But before Ben's Chili Bowl received the keys to the city, before the president took his first bite of a chili dog, and before Bill Cosby put Ben and his family on the map, Ben's Chili Bowl was a humble food joint founded by an immigrant from Trinidad and his young wife.
Celebrating 55 years of Ben's Chili Bowl —
But before Ben's Chili Bowl received the keys to the city, before the president took his first bite of a chili dog, and before Bill Cosby put Ben and his family on the map, Ben's Chili Bowl was a humble food joint founded by an immigrant from Trinidad and his young wife.
Becky Perlow/CNN
Ben Ali had moved to America for college and according to his wife, Virginia, had worked his way through school climbing the restaurant ladder -- eventually trading mops for menus as he transitioned from cleaner to maitre d'.
Celebrating 55 years of Ben's Chili Bowl —
Ben Ali had moved to America for college and according to his wife, Virginia, had worked his way through school climbing the restaurant ladder -- eventually trading mops for menus as he transitioned from cleaner to maitre d'.
Becky Perlow/CNN
According to the restaurant's website, "it was not uncommon to see such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, [or] Martin Luther King Jr." at the restaurant.
Celebrating 55 years of Ben's Chili Bowl —
According to the restaurant's website, "it was not uncommon to see such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, [or] Martin Luther King Jr." at the restaurant.
Becky Perlow/CNN
"We've always treated all people the same so it doesn't matter if you are the president or MLK or if you are just the guy from the corner," says Ben's wife, Virginia.
Celebrating 55 years of Ben's Chili Bowl —
"We've always treated all people the same so it doesn't matter if you are the president or MLK or if you are just the guy from the corner," says Ben's wife, Virginia.
Becky Perlow/CNN
"We like the diversity that we have here. We just kind of try to provide a family atmosphere because we believe so much in family," said Virginia.
Celebrating 55 years of Ben's Chili Bowl —
"We like the diversity that we have here. We just kind of try to provide a family atmosphere because we believe so much in family," said Virginia.
Becky Perlow/CNN