Pal Alex—whom I visited last weekend in Washington—was aghast when he discovered I had not
only never been to Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, but actually never heard of the landmark hot dog and chili tavern.
In my defense, when I lived in D.C., from 1984 to 1995, it was the heyday of Mayor Marion Barry, who was too consumed with prostitutes and toots up his nose than taking care of the city. That gang of mine in my 20s
hung out in a few select safe havens, while I, as a burgeoning gay, knew Dupont Circle intimately. Despite the fact that U Street
is in Northwest, back then it simply wasn't an area frequented by skinny white boys.
All the same, Ben's holds an astonishing place in Washington's historic pantheon. CityStream.com offers that the restaurant endured the 1968 riots, a nabe overrun with drug dealers, 3-1/2 years with no passable street, all while still being frequented by some of the world's most famous celebrities.
"Ben's Chili Bowl is one of D.C.'s most legendary establishments, revered not only for its famous half smoke but for the way it has managed to operate as a no-frills, family-run neighborhood eatery since 1958," the webbie reports. Back then, Ben Ali and his wife Virginia spent $5,000 to open
the Chili Bowl at 1213 U St. NW, an area that known at the time as "Black Broadway."
Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington and other musicians were regulars after playing in the
neighborhood. In more modern times, Bill Cosby became a regular, visiting every time he passed through D.C., as well as Bono, Ellen Degeneres, Usher—and President Barack Obama, who, unlike his predecessor George Bush, actually spends time in Washington and soaks up local culture.
On Saturday, with 90 minutes to kill before I hopped the bus back to New York, Alex, Kristine and I soaked in the magic of Ben's. I had a loaded chili smoke, while Kristine had cheese fries. Two words: fucking amazing. The place was absolutely packed, remarkably efficient, fun, quaint and the food... enough of a reason to return to Washington, in itself. This was absolutely a highlight of my entire three days in D.C. *
Mariano Vivanco shot what has to be one of the shittiest images we've ever seen of darling 33-year-old James Franco for GQ Germany's Summer 2012 issue. WTF? The mag also shares the actor’s latest video for his 7 For All Mankind campaign titled “Henry.” *
Happy combo Leap Day-Hump Day. The next time that Leap Year will fall on a Wednesday is 2040, so enjoy it now, because by then, you'll be soaking your teeth in a glass, cool cats. *
Hot, hot news! Perpetual Smoking Nun fave William Levy has joined the 14th season of ABC's reality series Dancing With The Stars. At last, I'll actually watch a season of the bore-fest... at least, until our Sexiest Man Alive is eliminated. The season premiere takes place in a two-hour event at 8 p.m. Monday, March 19th on ABC. 
Katherine Jenkins, Roshon Fegan and Gavin DeGraw. He is paired with two-time DWTS winner Cheryl Burke, who has appeared in 13 seasons.
Pal Alex—whom I visited last weekend in Washington—was aghast when he discovered I had not 
only never been to Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, but actually never heard of the landmark hot dog and chili tavern.
hung out in a few select safe havens, while I, as a burgeoning gay, knew Dupont Circle intimately. Despite the fact that U Street 
is in Northwest, back then it simply wasn't an area frequented by skinny white boys.
neighborhood. In more modern times, Bill Cosby became a regular, visiting every time he passed through D.C., as well as Bono, Ellen Degeneres, Usher—and President Barack Obama, who, unlike his predecessor George Bush, actually spends time in Washington and soaks up local culture.
Before heading back to NYC from D.C. on Saturday, Caroline and her roomie Kristine snagged Groupons for Madame Tussaud's in downtown Washington. With Alex and meese in tow, we admired our nation's history with reverence and respect. *
"You were robbed at the Oscars," I assure a melancholy George Clooney, helping the healing with a gentle smoochie.
Caroline swoons at Johnny Depp's perfect eyeliner, conjuring Captain Jack Sparrow; Alex with a young, rather large-headed Mickey Jackson; Justin Timberlake, George, Angelina & Brad!
This past sunny Sunday while in Washington, Alex, Caroline and her roomie Kristine and meese went to Eastern Market, D.C.'s oldest fresh food public market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. I used to visit this joint when I lived in Washington, and it remains as charming today as it did 20 years ago. *
