Despite rumors, Bill Cosby still welcome to eat for free at Washington, D.C.’s Ben’s Chili Bowl
With sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby continuing to surface, some restaurants that once held a relationship with him are severing their connections with the embattled comedian. But one landmark restaurant is sticking by him: Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.
With sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby continuing to surface, at least one restaurant that held a relationship with the embattled comedian has severed its connection to Cosby. But another landmark eatery is sticking by him: Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.
Cosby, a longtime friend of Ben's family of owners, to this day eats for free at the restaurant — and the only other person who shares that same honor at Ben's is President Obama. Ben's announces as much via a sign in the restaurant indicating Cosby's privilege (and also has a Cosby mural outside).
That is, until patrons noticed the sign had disappeared this week. Naturally, that lead to speculation that Cosby's free meal deal had been rescinded. Via the Washington Post:
The sign announcing the perma-perk for Cosby (and for President Obama) had become something of a lightning rod in the wake of accusations last year from multiple women that the "Cosby Show" star had drugged and sexually assaulted them. Some folks this week noticed it had disappeared, a move that touched off social-media speculation.
To wit:
But Cosby's perk, it turns out, was not a victim of the numerous sexual assault allegations against him. Rather, it was simply a grease problem:
But the rule still stands, says Vida Ali, the daughter-in-law of Ben's founder Ben Ali, and the sign was apparently a victim of grease, not second thoughts. The tape that held it up failed, she explained, and it was put aside near the register. Now it's propped up on a counter in an inconspicuous spot.
Sadly, though, the newly laminated sign "falls down all the time." However, Ali was also clear that Cosby's free meals are not and were never in any danger.
"We're sensitive to all the parties involved," she told the Washington Post. "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 your a friend. They are two different things."
To date, more than 40 women have accused Cosby of sexual assault. He has repeatedly issued denials through his reps and has never been criminally charged.