PETA Celebrates Ben’s Chili Bowl Reopening with Vegan Chili Dogs Delivery to DC City Council

For Immediate Release:
May 1, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

As Washington celebrated Ben’s Chili Bowl’s grand reopening on U Street today, PETA was on the scene to honor the D.C. landmark’s commitment to offering multiple vegan options—including vegan chili, hot dogs, and burgers and delivered a lunchtime spread from its favorite carry out to members of the DC City Council. Additional photos are available here.

“From hearty vegan chili to plant-powered hot dogs with all the fixings, Ben’s dishes out D.C. comfort food that even the staunchest carnivore can’t resist,” says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. “This iconic restaurant won a PETA award years ago and our DC headquarters regularly enjoys their vegan vittles as we know lots of other DCites do!”

In the meat industry, cows, pigs, and other animals—who feel pain and fear just as humans do—are raised in filthy, crowded conditions and violently killed. Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year, dramatically shrinks their food-related carbon footprint, and slashes their risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and obesity.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and thirst, a chicken is a dog is a boy. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.