Councilmember Graham Remembers Ben Ali’s Lasting Legacy

Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) mourns the passing of Mahaboob Ben Ali, owner of Ben’s Chili Bowl.

“My heart is filled with sadness today. The city has lost an icon, and Ward One has lost a piece of its very heart,” said Councilmember Graham.

“Through its ups and downs Ben kept U Street alive. For more than 50 years Ben’s Chili Bowl has been the beacon on U Street. For decades to come, Ben’s Next Door will do the same.”

On January 19, 1999, Councilmember Graham’s first legislative act was to introduce a bill to name the alley next to Ben’s Chili Bowl and The Lincoln Theatre, as “Ben Ali Way.”

Our warm appreciation and sympathy go out to his family - his wife Virginia and three sons Haidar, Kamal and Nizam.