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Ben's Chili Bowl: A D.C. Institution

Since it opened in 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has become a part of D.C. and is visited by neighbors, politicians and celebrities alike. The restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary in August 2008.

Throughout the decades, Ben's has become a historical icon on U Street and remains more than a destination for chili half smokes and cheese fries.

Jacquelyn Martin-AP

Ben's opened on Aug. 22, 1958 at the height of "Black Broadway" on U Street. The restaurant remains in the same building today.

Ben's Chili Bowl

In 1958, Ben and Virginia Ali opened the doors to Ben's. Now, their son, Nizam Ali, shown here at 28, runs the family restaurant.

Juana Arias-The Washington Post

Nizam Ali and his brother Kamal are committed to keeping Ben's true to its roots.

Bill O'leary-The Washington Post

D.C. residents clamored to celebrate Ben's 45th anniversary in 2003. It was standing room only for those who wanted to order food at the grill.

Michael Williamson-The Washington Post

Ben's stands for more than just chili. It was one of the only places along U Street to remain open during the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. In 2001, activist Joe Grano got customers to sign a petition in favor of D.C. voting rights.

Mark Gail-The Washington Post

Cashier Jermine Jefferson, center, makes change for James Dolo, left, at the counter. Ben's is one of a shrinking small pool of businesses that does not accept credit cards.

Kevin Clark-The Washington Post

Former Mayor Anthony Williams, right, makes good on a football bet with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels by buying him chili dogs at Ben's Chili Bowl.

James A. Parcell-The Washington Post

Brian Summers, a political activist, campaigned during the presidential primaries for Republican candidate Mike Huckabee from Ben's, a place Summers considered his unofficial headquarters.

Richard A. Lipski-The Washington Post

Comedian Bill Cosby, left, joins Ben Ali, right, and Ali's wife, Virginia, during Ben's 45th anniversary. Cosby has been a long-time supporter of the restaurant.

Dennis Cook-AP

Charlene Hamilton, left, a Ben's employee, laughs with customers who come from Virginia to eat at the counter in 1998.

Juana Arias-The Washington Post

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, left, is shown here at Ben's in 2004 when he was a city councilmember.

Dudley M. Brooks-The Washington Post

Film crews make a set outside of Ben's in 2008 to film for "State of Play," a movie staring Russell Crowe.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

Crowe, left, and consultant R.B. Brenner, a Washington Post editor, on the movie set at Ben's.

Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post

President Obama shakes hands with surprised patrons at Ben's Chili Bowl in January. He ordered a chili half smoke with cheese.

Linda Davidson-The Washington Post

Ben Ali, left, poses with a big Ben's Chili Bowl fan at the 45th anniversary of the restaurant in 2003. Ben holds a wedding photo featuring he and his wife, Virginia, from 1958, the same year that Ben's opened on U Street.

Michael Williamson-The Washington Post

Ben Ali with his wife Virginia in their home in N.W. D.C.

Michael Williamson-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Producer Stephen Cook Photo Editor Stephen Cook, Tom Kennedy

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This Story Hundreds Gather to Celebrate Ben Ali Article \| Ben Ali gave all three of his children the same middle name: His own. BEN ALI 1927-2009: He Added Spice to Our Lives Life Goes On in Rhythm of Ben's Ben's Chili Bowl: A D.C. Institution Ben's Chili Bowl Founder Remembered Fondly LIVES REMEMBERED: Share Your Reflections The Bottomless Bowl of U Street Ben's Celebrates Chili Power This Story Ben's Celebrates Chili Power Article \| It was 1996, and Nizam Ali had just gotten his law degree. Instead of heading to the courtroom, he had another idea: He wanted to help run the family business. Ben's Chili Bowl Founder Remembered Fondly 50 Years of Friends and Chili Ben's Chili Bowl: A D.C. Institution The Bottomless Bowl of U Street Monday, Aug. 25, 11:30 a.m. ET: Ben's Chili Bowl Turns 50 Recipe: Virginia Ali's Catch-a-Man Fried Chicken City Guide: 50th Anniversary Gala City Guide: Block Party City Guide: Concert		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace del.icio.us NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this gallery		More on washingtonpost.com • More Photo News » washingtonpost.com
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