Ben's Chili Dogs — Restaurant in Newport

Ben's Chili Dogs is amazing... the chili & cheese dog is not only delicious, but it's relatively clean to eat because each is individually wrapped and designed so that nothing spills out or falls over the top as you eat it. I think Ben's Chili Dog's has perfected the chili & cheese hot dog.

The chili and cheese sauces are homemade and the buns are kept in a steam pan which keeps them fluffy and warm. The hot dog itself is also very tasty, so the combination of the seemingly simple but deliciously homemade ingredients come together to make the perfect chili & cheese dog. I honestly haven't tried anything else on the menu. I once tried having onions and seasoning on my chili cheese dog which I didn't really like, and another time I tried a sample of the chourico topping (which apparently is popular) which I thought was good, but my favorite remains the basic chili & cheese dog. It's so good that I don't want to risk ruining one of them with toppings I may not like!

But I do intend to eventually explore the rest of the menu which includes sausage and peppers, clear RI clam chowder, and another soup (or soups?) I believe. They also have a variety of toppings for the hot dogs that you would expect such as ketchup, mustard, onions, pepper, maybe some other seasonings, etc. And I'm sure you can get a plain hot dog, or dog with just chili or cheese.

The manager & staff are friendly and you can tell they care about serving quality food. The space is small and you can see behind the counter into the kitchen so it kind of has an open and cozy feel. There are a few tables inside but I live close by so I usually get the chili dogs to go. Being individually wrapped, they are pretty easy to eat while walking, and you can lick the cheese sauce off the wrapper.

My only complaint with this place is that they are not open long enough, at least for my admittedly strange preferred eating times. It seems like a pretty small operation and I guess they don't have the staff or don't think it would be worth it to stay open longer. Also, they are cash only which is an inconvenience to those of us who like to use cards for everything. There is an ATM with a ~$2 fee and a $100 per transaction limit. But wow, I don't know of any better place to get a chili cheese dog than...

They way we were treated and spoken to as soon as we entered was the most uncomfortable experience I have had in a food establishment. Never have I ever been so unwelcome and uncomfortable that I have had to leave. Not sure what was going on but we did not deserve the treatment we received. Outside the front door, as soon as we walked to the door the worker was outside loudly complaining because we were going to order and they had to help us. At the counter we are asked what do you want and I expressed I need a moment seeing as we are family of 4 and I needed to see what my children wanted.. The worker was displeased I was not immediately ready to order. When I had our orders together and started listing items off the worker got frustrated and huffed and puffed and sighed at us. That moment I said we can leave its fine. I really felt like a bother and unwanted as a customer. If you were alone working I completely understand that and have all the patience needed to wait. I do not have patience for being treated poorly especially when I am going to be spending my money in your establishment.. Being full time residents of Newport this is not a place I feel I will be able...

What happened to this place?? I left so disappointed. I try to eat healthy so if I go here it's a big treat but not this time. It used to be so good. You can tell they are using the lowest grade products they can find . I got 3 dogs .3 different ways. Bread was soggy, dogs were like rubber from over cooking. The chz was disgusting. Wonder if they getting cheaper products to make up for the $ they spent renovating. I would ratherhaved good food nobody cares about new seating &a fresh coat of paint. It's a cash business so we all know why .Plz pocket less & focus on the quality of food you are serving. over $3 ea so sad. I had...