better place to have a hot dog with chili at the stadium. Updated Jun 24, 2023 2:23pm EDT Listen to this article 3 min Virginia Ali, the co-founder and owner of Ben's Chili Bowl, wishes her younger self had partnered with Giant Food decades sooner. I should have trusted my gut and gone with the wedges. Some of the foods came before they clean the table. The Nationals have added several Grab-and-Go Marketplaces where fans can walk up to coolers and select snacks and drinks (anything from Bud Light to local Port City, seltzers, and canned cocktails). I had had my fill of expensive good and healthy meals and was very ready for the half smoked just right spicy half beef, half pork sausage dog all the way with Bens famous chili. Since Ben and Virginia Ali opened the doors in 1958, Bens Chili Bowl has been a pillar of the Washington, DC community. Does this restaurant offer table service? I had read that after a five-year absence, Jammin Island BBQ was returning to the Nationals fold. . Nationals Seat Map | Washington Nationals Had to visit this famous place and try the traditional hot chilli dog. I can smell the chicken, too, even though Im a good 20 feet from the grates where animal fat drips onto the hot coals, activating my saliva glands. . Tickets. Its a portobello mushroom puck packed with Muenster and cheddar cheeses, then fried and tucked into a potato bun with lettuce, plum tomatoes and Shack sauce. Read our WAMU Privacy Notice. Its an exercise with equal parts optimism and denial, and to be honest, Im a total sucker for it. Host Your Event. In additional to our U Street location, there is a Ben's Chili Bowl inside Washington Reagan National Airport (pre-security between concourses BC) and another location off Capital Hill at 1001 H ST NE DC. After a few strikeouts, I decided to choke up on the bat and aim for cheap singles. Char Bar (Right Field Plaza) is the parks certified-kosher stand with barbecued-brisket sliders, falafel, kosher dogs, knishes, and more. Thank you for signing up for our e-newsletter. Dine in, carry out, or enjoy delivery from one of our locations, or order from HalfSmokes.com to bring a taste of The Bowl to your own table. Bens current hours of operation for delivery and pick-up: U Street: 11am - 9pm Sunday to Thursday | 11am - 12 Midnight Friday & Saturday, H Street: 11am - 7pm Sun to Thurs, 11am - 8pm Friday & Saturday, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore: Closed | DCA: 6am - 6pm Daily | Nats Park/FedEx Field: Closed. But the line has barely budged in the 10 minutes since I joined it, and the ballgame to my left is moving along at a rapid clip. The best food in Nationals Park - The Washington Post and opened Ben's Chili Bowl's in Nationals Park, FedEx Field, Arlington, VA, H ST NE, and Reagan National Airport. The Original1213 U St NW Washington, DC 20009, H Street1001 H St NE Washington, DC 20002, FedEx Field1600 FedEx Way Hyattsville, MD 20785, Reagan National Airport1 Aviation Cir Arlington, VA, 20002, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore1525 Russell St, Baltimore, MD 21230, Nats Park1500 S Capitol St SE Washington, DC 20003. You can also find Ben's at Washington Nationals Park during all home baseball games and on the 3rd Floor of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center during conventions only. Support Bens as we support those First Responders who are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. If you ever find yourself at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., you can also find a special hot dog style: the Ben's Chili Dog, which is essentially an old-fashioned grilled hot dog with mustard, onions, and spicy chili from D.C.-famous Ben's Chili Bowl generously piled on top, per Ballpark Digest. . CHILI'S GRILL & BAR, Naples - Park Shore - Menu, Prices & Restaurant A Guide To Baseball's Best And Worst Stadiums Ben's was OK but never as good as it was hyped up to be. A cheap hot dog with stuff on it. This is a decent place to have lunch. Buy Original Ben's Chili Bowl t-shirts Ben's Chili Bowl hats, and Ben's Original Half Smokes and Ben's Chili's for shipping to all 50 states. On Opening Day, more than 35,000 fans jammed into Nats Park, full of optimism and likely excuses as to why they werent at work at 1 p.m. on a Thursday when the Nationals took on the Atlanta Braves. I had read more, Tristan S. said: So I randomly drove by this place this morning on my way to read more, Emily T. said: When I walked in, the two women standing at the hostess table-thing read more, Dynise B. said: We arrived here on a Saturday afternoon after laying my grandfather read more, Nick F. said: Fantastic carry out spot!!! What to Eat at Nationals Park, Home of the Nationals Although DC has seen many changes over the decades, our steadfast commitment to our customers remains the same. Devils Backbone Left Field Lodge (Section 301)The Virginia brewery has added a bar and picnic area to the stadium. Its first brick-and-mortaris just blocks from the stadium, but now you can get the smash-burgers and crispy chicken sandwiches inside, too. The Ben's Chili Half-Smoke - Elevating Nationals Park A self-checkout system, with ID verification, makes things even faster. The best food at Nationals Park and a few orders to avoid 16 Decadent Ice Cream Shops to Try This Summer Around the DC Area, Legendary New York Cocktail Bar Death & Co Is Arriving in DC, The 100 Very Best Restaurants in Washington, 6 New Brunch Spots to Try Around DC This Weekend, Nationals Opening Day Food and Drink Specials Around Navy Yard, 5 Things to Know Before the Nationals Opening Day, 6 Exciting New Things to Expect at Nationals Park This Season, Fondue Pop-Up Little Stable Is Coming to Enchant DC in Nationals Park, These Ice Cream Flavors Are Anything But Vanilla, Three Restaurants With Great Takeout Pints of Ice Cream, Timeline: All the Ice Cream Shops Joe Biden Has Visited While President. Its the perfect sweet treat for any meal. So what were my takeaways? . I asked for lots of cheese and a hotdog with no bun in my bowl of chili and they served up my request. Like a New Years resolution, Opening Day is an exercise in hope, that this will be the year your team finally reaches its goal. In the Nationals accounting of its concessions, the team lists Bens among the specialty foods, which I understand in theory. There was a lot of food options as well. By the ninth inning, the line was down to just a handful of fans, but it continued to move with all the urgency of a dog being dragged to the vet, mostly because some Karen was monopolizing several employees with whatever problem she had. Fans can also book tables outside during special events and theme nights, or as part of seasonal ticket packages. Ben's Chili Bowl: A popular eatery at Nationals' Baseball Park - See 2,144 traveler reviews, 967 candid photos, and great deals for Washington DC, DC, at Tripadvisor. All the while, its legendary jukebox has blared soul and. Hours. Add to Trip. Rocklands BBQ (Section 117) The wood-fired barbecue specialist dishes up pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, tasty sides like slaw and mac n cheese, and gluten-free barbecue bowls. Main Concourse *Ben's Chili Bowl, Sections 109, 140: An outpost of the U Street restaurant, serving DC's iconic half-smoke, chili cheese fries, chili dogs and more. The staff was efficient and hospitable. La Casita Pupuseria (Section 116)Salvadorian pupusas are the draw here, stuffed with fillings like pork or beans and cheese, and served with kicky curtido (slaw). Washington, DC 20003 Sections 109, 140 & 315. I ate every morsel. Virginia Ali, the original owner was there mingling with patrons. The food was ok but not worth the trip. Very tasty. As I stood behind the left-field bleachers, trying to sneak a peek at the game through the wall of humanity, I was content to compose bites torn segments of pupusa topped with salsa and slaw as the sun fell warmly on my face, the action on the field relegated to background music. Website +1 239-304-0564. Some of the foods came before they clean the table. We have spaces available to accommodate groups of any size, and unique enhancements to provide a memorable experience for your guests. Although U Street has seen many changes over the decades, our steadfast commitment to our guests remains the same. Founded in 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has been . The food is hot and the service is quick. Swizzler (Sections 106, 130, and 320) What started as a food truck is now a multi-platform business thats rethinking fast food with grass-fed (and very tasty) burgers on locally made potato buns and homemade fries. After a 1-3 start to the season, the Nats drew only about 15,000 fans for their game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The french fries were crispy and hot. Nationals Park is a premier venue for conventions, festivals, corporate events, holiday parties, and more. The 2023 Spring Training promotional schedule will be announced at a later date. Also, dont overlook Bens chili and cheese fries ($9.99), which may be the gloppiest and most glorious bite at the park, though Im not sure theres any dignified way to eat it. Sign Up for our newsletter Join Our Newsletter. I was hoping to revisit the joy I felt the previous week when I dipped into South Mountains cherry blossom ice cream ($8.99), a confection with this delectable candied-fruit sweetness. Mine were plump with mozzarella and crustaceans, the masa shells browned from a brief stay on the griddle; at several points, the curds had broken through the masa lining, forming tiny pools of cheese that turned all dark and chewy on the grill. Website. Directions . D.C. landmark Ben's Chili Bowl partnered with Giant Food to bring its well-known menu items to grocery stores in Maryland, Delaware, D.C. and Virginia, Giant announced Wednesday. Doesn't have the atmosphere of the original but the chili is good. More in Washington; Edit Place; Force Sync. Family owned and operated, you'll probably see the family behind the counter at Ben's original location on U Street. The. Nationals Park, Reagan National Airport and the convention center downtown. Insider tip: Pair it with a locally-brewed IPA and enjoy!More. The food was good, I had the chili dog with fries. The place had some patrons but many seats were open. Before the Braves recorded the last out, however, I had my jerk chicken ($17.99 for a platter with two sides), as smoky and succulent as I remembered. 13 minutes Compare public transit, taxi, biking, walking, driving, and ridesharing. I visited Nats Park on two occasions during the teams first homestand Opening Day and later on a Tuesday night and had two almost diametrically opposed experiences. The game was nearly half over when I hit La Casita Pupuseria, whose stand makes Salvadoran masa cakes fresh to order, two for $11.99, which is the bargain of Nats Park.