[/caption]Ben Ali, who founded the U-Street landmark Ben's Chili Bowl, passed away last night at the age of 82.
"He was a true hero of the people and a great example of someone who actually epitomized the American dream," read a statement on the restaurant's website. "He and his loving wife Virginia created a landmark institution in D.C., tantalizing generations of residents and visitors with their spicy chili dogs and half smokes, but more importantly touching people of all walks of life with their exemplary dedication to the D.C. community."
Since 1958 the restaurant has served everyone from students, to celebrities, politicians, tourists, and D.C. residents. You may remember last year when President Barack Obama stopped in to order a half-smoke. Martin Luther King Jr. spent time there, Bill Cosby is a regular, and take a look up at the wall's and you'll see that everyone who is anyone has visited Ben's.
Having studied at Howard University, Ali knew the area and its people well, serving them breakfast, lunch, and dinner for more than 51 years. His business survived race riots and the gentrification that forced other businesses from the area, and while he had retired awhile go with his wife Virginia, he was still a regular at the business that he transformed into a landmark.
Ben's will continue to be run by his sons Kamal and Nizam.
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