U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ben's Chili Bowl
⎯⎯⎯
Minnehaha Theater
1213 U Street, NW
| | African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC | |
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, June 28, 2009
1. Ben's Chili Bowl / Minnehaha Theater Marker
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Landmarks • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.
Location. 38° 55.027′ N, 77° 1.728′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. It is on U Street Northwest east of 12th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lincoln Theatre and Lincoln Colonnade (a few steps from this marker); The True Reformers Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Marlon Francisco Morales (within shouting distance of this marker); You Had To Wear a Tie (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial Bank of Washington (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); New Negro Alliance's Sanitary Grocery Protest Site (about 500 feet away); "We had everything we needed right here." (about 500 feet away); Louise Burrell Miller Residence (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, June 28, 2009
2. Ben's Chili Bowl / Minnehaha Theater Marker
- next to entrance, center left. Viewed from across U Street. The building to the left (across "Ben Ali Way") is the historic Lincoln Theater.
Other markers no longer nearby. The True Reformer Building (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); You Had to Wear a Tie (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker.
[Photo caption:]
Ben's Chili Bowl, 1958
Collection of Ben's Chili Bowl
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for Ben's Chili Bowl. (Submitted on June 29, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Sherman H. Dudley. (Submitted on June 29, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. The Minnehaha Theatre / Ben's Chili Bowl. Historic U Street Jazz, The George Washington University 1999 (Submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
4. Ben's Chili Bowl (official website). Features history, menu, product ordering, etc. Ben's Chili Bowl has, as of September 2025, five locations in the DC area, but the U Street remains their original restaurant. (Submitted on September 18, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014
3. Ben's Chili Bowl 1958
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014
4. Ben's Chili Bowl
The Washington Bee, 1911
5. Interesting News
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 27, 2019
6. Mural on the west side of the building
The mural from 2014 has been replaced with a new one, now featuring Prince.
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, June 28, 2009
7. Interior of Ben's Chili Bowl
Note the portrait of President Obama on the west wall (left).
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, June 28, 2009
8. Barack Obama's portrait at Ben's Chili Bowl
close up of photo commemorating then-President-elect Barack Obama's January 10, 2009 visit to Ben's - with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, lower left.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014
9. Ben Ali Alley Murals at Ben's Chili Bowl
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014
10. Barack Obama
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, December 29, 2014
11. Bill Cosby
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, May 28, 2015
12. Ben Ali
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,980 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on January 20, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on February 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 7. submitted on June 28, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 8. submitted on June 29, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 9, 10, 11. submitted on January 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 12. submitted on June 7, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
