Benny's Restaurante y Tequila Bar - (303) 731-2855

• Breakfast & Brunch
• Locally Owned
• Full take out menu

Well, I will definitely never be back. I didn't drink the night I went, but I wish I'd at least have that excuse after even attempting to eat the slop laid before me. The appetizer, "chilli con queso" is literally like Velveta and Hormel chili melted into a thin liquid. Plus it smells like body odor. Needless to say, I didn't eat any of that. I returned my entree after trying to take a bite of a "chille relleno" smothered in salty muck called "green chile", realizing it had been burned to a meteorite consistency. Not to mention, the waitress was nowhere to be found most of the night, and my friend got up to track her down twice during our meal: once for silverwear, and second for returning both of our meals (his was also overcooked and covered is salty muck). We left only full of mediocre chips and salsa and water. I will say that I browsed the margarita and tequila list, and they do have a decent selection at a reasonable price, so perhaps it could be a fun place to go drinking with friends after a long week, but only for alcohol! I called my girlfriend the next day. When I mentioned we had gone to Benny's, she replied, "Ew girl, I don't eat there either. I've been once and never again". As a native, I'm ashamed that this place has lasted so long in Denver! If you want great, authentic Mexican food, try El Taco De Mexico on Santa Fe. Or if you want a quick and decent mexican fix and good margs, The Rio works. Skip this place for sure though.

Most people I know go to Benny's for the margaritas, not-so-much for the food. Don't get me wrong, the food isn't terrible but it's just ok. I've been there many times and have tried several items from on the menu and nothing has been very good as far as food. The margaritas on the other hand are very good. They are strong and they have many different flavors. You can order by the glass or a small pitcher. Overall the service has always been pretty good. Good place to go after work for happy hour.

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.