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
