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A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl.
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl
Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

13 Hearty Half-Smokes Around D.C.

Where to find the District’s signature sausage

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A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl
| Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

Say the word half-smoke, and the first place that typically comes to mind is Ben’s Chili Bowl, the landmark U Street restaurant that’s spent decades dishing out spicy pork and beef sausage links seared on a flat top and served “all the way” with onions, mustard, and chili.

But there plenty of other places to find alternative takes on the iconic dish. From a historic competitor located just across the river to a homegrown sausage maker that simply loves meat, this list has got it covered.

The featured bars and restaurants are not ranked. They are arranged geographically from north to south.

Don’t see a personal favorite on the list? Sound off in the comments or shoot us an email (dc@eater.com).

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Pitmasters Back Alley BBQ

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This Tenleytown spot from the butchering family behind Wagshal’s features a half-smoke that sticks to the script of onion, chili, and cheese — though it does attempt to spruce things up by offering a side of “sidewinders” (fries). The restaurant also offers apple slaw as a side, which can be a tangy complement to the sausage.

Dangling half-smokes at Pitmasters.
Pitmasters [Official photo]

Ben's Chili Bowl (Multiple locations)

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Synonymous with the half-smoke, the original Ben’s has seen the U Street corridor turn from “Black Broadway” into a rough patch of the city and, now, a thriving nightlife district. The late-night crowd has a soft spot for Ben’s, which is an option until 4 a.m. on weekends. Ben’s now has outposts on H Street NE and half-smoke shops at local sports arenas and Reagan National Airport.

SiriusXM Host Joe Madison Honors The Life And Legacy Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., With A Live Broadcast From Ben’s Chili Bowl In Washington, DC Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Halfsmoke

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Steps away from Ben’s, Halfsmoke caters to a younger crowd of Instagram opportunists with playful decor, boozy cocktails, and over-the-top garnishes for milkshakes and bloody marys. The signature half-smoke comes with chili, bacon, mustard, onion crisps, and beer cheese. Other locations are en route to Bethesda and Rockville.

Meats & Foods

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This neighborhood sausage maker located between Shaw and Bloomingdale offers its half-smoke with chili and cheese (classic) or with toppings like bacon, sauerkraut, and pickles. Want more? Sausage links for DIY grilling and take-home chili are for sale, too.

Dcity Smokehouse

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What’s a homegrown barbecue pit to do in a town fixated on half-smokes? Combine the two, of course. DCity smothers its snappy half-smoke in brisket chili, cheddar cheese, red onions, and mustard.

Stachowski's Market

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This butcher shop tucked away on a residential street in Georgetown is popular for its humongous sandwiches. While the pastrami and the “4 meat grinder” are the most popular, there’s also a half-smoke with onions and mustard.

Sweet Home Cafe

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Alongside its po’boys, fried chicken, red velvet cake, and collard greens, the restaurant built into the National Museum of African American History & Culture features its own version of the half-smoke. The only downside? The only way to experience the distinctly D.C. meal involves securing a ticket to the insanely busy museum.

Sweet Home Cafe, the restaurant at The National African American Museum of History and Culture
Inside Sweet Home Cafe
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Union Meat Co

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At this family-owned butcher shop in Eastern Market, you can try two different half-smokes from their cart. A “hot half smoke” and a “mild” both come with a firm sausage that is scored then grilled. The market is also home to revered butcher shop Canales’ Quality Meats, stocked with half-smokes to cook at home.

Eastern Market is home to several destinations for half-smokes.
Eastern Market/official photo

Big Stick

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This Navy Yard sports bar right by Nationals Park sells a Half Street Smoke topped with chili, cheddar, onion, and jalapenos with a side of Old Bay chips.

View this post on Instagram

HALF SMOKE (show), showing off

A post shared by The Big Stick (@thebigstickdc) on

Solace Outpost Navy Yard

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Northern Virginia’s craft beer sensation Solace Brewing Company made a big D.C. debut this year next to Nationals Park with three types of half-smokes on the menu: a classic chili sauce-topped “District,” a sweet-and-spicy “Cobra Kai” and sliced half-smoke atop crispy “Teddy’s” tots. Stachowski Market supplies the brats and all-beef hot dogs to go along with an in-house food program the team calls “elevated ball park” fare. Wash it all down with Solace’s beloved IPAs, beertails, and house spritzes.

Bob & Edith's (Multiple locations)

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This 24-hour Northern Virginia diner now has six locations and is primed for a big expansion. It offers half-smokes as a breakfast meat alongside pancakes or fried eggs or in between a bun for a filling lunch or dinner.

Weenie Beenie

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A Shirlington mainstay for over 60 years, fans of this iconic carry-out know to order their half-smokes “all the way” — which summons a freshly grilled link that’s split right down the middle and topped with chili, onion, relish, and mustard.

Haute Dogs and Fries

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The hot dogs at this Alexandria spot come in a variety of creative takes on classics like Reubens, Chicago dogs, and banh mi. The specialty half-smoke has a great snap to it and is best enjoyed as part of a “Three Piece Suit,” a generous topping of chili, cheese, and onions. It’s also open at Nationals Park.

Pitmasters Back Alley BBQ

This Tenleytown spot from the butchering family behind Wagshal’s features a half-smoke that sticks to the script of onion, chili, and cheese — though it does attempt to spruce things up by offering a side of “sidewinders” (fries). The restaurant also offers apple slaw as a side, which can be a tangy complement to the sausage.

Dangling half-smokes at Pitmasters.
Pitmasters [Official photo]

Ben's Chili Bowl (Multiple locations)

Synonymous with the half-smoke, the original Ben’s has seen the U Street corridor turn from “Black Broadway” into a rough patch of the city and, now, a thriving nightlife district. The late-night crowd has a soft spot for Ben’s, which is an option until 4 a.m. on weekends. Ben’s now has outposts on H Street NE and half-smoke shops at local sports arenas and Reagan National Airport.

SiriusXM Host Joe Madison Honors The Life And Legacy Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., With A Live Broadcast From Ben’s Chili Bowl In Washington, DC Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Halfsmoke

Steps away from Ben’s, Halfsmoke caters to a younger crowd of Instagram opportunists with playful decor, boozy cocktails, and over-the-top garnishes for milkshakes and bloody marys. The signature half-smoke comes with chili, bacon, mustard, onion crisps, and beer cheese. Other locations are en route to Bethesda and Rockville.

Meats & Foods

This neighborhood sausage maker located between Shaw and Bloomingdale offers its half-smoke with chili and cheese (classic) or with toppings like bacon, sauerkraut, and pickles. Want more? Sausage links for DIY grilling and take-home chili are for sale, too.

Dcity Smokehouse

What’s a homegrown barbecue pit to do in a town fixated on half-smokes? Combine the two, of course. DCity smothers its snappy half-smoke in brisket chili, cheddar cheese, red onions, and mustard.

Stachowski's Market

This butcher shop tucked away on a residential street in Georgetown is popular for its humongous sandwiches. While the pastrami and the “4 meat grinder” are the most popular, there’s also a half-smoke with onions and mustard.

Sweet Home Cafe

Alongside its po’boys, fried chicken, red velvet cake, and collard greens, the restaurant built into the National Museum of African American History & Culture features its own version of the half-smoke. The only downside? The only way to experience the distinctly D.C. meal involves securing a ticket to the insanely busy museum.

Sweet Home Cafe, the restaurant at The National African American Museum of History and Culture
Inside Sweet Home Cafe
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Union Meat Co

At this family-owned butcher shop in Eastern Market, you can try two different half-smokes from their cart. A “hot half smoke” and a “mild” both come with a firm sausage that is scored then grilled. The market is also home to revered butcher shop Canales’ Quality Meats, stocked with half-smokes to cook at home.

Eastern Market is home to several destinations for half-smokes.
Eastern Market/official photo

Big Stick

This Navy Yard sports bar right by Nationals Park sells a Half Street Smoke topped with chili, cheddar, onion, and jalapenos with a side of Old Bay chips.

View this post on Instagram

HALF SMOKE (show), showing off

A post shared by The Big Stick (@thebigstickdc) on

Solace Outpost Navy Yard

Northern Virginia’s craft beer sensation Solace Brewing Company made a big D.C. debut this year next to Nationals Park with three types of half-smokes on the menu: a classic chili sauce-topped “District,” a sweet-and-spicy “Cobra Kai” and sliced half-smoke atop crispy “Teddy’s” tots. Stachowski Market supplies the brats and all-beef hot dogs to go along with an in-house food program the team calls “elevated ball park” fare. Wash it all down with Solace’s beloved IPAs, beertails, and house spritzes.

Bob & Edith's (Multiple locations)

This 24-hour Northern Virginia diner now has six locations and is primed for a big expansion. It offers half-smokes as a breakfast meat alongside pancakes or fried eggs or in between a bun for a filling lunch or dinner.

Weenie Beenie

A Shirlington mainstay for over 60 years, fans of this iconic carry-out know to order their half-smokes “all the way” — which summons a freshly grilled link that’s split right down the middle and topped with chili, onion, relish, and mustard.

Haute Dogs and Fries

The hot dogs at this Alexandria spot come in a variety of creative takes on classics like Reubens, Chicago dogs, and banh mi. The specialty half-smoke has a great snap to it and is best enjoyed as part of a “Three Piece Suit,” a generous topping of chili, cheese, and onions. It’s also open at Nationals Park.

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