Benny's Restaurante y Tequila Bar

Benny's is one of those restaurants that remains popular despite serving really crappy food. The reasons are the location, the prices and the margaritas. You don't go to Benny's for good food. You go to get drunk, or to ameliorate the affects of alcohol drank and don't care what you shove down your gullet, as long as it's filling.

I ate there on July 9, 2009 only out of deference to a friend and was reminded why I stopped going to Benny's a long time ago.

Look around at everyone's plate and you will notice that almost every dish looks the same. That's because every center of the plate item is drowned in green chile, which I suppose is intended to compensate for the other bland and overcooked ingredients. Examples: the barbacoa burrito. The meat had the texture of toilet paper that had been soaked overnight. The beef fajita meat resembled canned dog food with the gravy drained out of the can, and the little chunks of meat were dried out and chewy. And everything had the appearance of having sat under the heat lamps interminably.

It was just plain nasty food.

Sadly, this is the norm not the exception at Benny's. And don't look too closely at the floors unless you have a strong stomach.

Pros: Good margaritas, cheap, fast service

Cons: Very nasty food. Not very clean.

Posted 07/11/09

Fun, local Denver Mexican restaurant. Great margaritas and people watching. The food is good or bad depending on what your order, but if you go to Benny's it is more for the experience. Expect to wait for a seat, but order a margarita and enjoy yourself.

Pros: local Denver hotspot

Cons: food isn't so hot

Posted 04/16/09

I love this place. I started coming here in the 80's when there were only a few tables. It was down the street from where it is located now. The food has only gotten better over the years. I guess when you go to a place you get the kind of service you deserve. I have had nothing but great service here. I can't wait to fly home in July and the first place I eat will be Benny's. As soon as I get off the plane.
All my friends from Denver will join me I'm sure.

Pros: Best Mexican Food in Denver

Cons: Non

Posted 03/29/09

I've been to Benny's tons of times, and in most cases the food is good and speedy, but if you're looking to go out with a big group, it's a total different story. We made reservations, and weren't seated for almost an hour, then the server refused to separate checks, which took about an hour to get out in the end. Sorry Benny's, but you're not in my recommended restaurant list any longer!

Pros: Good Prices

Cons: Never bring a large group- ever

Posted 12/15/08

Where do I begin? After I waited what seemed like any eternity to be seated by the host (who was chit chatting and playing grab a** with a co worker) I found myself sitting at my table for at least 30 before my waitress came to take my order. I never got the drinks I ordered and the only service I recieved was the waitress pushing me to finish about a gallon of queso dip ( that ultimately lead me to repainting every square inch of my toilet) I was told this place was the best in Denver, I was decieved. The only good thing about this place is that I'll never go there again!!!

Pros: Great gay bartenders absolutley fabulous guys

Cons: Everything else

Posted 11/24/08

How this joint remains in business is beyond me. I like their chips and salsa and the frozen margaritas are good, but the food is disgusting. One of my friends refuses to even have drinks there. I will only go for drinks and chips.

Posted 04/10/08

jeez - I've been going to Benny's since the old days when he was at the Candlelight. Used to love his food but sadly I don't think even Benny has tasted it lately. This is about at good as Casa Bonita - blah, blah, blah. Why they continue to pack 'em in is beyond me. I'll never darken their door again. Denver is full of fantastic Mexican cuisine - this is the bottom of the lot.

Posted 03/30/08

Some friends just raved about this place, so we went one night. The food was unremarkable, the service was slow, and the place was loud. really, really loud. As in you can't hear the person sitting across from you loud. Good margarita, though.

Pros: good margarita

Cons: parking is tough

Posted 01/02/08

After raving to my family what great food they had we got take out and my burrito had a gigantic, whole, DEAD FLY floating in the green chili!!! Will never eat there again which is sad because used to be very loyal fan!! Have since heard others say there are always flies everywhere in that place...granted it was summer but STILL!!!! No excuse!! NASTY. Just the name Benny makes my stomach turn now.

Pros: good "top shelf" margs

Cons: Dirty

Posted 12/26/07

I was expecting a lot more when I came to this place, and was very disappointed. We had to wait 30 mins for a table, with nowhere to sit... And the salsa is HORRIBLE, runny and the service was terrible. The food was OKAY.

Pros: none

Cons: service, salsa, seating

Posted 12/05/07

I have been to Bennys several times throughout the past 7 years and I have to say, the restaurant keeps getting worse every time I go. The food is so bland and greasy I imagine eating saltines with crisco is more pleasing. I just don't get why this restaurant is busy time and time again. When cutting into my chilli relleno, a pool of grease poured out onto the cheese covered plate. If the salsa had flavor I would have dumped a few bowls on my food but to no avail, it tasted like canned tomato sauce. I will never go here again, not even for a free meal as I hate the way I feel after consuming such disgusting food. If you would like texmex, go to the Blue Bonnet. At least the salsa and chips are good.

Pros: service was okay

Cons: everything else

Posted 12/02/07

You always hear such great things about this place, and really, all the times I've been there it just wasn't that great. First, it's not really Mexican food. There are other, better, less expensive places to go for real Mexican food. I've never had GREAT service there and at my last visit, the server was ridiculous and borderline rude. And while the sangria and the grilled chicken tacos are good, the food is generally over-priced and the atmosphere is not all that. Cantina? Really? Tell me why it takes so long to get a drink order...

Cons: Everything but the free chips and salsa.

Posted 10/22/07

I've eaten at Benny's numerous times. I've noticed during "peak" hours that the service and quality of food become below acceptable. Don't even think about going during dinner rush on ANY given night. Last time I was there during the rush I had dirty silverware & found hair in my food. The wait for a table is outrageous (I waited an hour once, against my will because my friends wouldn't leave), the service is extremely slow, the entire place is so loud because it's so packed and there are loud screaming children everywhere. Other people's conversations are so loud that you can't keep up with the conversation at your own table. I absolutely refuse to go to Benny's during "peak" hours.

Now, if you go at say 2 in the afternoon for a late lunch or after 9pm on a lazy Tuesday night for dinner, it's AWESOME! Not excellent service, but good service. You tend to get ignored when you want more chips & salsa or a refill on your water but it's not that bad. Make sure you ask for a big water if that's what you want, otherwise they'll bring you this tiny sorry excuse for a glass of water. I was just there two weeks ago and our food was soooo delicious! We went late in the evening. After all the screaming children and parents that can't control them had gone home, it's a nice relaxing and enjoyable environment.

I highly recommend the fish tacos, the tacos el carbon & the carnitas / relleno platter. All favorites of mine. The blue ocean martini is WONDERFUL as well.

Again, this place is GREAT when it's not busy and absolutely HORRIBLE when it's busy. If there is any kind of wait for a table that is longer than 10 minutes or you see screaming brats running around uncontrollably, RUN AWAY!

Pros: Nice, quiet & relaxing when it's not busy. Food is very good when it's not busy.

Cons: If there is more than a 10 minute wait, RUN AWAY! This place is awful when it's busy.

Posted 10/19/07

Wow, I never thought that I could eat at a gay Mexican Resteraunt! I can't even find a good gay resteraunt in where I live in California!!! But here, everything is Gay even the illigal imigrants working in the kitchen!! It was great and the food was horrible! I will never eat here again. I will only look for nice young boys who will drink cheap margaritas with me in the afternoon. Don't order the tacos del carbon. it was cold and hard like my ex-husband.

Pros: Gay Denver!!

Cons: Everything about this place except for the drinks

Posted 08/16/07

I wish I understood WHY this place was so popular for food!! Sure it's great for a little smoozing and a cheap margarita but the food is AWFUL!! I have been to Benny's three times now and never really had anything special. The rellenos were overly greasy and stuffed with blobby cheese, the flavors overall were single dimensional and completely lacked nuance. I LOVE Mexican food!! I love Tex-Mex but I expect it have garlic, onions and chilies, cilantro, cumin, cinnamon, cloves and citrus. Benny's food tastes like TV dinners with a little iceberg lettuce and Kraft shredded cheese thrown on for good measure. For a similar price and MUCH better food in the TexMex genre visit Jack-N-Grill over on Federal.

Pros: The margaritas are OK

Cons: The food is boring and greasy

Posted 07/12/07

Years ago this used to be a favorite place of ours, every week you could find us there. As the years went by, the food and service began to deteriorate. I am sad to say that the service is awful and the food is appalling (I know, harsh, but true). It amazes me how busy they get because nothing is satisfying, not even the weak-watered down margaritas. I guess you get what you pay for, bust still the service needs to be improved. They seat you, but hurry to get you out to get the next customers in. I always say quantity is by far never a substitute for quality.

Pros: Cheap

Cons: Dirty, bad service, terrible food, weak margaritas...

Posted 03/28/07

I can?t keep track of how many times I have been to Benny?s. This is the best hangover food around. Excellent chips and salsa, stiff margaritas, and the crispy chili rellenos are the best I have had. Usually a wait to get a table, and the staff is always busy, but the food is worth it.

Pros: food, drinks are great

Cons: long wait for a table, service can be slow

Posted 11/20/06

Some people kept telling me to go to Benny's because its "so great" and because its right down the street from my house. Benny's is beyond horrible. The food literally looks like someone went to the bathroom on it. I have been there twice. The first time on a recomendation and the second, to give it another chance. The service is spotty, the salsa (even though its free, as it is in all Mexican restaurants) tastes like it came straight off the shelf at King Poopers. The margaritas are mediocre-hardly worth going for. I am not sure why this place is always busy, except maybe people have no taste in food? Anyone who actually enjoys the food here needs to grow some new taste buds. A chimpanzee could make better Mexican food than Bennys. SAVE YOUR $$$

Pros: Nothing

Cons: Everything

Posted 09/14/06

THis is a good Mexican restaurant. I like most items on the menu, but not totally outstanding. I like sitting outside in the summer though. Can have a really long wait and it's hard to find parking.

Pros: Outside eating area

Cons: no parking

Posted 09/10/06

I'v been to Benny's several times out of convenience (close to home). They have good service, but their food is mediocre. The green chile is lacks flavor and spice and has an strange consistency. Enchiladas are a flavorless flop and the meat and chicken used in many dishes has almost no seasoning. About the only descent food on the menu are their tacos al carbon and carnitas tacos with rice and beans.

Posted 05/18/06

This is by far my favorite Mexican restaurant. Only bad comment is that they could make their salsa a bit more interesting, but otherwise it's great.

Pros: Food, Service, Price

Cons: So-so salsa

Posted 03/26/06

They have awesome food and awesome margaritas!! Definately recommend giving it a try!

Posted 01/17/06

We were seated and that was it. After a half hour of waiting we got up to leave and told the manager that the waiter never showed up. He didn't respond and wealked away.

Cons: bad parking, crowded, no service

Posted 11/30/05

Again here we have a nieghbor bar, that tries to pass their food off to the locals that have had one too many! C'mon, how can anyone think and vote that this place is any good except for getting sloshed. The food is not recommended, I had a beef burrito smothered in "I just don't know" sauce, the beef was dry and so was the service.

Pros: You can walk home

Cons: The Food, The Food, THE FOOD !

Posted 11/16/05

The food is amazing, the service is fast and price is very affordable for the quantity!

Posted 06/09/05

food was bland and service was poor....I don't understand why it is so popular.

Pros: location

Cons: service, food, noise

Posted 05/04/05

They treat gay, lesbian and bisexual community very good! I love the gay bartenders Justin and Rick.

Posted 03/28/05

Benny's is a such a fun place! Located in a great area, they serve great marg's, affordable food and provide a fun atmoshpere! I love that it is non smoking now too!

Pros: Cost, Margaritas, Free parking

Posted 12/12/04

I have been to many of the well known and not so well known mexican restaurrants in Denver. From Benny's to Chubby's to Santiago's. But my one of my favorites have always been Benny's in fact. Some of my family dinners have been there. Which is about 75 plus people. It's not like my grandparents or little cousin's homecooking, but its great food.

Pros: Inexpensive, Near best food mex

Cons: Crowed at times, on and off service

Posted 01/15/04

Definitely not Juans, Jose, or Juanita's Cantina. It definitely is Chris's, Mark's, Lance, and Benny's Cantina. I'd rate this place a 9.0, only if you your rating it based upon that its a good place for people living in downtown Denver looking for a Mexican themed place to drink. It also ranks a 9.0 if your looking for an Americanized bar/pub style place that places food second to last.

Pros: drinking, more drinking, a lot of drinking

Cons: the food

Posted 12/29/03

I don't consider this food to be very authentic Mexican. It is good and usually large portions.
It's what most Americans think of as Mexican food and for its genre I think it's got to be about the best Americanized Mexican food in town. You could do alot worse
e.g. Blue Bonnet.

Pros: Service usually quick, ample parking, food

Cons: Not real authentic, long lines at peak hr

Posted 12/20/03

You people dont know what real mexican foood is, even if it was to save your life. Do you know what an Enchilada really is? Not a bunch of sauce slathered onto a rolled up burrito. My goodness, get a CLUE! Bennys is perhaps the worst one of all, over rated and deceiving. This food is just plain ol' comida gringo. There never was ketchup in ANY real Mexican rice ok? OK.

Posted 09/17/03

Terrific Place after a game at Invesco or for a Hangover Brunch! Also a great find for Happy Hour. The food is the real deal!

Pros: location, food, drink specials

Posted 09/07/03

Bennys!

When I go to a Mexican restaurant, for the first time, I always order a simple bean burrito smother in green chili. If the place cannot deliver on that then they never see me again. Bennys did this so good that I had a thought time graduating to other good fare.

I look at consistency over time. Many restaurants are good at first only to fall off the table in subsequent visits. Bennys stays true. Over the past years I have never, repeat, NEVER received a bad meal. Yes, I realize what Im saying. Never. Also to be considered is the extensive range of the menu.

I have stuck my neck out and recommended Bennys many time to guest form out of town. Bennys always delivered.

My current favorite: The Carnitas Ahhh!

Pros: Tasty, Reasonable, Pretty Quick

Cons: Tough parking!, nada, nada

Posted 05/01/03

If you like bland, tasteless Mexican Food, stale chips, and poor service then Benny's is the place for you. I've had the misfortune of eating here 3 times and each time the food has gotten worse. The green chilie has no flavor and the quality of the food leaves me wondering if they are using generic Safeway brand refried beans, gaucamole, etc. I am always amazed that such a bad restaraunt is so crowded. I would prefer to eat at Taco Bell.

Posted 04/28/03

Awesome and huge 'Sloppy Burritos!' Fast service. Casual atmosphere. Excellent Margaritas. The best salsa and chips I've ever had. If I could eat here everyday, I would. I've never have to wait to sit down. They give you huge portions of food for a minimal cost. Parking is sometimes difficult, but worth the trouble.

Pros: Inexpensive, Large Portions, Fast Service

Posted 02/09/03

This place is awesome, my husband and I live in Colorado Springs, and we drive to Denver just to eat at Benny's. We recommend it to everyone!

Cons: Looks of restaurant

Posted 01/31/03

Benny's is just a great, casual place to be to enjoy the one(s) you're with. Fabulous margaritas and excellent grilled chicken tacos! Complaints about long lines on the weekend? Hello!!?? Doesn't that tell you something about the place? duh. Slow down and enjoy life!

Pros: Inexpensive, Service, Tasty

Posted 01/16/03

Someone please tell me where I can get a home-made taco shell. Is it too much to ask? I have not found a restraunt in the Denver area that serves authentic Mexican food. HELP!!!!!!!!

Tacos- Bad (Pre-made shells; cal-can meat) Enchilladas- No bad Beans- Good Rice- Pass on it Chili Rellenos- Very good

Posted 12/22/02

This restaurant is loud, busy and full of life. The food is delicious! My friends and I have tried other mexican restaurants- many that made the 'best of' list, but Benny's is definitely #1! Great green chile, burritos, enchiladas, etcs.
You will probably have a wait when you get there, but it's worth it!

Pros: Inexpensive, Great Food!

Cons: Parking, Wait

Posted 11/25/02

Benny's has the best Margaritas and wonderful burritos. The chips and salsa alone will hook you.

Posted 11/14/02

Don't expect glamour or elegance when you dine at Bennys, because its a dive....but thats what makes it great. The food is unreal, and the margeritas are a great afterwork drink. The turn over is pretty fast, so you're not left waiting for too long. Try the smothered burrito...and don't forget the queso. This is also a great place to nurse a sunday morning hangover. Theres nothing like chatting about all the stupid things you did the night before while filling your stomach with good mexican food.

Posted 11/12/02

We go to Benny's at least once a week. They have the best Smothered Burrito's (#8, Ground Beef only please.) Good eats and great margaritas.

Pros: Reasonable, Good Parking, Fast Service

Cons: Seating

Posted 10/06/02

I really enjoy going to Benny's. The food is probably one of the closest to home-made in Denver. The crispy chili rellenos are my favorite. The green chili is the right spice as well as the chips and salsa.

The service I have had over the years has varied. The food is always done well, and fast. But the servers can always make it a bad experience. Checking on drinks and whether the food is good or not won't hurt the server or the customer.

Pros: good food

Cons: servers not attentive

Posted 10/02/02

It seems to me that the food at Benny's is only mediocre. While the green chili has a good consistency and is generally pretty tasty, the rest of the menu here is pretty run-of-the mill. The two redeeming factors for this restaurant are; the Margaritas (strong and inexpensive,) and the crowd (usually a great mix of gay and straight coinciding in a noisy, eclectic, almost sports bar, kind of atmosphere.)

Pros: inexpensive, lots of parking, good crowd

Cons: smokey, food is only fair, long wait on weekends

Posted 09/26/02