RIP Ben Ali (owner of Ben's Chili Bowl)

The place is a part of history and still draws INSANE lunch crowds.

He was 82.

 

Love that place

 

I was just there today. Heard about his death from a Washington Post reporter talking to the guy in front of me in line. The place was crawling with journalists.

It's like the old Yogism: "Nobody goes there 'cause it's too crowded." There've been times when I'd walk down there on lunch break and just walk back away from there because the lines were too long.

But yeah, reading their Web site really gave a great sense of the history of the place. Walking in is like walking into history itself.

 

One of the best things about going to Nats Park is having the chance to eat at Ben's Chili Bowl. Even though it's not the same as the original, it's still pretty damn good.

RIP.

 

It's very damn good. Had my first Ben's half-smoke there last month. Worth all the praise it's been given.

 

Part of the charm though, if you have time.

The chili-cheese fries along with a half smoke main course are a great legacy to leave behind. Will eat my next one for him...

 

There was a great photo from the Papal Mass at Nats Stadium of a priest waiting to give communion in front of a Ben's Chili stand.

 

All the way, I hope.

The chili cheese fries at the place on U Street may be the most disgustingly delicious thing I've ever eaten.

 

As a sign of how good all their stuff was, I went there on my lunch break today to pick up ...

a piece of cake.

Their slices of cake are worth the four-block walk in my book.