Fri, October 09, 2009 - 9:13:31

Changing the World, One Bowl at a Time: Ben Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl Dies at 82

Walk down U street in Washington DC and while many things have changed, you’ll find one familiar place that’s been a mainstay in the dynamic community for over 50 years.  A place that has witnessed cultural revolutions, demographic shifts, crime waves and times of peace; one that has served as host to dignitaries, civil rights leaders, jazz legends, and everyday folks, and one that for five decades people have come to to set aside their differences over one simple thing: a bowl of chili.

Image courtesy of Washington City Paper

Yesterday, people all over the nation mourned the death of Ben Ali, a Washingtonian transplant who began his pursuit of the American dream after immigrating from Trinidad, and owner of the little restaurant at 1213 U Street called Ben’s Chili Bowl.  Serving up a simple menu of chili, half-smokes, burgers, and fries, what began in 1958 as Ali’s initial $5,000 restaurant investment over time, turned into a local institution and a place where people from all walks of life could meet on common ground and share a delicious homemade recipe.

Sticking it out through tough economic times, rioting neighbors (Ben’s Chili Bowl was one of the few stores in the area to survive the looting of the 1968 riots) and construction projects, Ben’s became the one constant in a neighborhood filled with change, and by staying true to its original formula through good times and bad became a place in the community where people felt at home. 

Over the years, Ben’s became a “go-to” restaurant in Washington, DC, attracting media attention and swarms of out-of-towners, while continuing to serve locals and regulars every day.  And the charm of his little restaurant stayed with patrons long after they left.  So, perhaps then, it should come as no surprise that people all across the country and even the world were so saddened to hear of the passing of a food icon.  Even in the high tech world of Twitter, for much of the past two days, one of the most popular topics of conversation has been Ben’s Chili Bowl.  Living on through his restaurant, Ben Ali embodied so much of what the SMALL philosophy is all about: that even with something as simple as a bowl of chili, we can all help to change the world.

Posted by Linda and Robin