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Thursday, October 8, 2009

R.I.P Ben Ali


October 8, 2009) - Ben Ali, co-founder and patriarch of the historic U Street eatery Ben’s Chili Bowl, died Wednesday evening of congestive heart failure, according to a Washington Post report. He was 82.

The Washington City Paper reports Ali had recently returned from a cruise with his wife and the two were prepared to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary.

Born in Trinidad, Ali opened the popular restaurant with his wife Virginia in 1958 amid a climate of racial turmoil, and was the only U Street business to withstand the 1968 riots.

Over the years the chili bowl has become an iconic representation of the District, with celebrities like Bill Cosby making frequent visits.

During the 1950s entertainment legends like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald were regulars. Earlier this year President Barack Obama created a frenzy when he visited the restaurant and ordered its signature half-smoke with chili and chips.