January 21, 2014
Metro Scene
Photos: Joshua Lanier/DC Spotlight Newspaper
WASHINGTON, DC – On Sunday, two D.C. hometown favorites, D.C. Councilman Jack Evans and Ben’s Chili Bowl owner, Virginia Ali, came together for a community meet and greet. Evans chose Ben’s as the location to give the residents of the District an opportunity to ask questions and address their concerns about the future of the city.
Evans is running for mayor of the city, and according to the Washington Post and its latest mayoral poll, “three D.C. Council members running against Gray in the primary are in a virtual tie: Muriel Bowser (Ward 4), Jack Evans (Ward 2) and Tommy Wells (Ward 6) each attract between 11 and 12 percent of Democratic voters. A fourth legislator, Vincent B. Orange (At Large), has 9 percent, and businessman Andy Shallal has the backing of 5 percent. Reta Jo Lewis, a former State 
Department official, and businessman Christian Carter each garner 1 percent.” On Monday, Carter dropped out of the race leaving eight candidates vying for the position, with the addition of entrepreneur Carlos Allen. The primary for Democrats takes place on April 1.
After answering questions and speaking with residents, Evan later joined Ali for photos in front of the Ben’s Chili Bowl sign,
which is arguably one of D.C.’s most famous icons. In December, during a birthday celebration at the Lincoln Theater, Councilman Evans presented Ali with a resolution designating December 17th as “Virginia Ali Day” in the District of Columbia.
Ali is the wife of Ben’s Chili Bowl co-founder, the late Mahaboob Ben Ali. She and her two sons are currently the owners of Ben’s Chili Bowl and Ben’s Next Door. The restaurant has been located on U Street since 1958 and has plans to open a second location on
H Street NE and a third location outside the District in Rosslyn, Virginia.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
1213 U St NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 667-0909
