Ben Ali, Founder of Ben's Chili Bowl in D.C., Dies at 82
By Deena Bustillo
on

Ben Ali, founder of Ben's Chili Bowl, a famed restaurant in Washington D.C.'s U Street neighborhood, died at age 82 of natural causes yesterday. The restaurant has been serving up their signature chili dogs since 1958. The luncheonette-style restaurant survived the riots in the '60s to go on to become a hot spot for locals and celebrities. It's been said that Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole all ate at the restaurant. Most recently, Bill Cosby stopped by for a meal...Read Full Story
Overview

Ben Ali, the co-founder of the famous Washington D.C. eatery Ben's Chili Bowl, died at age 82 in October 2009 of natural causes. The restaurant is in D.C.'s U Street neighborhood and has been around since 1958. Celebs such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole visited the restaurant in the past, and President Obama had lunch there...more
Ben Ali, the co-founder of the famous Washington D.C. eatery Ben's Chili Bowl, died at age 82 in October 2009 of natural causes. The restaurant is in D.C.'s U Street neighborhood and has been around since 1958. Celebs such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole visited the restaurant in the past, and President Obama had lunch there in January 2009.