D.C. residents young and old came out to celebrate 65 years of chili dogs, burgers and all manner of good eats at the original Ben’s Chili Bowl location on U Street Tuesday afternoon.
Half-smokes for all! Local leaders, foodies celebrate Ben’s Chili Bowl’s 65th anniversary
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The stage outside of the original Ben’s Chili Bowl on the 65th anniversary.
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
The founding Ali family has welcomed people from all walks of life since 1958, and Tuesday, they showed their appreciation by feeding everyone who came — amid music, friendship and overall good vibes.
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The Ali family stand on the stage outside of the original Ben’s Chili Bowl on its 65th anniversary.
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
Co-founder Virginia Ali, who many of Tuesday’s guest speakers called the “matriarch of homegrown business” in D.C., said she has nothing but gratitude for the community.
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Jason Wright, President of the Washington Commanders, grabs a picture with Ben’s Chili Bowl co-founder Virginia Ali.
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
Going on her 90th year, Ali said she’s served everyone from presidents to athletes to movie stars. Her approach is to “treat everybody the way you would want to be treated, and you won’t have a problem.”
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An attendee of the celebration at Ben’s Chili Bowl’s 65th anniversary.
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
But there was a lot of talk at Tuesday’s 65th anniversary about how Ben’s has also given back to the community and fed those with nothing when they had nowhere else to turn.
“I didn’t know I was giving back,” Ali said. “I was just doing what I love doing. I love people. I’m energized by people … so if that was giving back, then I guess I gave back.”
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Co-founder Virginia Ali told WTOP’s Matt Kaufax, “I’m not a person that likes a lot of limelight. But I like to talk about my chili bowl.”
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
The constant refrain Tuesday was “65 years more!” with Ali saying her business isn’t slowing down anytime soon, even if she might need a breather.
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Grillmaster Craig and other employees turned out hot dogs for Ben’s Chili Bowl fans as they celebrated the shop’s 65th anniversary.
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
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The original Ben’s Chili Bowl sits at the intersections of two streets named after the historic D.C. restaurant.
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
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Local leaders, including acting D.C. police chief Pamela Smith, spoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl’s 65th anniversary.
(WTOP/Matt Kaufax)
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