New Ben's Chili Bowl Opening in DC: Any Sign of Cosby?

Ben’s Chili Bowl will be opening a new location in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. There’s no word if longtime Ben’s Chili Bowl friend Bill Cosby will be in attendance, as he was last year when a new restaurant was opened in Arlington. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the new location, 1001 H St. NE in DC.

City Paper reports Tuesday that the new Ben’s Chili Bowl has no images of Bill Cosby on its walls:

“Notably missing is Bill Cosby, whose image is prominently featured on a similar timeline at the Rosslyn location.”

The Washington Post reports Tuesday that Cosby is mentioned at the new restaurant:

“It also sports a similar timeline mural as the locations in Arlington and Reagan National (including, yes, mentions of the disgraced Bill Cosby).”

Bill Cosby is under fire for admitting in a deposition that he gave quaaludes to women for sex, according to a report Monday by the Associated Press. Cosby is accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct, including allegations he drugged and raped them in incidents dating back decades.

The eatery told The Washington Post in April that Cosby can still eat free at the restaurants anytime.

“We’re sensitive to all the parties involved,” Vida Ali, the daughter-in-law of Ben’s founder Ben Ali, told the newspaper. “But if I call you a friend today, and you do something wrong tomorrow, I can say what you did is wrong but still consider you a friend. They are two different things.”

Cosby stopped by last year for the grand opening of Ben’s Chili Bowl in Arlington, the first new stand-alone location for the DC institution in more than 55 years.

“The reason why this establishment has decided to open here is for me,” Cosby joked last year to a large crowd gathered outside in below-freezing temperatures. “I’m 76 1/2 years old and I’m going to have my 77th birthday in July, and I am facing the fact that I can go any time I’m called.”

Cosby spoke to a huge crowd outside at the opening at 1725 Wilson Blvd. in Rosslyn.

Ben’s Chili Bowl DC location is a stop-off point for a lot of big names: President Obama stopping by to enjoy a Chili Half Smoke. Ben’s has been seen on Man vs. Food, CNN, Oprah, Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, Good Morning America, Larry the Cable Guy, Pauly Shore, The Daily Show, and countless other national and international shows.

PHOTO: Bill Cosby at Arlington opening of Ben’s Chili Bowl