BCB News!
April 19, 2010 - Ben's Franchising???
Ben's Franchising??? Well that's the plan! After considerable thought, time and energy, the Ali Family would like to announce that we are seriously exploring franchising Ben's. To that end, before we launch the waiting list for franchises, we are looking to build the team that will help us franchise. So, if you have successfully grown a franchise, own multiple franchises and/or seek to join or lend your expertise to the growth of Ben's, please send us an email with your contact information, your company name and background, and how you feel you can help Ben's franchise successfully to franchise@benschilibowl.com. We are looking at building and hiring a team for the long term. For people with extensive knowledge and education that will work with us to build and grow Ben's to other markets nationally and internationally. If this is you and you would like to be a part of our legacy and history, we want to hear from you.
April 13, 2010 - Ben's on Twitter?
Yep, follow us on Twitter @benschilibowl
Follow Ben's Next Door @bensnextdoor and on Facebook at Ben's Next Door Crew
April 1, 2010 - Ben's Launches Apps 4 Ben's Contest How cool would it be for Ben's Chili Bowl to have an iPhone App? Well the Ali Family is seeking help from developers and has launched the Apps4Bens contest. All the details can be found at www.apps4bens.com
March 30,2010 - French President Sarkozy Eats at Ben's!
What a surprise as the President of France and his family come to Ben's while in town to meet with President Obama. Sharing some common ground the Sarkozy's had chili half-smokes among other Ben's favorites. February 26, 2010 - Visitors Center Now Open!
Today marks another historical day for Ben's Chili Bowl with the opening of the Greater U Street Visitors Center. The center was created through a partnership between Cultural Tourism DC and Ben's Chili Bowl. Located on the second floor above Ben's Next Door, the center features historical timelines of both U Street and Washington D.C., has brochures of many points of interests in and around Ben's and has a cool photo exhibit. Please take a moment to see this new center we have created for you.
February 17, 2010 - Visitors Center to Open Soon
Ben's Chili Bowl and Curtural Tourism DC have teamed up to open the Greater U Street Visitors Center on Feb. 26th on the second floor above Ben's Next Door and right next to Ben's Chili Bowl. The center will house information of historical sites, theaters, museums, live music venues and other great sites to see in and around Ben's Chili Bowl and around the city. Get the coolest information of what to do in our city at our visitors center.
October 19th, 2009 - Ben's Chili Bowl on Man vs. Food!
Ben's Chili Bowl will be featured this Wednesday at 10pm on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food at 10pm. This episode on D.C. is dedicated to Ben Ali by the Man vs. Food show, Adam and the show's producers.
October 8, 2009 - Ben Ali dies at age 82
Our beloved founder, husband, father, grandfather and friend Ben Ali passed away last night at his home in Washington. He began Ben's Chili Bowl on Aug. 22, 1958 with his wife Virginia. He will be terribly missed but his legacy lives on in his family and in Ben's Chili Bowl.
July 6, 2009 - Ben's Begins Shipping Nationwide!
The website is finished and the product is ready to go! Customers and fans of Ben's can now order our famous chili half-smokes, chili dogs, chili con carne, veggie chili, t-shirts, hats, aprons and more, all from www.benschilibowl.com All food shipments are sent via FexEx Home Delivery, Next Day Air or 2nd Day Air to your address of choice. Send the perfect gift this holiday season, send some food from Ben's!
June 15, 2009 - Ben's Gift Shop is Now Open!
For those coming to Ben's for the first time, you can now take some Ben's gear home. Ben's has open a gift shop right next door to Ben's Chili Bowl on the 2nd floor which features all of Ben's souveniers. From mugs to aprons to key chains and hats, show off your visit to Ben's Chili Bowl with some authentic Ben's Chili Bowl merchandise. Just ask your server or enter through the door to the right of Ben's and go up the stairs.
April 24, 2009 - Support "Jazz in the Diamond District"
This week the independent movie by Lindsey Christian "Jazz in the Diamond District opens for a one-week engagement at the E Steet Cinema in downtown Washington. The film is about a young woman's struggle to make it in D.C.'s music scene and beyond despite complicated family and real-world issues. A portion of the film was shot on location here at Ben's. The film will open in New York this Friday, Atlanta on the 8th and Chicago on May 15th.
April 2009 - Brunch is Served
Chef Rock has done it again and is now serving an incredible Saturday and Sunday Brunch at Ben's Next Door (right next to Ben's Chili Bowl). Every weekend a few customers come in ask if we are serving breakfast at Ben's on Saturday or Sunday around noon and we have to tell them no. Now we tell them to just go next door. Brunch is served from 11am to 2:30pm (last seating) each weekend. We hope you come and check out our brunch.
April 2009 - Ben's at the Ballpark
The Washington Nationals begin their season at Nat's Park. This year, Ben's will have 3 stands and 3 carts to serve you. The original double-size stand will remain behind section 110 with the 3rd stand on the 300 level. Of the 3 carts, 2 will be on the 100 level and 1 on the 300 level. The carts will feature Ben's famous Chili Half-Smoke and Ben's Chili Dog only. Ben's Chili Half-Smoke can also be had at any "Taste of the Majors" stands in the park. Thanks for supporting Ben's at the Ballpark!
April 2009 - Ben's in State of Play
The soon to be blockbuster movie State of Play hits theaters and contains a scene shot in Ben's Chili Bowl. Day manager Maurice Harcum was fortunate enough to score a line opposite Russell Crowe in the film. Look for Ben's in State of Play at your local theater starting April 17th.
January 2009 - President Obama Visits!!
•PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS AND EATS AT BEN’S! (Saturday, Jan. 10th)
Thanks to Mayor Fenty and President Obama for coming in.
•NEXT DOOR IS NOW OPEN DAILY! (First day open was Dec. 26th )
•Chef Rock cooks dinner daily at Next Door starting Jan. 16th
•The Tom Joyner Morning Show will broadcast live at Ben’s on Jan. 19th
•Cakeman Raven from New York will carve an OBAMA ice sculpture in front of Ben’s and Next Door on Jan. 19 beginning at 4pm
•Black Entertainment Television will broadcast live from Next Door on Inauguration Day from 11-4pm
•Ben’s Chili Bowl will be featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations on Jan. 19th at 10pm
November 2008 – Next Door to open soon!!!
It isn’t an expansion of Ben’s per say but the family that brought you Ben’s Chili Bowl has remodeled the abandoned building next door and will open a new bar/restaurant called, appropriately enough, Next Door. Complete with 53-foot bar, it might actually be the longest bar in D.C. There will be several flat-screens along the bar as well as a full menu that complements the food at Ben’s. The soft opening is scheduled for early December so stay tuned!
August 2008 – Ben’s Chili Bowl will be featured on CBS Sunday Morning Aug. 24th!!!
Check your local listings; Ben’s Chili Bowl is to be featured on CBS’s national Sunday morning news program, CBS Sunday Morning. The segment will air on Sunday, August 24th.
Thank you Rita Braver and Brian Healy!
August 2008 – Ben’s Chili Bowl the book is now available everywhere!
Ben’s Chili Bowl: 50 Years of a Washington D.C. Landmark has been released and is now available at the Chili Bowl, your local booksellers and your favorite online retailers. It provides a great look back at the history, the owners, the people and celebs that frequent the Bowl, and the significant events of the last 50 years along U Street. It is a must for anyone that has ever been to, or has ever heard about this little hot dog shop that the residents of D.C. call their landmark. And feel good about your purchase as 25% of proceeds will be donated to the non-profit Teaching For Change .
August 22, 2008 – Mayor Adrian Fenty gives Ben & Virginia Ali the Key to the City!
In a surprise move, along with presenting a Mayoral Proclamation marking August 22, 2008 Ben’s Chili Bowl Day in the District of Columbia, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty presents Ben & Virginia Ali with D.C.’s top honor - the key to the city. The Ali Family was elated and so thankful to Mayor Fenty, who was also instrumental in getting U Street closed for Ben’s 50th Anniversary block party and press conference.
August 21, 2008 – Ben’s 50th Anniversary Gala is Incredible!
This past Thursday, Ben’s threw an incredible free gala for its customers and long-time supporters at the Historic Lincoln Theatre on U Street. The capacity crowd of 1200 were treated to the words and memories of D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, legendary comic and activist Dick Gregory, the comedic genius of 50-year customer and friend Bill Cosby (who MC’d the event) and a stellar performance by the incomparable Roberta Flack.
July 2008 – Ben’s Chili Bowl the book is set for Aug. 18th release!
‘Ben’s Chili Bowl: 50 Years of a Washington, D.C. Landmark’ is currently on pre-sale at Amazon.com, Barnesadnoble.com and Borders.com. The official release date is Aug. 18th at which time the book will be available where ever books are sold and of course here at Ben’s. Buy it at Ben’s or bring in your copy to have it signed by a member of the Ali family or your favorite Ben’s staffer.
June 2008 – The 50th Anniversary is Set!
Come one, come all to Ben’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Join us on Aug. 22 at Ben’s as we celebrate 50 years to the day that Ben’s first opened its doors here on U Street. There will be a press conference with Mayor Fenty, our city council members, special guests and Ben and Virginia Ali. In the street will be music, activities for the kids, frozen ices from Rita’s and more! Also, join us for a free concert at the 9:30 Club on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 2pm-10pm. All ages are welcome, and a performance for the kids will lead off the day at 2pm.
April 2008 – Ben’s at the Nats stadium is a hit!
It happened! There is a Ben’s Chili Bowl stand at Nationals Park and it is a whopping success! Long lines of happy patrons could be seen waiting for a taste of Ben’s on opening day. Since then, the Ben’s stand has been has been so popular that the landmark eatery got permission to take over the stand next to it. Now Ben’s at the stadium is double-wide to help minimize the wait for Ben’s delicious food.
March 2008 – Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Washington Nationals in talks to have Ben’s at the new ballpark.
Everyone says that Ben’s in the new Nationals Park would be a match made in heaven. Kamal & Nizam Ali are in talks with the Nationals to make it happen. If it does, get ready for opening day on March 30th.
February 2008 – Tracey Gold Bennett and Nizam Ali Sign Book Deal about Ben’s
Author and news veteran Tracey Gold Bennett and Nizam Ali sign a deal with Arcadia Publishing to create a historical picture book commemorating the 50 years of Ben’s Chili Bowl. Scheduled to be available in August, the book Ben’s Chili Bowl: 50 Years of a Washington D.C. Landmark will be a part of Arcadia’s Images of America series and will be available in bookstores and online. Twenty-five percent of royalties from the sale of the book will be donated to charity.
February 2008 – Ben’s Chili Bowl sets dates for its 50th Anniversary Celebrations!
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Ben’s Chili Bowl, a Gala Celebration has been planned for Thursday evening August 21, 2008 at the Historic Lincoln Theatre next door to Ben’s. Also scheduled is a press conference and street festival to be held the following day on Friday, August 22, 2008. “This will be the last great time to do it big and say thank you to mom and dad for creating this wonderful place and for sustaining it for so long,” says Kamal Ali.
January 2008 – Ben’s Chili Bowl enters into its 50th Year!
From 1958 to 2008, Ben’s Chili Bowl enters into 50 years of serving the community, residents of D.C., Maryland and Virginia, and tourists from around the world. Still owned and operated by the Ali family, the beloved restaurant begins its quest toward 50 more years!
Fall 2007 – Ben’s Chili Bowl switches its electricity to 100% Wind Power!
Ben’s Chili Bowl and several other locally-owned and operated businesses join with Clean Currents, a local green energy solution company, and switch from standard carbon producing electric power to 100% wind power. The move will raise Ben’s Chili Bowl’s energy bill but as Nizam Ali says, “It’s simply the right thing to do for our planet and for our children.” Furthermore, the Ali Family encourages all business to do their part and switch to clean energy.
Spring 2007 – Kamal & Nizam Ali Purchase Building Next Door to Ben’s
Sons of owners Ben & Virginia Ali purchase the abandon building next door to Ben’s. The action will finally clean up the eyesore that has tarnished to look of the block for many years. It is told that their plan for the building is to open up a bar with the same feel and comfort of Ben’s.