Back when I was living in NYC and supporting myself through music, the bands I played with often performed at the Black Cat, a wonderful rock club in Washington D.C., not too far from Howard University.

No show at the Black Cat was complete without a late-night, after-show visit to Ben’s Chili Bowl, the legendary hot dog and chili restaurant just a short walk away.

I remember running into some cool dudes from a Washington-area band who had performed on the same bill as us.

Man, it’s so cool that you have a place like this in your town, I told one of them.

You’re not from around here, are you? he said. No, I told him, my band is from New York.

This is the south, he told me. And Ben’s Chili Bowl is one of the few places where it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white. Everyone hangs out here!

When I was back in the capital last year for a job, I made a beeline to Ben’s as soon as I finished work.

After I ordered my food and took a seat, “The Need to Be” by Gladys Knight and the Pips came on the radio.

Gladys sang over the loudspeaker:

To fulfill the need to be who I am
In this world, is all I ask
I can’t pretend to be something that I’m not
And I won’t wear a mask

Ben’s Chili Bowl is everything I love about our country: a neighborhood place where all kinds of people can be together just for the sheer fun of it, where all are welcome.

Happy Fourth everyone! If you’re in Houston, stop by the house for a hot dog and some homemade chili. That’s what we’ll be cooking. Everyone is welcome.