This week we give you the golden anniversary of one of our favorite meals, a quick look at Restaurant Week, more hamburgers and the shuttering of four more restaurants.
Ben’s turns 50! On August 22 Ben’s Chili Bowl will turn 50 years old and they get a three-day birthday!On Thursday, August 21 there will be a gala event at the Lincoln Theatre hosted by Mr. Huxtable himself, long time Ben’s patron and the only customer who eats for free, Bill Cosby. The next day, Ben’s is throwing a block party on U Street, so call in sick. There will be music, activities for the kids and frozen ices from Rita’s. Keep an eye out for our fine Mayor who will be hosting a press conference.On Sunday, August 24 there will be a free concert at the 9:30 Club from 2p.m. to 10 p.m. The show is all ages and a performance for the kids kicks off the day.
Can’t wait for the party? Pick up a copy of their new book ‘Ben’s Chili Bowl: 50 Years of a Washington, D.C. Landmark’ available on August 18th.
Restaurant Week! Restaurant Week dates for summer have been announced for August 11-17! Lunches will be $20.08, while dinner spikes up to $35.08. A BYT Restaurant Preview is coming soon.
Et tu Michel? A new player has decided he wants in on the burger wars. Michel Richards is taking his burgers outside of Central and opening a casual spot of his own. No details yet but I’m sure the hype will go on for months.
R.I.P. Rough week for food in the city with the closing of several restaurants. Gerard’s Place and Curry Club have shut their doors. Merkado will be closing on August 25 to make way for Commisary,” an all-purpose cafe, lounge, coffeehouse and wine bar.”
And sadly, my favorite San Marco served its last risotto on Saturday night. Thankfully friends were there to share grappa at the bar. A Nepalese restaurant is slated to move into the space. An understated note remains on the website.
What the hell happened to New Big Wong?!??! The 5am life-meter-restoring wonton soups are no more. There is RUBBLE in the dining room. Is this place coming back?
July 23, 2008 at 11:59 amseriously, New Big Wong. When do we hear about their birthday celebration!!!
July 23, 2008 at 12:06 pmI’m checking on your New Big Wong.
July 23, 2008 at 12:21 pmwow, i share a birthday with ben’s chili bowl? that’s an honor. who knew? i’ll definitely have to take the day off.
July 23, 2008 at 12:27 pmDoes anyone remember the Crummy but Good column in the Washington Post in which they would review restaurants that looked like shitholes but served good food. Places were rated with CCCs for really crummy, and GG for good. A true shithole with exquisite fair would receive, for example a CCCCCGGGGG a place LNSers wouldn’t set foot in but your momma would would receive a CC and then the food, depending, G, GG, GGG, GGGG.
Ercilia’s in Mt. P back when all of Mt. P was a shithole was a CCCC, GGGG (not sure what it is now, it’s probably all white-ified if it’s even there still).
ANYWAY, I think BYT should just fucking steal that idea and start the column up again. Just sayin’
July 23, 2008 at 12:31 pmthe thumbnail for this post is very Two-girls-1-cup.
July 23, 2008 at 12:34 pmI liked Crummy but Good, but I’m personally an advocate of the Washingtonian Cheap Eats list. One year I tried to work my way through the whole list. I’ve done a little less than half. It’s tough going to Maryland!
July 23, 2008 at 1:19 pmWashingtonian is way too upper-crust-white-liberal for my tastes.
July 23, 2008 at 1:25 pmi have been going to the new big wong since 1984 (of course back then it was just known as the big wong.) it is a staple of my childhood and i will seriously be depressed if it is gone for good.
July 23, 2008 at 1:36 pmfirst new big wong byt mention:
scroll down to rebekah:
July 23, 2008 at 1:43 pmThere’s no answer on the phone over there and I was able to find that the owner was convicted of three counts of tax fraud last year. http://newsroom.dc.gov/show.aspx/agency/occ/section/2/release/11686/year/2007/month/5
July 23, 2008 at 1:57 pmJUICY!!!!
July 23, 2008 at 2:02 pm
BEN’S BDAY RAGER SOUNDS AMAZING. A-FUCKING-MAZING
July 23, 2008 at 11:24 am