U Street Ben Ali Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl Dies By Prince Of Petworth Published October 8, 2009 at 1:16PM | Updated October 7, 2025 at 3:25PM From WTOP: “Ben Ali, founder of the D.C. landmark Ben’s Chili Bowl, has died at the age of 82. Ali died of natural causes Wednesday night at his home, Ben’s Chili Bowl manager Maurice Harcum says.” Rest in peace, Mr. Ali.