Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of Washington, D.C.’s most enduring landmarks, is set to reopen its historic U Street NW location on May 1 after a multi-year renovation, in a return that celebrates community, family and legacy, while honoring a vision that started nearly seven decades ago.
What started in 1968 as a way for Ben and Virginia Ali to serve the area, then known as Black Broadway, has turned into a District staple, where movers and shakers across industries make it a point to dine while in D.C., such as former President Barack Obama, who made an unexpected visit to the establishment ahead of his 2009 inauguration.
“Before I moved to Washington, D.C. in 1972, I already knew about Ben’s Chili Bowl,” said customer Carolyn Eaves-Goff.
Decades later, she remains a loyal patron of the restaurant, which now has seven locations throughout the DMV area.
“I’m happy they’re renovating the old space and keeping it going for generations to come,” she told The Informer. “It was one of the first places I wanted to visit when I got here. It’s 2026 and I’ve been coming back ever since.”
For the Ali family, that kind of loyalty is what has maintained the restaurant’s legacy over the past 68 years.
“The community’s love for Ben’s is what has made it what it is today,” said Vida Ali, public relations director for the restaurant, told The Informer. “From our family to the community, we will forever be grateful for the love and support we’ve received. It was never about the money, it was always about serving the community.”
The U Street location is set to reopen after years of planning and delays beyond the company’s control.
“This all started back in 2019 with a major plumbing issue,” Ali, who is married to the founders’ oldest son, explained. “We thought it would be a simple fix, but then COVID hit, and the cost of construction and materials increased, so…we had to put the project on hold.”
The family officially decided to restart the project in 2024 after they felt conflicting factors had stabilized.
“At this point, reopening is a big, exciting moment for all of us, and we can’t wait for Mom to see it,” said Sage Ali, the restaurant’s co-owner and founders’ oldest son.
‘This is All for Mom’
Those involved with the renovation have kept details a secret from Ben’s co-founder, Virginia Ali, to surprise her on the day of reopening.
“She hasn’t seen the renovated space yet, so she’ll be walking in and seeing it for the first time on Friday,” the restaurant’s publicist and proud daughter-in-law told The Informer. “She told us, ‘Take care of the plumbing and the electrical, just don’t change my little bowl, that’s my baby.’ So I can’t wait to just see her [reaction] to the changes.”
For the Ali family, the renovation is about more than just reopening a restaurant, it’s about paying homage to their parents for the legacy they created.
“This is all for Mom,” the oldest son and co-owner told The Informer. “For her to be alive at 92 and see us bring [Ben’s] back and restore it to its original glory is going to be very special.”
After nearly seven decades of dedication to the restaurant and community, the newly renovated restaurant is a way to thank the family matriarch for her hard work and longtime commitment.
“We see this as a gift back to her and Pop for the work they’ve done, the impact they’ve made, and the legacy they’ve built,” the public relations director added.
While the couple and family have been working hard to get the establishment reopened, the eldest brother of three is keeping his roots at the forefront of the effort.
“It’s kind of interesting because people call us iconic, but really, my mom and dad opened this place just to take care of the family,” he told The Informer. “There was never any attempt to be big or iconic, it was always about serving the community, serving the people, and taking care of the family.”
