The Half Smoke

Yesterday I went to my first ever opening day baseball game. It was awesome. The Nationals, everyone’s root-when-you’re-away-from-your-home-team team, lost. It’s not all doom and gloom. They have Jayson Werth now, who went 1 for 4 and more importantly knows what’s it’s like to win. I think this will be important for the team…to expect to win.

I digress.

As any baseball fan will tell you, going to the game is as much about the experience of the ballpark as it is about the actual game. While I missed a few Yankees traditions (Frank Sinatra, bleacher creatures, YMCA in-field cleaning, old guy banging the metal pot) there are some things that are standard, most especially the cuisine de ballpark: cold watery beer and a hotdog. Modern ballparks have lots more options of course and even have nice restaurants, but hotdogs are by far the most abundant option. I think that’s because it’s a critical part of the tradition.

Food curiosity did get the better of me and since there were no circulating hotdog vendors, I soon found myself in line for Ben’s Chili Bowl. It’s not the original, which located on U Street, but I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone. I’d get my hotdog and the ultimate food tourist experience in DC: Ben’s Chili Bowl.

Earlier in the week, at Eastern Market, I experienced the half smoke for the first time. I have absolutely no idea what the history of this premium sausage is, but I do know it’s taken pretty reverently here in DC. And for good reason; it was freaking delicious. Hayden and I shared one and then quickly shared another, fighting for each bite.

So when I FINALLY reached the top of the queue at Ben’s (2 innings later!) I went for the Chili Half Smoke “All the way,” which included chili, mustard and cheese whiz. Not to stray too far from tradition, I also ordered a regular chili dog and a Coor’s Light. The Half Smoke, when I finally reached it underneath all of the processed cheese and chili, was good. I don’t think it was as good as the one in Eastern Market, because of all of the “all the way” stuff on it. And it turns out I may just not be a fan of chili. I make chili from time to time, but I realize I make bourgeois chili: turkey or three bean, etc. To have stewed beef chili is a different story. I don’t hate it, but for all of those calories and the digestive roller coaster I could skip it.

As I settled into my more traditional hotdog and back into the game, I felt more satisfied. I think it’s because the Hebrew national dog could compete with and even break through all of the riff raff piled on top of it. In the end that’s what I wanted. I wanted the taste of a ketchupy, mustardy dog, washed down with beer while shouting “swing batter” and watching the Nats turn two.


Kitchen notes: Made fan favorite Sweet Potato topped with fresh turkey spinach and feta sausage and curried yogurt. What a week for sausage! Delicious and unlike the half smoke, turkey sausage is low fat. That combined with super food sweet potato makes this dinner a new healthy regular in the rotation.

Also on deck: broiled catfish. The simplest and best way to cook fish. Place in greased pan, top with coconut milk, lemon juice, fresh herbs (dill, cilantro), pepper and onions. Delicious!