What does PETA think of Ben’s Chili Bowl?

Ben’s Chili Bowl is a lot of things to a lot of people, but vegetarians aren’t the first people that come to mind.

PETA, whose motto is “animals are not ours to eat,” actually gives Ben’s, the home of half smokes and beef chili burgers, a ringing endorsement, giving it a Best of Reagan Award to hang on the wall of its new restaurant at Reagan National Airport.

It cites other Ben’s menu items, including a veggie burger topped with meat-free chili.

“PETA’s Best of Reagan Award on Ben’s wall will let animal-friendly and health-conscious travelers know that they can find a hearty, tasty, cruelty-free meal,” PETA president Ingrid Newkirk says.

The award was to be presented at the National Airport Ben’s Tuesday afternoon.

Ben’s menu also includes a veggie burger sub, a veggie dog and a rice bowl.

Ben’s Chili Bowl opened its National Airport location, in the pre-security level of the B/C Terminal, with great fanfare July 23. In March, Ben’s opened its second location, on Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn.

A Ben’s Chili Bowl and associated bar, Ben’s Upstairs, is expected to open on H Street NE sometime this year. There’s also a Ben’s at FedEx Field and Nationals Park.

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