The new hot dog district – 18th and U.

March 31, 2007
Ben’s Chili Bowl has been the mainstay of DC’s hotdog scene since 1958, without much competition save Hot Diggity Dog, gone since the early 80’s (or late 70’s?). Now we have M’Dawg’s, just up the hill from Ben’s. I decided to check out Ben’s competition.

Blue skies beamed on us on Friday, a school holiday. Teddy and I took advantage with a great day out. After a stroll around the tidal basin to inhale the delicate beauty of the cherry blossoms, a sloppy hot dog buried in a blanket of fixins was the sensory antithesis we needed to balance our day.

We took some snapshots and also some ketchup-coated notes.

M’Dawgs was peaceful at noon on a Friday, but I would venture a guess that it rocks on a weekend night. Also to be noted, while we loved M’Dawg’s, it is no Ben’s. You’ve got to be around for at least 50 years to achieve that kind of status.