Make Ben’s at Home

Our family is proud to bring our famous Half Smokes and homemade chili from our restaurant to your neighborhood!

The Legacy of Ben’s Chili Bowl

Ben’s Chili Bowl was founded by Ben and Virginia Ali in August 1958, just two months before they were married. For over 60 years, it has been a Washington, D.C. institution, serving locals, celebrities, presidents, and visitors from around the world.

When Ben’s first opened on U Street, known as Black Broadway, Washington, D.C. was still segregated. Ben and Virginia chose this historic location, which remains home to Ben’s today. Over the years, Ben’s Chili Bowl has endured many challenges: the riots of 1968, the neighborhood’s decline during the drug wars, subway construction that disrupted the area for years, gentrification, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, the restaurant has stayed family-run and community-focused.

Virginia Ali, now in her 90s, continues to lead the business with her three sons (Sage, Kamal, and Nizam) and two daughters-in-law (Sonya and Vida), working side by side in the restaurant and overseeing retail and franchise operations.

We are known for our Original Half Smokes and Spicy Half Smokes, along with our secret recipe Chili Sauce, Chili Con Carne, Turkey Chili, and Vegetarian Chili. You can order yours online at HalfSmokes.com.

Ben’s Chili Bowl has earned numerous awards and been featured in national news outlets, publications, and major films. We’ve been highlighted in a national Google commercial, full-page ads in leading newspapers and magazines, on Netflix (Somebody Feed Phil, ep. 2 of season 7), and TV and YouTube commercials.

Thank you for supporting our family and our small, local business. We hope you enjoy your Ben's Half Smokes!

Giant Food Stores

Ben’s is now in stock at all 166 Giant Food Stores! Find our original and spicy half smokes, chili con carne, turkey chili and chili sauce at a Giant Food Store near you. And don’t forget to grab chili con carne and turkey chili fresh from the hot bar.

Find a Store

Heating instructions for 15oz Chilis:

Stove top: Remove lid and film seal, then pour Chili into sauce pan. Heat on medium stirring occasionally until hot (165*F), stirring occasionally. 

Microwave:  Remove lid and film seal, then place in Microwave oven loosely covered with lid only. Heat until hot (165*F), stirring halfway through heating. 

Caution: Chili will be hot

 

Heating instructions for Original and Spicy Half Smokes:

Stove top: Put a tablespoon of oil in a pan and pre-heat pan on medium heat until oil shimmers. Open half smoke package and put your desired number of Half Smokes in the pan. Be careful as oil may splatter. Cook on medium heat for 7-8 minutes until the bottom side is golden. Turn Half Smokes over by using tongs (be careful as oil may splatter). Cook for another 7-8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees (we recommend using a digital instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of one Half Smoke). If the pan ever gets dry, add a bit more oil. Remove half smokes and place on a paper towel lined plate to remove any excess grease. Place in a hot dog bun with your favorite condiments (we recommend yellow mustard, diced onions and Ben's Famous Chili Sauce) or cut and add to your favorite receipt and enjoy. 

 

Grilling instructions:

Oil the grates. Pre-heat grill to 350 degrees (medium heat). Place your desired number of half smokes on the pre-oiled grates and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes. Be careful not to let the Half Smokes burn or come into direct contact with flames. Flip Half Smokes over using long tongs. Cook for another 8-10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. If Half Smokes are getting charred, move them off the direct heat. Half Smokes should be served golden and not overly charred unless desired. Place in a hot dog bun with your favorite condiments (we recommend yellow mustard, diced onions and Ben's Famous Chili Sauce) or cut and add to your favorite receipt and enjoy. 

 

Products

See below our full line of offerings. For more information, please contact us at retail@benschilibowl.com

Chili:

15oz Ben's Chili Bowl Famous Chili Sauce

15oz Ben's Chili Bowl Chili Con Carne with beans 

15oz Ben's Chili Bowl Turkey Chili with beans

15oz. Ben's Vegan Vegetarian Chili with beans

 

Half Smokes Sausages:

1lb. Ben's Original Half Smokes

1lb. Ben's Spicy Half Smokes

2.5lb Ben's Original Half Smokes

2.5lb Ben's Spicy Half Smokes

12oz Ben's All-Beef Cocktail Half Smokes

 

Food Service: 

16lb. Ben's Chili Bowl Chili Con Carne with beans 

16lb. Ben's Chili Bowl Famous Chili Sauce

16lb  Ben's Chili Bowl Turkey Chili with Beans

16lb. Ben's Vegan Vegetarian Chili with beans

30lb. Ben's Original Half Smokes

30lb. Ben's Spicy Half Smokes

 

Desserts:

1/2 pan Ben's Chili Bowl Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

1/2 pan Ben's Chili Bowl Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

12oz Ben's Chili Bowl Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

12oz Ben's Chili Bowl Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

1/2 pan Ben's Chili Bowl Peach Cobbler

12oz Ben's Chili Bowl Peach Cobbler