Whether you were born and raised or migrated to the Washington, DC area you are not an official resident until you have frequented a few landmark spots, one of those is Ben’s Chilli Bowl. The legendary eatery has been home to its U street location since the 50’s and over the past few years has expanded to other areas of the city due to popular demand including National Stadium, and FedEx Field. Now the hot spot has opened its first location in Virginia. Get the details below from Fox5 DC:
Ben’s Chili Bowl, the iconic purveyor of the half-smoke, is opening its first location in Virginia Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Arlington.
Bill Cosby, the restaurant’s most famous cheerleader, is expected to attend the ceremonies at the new location on Wilson Boulevard.
Ben and Virginia Ali opened their restaurant in 1958 in U Street in the District. It stayed open through race riots in the late `60s that devastated the neighborhood and has been a keystone in the revitalization of the U Street corridor.
While Ben’s expanded in recent years to Nationals Park and FedEx Field, Thursday’s opening marks the first new stand-alone Ben’s Chili Bowl since the original opened more than 55 years ago.
Photo Credit: FOX5
