DC Landmark Ben's Chili Bowl Recognized By PETA For Nation's Best Vegan Chili

WASHINGTON, DC — Ben’s Chili Bowl landed the top award in PETA’s best vegan chili competition. The Norfolk-based animal rights organization said it scoured the nation for the best and heartiest vegan chili dishes and determined that Ben’s Chili Bowl was unmatched in its excellence.

The restaurant's vegan chili is a thick stew made from fresh veggies, kidney beans, soy protein and a rich blend of spices.

“Vegan chili is the ultimate comfort food, and the dishes on our list come with the comforting thought that no animals were harmed to make them,” said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA celebrates Ben’s Chili Bowl for helping people tuck into their favorite foods without the cruelty or the cholesterol.”

Ben's Chili Bowl has several locations across the area, with the original spot at 1213 U St. NW.

PETA also noted that vegan meat sales increased 148 percent in 2020 compared to the year before and that 47 percent of Americans want to incorporate more vegan foods into their meals in 2021, according to a survey.

Other honorees in PETA’s best vegan chili contest were Plant Bae in Montgomery, Alabama; Arles & Boggs Vegan Eatery in Wallingford, Connecticut; House of Leaf & Bean in Jacksonville, Florida; The Grit in Athens, Georgia; and The Social Vegan in Lexington, Kentucky.

Each eatery, including Ben's Chili Bowl, will receive a framed certificate from PETA.