Ben's Chili Bowl with Christine Nangle & Carl Tart (LIVE)

"Ben's Chili Bowl with Christine Nangle & Carl Tart (LIVE)" is Episode 219 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Ben's Chili Bowl with Christine Nangle & Carl Tart (LIVE)" was released on September 5, 2019.

## Synopsis

For the first show of the **2019 Feast Coast Tour**, we're joined onstage in DC by Christine Nangle (*Inside Amy Schumer*, *The Simpsons*) and Carl Tart (*Comedy Bang! Bang!*, *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*) to review a long-standing cornerstone of DC chains, Ben's Chili Bowl. Plus, a live edition of The Wiger Challenge.

Recorded live at the DC Improv in Washington DC on September 4th, 2019.

## Nick's intro

In the early 1950s, while studying to be a doctor at the University of Nebraska, Trinidadian-American immigrant Ben Ali fell down an elevator shaft and broke his back, an instant that would set a theme for the man and his eventual restaurant: survival against the odds.

Ali's horrific injury led him to transfer to Howard University in the nation's capitol, the city in which he'd meet, date, and propose to Virginia Rollins. In 1958, the now-engaged couple opened a dine-in burger and hot-dog joint not far from Howard's campus on DC's U Street, then known as "Black Broadway." The diner's indulgent fare loaded with spicy chili and based on a recipe from Ali's native Trinidad and Tobago led to developing a fervent following among locals. Its signature dish remains to this day the Chili Half-Smoke, a half-beef/half-pork sausage (which, due to his Islamic faith, Ali never tasted).

In 1968, after Martin Luther King Jr., coincidentally a former customer, was assassinated, riots destroyed much of the surrounding neighborhood, but the restaurant not only survived, it remained open during the crisis. And the riots were just one of a series of disruptions that threatened its existence, including the Drug War and subway construction which shuttered surrounding businesses while the Ali's chili institution endured.

The eatery boasts an impressive list of celebrity clientele, including Miles Davis, Anthony Bourdain, and Barack Obama. And another of its famous fans was formally paid tribute by an unfortunate sign that read "List of Who Eats Free: Bill Cosby and nobody else."

Ali died in 2009, but his restaurant, of course, survived. Today managed by one of his three sons, who were all given the middle name Ben in anticipation of them one day taking control.

Now with four area locations, this small chain is surviving yet another change in the DC landscape: gentrification.

This week on *Doughboys*: Ben's Chili Bowl.

## Fork/Spoon/Star rating

* Spicy Chili Half-Smoke
	+ Split & Grilled
 Mike Mitchell
* Original Chili Half-Smoke
* Ben's Famous Chili Bowl (unclear which Chili)
	+ Onions
	+ Cheddar
	+ Sour Cream
 Christine Nangle
* Ben's Famous Veggie Chili Bowl
 Carl Tart
* Spicy Chili Half-Smoke
	+ Cheddar Cheese
 shared
* Chili Cheese Fries
* Ben's Famous Chili Burger
* Vanilla Hand Spun Thick N' Creamy Milkshake
* Chocolate Hand Spun Thick N' Creamy Milkshake

With these scores, Ben's Chili Bowl makes the Golden Plate Club!

## The Wiger Challenge

    In The Wiger Challenge, Nick has a mystery beverage and the others try to guess what it is.

For this episode, live in DC, he gives them regular Diet Coke (because of its initials).

## Quotes

**Nick**: And that the statue was smilling.

## The Lettuce Rap (DC remix)

DC, DC, the President's home
Here, Mr. Trump, you could use this comb
Lettuce rap, it's the lettuce rap!

## Related Episodes

* 145. The Slice Is Right: Semifinals 1
* 203. Waffle House
* 204. Hattie B's
* 219. **Ben's Chili Bowl**
* 220. CAVA
* DD. Wawa
* 222. Rita's Italian Ice
* 235. Culver's
* DD. National Coney Island
* 236. Swensons
* 242. Mac Attack: Round of 32 (part 1)
* 243. Mac Attack: Elite Ate
* 244. Mac Attack: Finals
* DD. Wige Hard
* 292. Pie Noon: Semisoft Finals
* THON21: Doughathon 2021
* 302. Taco Bell 5
* DD. The Mitchy Clause
* 341. Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal: Semisoft Finals
* 350. D'Angelo
* 351. Kelly's Roast Beef
* 352. Bertucci's
* DD. Gorko's Planet Clergmas Spectacular
* 406. Taco John's
* 409. Do-Rite Donuts
* 72. Dairy Queen
* 100. Nugget Power Hour
* 123. Guy's American Kitchen
* 198. Portillo's
* 199. Lou Malnati's
* 219. **Ben's Chili Bowl**
* DD. Wawa
* 222. Rita's Italian Ice
* THON21/302. Taco Bell 5
* DD. Mount Ruffmore
* DD. Cookie Draft

## Photos

Spicy Chili Half-Smoke with Cheddar CheeseBen's Famous Chili BowlBen's Famous Veggie Chili BowlChili Cheese FriesGourmet Onion RingsOriginal Chili Half-SmokeThe Nick WigerVanilla and Chocolate Hand Spun Thick N' Creamy Milkshakes