U Street - Washington DC

When visiting a city, we like to go opposite from the tourist. Therefore, while everyone was going towards the Capital, White House, monuments, etc.; we decided to visit the "soul" of DC - the U Street District.

The historic heart of the city's African-American community, where name entertainers, black-owned businesses, and grand movie theaters made U Street the place to be.This neighborhood predates New York's Harlem as a mecca for African Americans. Civil War encampments in the area sheltered freedom seekers in the 1860s, and the mission churches they founded live on today. Howard University just north of this neighborhood began to attract the nation's black intellectual and artistic leadership in the 1870s. By the early 20th century, the area was the nerve center of the city's black community, home to businesses and places of entertainment, and the major social institutions of black Washington. Until 1920, when Harlem surpassed it, it was the largest urban African American community in the nation. All the great entertainers played at its lively theaters and clubs. The old timers say that U Street was so grand that to go there, “you had to wear a tie.” Duke Ellington is one of many national figures to call this neighborhood home.
Today, with a new subway stop, a resurgence of nightlife, and the renovation of many of its historic buildings underway, the neighborhood is seeing a renaissance.

The first spot that we located was Ben's Chilli Bowl. The place was crowded with a line that wrapped around the block! Everyone wanted to eat at the same place as Prez Obama!

• PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS AND EATS AT BEN’S! (Saturday, Jan. 10th) Thanks to Mayor Fenty and President Obama for coming in.


• The Tom Joyner Morning Show will broadcast live at Ben’s on Jan. 19th


• Black Entertainment Television will broadcast live from Next Door on Inauguration Day from 11-4pm


• http://www.benschilibowl.com/