Remembering Marshall Brown

The Ben’s Chili Bowl Family is heartbroken to announce the loss of our beloved friend, brother, mentor, father-figure, and historian extraordinaire, Mr. Marshall Brown.

After a life filled with hard work, service, activism, struggle, political empowerment through campaign management, Marshall was recruited by us to serve as host, ambassador, and historian for Ben’s Chili Bowl. Although he was “semi-retired” at the time, Marshall greeted, embraced, wowed, and befriended countless tourists, kids groups, and families from all over the country and all over the world with an unbounded energy and generosity. To everyone he encountered, he shared with them the rich history of U Street, a bit of the African American struggle in his lifetime, and gems of personal wisdom and wit. People might have entered The Bowl as strangers, but after meeting Marshall, they left as friends.

The Ali family, staff, and our U Street family will miss our dear Brother but will never forget his warm smile, keen wit, vast experience, and fun-loving charisma.

WE LOVE YOU MARSHALL. Gone but never forgotten…