Jeni Britton Bauer gave up her art studies at Ohio State University to persue her passion for food. Now, as the owner of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, she makes frozen art for your mouth. Let's taste what many consider the country's best ice cream.

There's a place called Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street in Washington D.C. that's been the talk of the town since 1958. Ben's half-smokes and chili sauce — a riff on the traditional chili dog — has been raved over by the rich and famous and showcased on any number of popular cable food programs. I've always wanted to…