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Where to Celebrate National Chili Day

To celebrate National Chili Day -- because really, what'sto celebrate about it? -- we've rounded up 8 of our favorite spots around town sure to satisfy any chili connoisseur. There's even one spot offering a free bowl today only.
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Happy National Chili Day!

Whether you like your chili over spaghetti, in a casserole, served on top of rice or Obama-style, we can all agree that there's nothing better than a steaming bowl of chili on a winter day.

To celebrate National Chili Day -- because really, what's not to celebrate about it? -- we've rounded up 8 of our favorite spots around town sure to satisfy any chili connoisseur. There's even one spot offering a free bowl today only.

Now let the debate about beans or no beans begin!

National Chili Day
Ben's Chili Bowl(01 of08)
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No conversation about chili in D.C. can leave off Ben's Chili Bowl, a U Street landmark since 1958. Ben's is famous for its Original Chili Half-Smoke:"Our signature dish! Experience the Chili Half-Smoke, originally made famous by Ben’s in 1958 and a favorite of Mr. Cosby’s since the early 60’s. We put this 1/4lb. half pork and beef smoked sausage on a warm steamed bun and top it with mustard, onions and our spicy homemade chili sauce. There are few culinary delights better at any price. Want it well done? Have yours split and grilled on request." (credit:Alamy)
Hard Times Cafe(02 of08)
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With 17 locations in the D.C. area, Hard Times Cafe is guaranteed to have a location near you. Even better, the restaurant is offering a free bowl of chili with any purchase on National Chili Day. Try the Terlingua Red: "A tribute to the Texas ghost town that hosted the first Chili cook-off. A redder color and spicy kick of championship chilies." (credit:Alamy)
Hill Country Barbecue(03 of08)
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What goes well with a plate of meat? How about more meat? That's the philosophy at Hill Country Barbecue, where you can add a side of Texas red chili (named EAK’s Bowl of Red after executive chef Elizabeth Karmel) to your platter of barbecue. The chili "could be a meal in itself," said the New York Times, and we don't disagree. (credit:Alamy)
Dangerously Delicious Pies(04 of08)
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Try chili in pie form at both Dangerously Delicious Pies' H Street location and its roving food truck. For something savory, get the steak chili pie:"Steak, onions, tomatoes, kidney beans and all the right spices make this one amazing pie." (credit:Flickr: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/4784628324/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Mr. T in DC" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be4690de4b0564518c37fbc" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_t_in_dc/4784628324/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Mr. T in DC</a>)
District Commons(05 of08)
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We love the bean-free Texas chili at District Commons in Foggy Bottom. This side dish is served up simply with the "usual suspects" and cornbread. (credit:District Commons)
Ted's Montana Grill(06 of08)
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Go lean with the bison chili at Ted's Montana Grill, which has three locations in the Virginia 'burbs. The bison comes from Ted Turner's 113,613-acre Flying D Ranch in southwest Montana. Why bison? A 3.5-ounce serving has about 2.5 grams of fat compared to 8 to 18.5 grams for the same amount of beef. (credit:Ted's Montana Grill)
Sticky Fingers(07 of08)
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Vegetarians, you can celebrate National Chili Day too! Try Sticky Fingers Bakery's veggie chili ("hearty & wholesome with black beans, kidney beans, veggies & chipotle, spiced to perfection") or go whole hog, so to speak, with the ChiliDog ("veggie dog drenched in our hearty veggie chilli & Daiya cheese in an organic, whole wheat bun"). (credit:Flickr: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tryveg/8043946096/" role="link" rel="nofollow" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Compassion Over Killing" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5be4690de4b0564518c37fbc" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tryveg/8043946096/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="7">Compassion Over Killing</a>)
Tops American Food Company(08 of08)
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Get chili on the go at Tops American Food Company's food truck. Along with chili, the truck serves up locally-sourced, preservative- and additive-free sausages from Logan Sausage in Alexandria. (credit:Alamy)

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