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Decent food, especially for airport terminal food. Service was quick. Not a fan of their chili but others think it's the best around. Still a good choice to grab a quick bite.
I walk by this restaurant all the time. The smell of grilled bacon and the advertising finally pulled me in. I ordered their "world famous" Smokey Chili con carne and added cheese and onions... For the price and speed it's deserving of 4 stars. Yes it's expensive. Yes it's served in a paper cup and spilling over the edge. It's served with saltine crackers. But it's good chili. It has a smokey taste. It taste like real food. While eating I saw them grilling real eggs and bacon. So I trust the food is real. The service could be friendlier but it's the airport and it was 6am.
It's very rare that I'm traveling late on a Friday night, but today was one of those rare occasions. I hadn't had dinner yet and, unfortunately, the Delta lounge was closed, so we decided to hit up a classic D.C. staple before boarding our flight. Food Unfortunately, the grill was already off, so burgers weren't an option and only hot dogs and fries were available. I skipped the bread, but the hot dog topped with chili and cheese was still delicious on its own. Messy in the best way The fries were fresh out of the fryer and piping hot, which honestly made up for the limited menu. Service The staff working were really kind and apologetic about the grill being off. They even gave us extra fries to make up for it, which was a thoughtful gesture and definitely appreciated after a long day of travel. Ambiance & Value The restaurant itself was clean and pretty empty, which makes sense given the late hour and slower airport traffic. Prices were higher than the typical Ben's Chili Bowl locations, but that's expected when you're dining inside an airport. Overall Not the full Ben's Chili Bowl experience since the grill was off, but still a solid late-night airport option with hot food, friendly service, and a little taste of D.C. before takeoff.
The food here was really good! The original half smoke and chili bowl was definitely worth the visit. Food was so good we can back from our terminal to get another round of half smokes. Service was great the workers were fast and efficient. The location is really clean and had some history of the restaurant via pictures.
This place is an acquired taste when it comes to the chili. I grew up in D.C. area and would go the I street restaurant when I was a kid. The U street one has better prices. This is not the best chili but it holds a special place in my heart. I usually get the half smoke. The chili is spicy and so is the sausage. Service was fast and efficient. If you never had it, I would definitely give it a try as Ben's is a legendary place in D.C. and many famous have come in over the years to enjoy the chili.
We visited here while waiting for our flight in the afternoon. The service was quick and friendly. There are a lot of booths and table available. - Half smoke chili dog: the hot dog was smaller than the downtown location but it still tasted delicious. The bun was soft and fluffy. The chili was plenty and delicious. - onion ring: crispy and well seasoned
Meh. I got a chili bowl with veggie chili and had the toppings of diced tomato diced onion and shredded cheese. But not sour cream. It was mostly rice and tomatoes onions and some shredded cheese. Not really all that much chili at all, especially for 14.95. Service was very fast, only waited maybe 2 minutes for it to be made. It's got a weird graffiti panda sitting out front and lots of pictures and such on the walls.
I ordered the classic half smoke dog with fries, and fountain soda. The guy at the cash was very aggressive, like the soup nazi. He yells out your order to his coworkers at the top of his lungs. It's a bit much. Once I got my order it was missing the chili on the dog. I told Mr Aggressive and he said that it was me that told him "no chili". Oh brother. Then he says "you think it's me?" Like, how could I ever suggest he made a mistake. Yeah, well it was his fault, but I wasn't about to argue with him. He then says he will put some chili on the dog. Hallelujah, but what a scene. As far as the food goes, it wasn't that good. The dog was spicy, even though I ordered the regular dog, and the chili was spicy hot too. Not something I cared for, as for each bite, all I tasted was hotness instead of the meat. My mouth was on fire. The fries were okay, just plain and dry. The soda from the fountain was the best (normal) part.
When in DC Bens is a must. Delicious comfort food that is nostalgic about hometown favorites. Now there is one in the Washington National airport. Walk up order easily. With that old familiar look of the original. Every time I get to DC it's a must. The staff always friendly and on top of their game. This place is so chill.
The half smoke chili dog is a DC creation that's fiery and flavorful. The smoked sausage is incredible on its own. With an interior resembling a diner, Ben's is the perfect place to grab savory food and relax. Speedy service and somewhat filling meal. The bear in front is an adorable touch, adorned with DC landmarks and justice-seeking statements.
For being in an airport, this location is pretty solid. The experience I had here obviously isn't going to be the same as the OG in the district but for what it is, ain't bad!! There's plenty of seating inside, the staff kept the line moving and the food is delicious. Overall I enjoyed my lunch here and it's better than not trying it all if you didn't make it a spot outside of the terminals.
Flying back to NC with some delays meant we needed to find some food. Having passed though Ronald Reagan airport several times recently, I've been seeing Ben's Chili Bowl, and the lines, so decided to give them a try. The cashier was behind plexiglass, I suppose left over from Covid, but that along with his broken English made communicating and understanding his questions very difficult Unsure what to get, my wife and I split a Ben's Famous Chili Burger and an order of chicken strips & fries. The food took a bit to come out, when I went to pick it up, the woman putting the orders on the counter offered us fries to go with the burger too, which we appreciated considering the pricey airport meals. The burger was ok, I wasn't. A big fan of the chili, I'd skip that next time despite it being the name sake of the restaurant. Also, though the picture of the burger shows cheese, it's not included, and you have to pay extra...laaaame! The chicken tenders were fine, you get a decent amount with the order, but otherwise they're pretty standard. Overall it was an ok visit. Food was ok, portions were decent and we appreciated the extra order of fries free, but the quality is nothing over the top
DC and Ben's go hand in hand. We don't get to Ben's on every trip to DC and it makes us sad. But that's ok because we can hit them up at DCA! Been to this location a few times and they get busy. The food and service never suffer. Ben's has been around since the 50s with the very first location on Black Broadway (now U Street). They do more than just chili: burgers, dogs, fries, salads, and other sandwiches. The milkshakes are killer and super thick. You can't go wrong with a bowl of chili or a chili dog, chili burger, or chili fries. My boyfriend LOVES the half smokes (hot dog that's made of a beef and pork mixture). It's more like a sausage. It's easy to see why he loves them so much...it's because they're delicious. Next time you're flying in and out of DCA, check them out. read more
2 months ago
BCB is a DC institution, but sometimes not easy to get to when you're in meetings all day, so having this outpost in DCA gives you one last chance! Grabbing an Original Chili Dog from here would seem like a suspect idea before boarding a flight, but the quality of the food is great and the staff are very friendly. Just make sure to grab a ton of napkins because this meal can get messy... When in DC, no trip is complete without a stop at Ben's! read more
3 months ago
This was, without question, the worst half-smoke I've ever had. I grew up eating Ben's Chili Bowl, so I know what it's supposed to taste like, and this was nothing like what I remember. The half-smoke appeared undercooked, and I honestly couldn't tell if it had been fully cooked at all. The texture was unpleasant, and the chili lacked the flavor and quality I expected. The entire meal was disappointing, and I couldn't finish it. It's really unfortunate because Ben's Chili Bowl has such a long history and was once one of my favorite places. Based on this experience, the food quality has declined significantly. I hope management takes customer feedback seriously and improves the consistency and quality of the food. I grew up just blocks away from U street and I'm disappointed the half smoke tastes uncooked like microwaved not from a grill. read more
I walk by this restaurant all the time. The smell of grilled bacon and the advertising finally pulled me in. I ordered their "world famous" Smokey Chili con carne and added cheese and onions... For the price and speed it's deserving of 4 stars. Yes it's expensive. Yes it's served in a paper cup and spilling over the edge. It's served with saltine crackers. But it's good chili. It has a smokey taste. It taste like real food. While eating I saw them grilling real eggs and bacon. So I trust the food is real. The service could be friendlier but it's the airport and it was 6am. read more
It's very rare that I'm traveling late on a Friday night, but today was one of those rare occasions. I hadn't had dinner yet and, unfortunately, the Delta lounge was closed, so we decided to hit up a classic D.C. staple before boarding our flight. Food Unfortunately, the grill was already off, so burgers weren't an option and only hot dogs and fries were available. I skipped the bread, but the hot dog topped with chili and cheese was still delicious on its own. Messy in the best way The fries were fresh out of the fryer and piping hot, which honestly made up for the limited menu. Service The staff working were really kind and apologetic about the grill being off. They even gave us extra fries to make up for it, which was a thoughtful gesture and definitely appreciated after a long day of travel. Ambiance & Value The restaurant itself was clean and pretty empty, which makes sense given the late hour and slower airport traffic. Prices were higher than the typical Ben's Chili Bowl locations, but that's expected when you're dining inside an airport. Overall Not the full Ben's Chili Bowl experience since the grill was off, but still a solid late-night airport option with hot food, friendly service, and a little taste of D.C. before takeoff. read more
The food here was really good! The original half smoke and chili bowl was definitely worth the visit. Food was so good we can back from our terminal to get another round of half smokes. Service was great the workers were fast and efficient. The location is really clean and had some history of the restaurant via pictures. read more
11 months ago
This place is an acquired taste when it comes to the chili. I grew up in D.C. area and would go the I street restaurant when I was a kid. The U street one has better prices. This is not the best chili but it holds a special place in my heart. I usually get the half smoke. The chili is spicy and so is the sausage. Service was fast and efficient. If you never had it, I would definitely give it a try as Ben's is a legendary place in D.C. and many famous have come in over the years to enjoy the chili. read more
We visited here while waiting for our flight in the afternoon. The service was quick and friendly. There are a lot of booths and table available. - Half smoke chili dog: the hot dog was smaller than the downtown location but it still tasted delicious. The bun was soft and fluffy. The chili was plenty and delicious. - onion ring: crispy and well seasoned read more
Meh. I got a chili bowl with veggie chili and had the toppings of diced tomato diced onion and shredded cheese. But not sour cream. It was mostly rice and tomatoes onions and some shredded cheese. Not really all that much chili at all, especially for 14.95. Service was very fast, only waited maybe 2 minutes for it to be made. It's got a weird graffiti panda sitting out front and lots of pictures and such on the walls. read more
I ordered the classic half smoke dog with fries, and fountain soda. The guy at the cash was very aggressive, like the soup nazi. He yells out your order to his coworkers at the top of his lungs. It's a bit much. Once I got my order it was missing the chili on the dog. I told Mr Aggressive and he said that it was me that told him "no chili". Oh brother. Then he says "you think it's me?" Like, how could I ever suggest he made a mistake. Yeah, well it was his fault, but I wasn't about to argue with him. He then says he will put some chili on the dog. Hallelujah, but what a scene. As far as the food goes, it wasn't that good. The dog was spicy, even though I ordered the regular dog, and the chili was spicy hot too. Not something I cared for, as for each bite, all I tasted was hotness instead of the meat. My mouth was on fire. The fries were okay, just plain and dry. The soda from the fountain was the best (normal) part. read more
When in DC Bens is a must. Delicious comfort food that is nostalgic about hometown favorites. Now there is one in the Washington National airport. Walk up order easily. With that old familiar look of the original. Every time I get to DC it's a must. The staff always friendly and on top of their game. This place is so chill. read more
The half smoke chili dog is a DC creation that's fiery and flavorful. The smoked sausage is incredible on its own. With an interior resembling a diner, Ben's is the perfect place to grab savory food and relax. Speedy service and somewhat filling meal. The bear in front is an adorable touch, adorned with DC landmarks and justice-seeking statements. read more
For being in an airport, this location is pretty solid. The experience I had here obviously isn't going to be the same as the OG in the district but for what it is, ain't bad!! There's plenty of seating inside, the staff kept the line moving and the food is delicious. Overall I enjoyed my lunch here and it's better than not trying it all if you didn't make it a spot outside of the terminals. read more
4 months ago
Flying back to NC with some delays meant we needed to find some food. Having passed though Ronald Reagan airport several times recently, I've been seeing Ben's Chili Bowl, and the lines, so decided to give them a try. The cashier was behind plexiglass, I suppose left over from Covid, but that along with his broken English made communicating and understanding his questions very difficult Unsure what to get, my wife and I split a Ben's Famous Chili Burger and an order of chicken strips & fries. The food took a bit to come out, when I went to pick it up, the woman putting the orders on the counter offered us fries to go with the burger too, which we appreciated considering the pricey airport meals. The burger was ok, I wasn't. A big fan of the chili, I'd skip that next time despite it being the name sake of the restaurant. Also, though the picture of the burger shows cheese, it's not included, and you have to pay extra...laaaame! The chicken tenders were fine, you get a decent amount with the order, but otherwise they're pretty standard. Overall it was an ok visit. Food was ok, portions were decent and we appreciated the extra order of fries free, but the quality is nothing over the top read more
Better experience this visit. Airport dining feel to the place and prices as expected. Still love the bear statue that greets you on the way in. I went with Original Chili Half-Smoke Hot Dog with mustard, onions, and spicy mustard. I also did the Burger Sub with two patties and recommend mayo, lettuce and onion (no chili). Food took a minute to prepare but it was fresh, inside was only slightly dirty for the lunch rush, and the food was good. read more
1 month ago
This is my second visit in a few years. It's got great seating overlooking the airside of Terminal 2 C gates. I was happy to see a chicken sandwich on the menu. They are quite true to the fresh ingredients and the order doesn't just come out of the freezer to the microwave. Everyone seems chirpy and that maybe because I was there just at the border of breakfast and lunch. There are vegetarian options for both the chilli and the sandwiches. Have some time on your hand as this is not entirely quick serve. I had time to kill bring an early airport arriver. There's no meal/combo that also means the price reflects that. read more
2 years ago
I got the classic chili dog and wow! I love chilli this hot dog was great. Quick and fast service... hotdog was only $9 read more
Just like the original. Great food and fast service. There are huge windows so you can see the airplanes take off and land or can people watch as people travel to their gates. It's a great location because you can access it between terminal 1 or 2. Great to have a piece of DC history at the airport. Also a really affordable option (relatively speaking) for airport cuisine. $8.50 for the classic chili dog. read more
1 year ago
This is a great food option while you're at DCA! I came at the beginning of the lunch rush. I didn't wait long for my food and the restaurant was relatively clean. I ordered a spicy half smoke with onions & mustard and onion rings & a drink - the cashier told me in was cheaper to get the combo than just the hot dog and side. They originally got my side order incorrect but they were quick to fix their error - but it led to my onion rings being a little burned. I would definitely stop by next time I'm at DCA! read more
2 years ago
Come to this airport often, nearly weekly and have walked by Ben's so many times, but on this visit I finally stopped in for a breakfast sandwich. Service was adequate, nothing special. Their breakfast menu is filled with the typical goodies; pancakes, eggs, meats, sandwiches, etc. I opted for their half smoke breakfast sandwich. It was made quickly and served piping hot. The half smoke was actually the best one I've ever had from a Ben's Chili Bowl, as it didn't appear to have any "funny" meat or gristle in it, like I normally experience. The sandwich was excellent and tasty! Definitely would return. read more
Couldn't leave DC without having A half smoke from Ben's. The regular half smoke with chili and onion was delicious. The sausage had a crisp spin and a nice kick. The fries were fresh and hot. Service was quick and the seating was clean and comfy. read more
Any time I have a layover at DCA, Ben's Chili Bowl is a must. This is a DC classic. Is it elegant fine-dining? No. Is it a good, old fashioned, roll-up-your-sleeves comfort food before or after your flight to fill you up to get you where you're going? Yes indeed. If you haven't yet experienced Ben's Chili Bowl, give it a try the next time your travels take your through DCA. read more
Wanted to try Ben's Chili before leaving DC, and was lucky to see there's an outpost conveniently in the airport! It's a fast food joint with a chili-forward menu. I got the half smoke (chili hot dog with half pork and half beef), with all the fixings (mustard, onion, chili). I wouldn't normally consider myself a diehard hot dog person but man this was so so good! A tad spicy but very full of flavor. I was initially a little skeptical because I ordered it to go and they just wrapped it in aluminum foil but surprisingly it didn't drip too much. Knocking off a star because they didn't include any napkins in the to-go bag which would made the eating experience less messy. Fast service and good prices (sub $10 airport meal). read more
Husband and I stopped in for a quick bite before our flight. The panda at the front of the restaurant is super cute and has been a photo op at previous visits/delays at this airport with the kids, but we've never stopped to eat here. The vibe here felt like a diner - you could hear the food being cooked in the background and someone was yelling out order numbers randomly. When we got in line, husband already knew he wanted a chili dog. I settled on a burger and asked for no cheese. Mine came with cheese and I confirmed that the receipt did not reflect my request. Husband asked what kind of hotdog it was and was told it was pork when the menu shows that their hot dogs are beef. I saw a small roach run across the counter to the right of the cashier. Gross. No one else seemed to notice and husband assured me that sometimes that happens. I have definitely never had this experience and I'm okay to not ever have that experience again. Our order was called and we settled into a booth overlooking the planes. The food was quite underwhelming. The fries were okay and my burger didn't have much flavor to it. The cheese was not melted onto the patty so I could definitely taste that. Husband said his chili dog was burned and when he was asked if he wanted mustard on it, he said he didn't see any. I thought the mustard was mixed into the chili. He opted to grab some mustard packets and add them to the chili dog, but it did little to mask the burned chili dog flavor. Overall, I'd recommend the panda for a photo op, but not for the food. read more
In every major city across America there exists an iconic, step inside and partake in the flavors you'll only find in this neck of a cement jungle that truly isn't the same as in other far away arrangements of glass and steel buildings that serve as a legacy to people, long since gone, who pulled the e-brake on their wagon train or parked their wooden ship and declared 'here is where it's all going to happen'! And you'll know of this eatery before you arrive having scoured the internet for must-do's and can't-miss's. You'll arrive excited with the other fanny-pack and brand new ball-cap wearing temporary transplants jockeying to partake in what THIS town has to offer. We all wear our bluest of collar's during these moments, being fully aware that the fare was first diced and assembled generations ago for a hungry crowd that maybe just worked a shift at the docks or did something meaningful and destined to endure. And, by their virtue, the food also endured. Over the generations, possibly millions have partaken and, by doing so, voted for this establishment to feed the future. Now, flash forward to you, the tourist of taste and smell, having arrived in your time machine fueled by a handful of greenbacks, ready to be the next link in this local phenom of food. And, if you're in Washington, DC, you might have chosen Ben's Chili Bowl as your destination. The original Ben's Chili Bowl, an Iconic eatery in the District, opened in 1958 on U Street and was located exactly 1-mile from my first apartment in DC. Since then, having moved across town, I am now even closer to another franchise while remaining on the correct side of the Potomac. Yet, I had never walked those few steps to either. I was aware, but failed to show up. So... after years of being a Washingtonian, where did I choose to experience this exemplar eatery of the DMV? The airport. And it was a disappointment. In a past life, I spent hundreds of days in Texas and other nearby sunbelt states who boast a religious experience concerning an amalgamation of ground beef, vegetables, legumes, and spices that comprise chili. In Texas, you'll descend into the fires of hell as comas are added to their Scoville Scores or ascend to heaven, balanced on the scales of flavor. But you won't find either at the DCA Ben's. The chili is fair at best and the spiciest item on the menu is the bubbles in the soda. This experience is likely my own fault, as I should have went to H or U street and not the cavernous halls of the weary traveler who lowers their expectations with every step they trudge through the soulless experience that is modern air travel. You're supposed to eat Ben's on U Street after a drink at the Alchemist, not in the airport after getting the side-eye from a TSA agent watching you hobble off your shoes before acquiescing to an exposure of radiation. I've clearly made a mistake, and will keep my mind open enough to give the flagship Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street a try with the same enthusiasm I gave to Pink's Hot Dogs in LA or a Clam Chowder filled loaf of bread at Boudin's in SF. But, if you're at DCA, and need to grab a bite knowing your flight is long and 16 tiny pretzels won't do the job... you can do better than Ben's at the airport, I assure you. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
This place is amazing. Had to stop at the airport on my way home. The food taste amazing and the service was very quick. read more
2 years ago
So disappointed & disgusting. No flavor what so ever. Money wasted. Definitely not like the original location. Save your money & time. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
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2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd
Arlington, VA 22202
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(703) 417-1588
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http://benschilibowl.com
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6 months ago
