Yesterday was a really sad day in the world of Washington, DC food.  Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl Ben Ali died at age 82.  Ben founded the restaurant in 1958 with his wife Virginia.

Whenever I have friends from out-of-town come to DC to visit, Ben’s Chili Bowl is always on top of the list.  Even with all the vast array of cultural heritages at play in DC, Ben’s chili half smokes and chili cheese fries are really the food of Washington, DC.

Ben’s has been around for so much of DC’s history.  Its been there through the good and the bad.

When you walk in, you really feel transported.  Between the Michael Jackson and Motown blasting on the jukebox and the smell of chili cooking, you can help be start feeling amped.

Last night, I was speaking at IgniteDC, which was in the U Street area.  I couldn’t help but feel compelled to go to Ben’s Chili Bowl and have an honorary half smoke.

If you’re in DC and you have 5 places you can eat, it’s definitely on the list of places I think you’d have to go.

There was just tons of coverage of Ben’s passing in the press.  Check it out.

• Slashfood - Ben’s Chili Bowl Founder Ben Ali Dies
• NY Times – Ben Ali, King of the Half-Smoke, Is Dead at 82
• We Love DC – Ben Ali Dies at 82
• Washington City Paper - Despite Founder’s Death, It Was Business As Usual at Ben’s
• DCist – At Ben’s, a Life Remembered
• WUSA9 – Ben Ali, Founder Of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Dies At 82