Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
DC's defining sausage: a coarse-ground, lightly-smoked half-pork, half-beef link, split lengthwise on the griddle and tucked into a steamed bun under chili, mustard and onions.
The half-smoke was born on U Street. Ben Ali and his wife Virginia opened Ben's Chili Bowl at 1213 U Street NW in August 1958, in a former silent-movie house, and built the chili half-smoke into the city's defining sandwich. The link itself, larger and coarser than a hot dog and lightly smoked before being grilled, has been made for Ben's by Manger Packing in Maryland for decades. The U Street riots of April 1968 left Ben's as one of the few neighbourhood businesses standing. Weenie Beenie in Arlington claims to predate Ben's by a few years, but the chili-half-smoke template at Ben's remains the canonical DC dish.
3 editor picks for Half-smoke in Washington DC, ranked by editorial score. All Washington DC signature dishes · Half-smoke across every city.
Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC is the 1958 U Street counter from Ben and Virginia Ali, the city's defining half-smoke, served at 1213 U Street NW.
OrderThe chili half-smoke with mustard, onions and chili; the dish that built the room.
TipCash and card both accepted; line moves fastest at the take-away counter on the right.
Ben's Next Door in Washington DC is the sit-down sister of Ben's Chili Bowl at 1211 U Street, a soul-American kitchen with a cocktail list and the half-smoke.
OrderThe buttermilk fried chicken with mac and collards; the room's most-ordered single dish.
TipThe bar runs late on weekends and is the better seat for a single diner; brunch fills up by 11:30.
Weenie Beenie is the Arlington half-smoke counter at 2680 South Shirlington Road, a 1950s walk-up window that claims a Northern Virginia hold.
OrderHalf-smoke chili dog (Arlington)
TipThe Weenie Beenie half-smoke is leaner than Ben's; the chili-and-cheese order is the editorial point of comparison.
Half-smoke makes more sense with someone from Washington DC explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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Blue Fern Travel explores DC's oldest neighborhood: 5 tastings through Georgetown's cobblestone streets, canal history, and award-winning kitchens. Small group. Every ...
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Explore Georgetown on our Secret Food Tour! Enjoy 6+ curated tastings while discovering Washington Harbour, the Exorcist steps, Francis Scott Key Bridge, and the charm...
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Join Chef Gustavo for a hands-on cooking class and learn to make Italian dishes with an Argentinian twist. Prepare tiramisu, salmon tartare, and sorrentinos.
