AndyMac.Miller
Ben's Chili Bowl on DC's historic U St.
[excerpted from Ben's Chili Bowl homepage]
On Aug. 22, 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowl was born. It was an exciting time on the U Street corridor, which was then known as "Black Broadway." Top performers could be found playing sets in clubs along the corridor, as well as eating and just "hanging out" at Ben’s. It was not uncommon to see such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Martin Luther King Jr., Donny Hathaway, Roy Ayers or Bill Cosby at "The Bowl."
In 1968, the assassination of Dr. King lit a fuse of rage. Riots ensued. Most of the city closed down; Ben’s remained open. Stokely Carmichael of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was located across the street, obtained special police permission to allow Ben’s to stay open after curfew to provide food and shelter for activists, firefighters and public servants desperately trying to restore order. After the riots, the area was in shambles. Businesses shut down. But there was some glimmer of hope in the neighborhood as the concept of "Black is Beautiful" emerged. Ben’s continued to serve an eclectic crowd of Regulars.
In the 1970's, black films gained in popularity, and the Lincoln Theatre next door was often packed. Still, the effects of the riots continued to take their toll. By the mid 1970's, drug dealers began peddling heroin in open-air drug markets. The once vibrant street looked and felt whipped. Even so, the flame of hope could not be extinguished. Mayor Marion Barry, Jr. had the vision to build the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center at 14th and U Streets. For the first time in years, hundreds of new jobs were created on U Street. In September of 1985, Bill Cosby --who in fact courted his wife Camille here in the early 60’s--held a national press conference at Ben’s Chili Bowl to celebrate his number one rated The Cosby Show, thrusting Ben’s into the national limelight. Business improved and things were looking up, but there were more problems ahead. In 1987, construction began on Metro's Green Line. This section of U Street became nothing more than a 60-foot hole. Business came to a halt overnight. Ben’s made the decision to stay open with only two employees serving Metro workers and faithful regulars each day. Through more than five years of construction and upheaval, Ben’s managed to survive.
After a 50 plus year journey, business is now booming and the Ben’s brand is red hot.
As U Street once again redefines itself, Ben’s will continue its role as the anchor of the neighborhood. The one constant thing Ben’s has had since 1958 has been the most loyal of customers, and we listened when you said, "whatever you do, never change this place." After 51 years, Ben’s is the same place it always has been. The counter, booths and stools are all original; the fresh homemade chili is still made with love, using the same secret recipe. Since President Obama came, the line may have gotten longer but the look and feel of Ben’s will never change. To our customers and especially our regulars, we appreciate you and thank you for supporting Ben's. To those reading this that have yet to come to Ben's, we look forward to seeing you very soon.
Ben's Chili Bowl on DC's historic U St.
[excerpted from Ben's Chili Bowl homepage]
On Aug. 22, 1958, Ben’s Chili Bowl was born. It was an exciting time on the U Street corridor, which was then known as "Black Broadway." Top performers could be found playing sets in clubs along the corridor, as well as eating and just "hanging out" at Ben’s. It was not uncommon to see such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Martin Luther King Jr., Donny Hathaway, Roy Ayers or Bill Cosby at "The Bowl."
In 1968, the assassination of Dr. King lit a fuse of rage. Riots ensued. Most of the city closed down; Ben’s remained open. Stokely Carmichael of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was located across the street, obtained special police permission to allow Ben’s to stay open after curfew to provide food and shelter for activists, firefighters and public servants desperately trying to restore order. After the riots, the area was in shambles. Businesses shut down. But there was some glimmer of hope in the neighborhood as the concept of "Black is Beautiful" emerged. Ben’s continued to serve an eclectic crowd of Regulars.
In the 1970's, black films gained in popularity, and the Lincoln Theatre next door was often packed. Still, the effects of the riots continued to take their toll. By the mid 1970's, drug dealers began peddling heroin in open-air drug markets. The once vibrant street looked and felt whipped. Even so, the flame of hope could not be extinguished. Mayor Marion Barry, Jr. had the vision to build the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center at 14th and U Streets. For the first time in years, hundreds of new jobs were created on U Street. In September of 1985, Bill Cosby --who in fact courted his wife Camille here in the early 60’s--held a national press conference at Ben’s Chili Bowl to celebrate his number one rated The Cosby Show, thrusting Ben’s into the national limelight. Business improved and things were looking up, but there were more problems ahead. In 1987, construction began on Metro's Green Line. This section of U Street became nothing more than a 60-foot hole. Business came to a halt overnight. Ben’s made the decision to stay open with only two employees serving Metro workers and faithful regulars each day. Through more than five years of construction and upheaval, Ben’s managed to survive.
After a 50 plus year journey, business is now booming and the Ben’s brand is red hot.
As U Street once again redefines itself, Ben’s will continue its role as the anchor of the neighborhood. The one constant thing Ben’s has had since 1958 has been the most loyal of customers, and we listened when you said, "whatever you do, never change this place." After 51 years, Ben’s is the same place it always has been. The counter, booths and stools are all original; the fresh homemade chili is still made with love, using the same secret recipe. Since President Obama came, the line may have gotten longer but the look and feel of Ben’s will never change. To our customers and especially our regulars, we appreciate you and thank you for supporting Ben's. To those reading this that have yet to come to Ben's, we look forward to seeing you very soon.