This Must-Eat Chili Dog Is Washington D.C.'s Signature Dish | Legendary Eats
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Washington, DC, has a little bit of everything for history buffs and foodies, but it's Ben's Chili Bowl, which sits on the historic U Street once known as Black Broadway, where the two come together. Insider's Lisa Paradise stopped by for a bite of the chili half-smoke: a half-pork, half-beef sausage smothered in homemade chili crafted from a generations-old secret family recipe that has remained popular for so many generations it was named the city's signature dish.
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This Must-Eat Chili Dog Is Washington D.C.'s Signature Dish | Legendary Eats
There's just more than taste. Ben's chili bowl is a landmark. I hope it stays, to tell us all, That time passed but history remained.
@David Hester Are you talking about the chili? Cuz straight chili don't give you toots, beans do.
Yes, and it's true that everyone is welcome. They even created a vegan chili dog option for the new hipster residents.
Yessir
First time I saw a good comment on Insider.
Just kidding. Or am I?
@David Hester aoc has a head like a llama
“Having worked in restaurants to pay his way through university”.... oh boy wouldn’t that be a delight if that were still viable.
It was for me. I went to community College, graduated with honors and transferred with a full scholarship to a small state university. Plus the pell grant pays about 500 a month towards my living expenses.
@@SamP0rterBridges That sounds like a scholarship + working paid your way through university.
@@SuWoopSparrow yes. I worked a restaurant job and did University courses.
The job more than paid for my bills on top of my scholarships and grants. With just dedication and the right school choice, you're education can be effectively free
The scholarships I earned were purely for over a 3.0 GPA.
They weren't difficult to get
Some profersor makes 250,000 dollars a year, in washington state univerity, so collage cost has gone way up, even at 15 bucks an hour, 27,000 for in state , housing cost 20,000 to 30,000 , for 57,000, 15 s hour is 28,000, with out taxes, so it 30 year to pay at least 120,000 or more, pay for collage
This woman said: I never called him and the rest is history, I must have missed something here...
He either called her or he went back to the bank and asked her out. They may have edited that part out. Back then the man did the calling and the asking out.
I'm sure it implies the obvious. He found her
I thought I was the only one... she skipped some key steps...lol
I went here a couple of months ago. Ben’s wife was still in there talking to customers and giving people their food. Such a wholesome lady
I had one on Friday 3/22 and I was not impressed Chicago dogs are the best hands down
The mustard adds a little bit of sweetness. said no one ever
Lol she called the chili "creamy"
In life
Clearly, you've never had sweet mustard.
@@CodyUnderstorms because it is creamy.
Mustard generally has sugar in it.
This place looks pretty good. I will give it a try
I want all of them please 😍 I would love to go there!
"the mustard adds sweetness" ....uhh? ok
You'd think it's be the onion
The mustard gives it that little bit of tang
What do you expect from a diversity hire who has never had a chili-dog before?
I'm drooling the sausage looks delicious
So the food looks fantastic do they put the chili in a blender to reduce the size of those vegetables
"I have no idea what to expect from it", she says, holding a bun stuffed with a sausaged, topped with mustard, onions and chili.
Lol, you're expecting a chili dog, just eat it.
She was told beforehand that there is black lives matter in it, she is a racist.
She said the mustard was sweet...
@@MCchizzle Sweet mustard. Shoot me in the head now. Probably the blm additive balances it?
@@goprodog4304 hahahahaha
We need more places like this back again. Family owned, community, great food, and especially love.
And we need to make them hipster and blogger restricted
Ime the mom and pop places are where I get the worst customer service....they often think bc they have no corporate overlord they can do whatever and treat customers however.
It IS on an establishment to not rest on their reputation...but we as customers need to regularly support such places.
Agreed
Also black owned
Imagine working for Food Insider and you dont know what to expect from a Chili dog
This place is known for its culture. Food insider dum af
She said "the mustard adds a sweetness" ROFL!
Exactly what I expect from Food Insider
Food Insider has always had terrible hosts.
Lol
I love this place. The half-smoke with chili, mustard and onions (well, let’s be honest... 2 of them) is to die for. The staff really is friendly, and I love supporting family businesses. And it’s living history.
Lies again? MUC MUD
@@NazriB What??
You're so lucky to have these locally.
@@henryottis295 Well, I currently live around 5000 miles from it… :(
@@tookitogo
Oh, it sounded like you were a regular there !
Too bad, it's not in my neighborhood either, but I agree with you about supporting family businesses.
Lol.. I was gonna go til he said "Black Lives Matter" 😄 🤣 😂 😆
He puts a little bit of BLM in his chili every year, of course
This place is great. Their milkshakes are worth trying as well.
No lies there. The first time I had Ben's some 13 years ago I was told that the shake was a must try. Between the half smoke, the chilli cheese fries and that strawberry shake I was almost in a food coma on the ride back to my friend and his wife's place. So good. I can't wait to come back.
Unless you are white, right?
@@goprodog4304 Nope. The two times I was there I saw all nationalities, races etc. in there enjoying good food with no issues. If you're bothered by them saying black lives matter then you miss the point of that statement. It's not that black lives matter more than any other lives. It's saying that black lives matter just as much. Plain and simple.
@@goprodog4304 Lmaooo you’re a joke
@@way2kool89 a bad one at that.
I’m a Washingtonian and we were learning about this DC landmark in our history class, yes Ben chill bowl been through it all it was here before they went underground to build them trains, it was here before a lot of this new dc buildings,condos etc but I been here for 21 yrs and I Haven’t been to bens chill bowl😬
Me neither. I live in MD but I never heard of this place, always thought the signature DC dish was wings with mumbo sauce
@@osamabindiesel3389 I live in md to I tried it it’s pretty good. But u need to wash it down wit a milkshake
Landmark? Tell your Liberal DC friends they forgot something to burn down quick!
Aren't you supposed to be called Washington DC resident instead of Washingtonian, because that sound not the best out there
@@batman4452 dude what
Title: must-eat chili dog
My terrible eyes: must-eat child dog
Yeah we don't need COVID-20 please
The "Dirty water dogs" are good but to bring out the true flavor of a hot dog, you have to fry it.
Delicious puppies eh?
Bruh
Guinevere, no.
As you started with your racial stuff we all left.
Says a lot about u don’t it
I don't even live in US but still watching this late at night
23:30u over here right now. 😁
Greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪✌🏻
Come visit.
Watching this video, we can see the love and devotion the people put into their business and the community.
🤣🤣
wow absolutely amazing
The "Dirty water dogs" are good but to bring out the true flavor of a hot dog, you have to fry it.
Spiral cut char grilled is pretty lit too.
It is frying.??? or in the deep fat fryer, think of your Continental friends .
Depends if it’s a natural cased hot dog frying usually isn’t the best option because it will cause the casing to rupture from direct heat
When I visited D.C. while in college I went to Ben's for a half-smoke certainly but mainly for the history. Iconic joint and a must-visit for sure.
What did it taste like is it the best hotdog in America
@Greg Siwek Too long ago to describe it today but as for it being the best in America? Nah. That's just subjective. I'm sure lots of D.C. locals might say this but everyone in New York and Chicago would make this claim as well. Personally I love a basic sauerkraut and mustard dog but my favorite style is a Carolina slaw dog.
@@tosht2515 ok thank you sir , for the explanation, and your knowledge.
I'm half asleep, and stoned from my wake and bake, and just started sipping my coffee here in NYC.... all I read was "I went to bens for a half-smoke, it was an iconic joint".... me: worddddd, must have been good getting one of them chili dogs, after blazin up. lmfao. Then I realized the Iconic JOINT was the place, and the half-smoke was the dog. Also like you said in your reply.... me as a New Yorker would argue this dog isn't anything crazy... looks good sure... but best in the world? Come on... Also, it's a hot dog lol... it's not like it's a burger, or pizza, or bagels... things that are actually hard to make... or can have a certain level of quality to them... hot dog is sausage in a bun... your sausage can be great yeah... but the only star here, or the only thing that could highly vary in quality from horrible to incredible would be the chili...
@@batman4452 dude, just the difference between an all beef hot dog and one made with chicken and pork or turkey is huge. It way more than just the chili.
Dad jokes are like chili dogs.
*Frankly, I can’t get enough.*
@@merrillgeorge1838 oh come on I know it was terrible but it's not *THAT* bad 😂
@@Passionforfoodrecipes Dad jokes are the wurst
@@ricebro2730 i cant believe you had the *audacity* to do that
@@Passionforfoodrecipes that was pretty good!
@@Passionforfoodrecipes well I'll be a DOGone sucker for that joke.
I drove from Buffalo ,Ny just to go to Bens. It was worth the 9 hr drive.
@Donald Donald that’s not what your mom says.
Tell me more about it; I live in Buffalo and always willing to both try new things and bring other regional eats to WNY.
How was it vs Ted's?
@@Nok2rnal1 I love Teds, but Bens is better. The chili sauce next level . There’s some different stuff on the menu. Try the half smoked. It’s like a Smokey hot dog sausage, kinda hard to explain.
@@MrSpankee02 Good heads up my sister lives in DC will be high on my priority list when I'm there for the holidays.
You see people always talk about the "Washington" swamp and don't understand the culturally-rich "DC". Ben's Chili Bowl is definitely...DC's finest
Looks amazing
because it is a swamp full of MILLIONAIRE politicians ,think about that .How do politicians assigned by the people to rep the people become MiLLionAIres,because i dont know a single millionaire
It's overrated.
@@kingbullyrock8739 Stop it.
@@batchagaloopytv5816 your unintelligible view of DC is based totally based on R neck ignorance. You sound undereducated and dence.
black lives matter? Couldn't just have a chili dog story? Get over your overstated hot dog shop.
I soooooooooooooo want to be in USA 🇺🇸 LOVE ❤️ 4M india 🇮🇳
Isnt beef forbidden to eat there?
Just had to add some blm nonsense in there didn't you
Me: *Oh this sounds delicious what are the ingredients-*
Video: *p o r k*
Me a muslim: *Nvm-*
Damn, your loss
@@ryanspangler4569 more.for us
Your not alone I am Muslim as well
Video: Beef
Me a Hindu: Oof
There always the burger and Milk shake
Ben's Chili Bowl is THE standard for chili dogs. Been eating them for 25 years, and even passed it down to my kid. It really is an institution and should be a historically protected landmark!
yeah, but is it a hotdog or a sausage?
Lies again? Drama Comedy Like Harmless
Says she has never had a chili dog. Erase my brain from hearing this
Me neither
I've only had 2 in my entire life. One of them I had last week.
@@jaykiefonseca I mean it's pretty much currywurst, with some more stuff in it.
@@jaykiefonseca Hah, I remember having currywurst outside of a train station in Munich and thinking, this tastes so much like a chili dog without the bun!
I'd combine a European bratwurst with American chili....mmmm
Yeah, unfortunately, the only hotdogs I’ve ever eaten were the walmart brand pink sausages I had at family barbecues when I was younger, so I’ve never had an authentic hotdog experience.
goodness you even managed to make this process political...
I saw this today (10July2022), and ran to try this mouthwatering food in the early morning hours! My first impression - Excellent! I think I have been missing on this kind of food all my life! Keep on rocking, Ben’s Chilli Bowl on U Street!
@Cody CC-2224 True, bro! Cause I am Georgian, currently stationed by my employer in DC. 👍🇬🇪🍷
Nice, a Georgian and an Armenian have tried Ben's Chilli Bowl. I wonder if an Azerbaijani has tried it. That way, Ben's Chilli Bowl has had customers from the three South Caucasian nations.
@@dylanshumian8730 They should call it a full house from South Caucasus then!
A big pot of chili and racism, delicious.
What right doesn't she have?
I’m glad everyone loves this place. It shows the black and brown can get along. Just in case anyone didn’t know, Ben was a Indian (from India) born in Trinidad and Tobago. Indian people been here a long time
Keep politics out of it
Human rights arent politics.
I was born at Howard University Hospital, my grandmother graduated from Howard and I grew up 15 minutes from Howard...this place runs deep!
I'm vegetarian but seeing the history of this place (and the charismatic owners who seem so sweet) makes me want to pop in when I visit DC one day, even if I just get a drink. My husband has never had a chilli dog, so we'd have to go for his sake at least!
I agree completely with you. It’s too bad that they don’t provide vegan friendly option, otherwise I would definitely want to support small mom and pop businesses.
They have a vegetarian chili dog for you!
@@kyle0091000 They have veggie dogs, so don't let that stop you!
Why don't you eat meat
How is he your husband then guys barley lived life.
Little bit of Food show / shit load of propoganda
W food, L politics
Keep the politics out of food!!!
Why do all the hosts/narrators for this channel sound like they’re trying to read ASMR?
and why are they all overweight?
@@ppeez looking at the food they see who would not be tempted
@@ppeez Bruh, why are you even here?
@@ppeez loool
Glad someone said it
"of course I don't call him. And the rest is history, we've been together for 50 years.."
Umm, what?
It's pretty simple. She wouldn't have called him because it isn't lady like for a woman to call a man. Especially back then. He was probably persistent and won her over. They were together for 50 years before he died. You and anyone else that gives you a thumbs up can't possibly be that stupid that you can't figure that out.
@@613JMM hahaha u nailed it.
@@613JMM FOR REAL LOL
@@613JMM This 💯
Old school "courting"
Truly a legendary place and family. It would be pretty interesting to spend a day hanging out with the regulars and hearing some stories.
This is awesome! That chili dogs looks fantastic. Love the history. On my list the next time I'm in DC. Legacy is everything. I wish more black families thought this way.
This is why I don't go out anywhere. I eat at home. Everything is political b.s. and social correctness. Besides, my food tastes better.
I have Ben's delivered to my house in Massachusetts. I can't get enough of it!
Yep you lost me at the black lives matter bullshit.
Ms.Virginia is a living angel, the family are kind,beautiful, hard working, respectful people. Such a Gem to the Community. The food is delicious.
She is white
@@danielschoen8402 Bye simple person. I've seen White people there,enjoying the food and experience. Gtfoh,stop being an ass. So unnecessary, promote happiness, joy ,love,peace. No more talk.
Can't even watch a video about a damn chili dog without people trying to force me to get my white guilt on.
Very cool. Awesome to see family businesses still take so much pride in what they have for over 60 years.
AHH. A little bit of Marxism every year. How nice 🤣
Better than a bit of corporatocracy and aristocracy ghoulism, the people matter too.
Looks soooo good. I never had any desire to visit DC before...but that has changed now. I must try this lol
It's quite a shame that such good food is shared with the worst human beings on the planet. Talking about the people who move to DC, not the people that were born/live there.
II was finally able to visit and eat at Bens chili bowl and it was a bucket list moment for me. The rich history and the delicious chili dogs is truly amazing. Thank you for making videos like these for people to discover wonderful food and people
Ha you had me until you went BLM I think I can do better at home lol
the chili dog looks delicious! I've been to DC but I didn't try this....oh I wish I had tried this amazing dish!
What the heck, how you going to send someone who has never had a Chili Dog to review a Chili Dog place?! Typical Food Insider
What a lovely lady 😂 and family! The history of Bens is amazing ✌️ never had a chili dog 😳 I’m from Michigan so chili dogs are almost on every corner 😂😂
It’s great how he,cook’s the food with love, and he makes you feel like you’re a part of what’s going on,that’s what makes he’s food so great..
Did you say half pork half beef hot dog ??...but the owners are muzlims !! Is that ok for them ?
The husband (who is now dead) was Muslim and he never ate any of the things he sold containing pork. The wife, kids, and grandkids I don’t know about.
LOL. I've been black for 29 years. What rights don't I have? lmao.
Such harsh editing on the interviews. Just let them talk
I would like to know what basic human rights does this woman and everyone around her do not have?
Half pork and half beef sausage : 1 Indians who fight over pork and beef: 0
I visited DC when I was around 9 years old, and I swear I have never eaten a chili dog as amazing since then! I couldn’t remember the name of this place.
Video was cool. Right up to the part with the Burn, Loot, Murder bullshit.
That's exactly where i stopped it. Nope - no longer interested.
Had a conversation with Virginia Ali today. Went to DC for the sole purpose of getting a half-smoke. Was trying to relay with fam but didn't end up working out. I don't think either of the kids were there, but Virginia showed up towards the end.
She came in talking and smiling, very small in stature but very proud in tone. She talked to me about the boom box there and complimented me on my longboard, followed by the comment "Oh be careful now, you could get yourself real messed up on that thing".
Absolutely made my day. This woman is a national landmark.
Did she say, “churned the spoon to add air and positive vibes”?🤣
She did🤣
"Through the 90s" DC gentrification is still going on, all sponsored by Mayor Bowser
Legit, I went away for college in 1996. When I came back I looked around and wondered where all the white people came from? I was used to DC being a little dirty all through the late 80’s-early 90’s. Now even Anacostia is becoming gentrified!
BLM??? Really? You had to go political?????? At least I will die happy knowing this place will never get a penny of my money. Political.... SMH.
just this year
I'm sure they're gonna do just fine without your pennies.
" don't know what to expect on chills dowg "
" Mustard add some sweetness "
Man ,where's the hell they found this type of food host ?
Is it a hotdog (weiner) or other type of sausage? Google calls it a "type of hotdog" but it seems more related to a brat.
I'll take 2, hold the 'Black Lives Matter' please.
Complain about rioting, then gentrification. Pick one, either you have the self destruction followed by the eventual pity, then people clean up the mess others made, then it's gentrification. There's no pleasing some people, especially after you wipe their ass.
How are you running a FOOD show and you have never had a Chili Dog???
Just a doubt - Half pork half beef sausage. And Kamal Ali is the co-founder and co-owner. Seems very interesting 🤔🤔🤔.
I was onboard until a certain point...
This was a great food documentary and I learned a lot. But that BS at the 7:45 mark is crazy. Never had a chilli dog? you should not be qualified to review the fanciest food in the world if you have never had a chilli dog.
UA-cam you know I have online classes in the morning, stop recommending food so late at night 😭
“ a lil bit BLM” I lost my appetite
Where all my DC Natives at 👀????
Are you a politician's family member?
@@PJ-cm8ix No. I wish lol
Here yo
@@Daria-rj7ov I usually assume anyone living in D.C is a politician or someone related to him/her😂😂
I've never met a commoner who lives in D.C😂😂
I worked here for 7 years. The Ali family are the most humble people you will ever meet.
People look for hot women i look for hot dogs
sometimes you have both
lol
Hot btches
Sounds gay to me 😂😂
@Trvp Visuals People who tell others there virgins are usually virgins themselves 😂
It wasn't what I expected, I can make a better chilli dog at home, good luck, keep doing what you're doing, but I won't eat there again.
Love the mother! She is so nice and homey. I am glad to see this place is still there. Can't wait to check it out!
My girl was like I can make you that shit myself lol. I was like ok never had it. I seen the prices and walked out. Not saying that it's not good tho.
I remember going here in 2015 when I took a trip to DC. :) I had chili fries
man no offense to dude he seem like a great guy and his chili glizzies be really good but fr fr wings n mumbo sauce is DC signature dish. Not tryna hate, but to say its our signature dish is wrong
Still remember the first time I had a half smoke from Ben's, instant heaven!!
I know exactly what you mean!
They had to add their political bullshit
Some say a blue hedgehog went here and ordered 2 chilli dogs for himself to eat.
"African American black love story". Ah but if I said a Caucasian white love story it would be an issue.
Much more interesting than just a 'hotdog video'. This kind of history never gets written in 'the history books', but it's clearly has it's place.
Most history books give two paragraphs to the Civil War they're not going to talk about hot dogs
It’s why I love the video despite the host.
wait ... so your telling me anyone can be succsesful in the US nobody the skin color? wow who would have thought
I’m gonna try that hot chili dawg!
Now I heard about this restaurant but neglected to go there!!! Bad mistake on my part :(
This is not just a landmark, This is part of US history