D.C. cupcake business to open with Ben’s Chili Bowl airport location

WASHINGTON — Sweet and savory may be the theme of the new Ben’s Chili Bowl set to open in the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

D.C.’s iconic chili spot, set to open in 2014, will partner with Savannah Cupcake at the airport location.

D.C.’s small batch cupcake company has signed on to be the Ben’s Chili Bowl sole dessert vendor at the airport. Savannah Cupcake will provide six desserts including red velvet, double chocolate, sweet potato pie and pineapple coconut.

Co-owner of Savannah Cupcake Bambi Frazier says it is an honor to be associated with Ben’s Chili Bowl.

“When I think of their reputation that has been going 50 plus years strong, and how they have their choice of any vendor in the city … I’m so thrilled that they chose us. Ben’s is a big deal in this area, and we will make sure our desserts live up to the quality Ben’s customers have come to expect over the decades,” Bambi said in a news release.

While chili and cupcake may not be a logical combinations, Bambi says the treats will be a sweet surprise at the end of a hearty meal from Ben’s.

“I think that everyone wants something sweet after they’ve had a meal, and these will be in a container so people can take them right on the plane with them,” Bambi said. “[Customers] can get a little bit of everything.”

The cost for cupcakes has not yet been determined, although they typically cost $3 per cupcake, Bambi says.

There has been a long-time connection between the companies.

Bambi’s husband and Savannah Cupcakes co-owner, Chan Frazier — a D.C. native — grew up going to the Ben’s location on U Street. As a child, he would often go to the store to get the half smoke for his mom and treat himself to a “chili cheese burger sub, with fries on the side,” according to the release.

Also, the Fraziers created the pineapple-coconut cupcake at the request of Ben’s Chili Bowl co-owner, Kamal Ali.

Ben’s Chili Bowl is part of an expansion at Reagan National Airport, which includes other restaurants such as American Tap Room, Legal Sea Foods and Pinkberry. New retailers for Reagan National include Brighton Collectibles, Lacoste, Spanx and Vineyard Vines.

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