Tujague Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Ben Ali, founder of Ben's Chili Bowl. This maybe needs its own topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithstg Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 It surely does. Rest in peace, Mr. Ali. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tujague Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Is it too much to say that we likely would not be chatting on this board about the U and 14th St. restaurant scene if it were not for Ben Ali and his tenacious commitment to that neighborhood for fifty years? Say what you will about the food, it was Ben's endurance that anchored and enabled the rennaissance there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Is it too much to say that we likely would not be chatting on this board about the U and 14th St. restaurant scene if it were not for Ben Ali and his tenacious commitment to that neighborhood for fifty years? Say what you will about the food, it was Ben's endurance that anchored and enabled the rennaissance there. That might be a little much, yes. But he was good guy and helped keep a little piece of pre-riot DC in place even in the post-yuppie era and that's wonderful thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 My heart goes out to the Ali family. I think it's a nice time to remember "Ben's Chili Bowl," by Walter Irving Ray, Jr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deangold Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I have only been once and I am glad to have experienced a bit of DC's history. One measure of a person is the feeling that is felt by those left beihnd. While his enterprise is a source of pride, he is a genuinely loved individual by so many. That speaks volumes. Hopefully, now he can enjoy a half smoke... I hope we don't have to watch our cholesterol in the next life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannah Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 A very nice writeup in the Guardian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitman Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 A very nice writeup in the Guardian. Once, years ago, then-Commerce Secretary Ron Brown broke protocol (with a little help from me, I admit) and roiled the international currency markets. In response, he said, "you know you've come a long way from your Harlem roots when you write one sentence and the yen goes down." I wonder if Mr. Ali ever thought they'd be writing about him in England when he passed away. Under appreciated -- breakfast at Ben's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 A public memorial service will be held this Friday: Celebration of LifeFriday, October 16th, 12 noon Lincoln Theater 1215 U Street (next to Ben's) In lieu of flowers the Ali Family asks that you support The Ben's Chili Bowl Family Foundation 1213 U Street, N.W., D.C. Washington, D.C., 20009 a non-profit organization Information from Tim Carman's Young & Hungry blog, and from the Ben's Chili Bowl website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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