December 20, 2007
Ben's Chili Bowl in Talks With Nationals Stadium
Buried at the end of today's Marc Fisher column is an exciting bit of news for baseball fans and half-smoke lovers alike: Fisher says that Ben's Chili Bowl is going to have an outpost in the new Nationals Stadium. Unfortunately though, co-owner Kamal Ali tells DCist that the Ben's stand at the stadium is far from a done deal.
"We are in a good faith conversation with them, but it would be premature to say it's definitely happening. There is no signed contract yet," Ali said.
Ben's Chili Bowl has never had a second location before, despite having operated in the District continuously since 1958. Ali said their inexperience with this sort of venture was something of an obstacle to the details being worked out.
"This is an entirely different animal than what we're used to. They asked us to come, but (the question is) would we come under what circumstances?" Ali said. "We hope it works out, but we haven't gotten down to the nitty gritty."
Should an agreement be reached, Ali said the Ben's menu offerings at the stadium would be representative of their menu, including chili dogs, half-smokes and burgers, plus fries and turkey and veggie chili options. He imagined the prices for most menu items would be a dollar or two more than what you normally pay at Ben's, given that "that's fairly standard" in a ballpark.
Overall, Ali seemed optimistic about the possibility of a Ben's at the stadium, but hesitant to get people too excited in case it doesn't pan out.
"We've got a brand new stadium, and we want to give the people what they want so that it's a win-win situation. Right now we're just trying to move the conversation along until it's a done deal."
Photo of a Ben's chili burger by Ohad*
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Props to Kamal Ali for acknowledging the challenges he'd face with a completely different facility. A lot of would-be vendors would push blindly ahead at the opportunity to make a fast buck. Ali sounds like a man who, in the immortal words of Harry Callahan, knows his limitations.
Props to Kamal Ali for acknowledging the challenges he'd face with a completely different facility. A lot of would-be vendors would push blindly ahead at the opportunity to make a fast buck. Ali sounds like a man who, in the immortal words of Harry Callahan, knows his limitations.
Anyone else reeeeally sick of the guy with shit eating grin in the It's Just Lunch add (above)?
Just sayin...
...did I mention I have to work Monday?
did mr. ali comment on why the sign shop is actively making a sign for their (potential) stand then? seems pretty risky for a small-time sign shop to work on something that isn't a guaranteed thing.
Sounds like its a contract with the ballpark to make all of the signs, rather than a contract with Ben's to make just one sign that may not get used. So probably little risk. At worst, the ballpark (team, city?) pays for a couple of unused signs out of 3,000.
Bring in Ben's! And bring in Five Guys! And some kebobs!
I really hope the Nationals try to bring in more food options than the usual hot dogs and pretzels.
Citizen's Bank Park in Philly brought it a Pat's Cheesesteaks in addition to several other local businesses and it's been successful.
It'd be great to see a local flavor at the stadium. Hopefully this deal works out!
If it's going to feature D.C. food, in addition to Ben's it's gotta have someone selling pupussas!
OMG HOW ABOUT A CHEESECAKE FACTORY
hamonrye: i actually reload my page just so that creepy ad won't show. he scares me. he just scares me. and sorry you have to work monday. that blows
on another note, why don't we like pretzels and hot dogs? that just lacks patriotism! we should be grateful we live in a country where pretzels and hot dogs can dominate baseball games and clog the arteries of our loving fans! oh crazy spoiled people wanting all sorts of options. nutty hedonists
and please let the ben's deal work out. yum
now is it time to leave work yet?
hesitant to get people too excited in case it doesn't pan out.
Too late! Aaaaah!!
Hopefully there will be some veggi options as well???
Hopefully there will be some veggi options as well???
There's already a Five Guys a block from Navy Yard Metro, so I doubt they'd open another. Although I'm sure that extra $1-2 a serving would sweeten the deal.
Doesnt Ben's Ice Cream in the Wilson Building count as a second location?
You want veggie, eat fries or nachos. Seriously, veggie? At the ballpark? Stupid hippies!!!!
Thought they used to have a second location in the Reeves Building.
hamonrye and watchmen:
Ron Burgundy, Jr. says, "I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal. People know me. I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany. And hey, it's just lunch, baby..."
Ali should be jumping all over this. Great exposure and brand recognition for those not converted. I would be breaking out in cold sweats for a deal like this...
There's nothing in the Wilson Building that serves food. Other than vending machines. Which have a tendency to take your money and not give you anything in return. Sort of like DC government in general, now that I think of it.
I'll second the pupusas suggestion. While we're at it, can I go ahead and get some injera the width of my seat piled high with kitfo? Alright! Finger foods!
Yes, we want veggie at the ballpark, something we can currently get now at RFK in the form of veggie burritos (at least they were there the last time I was there, which was over a year ago).
"There's nothing in the Wilson Building that serves food. Other than vending machines. Which have a tendency to take your money and not give you anything in return. Sort of like DC government in general, now that I think of it."
Does that mean that there's a vending machine in the Wilson Building that occasionally spits out $20s if you shove it just right? You know, as long as you spread some love to the vending machine guys, and the folks in the office next door...
Here's hoping they line up Julia's Empanadas for a stall at the new ballpark as well.
Wilson Building? I thought the question was about the Reeves Center? You know, the only government-sanctioned place for nightclub stabbings.
Which then leads me to ask why would Ben's have a location there? (and i don't think they did). It's right down the street from the original Ben's.
Vegetarians and vegans are weird. I just don't trust them. Nor do I trust people who don't drink.
ces12: Yes, Citizen's Bank Park should be our model. I've never noticed the Pat's there, sadly, but I always perk up at the Peace-A-Pizza.
Huh? There's a Five Guys near the stadium so they shouldn't open a stand inside the ballpark?
Having Ben's would be great. In addition, I could go for Five Guys, Alberto's, and Amsterdam Falafel too, in case anyone in a position to do anything about it is listening.....
Ben's vegetarian chili is damn good. In fact, I don't entirely trust that it IS vegetarian...
Um, doesn't the Ben's Chili Bowl at the Reeves Center count as a second store?
i vote for julia's
Veg options? Jesus Christ! Are you insane? This is our Eastern Motors Ballpark!!! Where your job is your credit.
Anyway, yes, a Ben's would be nice as opposed to a damn Kentaco Hut.
I second a Julia's stand.
Peanuts are vegetarian. ;)
ben's is a no brainer. i also agree with adding amsterdam falafel and five guys. yeah, there already is a five guys location down the street, but you can't get a burger from that location once you're in the ballpark, people.
Additionally, I hope they keep Red Hot and Blue... it too is a local chain that I liked from RFK. Personally, I'll take a half smoke over a hot dog any day....
Last time I checked, beer is vegetarian, as well.
another vote for Julia's!
and Ben's and Amsterdam
How about Taqueria Distrito Federale??
Jumbo Slice is also vegetarian.
Jumbo slice isn't vegan though...and it's not vegetarian when it's piled high with several different meats.
Peanuts and beer, that's all you weirdos get. But then, if you drink, maybe I half trust you.
Seriously, veggie? At the ballpark?
Damn vegetarians. Offending my carnivorous sensibilities. Can't you just keep your yucky vegetarian impulses in the closet, where they belong?
I vote for Minoosh!!!
I hope they have enough restroom facilities to accommodate Ben's patrons...Half-smoke, vanilla shake, chili-cheese fries and a slice of cake can be a killer.