No one but Bill Cosby...

Here's are a couple of quotes from the Ben's Chill Bowl web site:

http://www.benschilibowl.com/

Top performers could be found playing sets in clubs along the corridor, as well as eating and just "hanging out" at Ben’s. It was not uncommon to see such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Martin Luther King Jr., or Bill Cosby at "The Bowl."


"In September of 1985, Bill Cosby --who in fact courted his wife Camille here in the early 60’s--held a national press conference at Ben’s Chili Bowl to celebrate his number one rated show, thrusting Ben’s into the national limelight. Business improved and things were looking up, but there were more problems ahead."

i don't know who jd is, but it was fun to read paul's helpful research. Being a lifetime admirer of bill cosby, i had just thought that it was an injoke because they admired him as the top guy that he is. cosby has a huge fan base in the u.s., particularly those who grew up with him and his records and t.v. show. thanks to paul and the original writer, we now know that there is actual history to the coffee sign!






The way to have what we want
Is to share what we have.

The sign is for real. Though, I'm guessing the JD part was a joke aimed at the film crew, a friend of the director, or someone like that. For years the list contained only one name, Bill Cosby. Last year when I took out-of-town visitors there the list included the Obama family, but not JD. Anyway, the place is a Washington landmark. Ben Ali died last year.

The sign has been amended to include Barack Obama as being able to eat for free... but reportedly the President has paid for all of his meals at Ben’s.

Dwacon
http://blog.dwacon.com/
http://www.twitter.com/dwacon

yeah i noticed that too, i thought it was funny! :)

Jeff Daniels?

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This comment was typed in front of a live studio audience.

I bet that sign has come down now...

of course Bill Cosby eats for free http://imgur.com/a/5PpxX

if they elected Stephen Collins they might as well give Bill a free dinner