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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

by Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
A half-smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl
| Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.
by Eater Staff Updated

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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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.

4818 Yuma St NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 350-9791
(202) 350-9791
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.

1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-0909
(202) 667-0909
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

Also featured in:

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.

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 518-3181
(202) 518-3181
[R. Lopez]

Also featured in:

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.

247 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 505-1384
(202) 505-1384
Meats & Foods [official]

Also featured in:

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.

203 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 733-1919
(202) 733-1919

Also featured in:

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.

1425 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 506-3125
(202) 506-3125

Also featured in:

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.

200 15th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 633-1000
(202) 633-1000
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.

225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 547-2626
(202) 547-2626
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.

20 M St SE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 750-7724
(202) 750-7724
View this post on Instagram

HALF SMOKE (show), showing off

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

Also featured in:

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.

71 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 652-1528
(202) 652-1528

Also featured in:

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.

2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA
(703) 920-6103
(703) 920-6103
Bob & Edith’s [official]

Also featured in:

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.

2680 Shirlington Rd, Arlington, VA 22206
703-671-6661
703-671-6661

Also featured in:

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.

610 Montgomery St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-3891
(703) 548-3891

Also featured in:

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Pitmasters Back Alley BBQ

4818 Yuma St NW, Washington, DC 20016

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.

4818 Yuma St NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 350-9791
(202) 350-9791
Dangling half-smokes at Pitmasters.
Pitmasters [Official photo]

Ben's Chili Bowl (Multiple locations)

1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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.

1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-0909
(202) 667-0909
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

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

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.

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 518-3181
(202) 518-3181
[R. Lopez]

Meats & Foods

247 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

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.

247 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 505-1384
(202) 505-1384
Meats & Foods [official]

Dcity Smokehouse

203 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

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.

203 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 733-1919
(202) 733-1919

Stachowski's Market

1425 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

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.

1425 28th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 506-3125
(202) 506-3125

Sweet Home Cafe

200 15th St NW, Washington, D.C.

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.

200 15th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 633-1000
(202) 633-1000
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

225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

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.

225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 547-2626
(202) 547-2626
Eastern Market is home to several destinations for half-smokes.
Eastern Market/official photo

Big Stick

20 M St SE, Washington, D.C.

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.

20 M St SE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 750-7724
(202) 750-7724
View this post on Instagram

HALF SMOKE (show), showing off

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

Solace Outpost Navy Yard

71 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

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.

71 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 652-1528
(202) 652-1528

Bob & Edith's (Multiple locations)

2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA

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.

2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA
(703) 920-6103
(703) 920-6103
Bob & Edith’s [official]

Weenie Beenie

2680 Shirlington Rd, Arlington, VA 22206

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.

2680 Shirlington Rd, Arlington, VA 22206
703-671-6661
703-671-6661

Haute Dogs and Fries

610 Montgomery St, Alexandria, VA 22314

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.

610 Montgomery St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-3891
(703) 548-3891

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