Ben's Chili Bowl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ben's Chili Bowl |
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Ben's Chili Bowl, Northwest Washington, D.C.
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | August 22, 1958 |
| Current owner(s) | Virginia Ali |
| Food type | American |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Rating | Yelp:    Zagat: 22 out of 30 (Food) |
| Street address | 1213 U Street, NW |
| City | Washington, D.C. |
| Coordinates | 38°55′02″N 77°01′44″W / 38.9172°N 77.0288°W |
| Website | |
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Minnehaha Nickelodeon Theater
(now Ben's Chili Bowl) |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Built | 1909 |
| Built by | District Amusement Company |
| Architect | P.A. Hurlehaus |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Part of | Greater U Street Historic District (ID98001557) |
| Significant dates | |
| Designated CP | December 31, 1998 |
Ben's Chili Bowl is a famous restaurant in Washington, D.C.. It is located on U Street, next to the historic Lincoln Theatre. The restaurant is well-known for its chili dogs, half-smokes (a type of sausage), and milkshakes.
Since it opened in 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has been an important part of its neighborhood. It stayed open to serve the community during the difficult 1968 Washington, D.C., riots. Many famous people have eaten there, including President Barack Obama, comedian Chris Tucker, and chef Anthony Bourdain.
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History of a Neighborhood Icon
A "Black Broadway" Landmark
Ben's Chili Bowl was opened on August 22, 1958, by Ben Ali and his fiancée, Virginia Rollins. Ben had come to the U.S. from Trinidad to study at Howard University. He and Virginia got married just seven weeks after opening their restaurant.
The building they chose was special. It used to be the Minnehaha, Washington's first theater for silent movies, which opened in 1911. Much of the furniture inside Ben's is still the original furniture from the 1950s.
In those days, U Street was called "Black Broadway" because it was a center for African American culture and entertainment. Famous jazz musicians like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Nat King Cole would often eat at Ben's after their shows at nearby clubs.
Surviving Hard Times
In April 1968, riots broke out in Washington, D.C., after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Many businesses in the U Street area were damaged. However, civil rights leader Stokely Carmichael asked Ben to keep the restaurant open.
Ben's Chili Bowl got special permission to stay open past the city's curfew. It served food to police officers, firefighters, and activists who were all working during the unrest. To protect the restaurant, Ben wrote "Soul Brother" on the window, hoping it would show that they were part of the community.
After the riots, the neighborhood went through a difficult period for many years. Many businesses and residents left. Ben's Chili Bowl had to reduce its staff to just one employee. But the Ali family stayed. Their son Kamal said the restaurant was like a neighborhood barbershop, a place where people could gather and talk.
A Modern Comeback
Things began to change for the better in the 1990s. A new Metro station, the U Street station, was built right across the street. While the construction caused other businesses to close, Ben's stayed open and served the construction workers.
The new Metro line and a safer neighborhood helped U Street to grow again. Starting in the early 1990s, business at Ben's Chili Bowl improved every year. The restaurant was able to hire more people, growing to a staff of 20.
In 2007, the owners of Ben's led a group of local businesses to switch to 100% wind energy. This showed their commitment to helping the environment and the community.
Famous Food and Famous Friends
Ben's Chili Bowl is loved by a wide variety of people, from students to business professionals. Its simple, delicious food has attracted customers for decades.
The most famous item on the menu is the chili half-smoke. A half-smoke is a type of sausage that is a local favorite in Washington, D.C. At Ben's, it's grilled and served in a bun, then covered with their signature spicy chili.
Celebrity Visitors
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Comedian Bill Cosby was one of the restaurant's earliest famous customers. He started eating there in 1958 and even brought his future wife, Camille, on dates to Ben's. A sign in the restaurant long stated that Bill Cosby was the only person who could eat there for free.
On November 3, 2008, a new sign was added to include "the Obama family." In January 2009, just before he became president, Barack Obama visited and ate at Ben's. A large mural featuring Cosby was on the side of the building for many years, but it was removed in 2017.
Many other celebrities, like actor Chris Tucker and musician Bono, have also visited. When news anchor Ted Koppel retired from his show Nightline, he had his farewell party at Ben's. The restaurant has also been a popular spot for politicians. It's said that no one can run for office in D.C. without visiting Ben's.
Ben's Chili Bowl Today
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Ben's Chili Bowl continues to be a beloved institution in Washington, D.C., run by the Ali family.
New Locations and Legacy
In 2008, Ben's opened a second location inside Nationals Park, the city's baseball stadium. In 2009, Ben's sons, Nizam and Kamal, opened a new restaurant right next to the original called Ben's Next Door. It offers a different menu and atmosphere but stays true to the family's values.
Ben Ali passed away in 2009 at the age of 82. The city mourned his death, and the mayor called him and his restaurant "one of the greatest treasures in the District of Columbia." In his honor, the alley next to the restaurant was renamed "Ben Ali Way."
Awards and Recognition
Ben's Chili Bowl has received many honors. In 2004, the prestigious James Beard Foundation called it one of America's Classics, an award for restaurants with timeless appeal. Food writers have praised its half-smokes, chili, and sweet potato pie. In 2009, Bon Appétit magazine named it one of the ten best chili spots in the country.
The restaurant has also been featured in movies like The Pelican Brief and State of Play, as well as many TV shows and books.
See also
In Spanish: Ben's Chili Bowl para niños
- List of James Beard America's Classics
