Ben's Next Door

Shrimp and Grits are the reason why I love this place. Im a huge fan of shrimp but not so much of grits....Trust me, I loved theyre grits. They make it with just the right amount of seasonings and the shrimp is flavorful. I am never disappointed. My summer nights or chill weather meal.

I hadn't been to this place in years when I stopped by one Thursday night. I went because a woman who I met at another restaurant, who's also a self-confessed Foodie, claimed Ben's Next Door Shrimp-n-Grits were the BEST she ever had.

When a Foodie says something is the BEST they ever had, one takes notice. So, I dropped in after a LONG day at work during this Government Shutdown madness. I hadn't eaten anything all day except a banana nut slice of bread from Starbucks and a Grande White Mocha, so I was pretty hungry. No, I was STARVING!

I walk in at about 6 or 7ish pm. The place was pretty full, but it was happy hour. The first half of the place is all bar. Bar on the right and pub tables that fit 2-3 people on the left. Plenty of TVs. Some on ESPN, while others were on CNN. As a news junky who doesn't know the difference between football and soccer, I was a bit elated I didn't have to do my normal "Excuse me, Mr. Bartender. Can you please put one of those TVs on CNN?" The bar was pretty packed, but I was able to find a lone seat at the end of the bar. I don't recommend sitting at the end (the furthest away from the door), because the bartender down there is also responsible for making the drinks for the seated patrons, so he/she is typically busy. Add to the fact the young guy working that night was SLOW didn't help matters, and I was HUNGRY... no STARVING!!

I ordered my signature drink: Champagne with St. Germaine. After 15 minutes, my drink finally came. What I also noticed is the regulars (one was sitting next to me) get prompt attention. They just look up and people come running.

Anywho... I ordered the $5.50 (why the 50 cents, people) wings from the Happy Hour menu. The HH menu is very small. Wine, beer, wings, and a few other bar foods not worthy of nothing. And then I ordered the shrimp and grits.

The "regular" sitting next to me advised against the BBQ version of the wings. He actually recommended the Asian wings. I got the HOT wings. If you like your wings spicy, go with Hot. They weren't too hot, but they had a slight "Umph" to them. When they arrived I noticed I didn't have as many wings as the "regular" sitting next me. I guess the HH special is a smaller portion. The wings were just AIGHT. Nothing special or spectacular. Now keep in mind, I was STARVING, so you'd think I'd be raving about them, because usually when I eat something when I'm really hungry it tastes really GOOD (as my judgment is tainted since I'm really HUNGRY)... nah... just "Eh."

The shrimp and grits came out and they were OK. I really didn't get the big deal. I was disappointment in the dish, because I can almost guarantee that the baby shrimp used in the dish are frozen bagged shrimp. They were not fresh at all. I wasn't disappointed in the self-proclaimed Foodie who recommended the dish, per se, because I've been hard pressed to find a good shrimp and grits dish since the Meridian Restaurant on Georgia Avenue and Missouri in Brightwood closed back in 2008. The only thing I've found that remotely comes close are the Shrimp-n-Grits at Matchbox on Capitol Hill.

The mojitos are good, they have turkey chilli dogs, sweet potato fries and a good bar atmosphere.  What's not to like?!

Seating can be tough based on when you go, but if you can find a spot at the bar, its not that bad of a wait.