Announcing the World Premiere of “The Real DC: Go-Go & Ben’s”
Over the past 63 years, Ben’s Chili Bowl has had the honor of welcoming countless guests, whom we now consider to be family. With all the ups and downs that we’ve experienced, we’ve always had a lot of fun with our community. We have so many wonderful memories!
In recent years, we thought it would be nice to do a Ben’s song that reflects the true spirit of DC culture, and as ideas were being tossed around, many friends and guests reminded us that two things are integral parts of DC: Go-Go and Ben’s.
Kamal and Nizam started writing the lyrics about Ben’s and the things that made DC unique to its longtime residents, and then they teamed up with a few local Go-Go artists and musicians (DJ Mello T, Roy Battle, Doug Crowley, Sydney Battle), so the result of this collaboration is our new song, "The Real DC: Go-Go and Ben’s"
Once the song was recorded, we thought it would be fun to do a DC Community-based video to showcase local aspects of DC. Soon after, Vida was at Ben’s U Street and happened to meet two young guys (T.L and Mike) standing in line to order. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that they had a film production company called Mecca Films. They asked if there might be any opportunities for their company to work with Ben’s. Vida loved their personalities and immediately thought of a music video. The idea of supporting a young DC company fit perfectly with the spirit of the project, and before long a video was created.
We chose June 13th to release the song and video to kick off Juneteenth week and celebrate Ben Ali’s 95th birthday. We are dedicating this song and video to our founder, Ben Ali, and to legendary hip-hop music producer Chucky Thompson, two beloved individuals who have contributed to our beautiful city. Chucky Thompson, as you all know, was one of the kindest, most talented human beings who came from DC and touched the world with his creativity. He so lovingly returned to Ben’s to be a part of our video. Sadly, only a few months later, he unexpectedly passed.
We want to THANK our wonderful DC family for making this song and video possible! We hope this song makes you want to dance when you hear it. Also, we hope it inspires you to dream big and to be yourself as Ben and Chucky did. Ben always said: Be Yourself…Be Original!
All profits from downloads of “The Real DC: Go-Go & Ben’s” will be donated to The Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation to give back to the community.
Song (audio): https://youtu.be/abXrJ6RJ7yg
Video: https://youtu.be/iUSRv26yDjQ
For additional information, please contact Vida Ali at (310) 859-4730 or vida@benschilibowl.com
Special Thanks To:
DJ Mello T, Roy Battle, Doug Crowley, Sydney Battle, Sugar Bear, Big Tony, DJ Kool, Body of Evidence, Shorty, Bravo Reds, Issa Grey Beard, Uncalled 4 Band, Stinky Dink, Rock Steady Project, Garry Clark Sr., Nico Hobson, Howard Ross, and our wonderful DC Family!
Directed by: T.L. Benton
Produced by: Vida Ali, Tamika McCormack & Mecca Filmworks
About Ben’s Chili Bowl
Ben’s Chili Bowl began as a dream of Ben & Virginia Ali, and with their $5,000 life savings, the young couple first opened the doors of their restaurant on August 22, 1958. For over 63 years, Ben’s has been an iconic institution in Washington, DC serving locals, celebrities, presidents, and tourists from around the world. Ben’s is seen worldwide as a business that represents a community, a city, and a culture.
Ben’s Timeline:
August 22, 1958 – Ben & Virginia opened the doors of Ben’s in segregated Washington DC on the street known as Black Broadway in DC – 1213 U Street. Ben’s Chili Bowl was a hit from the beginning, and it quickly became a gathering place for people from all walks of life. Activists such as Dr. King, John Lewis, Dick Gregory, A. Philip Randolph, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bayard Rustin, Harry Belafonte, and others were regular guests, in addition to artists like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, and many others visited often.
August 28, 1963 – the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech – He frequented “the Bowl” and Virginia often enjoyed sitting with him over meals and encouraging him as he shared his dreams and plans.
April 4, 1968 – Dr. King was assassinated – During the 3-day curfew, when all businesses were closed, the DC Government asked Ben’s to remain open as a safe haven and gathering place to serve activists, locals, and first responders.
1968 - 1988 – U Street took a downward turn after the riots, and most businesses didn’t reopen. Drugs and prostitution took over, but Ben’s remained open with only one or two employees to serve the community during those difficult years.
1988 - 1992 – The DC Government decided to put a subway line under U St, right at Ben’s front door. The U St excavation created a 60-foot-deep hole directly in front of Ben’s from 1988 to 1992, when the subway finally opened. Businesses started opening on U Street, and the community soon became vibrant again.
January 10, 2009 – Barak Obama’s first public outing in DC as President-Elect was a visit to Ben’s Chili Bowl, and his visit made news around the world.
2020 – The Pandemic – Ben’s became the business that came to represent small business in America to the media. We received media coverage from around the world, including a Google television and print ad campaign that asked us what it takes for small businesses to survive Covid. As a local family-owned business, this brought great pride to many in the DMV and beyond.
2021 – The family of George Floyd came to visit Ben’s immediately after the march that was held for their brother. They met with Virginia, affectionately known as “Mom,” and expressed how proud they were of Ben’s.
Ben’s has won numerous awards and accolades, including the America’s Classics award from the James Beard Foundation, and the title of America’s “Best Vegan Chili” by PETA
Celebrities like Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Fallon, Bruno Mars, Chance the Rapper, Kevin Hart, George Lopez, Usher, Bono, Chris Tucker, Bryce Harper, Serena Williams, Questlove, DJ Khaled, Chris Rock, and countless others enjoy dining at Ben’s when they visit DC
Ben’s has also been featured in numerous film, TV and print media, including Drew Barrymore Show, Oprah, Anthony Bourdain, CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, CNN, USA Today, Washington Post, NY Times, to name a few, plus movies like Russell Crowe’s “State of Play,” Denzel Washington’s “The Pelican Brief,” Don Cheadle’s “Talk to Me,” the Netflix series “Designated Survivor,” and more.
Despite all the worldwide recognition and fame, residents of DC, Maryland and Virginia know the real truth about Ben’s Chili Bowl, and that truth is simple: They know that Ben’s is first and foremost about family and community. For over 63 years, Ben’s has graciously served the people, and every guest has always been embraced as family. When segregation was still alive in the US, Ben’s offered a peaceful gathering place and safe haven for all people, regardless of any differences in background or perspective. Society has grown and changed, but Ben’s remains the same and continues to celebrate people from all walks of life as they come together to eat, laugh, and discuss life as they see it.
Ben’s is still run by Virginia Ali, our matriarch at 88 years old, her 3 sons (Sage, Kamal, and Nizam), and 2 of her daughters-in-law (Vida and Sonya). The entire family works together daily in their restaurants, as well as on Ben’s retail and franchising development. Mom is still vibrant as ever, and she still enjoys greeting her beloved guests at Ben’s as she has done since that first day in 1958.