Today from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. you'll get $1 off a half-smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl if you ask for the "prison break special."
The occasion? Another cold-opening, guaranteed moneymaker from Tyler Perry, Madea Goes to Jail.
The press release from Lionsgate claims that all proceeds will go toward funding Madea's bail. (My guess is the [...]

Among the roughly 1 million customers at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street tonight was R&B superstar Usher. Upon his exit, Usher waved to the U Street crowd and ducked into the black Escalade with tinted windows waiting for him in the alley. After he skirted the crowd, at least one woman expressed disappointment that [...]

In the wake of members of every other media organization on the planet, I went by Ben's Chili Bowl this afternoon.*
THIS JUST IN: There's still a crowd in and outside the place!
The line should get manageable again sometime around 2017...
*Cliche as this drive-by was, the trip left me totally jazzed. The elation outside Ben's is [...]

Barack Obama made his first foray as president-elect into local Washington today, joining Mayor Adrian M. Fenty at about 1 p.m. for a chili half-smoke.
The AP and WaPo have coverage, and here's the official pool report:
The president-elect departed the Hay-Adams at 11.35 in the motorcade to film an interview segment with George Stephanopoulos, to be [...]

Prince of Petworth offers a first look at the new Ben's side project. Needless to say it's more upscale than the vintage hot smoke spot. It's like Marvin if Marvin offered chili dogs.
Skatterbrain offers a killer indie X-Mas mix for all those that may be tired of the usual Christmas staples.
The Vinyl District wants to [...]

While you were watching the election returns:
Seven-Eleven, U St. & 11th St. NW

Ben's Chili Bowl, U St. & 13th St. NW

Rite Aid, U St. & 13th St. NW

Ben's Chili Bowl is an epicenter of District Obama supporters. Nearly every employee wears a button—or twelve. Everyone's expecting a clear win for Ben's favorite candidate. But what are they going to do if McCain wins? I spoke to D.C. residents enjoying their election day lunch at Ben's to find out their worst case scenarios.

Carl [...]

On Ask MetaFilter, a lament:
"Ben's chili is the food of the gods. Sadly, I no longer live anywhere near Ben's, and so I want to try to make it myself. Although I'll probably be adding beans, to make it more meal-like (since I most likely won't be pouring it on hot dogs and french fries). [...]