Now Available!
You'll want to add this collector's item to your bookshelf!
Breaking Barriers With Chili: Virginia Ali "The Matriarch of DC"
by: Bernard Demczuk, Ph.D., Ben’s Chili Bowl Historian
Virginia Ali was born in rural Virginia in 1933, moved to DC in '52, and married Howard student Ben Ali in '58, opening Ben's Chili Bowl the same year. The eatery served chili dogs, half smokes, and chili to locals and national civil rights leaders. After the death of MLK, Jr. in '68, the DC U St. area faced harsh challenges: burned-out streets, crack-cocaine wars, Metro construction, and COVID shutdown.
Despite setbacks, Mrs. Ali's moral and ethical values, respecting everyone, and perseverance led to this iconic eatery being admired worldwide today. At ninety years young, she still comes to work every day, wearing her pearls, and is the most photographed woman in DC.
Purchase your autographed copies at HalfSmokes.com or stop by in person at our U Street and H Street locations. The book is also available without an autograph on Amazon.