Ben's Chili Bowl — Restaurant in Virginia

Alert I only had the vegetarian option (Impossible Burger with Vege Chili), so for those who are not veggie folks, this may not be pertinent.

I tend to try out the new "plant-based" meat options so people can get a sense of how it's being used/prepared at various popular spots like Ben's Chili Bowl. They had two options, either the "Beyond Burger" or the "Impossible Burger." I went with the "Impossible Burger" option. I felt that the burger was a bit dry and bland - nothing different than if I were to make it at home. I think they did charge about $1 for adding a slice of cheese, which I thought was a bit much for the already limited options for a vegetarian (haha). I have seen the Impossible burger prepared differently at some restaurants beyond just grilling it such as adding some spices or sauces to it. I cannot comment on the "Beyond Burger" option since I did not try it. The vegetarian chili on top was average, nothing out of the ordinary. Again, this places is known for the meat chili and I've heard great things, so I'm not entirely surprised. I will try a dedicated bowl of Veggie Chili next time to get a better sense and I can repost it. My only other comment was that the service was a bit rushed. The person was rushing me and I didn't even have time to look at the toppings or anything extra I wanted to add. I asked for the vegetarian chili to be added to the burger and he forgot to add it. I went back to ask him and instead of just putting it in a cup he asked me to bring my burger back and I had to give him my unwrapped burger, which felt a little awkward.

Overall, would I go again? Sure. It's worth checking out the other beyond burger option as well as a dedicated bowel of veggie chili, but I will make sure and look at the menu on my phone so I won't be...

I recently stopped by Ben’s Chili Bowl after hearing so much about it over the years, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. I ordered the famous half-smoke, expecting something unique and flavorful, but it turned out to be a skinny hotdog with just a hint of spice. Honestly, for $10, I expected a lot more in terms of portion size and taste—it just didn’t feel worth the price at all.

The service didn’t help the experience much either. While it wasn’t terrible, it definitely wasn’t great. The cashier seemed disengaged and not very attentive, which left the interaction feeling rushed and impersonal. I’d rate the service a 3 out of 5 at best.

The one bright spot of the visit was the atmosphere. The place has a rich history and a vibrant energy that reflects its cultural significance in the city. It’s colorful, lively, and full of character, which made it enjoyable to sit in and take it all in—that part definitely deserves a 4 out of 5.

All in all, Ben’s Chili Bowl is more of a tourist stop for the history and vibe than a place I’d return to for the food or service. If you’re going for the experience, it might be worth a quick visit—but if you’re going for a great meal, you may want to...

Finally stopped in to try the famous Ben's Chili Bowl. I had the original half smoke (basically, a hot dog but with smoked sausage) and a bowl of chili. Have to say, I really enjoyed both. The chili texture is exactly how I like it, with the smaller chunks of beef. The onions and cheese are a must.

The icing on the cake was the drink -- they have sweet tea with free refills! As a southerner, it's always a great treat to find sweet tea up here.

My only gripe was, for an airport location there are not many accessible power outlets. Maybe that was on purpose to keep people from overstaying their welcome, but it would have been convenient to be able to plug in and charge...