Ben’s Next Door

Almost everyone that lives in or near DC knows about Ben’s Chili Bowl. Lately it has gotten quite popular with tourists, ever since Obama had a half-smoke there a couple months ago. Now locals have to wait in long lines to get their greasy burgers and chili dogs.

If you don’t feel like waiting at Ben’s, why not try Ben’s Next Door? The owners of Ben’s Chili Bowl purchased the restaurant space next door, and opened a new trendy restaurant, with chef “Rock” (winner of Hell’s Kitchen) as head chef.

I’ve heard the crab cakes are phenomenal at this place, and best of all, you can get a limited Ben’s Chili Bowl menu from the bar. So far, the menu has been described as ‘gourmet comfort food’. However, the menu has been in constant flux, as this place has yet to have their official grand opening.

I think I’m going to try this place in the next couple weeks. A friend of mine is a hostess there, and says that they are steadily getting a consumer following. I need to stop by before they get too packed and booked up.