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Name: Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar
Address: 900 Western Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233
Telephone: (412) 224-2163
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.70

Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar

900 Western Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233

(412) 224-2163
Store is closed

Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar Menu

Appetizers

Cured Meats

Cheese Board

Pretzels

Marinated Olives

Sriracha Deviled Eggs

Baked Brie

Smoked Salmon

Pickled Stuff

Shrimp & Grits

Pistachios

Cured Meats

Cheese Board

Pretzels

Marinated Olives

Sriracha Deviled Eggs

Baked Brie

Smoked Salmon

Pickled Stuff

Shrimp & Grits

Pistachios
Soup & Salads

Daily Soup

House Salad

Caesar Salad

Daily Soup

House Salad

Caesar Salad
Sandwiches

Lamb Sausage

Slow Roasted Local Pork

Crab Cake

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

Smoked Salmon

B.L.T.

Lamb Sausage

Slow Roasted Local Pork

Crab Cake

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

Smoked Salmon

B.L.T.
Burgers

Burgers

Burgers
Benjamin's Classics

Goat Cheese & Apple

Barbeque

My Morning Burger

Buffalo Blue

Top Shelf Cheese

Fancy Pants

Candied Jalapeno

Mushroom & Swiss

Basic Burger

Goat Cheese & Apple

Barbeque

My Morning Burger

Buffalo Blue

Top Shelf Cheese

Fancy Pants

Candied Jalapeno

Mushroom & Swiss

Basic Burger
Over the Top

Steak House Blues

Sloppy Poppy

Surf & Turf

Shrimp Boat Captain

Meat Lover's

Steak House Blues

Sloppy Poppy

Surf & Turf

Shrimp Boat Captain

Meat Lover's
Sides

Bacon Fat Home Fries

Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad

Curried Cabbage Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Broccoli Salad

Bacon Fat Home Fries

Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad

Curried Cabbage Cole Slaw

Potato Salad

Broccoli Salad
Desserts

Bread Pudding

Brownie Sundae

Ice Cream

Bread Pudding

Brownie Sundae

Ice Cream
Non Alcoholic Beverages

Coca Cola

Diet Coca Cola

Sprite

Ginger Ale

Lemonade

Fresh Brewed Iced Tea

Hank's Soda

Root Beer

Black Cherry

Vanilla Cream

Orange Cream

Perrier

Coffee

Coca Cola

Diet Coca Cola

Sprite

Ginger Ale

Lemonade

Fresh Brewed Iced Tea

Hank's Soda

Root Beer

Black Cherry

Vanilla Cream

Orange Cream

Perrier

Coffee

Healthy Meal suggestions for Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar

Appetizers

Cured Meats [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Board [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pretzels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sriracha Deviled Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Brie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickled Stuff [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp & Grits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pistachios [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cured Meats [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Board [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pretzels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Marinated Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sriracha Deviled Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Brie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickled Stuff [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp & Grits [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pistachios [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup & Salads

Daily Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Daily Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Lamb Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Slow Roasted Local Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

B.L.T. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Slow Roasted Local Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

B.L.T. [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Burgers

Burgers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Burgers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Benjamin's Classics

Goat Cheese & Apple [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbeque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

My Morning Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Blue [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Top Shelf Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fancy Pants [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Candied Jalapeno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom & Swiss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basic Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goat Cheese & Apple [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Barbeque [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

My Morning Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Blue [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Top Shelf Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fancy Pants [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Candied Jalapeno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom & Swiss [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basic Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Over the Top

Steak House Blues [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sloppy Poppy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Surf & Turf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Boat Captain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat Lover's [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak House Blues [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sloppy Poppy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Surf & Turf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Boat Captain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meat Lover's [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Bacon Fat Home Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curried Cabbage Cole Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Fat Home Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curried Cabbage Cole Slaw [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Potato Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brownie Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brownie Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Non Alcoholic Beverages

Coca Cola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diet Coca Cola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sprite [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Ale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Brewed Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hank's Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Root Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Cherry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Perrier [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coca Cola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diet Coca Cola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sprite [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger Ale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Brewed Iced Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hank's Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Root Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Cherry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vanilla Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orange Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Perrier [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Payden V.

I ordered one of the burgers that you can pick the kind of cheese you would like to have on it. I chose bree. I got a side of home fries and a bloody maria as a drink. I had to explanation what that (my drink) was to the waitress which was slightly difficult conciderring the high volume of the music. It was 2 pm they already had the music up almost to club/bar volume. The drink was like 9 dollars and my burger was around 10 pretty expensive for a greasy lunch for one person. I had a craving for a greasy burger and that's what I got. If your into that kind of thing go for it. I like that they have a pool table as well.
(4)
Carrie W.

I have put this off too long and for no good reason. I. Absolutely. Love. Benjamin's! Yes I love a burger restaurant that really doesn't have a kitchen and that operates without a deep fryer. Why? Probably because they have the best burger in Pittsburgh. I am sure that statement can be met with disapproval, and I don't care. These bar side made burgers are so good! I have yet to have a burger cooked there that wasn't cooked incredible perfect and to my requested standards, seasoned wonderfully and was so full of flavor. Their candied jalapeno burger served medium rare is my favorite and I get it every time I come. I also really enjoy their shrimp and grits, actually the BEST shrimp and grits I have ever had. Perfectly cooked grits, not hard or gritty, with a habanera cheese sauce, topped with broiled shrimp. So delicious. I need to point out that my first visit to Benjamin's was for a Yelp event last year. I am so happy they had that event and I got to attend, because otherwise I don't think I would have ever tried this place. Now since they lack any fryers and the kitchen is literally on the corner of the bar (IE the oven, prep, plates) their side dishes are all raw minus the bacon home fries. I don't mind this at all, I prefer something a little healthier to go with my most likely 800 calorie burger, but I wish the sides were a little more inventive, and I wish they offered a salad as well. Last time I tried the broccoli salad as my side. Eh it was ok. The broccoli was nice, crunchy, and vibrant but the sauce and other components lacked flavor. I also had their pasta salad and potato salad. The pasta salad was my favorite of the three but still wish there were some other options for sides. I must also mention, they have a Brunch with a Bloody Mary Bar on Saturday and Sundays, and offer daily drink specials, on top of their Monday through Friday Happy Hour specials which you can get $2.00 off your draft choice. Just a couple more reasons I love this place.
(5)
Tada Y.

Benjamin's is a solid choice if you're in the Pittsburgh area and looking for a bite to eat. They have a pool and game room in the back if you're interested in hanging out and a lively front room, but might feel a bit grungy. Since I came with a group of 8, they sat us at a table in the back. The service is fast and friendly. While the food is good, I wouldn't say it is miles ahead of any other burger bar. Their menu has quite a bit to offer and would be a recommended location for anyone looking to grab a decent bite at a fair price.
(3)
Will R.

Eff this place all day long. Stopped in for a bite on a Sunday afternoon. Much to my surprise, they were serving brunch. I was on board. they stopped serving it at 3, which was fine as we were there about 20 minutes before then. We were seated and watered and promptly ignored until 3:05 or so. We were then told they may not be able to do brunch for us, as it ended at 3. Great. They asked the cooks who obliged us, but then proceeded to burn/forget half of our order. Then we waited another half an hour for the check. I wish this was an isolated incident, but every time I've come in it's the same story. Pretty good food prepared with 0 care and absolutely miserable service. You'd be better off going literally ANYWHERE else. Go to the Monterey Pub just a few blocks away. You'll be much happier with the experience.
(1)
Nena U.

Excited to try Benjamin's Western Avenue Burger Bar.. I ventured out in the steady downpour today.. It was about 11:45 so there was plenty of parking. What a cool little place! The bartender was friendly and took my to-go order. The menu has a lot to choose from.. it was tough to choose. I love burgers~! I went with the "Buffalo Blue" Burger (Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese, Romaine Lettuce) well I must say "it was a mighty tasty burger". You can tell it was good beef and real blue cheese crumbles. The burger was juicy and quite delicious. I was surprised that "French fries" weren't on the menu. They are just such a great accompaniment to a burger (American girl always). Sides include: Bacon Fat Home Fries, Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad, Curried Cabbage Cole Slaw, Potato Salad or Broccoli Salad. Bunch on Sunday 10:30 - a.m. - 9:00 p.m. brunch menu & build your own Bloody Mary bar available until 3pm. Theres a small dining room area - bar and a jukebox! ! I love that! There is outside seating (weather permitting). I bet they have a great happy hour.. I cant wait to go back! Nice draft beer selection.. always rotating.. that's cool. My meal was $10.95 - burger plus a side - a little above average.. but was it worth it? YES
(3)
Davidcia G.

Very nice place! It's a small neighborhood joint that has a lot of warmth and ambience. The waiter was very friendly, and even made me a martini based off of what my taste buds wanted at the time. Very strong too by the way :-) For appetizers, we enjoyed the cheese board, smoked salmon and Cured meats. All three were amazing! So many amazing flavors. The Cured meats came with a few slices of homemade pickle slices, and spicy brown mustard. The smoked salmon came with capers and horseradish sauce. The cheese board included salted almonds and pure honey. I didn't have a burger but they have many selections and options. My father in law had one and he described it as amazing! I will definitely return.
(4)
Rachel C.

I'm happy to say that Benjamin's has grown into an awesome place for gourmet burgers and more! I think they had a rough time with all the changes and transitions years back, but they've finally found a groove and I'm happy to indulge in! Their burgers not only have quality meat, but also have amazing gourmet toppings like cream cheese (HELLO!), candied jalapeÃ±o and truffle mustard (MY FAVE!). I can gladly say they accommodate vegetarians with a fantastic tasting veggie burger (I can confirm) and also offer gluten free buns. I also love their sides too, because c'mon, you can't' have a good burger without a grand offering of sides. Honestly there's not one I don't like, with their broccoli salad, interesting take on potato salad (with mustard and blue cheese) and curried cabbage slaw. I also have been to brunch, where they have a great bloody mary bar. And I can't leave without saying they have a healthy selection of portobello offerings, which is one of my fave items to have in anything I eat! The atmosphere is fantastic and it always amazes me knowing that they're literally working from that tiny grill you see by the bar. Seriously, take a look over there, because it will impress you number one, and number two, you know it's going to be hot off the grill good!
(4)
Tim W.

After attending Yelp's Burger Bonanza @ Benjamin's I had to go back for an encore. Being that it was my daughter's birthday and that she loves burgers as much as I do I figured that, that was as good a time as any to make a return visit. Upon entering we were greeted and quickly seated in a booth next to the bar. The wife and daughter both got a cream soda and I got a Coke. We started off with the Shrimp and Grits for our appetizer. (Byrd's Mill organic corn grits, habanero cheddar cheese, brown sugar and butter.) My daughter doesn't even like grits but, she loved these. My wife and I both went with the Candied Jalapeno burger with pickles and lettuce and tomato and the birthday girl ordered a bbq, bacon cheese burger with lettuce and tomato. We patiently sat and watched in excitement as our Bacon Fat Home Fries (onions & poblano peppers) were being cooked next to the bar. It was like Christmas morning as our burgers were brought all at once to our table. I am so glad I went with the Candied Jalapeno Burger! I ordered it medium and that's just how it came to me. It was super juicy and cooked perfectly! The freshly ground blend of Sirloin, Brisket & Short Rib was amazing and by adding the jalapeno cream cheese really makes the burger. It was so good! The Bacon Fat Home Fries were really good as well and complemented the burger to a tee. My other complaint was the bun as it missing something. it could have been buttered or something. The house made pickles were great also. Our waitress was perfect the whole night and never left my Coke or water glass get empty for long.
(5)
Meghan B.

I was disappointed that I didn't love my experience here as much as I did when I came to the elite event earlier this month. After coming the first week of October and sampling a lot of Benjamin's signature items (shrimp and grits, candied jalapeÃ±o burger and the crab cake), I couldn't wait to return! My boyfriend is a huge burger fan so I knew I wanted him to experience this place as well. We came on a Thursday night around 830. It was kind of busy and the bartenders were very busy, considering they were not only covering the bar but the table service as well. Our service was awesome, our server was super friendly and attentive to us despite how busy he was. I ordered the candied jalapeÃ±o burger with a side of broccoli with wasabi sauce, a side salad and the curried coleslaw. My boyfriend ordered a traditional burger with fries and a side salad. He liked his burger and fries but didn't feel as if it was anything out of the ordinary as far as your average burger goes. We both felt the side salad wasn't worth nearly $4. It was decent in size but the only toppings were soggy tomatoes, white onions and croutons. Nothing special. The curried coleslaw was disappointing- barely any curry flavor and the vinegar taste was overwhelming. The wasabi broccoli was alright, but I didn't finish it because the sauce was a little over powering. I'm giving this place three stars primarily because the candied jalapeÃ±o burger itself is that good. The sauce is amazing. I don't think I'll be returning, unless I have an intense craving for the candied jalapeÃ±o burger.
(3)
Larissa G.

If there's one thing I love, it's a good burger, and my goodness, based on the meal I had here Benjamin's knows exactly how to make a good burger! I stopped in with a family member because we had a discount card for Benjamin's, but after our meal we'd come back whether we were getting the discount or not. I ordered a top shelf cheeseburger minus the onions and with a couple extra of my favorite toppings. And the burger I got was, well, really darn good! It was definitely not undercooked, but the dripping of juicy beef goodness that had me carefully eating over my plate the entire meal was a clear indication that it wasn't overcooked, either - and given my history of getting overcooked burgers, this was fantastic. My dining partner enjoyed one of their fall ales in addition to their burger, and the two things went together really well. I was admittedly way more focused on the yummy burger than the booze at that point. I guess my only tiny complaint was that I had a little confusion with the menu, which led to me getting a spicy side dish with my food. So much of the menu includes a list of ingredients that you can choose from, that I didn't realize that ordering a side of broccoli would include all of the listed ingredients (which included wasabi) mixed together as a dressing. So I ended up eating a pretty spicy side of broccoli with my burger. It tasted just fine and now I know better for next time, but it wouldn't hurt if they clarified which parts of the menu were "pick your ingredients" and which ones weren't. But overall, Benjamin's is definitely somewhere I'd eat again, and now it's on my top five places to grab a great burger in this city. My dining partner and I left feeling full and content. Can't wait to stop by again!
(4)
Marla K.

We came here on St. Paddy's Day for dinner before a dessert-only wedding. It was fairly busy but we got a table right away. We started off ordering some beers. They've got about 8-10 craft taps. Unfortunately I'd just had a burger at home the night before, so to eat I ordered the crab cake sandwich. My food was good. The crab cake was big and very moist. I really enjoyed the pasta salad I had as my side. My husband and friend we were also with both got burgers. My friend looooves their burgers. My husband liked his as well but he did say he's had better. My friend disagrees, but I didn't have one so I cannot settle the debate! When we got the check at the end of our meal we did get charged for the wrong more expensive beers. But I understand that the staff was probably going a little crazy with St. Patty's day! I'd really like to go back and try the burgers for myself.
(3)
Greg T.

Stopped in with a bunch of clients on their recommendation. Very good burger bar with great decor and charm. Ordered the candied jalepeno burger with bacon. Asked for it rare and it came out perfectly cooked and topped with spicy, jalepeno cream cheese and crispy applewood smoked bacon. Bun was fresh and did not get soggy while eating the burger. As a side I opted for the curried slaw which was also very good and cut the unctousness of the burger. Everyone else reported thier burger and sides were excellent, particularly the bacon fat home fries. Service was very good and prices were reasonable.
(4)
Brad G.

I stopped in here on my visit to Pittsburgh because I love a good burger & the place I stayed recommended this place. The city I'm from has a ton of great burger places so I'm slightly spoiled. It was a great place to hang out, have a few drinks, eat, & shoot some pool. Upon entering, I noticed the music immediately. Great music was playing that night. It made me want to dance while eating my burger. We were greeted & it smelled delicious. It's nice that this spot is next to a road to where you can watch people, dogs, & cars go by while you eat. Most burger places in my city don't have that. For the appetizer we decided to have the Baked Brie (Brie, Granny Smith Apple Slices, Roasted Almonds, Wildflower Honey, Crostini). If I lived in the neighborhood, I could probably go here all the time to drink & eat baked brie the night away! Looking at the burger menu, I was slightly overwhelmed. In my city, there are gourmet burger places, but most of them have 2 or 3 go-to burgers. This menu... Every single one of them sounded tasty! I decided to go with the Candied Jalapeno Burger (Candied Jalapeno cream cheese & apple wood smoked bacon). The burger was great. My only complaint is that it was a little dry. I normally order my burger medium so that it has pink & plenty of juice. It was still great... it just came out a little more on the medium-well to well side. This place doesn't serve fries. Instead they have other sides along with Bacon Fat Home Fries(Onions & Poblano peppers). I wish places here in Louisville had that side! Dessert choice... Brownie Sundae! We weren't able to finish it because we were so stuffed! The last thing to mention with this place is the beer. Options on tap as well as plenty of cans, bottle, wines, & cocktails to choose from. After eating, we decided to play pool while I had a few more drinks. The staff there was great! I invited them to my city... yeah... when I drink a lot I tend to want everyone drinking & to have a good time with me. I hope I wasn't obnoxious. :-) I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Maura U.

This is definitely a 4-star burger joint! Ordered the soft pretzels, just to try out two dips that intrigued us - the candied jalapeÃ±o cream cheese and the truffle mustard. I was not a fan of the cream cheese because I don't like the heat, but my husband took it down! The truffle mustard was good, more of a finely-ground, stone-ground mustard that had a smooth finish. Smacked the sour and bitter taste buds all around! Our meal was a split burger and side - the BBQ burger and the broccoli salad. My thoughts on the burger: The first thing I noticed was the doneness; as I cut the burger in twain, the juices flowed into the lower bun and onto the plate. YES. This is a medium rare burger! Probably the first correct one I've had all summer! Next, the bacon. Thick strips of bacon, not too over-peppered, and still with a bit of chewiness. Tasty. The BBQ suave was on the savory side, most notably from the pepper, then what I think is a smidge of onion powder. All mingling together nicely on this fine burger. The bun: surprised it wasn't toasted, but that is all. Broccoli Salad: Boasting a soy-wasabi dressing, this chilled salad rocks the salty buds. It is truly covered with this sauce, assumably, it's been brining/marinating in it. Mostly soy sauce flavored, it didn't have the wasabi punch I was expecting. Good, nonetheless. I suggest giving this place a try. My hubby and I are taking the afternoon to compare this and Bubba's in Bridgeville (both new to us). We'll let you know the winner later!
(4)
Margaret H.

Very solid burgers here, you can tell they are freshly ground in house. Fun combinations, I'm partial to the one that comes with goat cheese and a giant pile of julienned apples. Also, THANK GOD I FINALLY FOUND A PLACE WITH A GLUTEN FREE BUN. Jesus, Pittsburgh is a city obsessed with wheat. My one complaint: their potato salad is so promising, what with bleu cheese and a mustard vinaigrette, but the one time I got it, the potatoes themselves were undercooked. Like crunchy raw. Other sides are top notch, like the bacon fat home fries and the vaguely Asian broccoli salad. Go for brunch. Get the Hangover Helper. Thank me later.
(4)
Nova S.

I've been wanting to try Benjamin's for a while now, and I had the chance to suggest it when I had dinner with friends last Friday. It was a nice day and we were lucky enough to snag the last outdoor table which was great. The place was pretty packed but not so bad that one would feel uncomfortable though it was getting more crowded by the time we left around 8:00 PM or so. We go there in time for the tail end of happy hour plus they had their sangria on special, so I ordered that and we ordered the pretzels appetizer which was half off and which came with their candied jalapeno cream cheese and truffle mustard. The pretzels were warm and soft but the star of the dish was the jalapeno cream cheese. It was so good that I saved the little remaining bit to have with my burger. The mustard that came with the dish was also great, but we were all clamoring for the jalapeno cream cheese, which made me wish that I'd ordered the burger that comes with it, but I will do that next time. For our burgers 2 of us got the veggie burger which was honestly close to the best veggie burger that I've ever had in my life. I will definitely go back there. I got the Buffalo Blue burger with the veggie patty and overall, the sauce must have gotten soaked into the veggie burger because it was completely dry and hardly there so and had very little buffalo sauce flavor, I was happy that I still had some of the jalapeno cream cheese, but the burger itself was tasty. My friend got the Goat Cheese and apple veggie burger and really liked it though she felt that the amount of shredded apple on top was excessive (it was) and took at least half of it off. Her husband got the fancy pants with beef burger and he enjoyed it. My friend and I got the broccoli salad as our side dish and while it was okay I felt like the broccoli was way overcooked to the point where it was kind of too mushy so I really didn't enjoy that. My friends husband got the potato salad as his side, and said that it was fine, but nothing great. So, overall we really did enjoy our burgers and appetizer and will definitely go back, but we may try different side dishes and options the next time and maybe it will hit 5 stars.
(4)
Elaine A.

Mmmmm Meat! Best gourmet burgers ever. Great service, fun menu, cozy atmosphere, fun decor. Bloody Mary Bar for Sunday Brunch is a nice touch. So far have tried the Mushroom Swiss Birger, the Barbeque, and the Candied Jalepeno cream cheese and Bacon burgers.... And recommend all of them. #allofthemeats The Pickeled stuff and deviled eggs are also great:) Love the simple concept of the place! Count me in for another.
(4)
Kevin O.

I had lunch with some colleagues at Benjamin's. This was my first visit and though I was intrigued by the burgers, and some other menu items, I was craving smoked salmon on the drive in this morning. As luck would have it, Benjamin's offers a pastrami style smoked salmon with brie, romaine, onion, tomato, dill aioli on a toasted wheat Kaiser roll. This sandwich is pared with a choice of side dish and who can resist wasabi and broccoli? Very nice, fresh broccoli florets, shredded carrots, and sesame with a light wasabi dressing. The menu pricing is slightly upscale and my lunch cost $13+ with no drink. I like water! Benjamin's does have a full bar and the atmosphere is very "pub" like which is to say that it is comfortable, the music was appropriately loud enough but not too loud for conversation at your table, there is a TV showing soccer, and the seating is fine. Tables w/chairs on one side and a long bench on the other. I cant wait to try this place again. Next time I'll be checking out the burgers for sure!
(4)
April I.

Was there for Sunday brunch, was excellent!! Very good food!! Even though kitchen was slow, short a cook, it was worth the wait!
(5)
Jonathan D.

Compared to last time I was here, this was a much better experience. I stopped in for brunch last weekend with the intent of having a bloody Mary, only to end up having breakfast and two drinks. First off, Jaime at the bar is a really great server. She's attentive, outgoing, and friendly. She's the type of person that wants you to enjoy yourself and will make sure you do - so props to her. For breakfast, I enjoyed their rendition of lox and cream cheese. Instead of being served with a bagel, it came with two thick slices of toasted marble rye bread. In addition to the bread, an assortment of toppings, including tomato, lettuce, and onion were served. Their jalapeno cream cheese is served on the side as is an aioli sauce (although I felt it was unnecessary). The bloody Mary bar was well stocked and clean. For the alcohol in my drinks, I opted to try their house infused vodkas. Lastly, I enjoyed chatting with the two female cooks behind the counter. They were extremely friendly and interesting. I really wish every time I went to Benjamins was as good as this experience.
(4)
Doug S.

Beautiful burgers here to compliment the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Good service and knowledgable too
(4)
Antwain C.

Slow - for a burger that is flame broil - it's a good burger but nothing I couldn't duplicate in the back yard - The business is great for this spot - everyone extra friendly - the home fries were OK but the Potatoes salad was missing a lot of identity! Overall I would eat here again in a pinch but would not be my 1,2,3 choice to grab a non- commercial burger place! No milkshake or tradition fries and that's because the kitchen is basically behind the bar! Again no distinguish flavor or homemade ranch or signature taste that says their name! Nothing that makes you have an addiction to and crave later! But perfect for this area that is without this kind of variety! Another thing! They had to turn down customers because they have only about 50 seating amongst 4 tables - so smaller couples have to sit at the bar - not cool!
(3)
Selena S.

Yes. The burgers surpass any others in this city. But the Shrimp & Grits...the finest by far north of Charleston SC. And Sangria. And Bloody Mary bar. And Bourbons. Just come here.
(5)
Angelica R.

I really want to like this place. It's nice but just a touch overpriced for me, especially on the North Side. I was here for lunch on a Saturday but ended up with the brunch BLT and side of homefries. The sandwich was a little lopsided; all the B was on one side and kept falling off. I wish I had more L, and the T was one slice in the middle, so I wanted more of that, too. I really didn't enjoy the chunks of onion. I'm not talking about a thick-cut ring, or slivers of onion spread on top - there were big chunks of yellow onion just tossed on the bottom of the bun. I did enjoy the fried egg on top, though. I love fried eggs on anything! It added just the right amount of moisture to the bread (a hamburger bun, naturally). It was busy, so we sat at the bar. I love sitting at the bar. I just wish I had the quick service that everyone around me was afforded. I couldn't decide on a beer when I was first asked what I wanted and I waited until my meal arrived to get a beer - and I had to ask for it. I wasn't sitting at the far end, I was smack in the middle of the bar and two girls kept walking back and forth but never stopped to inquire if I was ready for a beer yet. I hate to harp on it, but if I'm paying $9 for a draft, I want $9 service. I'll be back to try more, but I'll try to come at a slower time and speak up sooner for that beer!
(3)
Lauren K.

I have tried so hard to like this place given its proximity to my house, but I just can't. While the burgers themselves are fine (though $$$$), everything else is terrible, from the sides to the other sandwiches to the smoked salmon (I suppose the charcuterie plate is just OK as well). Beyond the food, the service is usually downright rude, the inside of the place is just bizarre, the bathroom is always disgusting and usually out of toilet paper, the ventilation is terrible so you'll smell like a burger when you leave, and it's so expensive for what it is. Again, I've wanted to like this place and have been here quite a few times, but I regret it every time I step foot in there.
(1)
Tracy W.

One of the best burgers I've ever had!! We had the baked Brie for an appetizer. They had a great list of drinks and craft beers! I had the Rosemary and goat cheese burger and my boyfriend had the mushroom and Swiss. Everything was a absolutely amazing. There were so many things I wanted to try on the menu and it will be my first stop the next time I am in Pittsburgh!!
(5)
Brad F.

We came in on a Sunday night with two table taken in the place and were asked to move to a smaller table in case a larger table came in. They are closing in 25 minutes and we wanted to watch the football game. I said we would move if a larger party came in and got attitude from our waitress. I would think they would want the extra income before closing. We live in the neighborhood and are in the industry. Dirty looks and attitude don't work for us.
(1)
Darren W.

Prior to catching Ghost B.C, at Stage AE, I found myself with time to squander, so to Western Avenue I hoofed it wielding a Just Pay Half Hot Card in search of a mighty burger. As it turned out, Benjamin's no longer accepts the Hot Cards (thankfully, I had funds!), and while I've had mightier burgers, what Benny's is serving up doesn't run away from the likes Burgatory or Tessaro's either. Freshly ground and hand-made daily, Benjamin's burgers are a compelling blend of sirloin, brisket (!), and short-rib (!!), creating beefy, bloody, smoky alchemy within mouths and a toasted Breadworks bun. Benjamin's offers a number of burger builds as well as salad, snacks, and other types of sandwiches, but I created my own monster of brie, lettuce, tomato, onion, and bacon, shouting giddly "IT'S ALIVE!!!" as beads of jus rolled down my fingers upon first munch. Winghart's has a similar burger dubbed The Shipwreck, and it does not compare, my Benjamin's creation acting as the Kraken, pulling it down further into the depths of the ocean. The housemade pickles put my taste buds in a trick as they accomplished something I never thought possible: The coins of cured cucumber were sweet, sour, and a little spicy simultaneously, causing my eyes to roll like a slot machine as I bit into each jarred medallion. The bacon fat homefries had an off-putting dryness to them, and despite what the menu said, I detected no lardy flavors in the underseasoned tuber cubes. Nonetheless, I took in some of the Pirates game at the dark, wooden bar, one comfortably co-opted by locals, politely spurning the advances of tipsy middle-aged women as I conquered yet another Liberty Steak, pondering what a blasphemous North Shore Good Friday evening Papa Emeritus II had on the dimming horizon for this Catholic boy gone astray... youtube.com/watch?v=fWZQâ€¦ P.S. The service was adequate overall even if it took some time for the bartender to warm up to me (he came off as a tad curt at first). He seemed to know all the other patrons, though. P.P.S. Benjamin's is the brainchild of Paul Tebbets, formerly of the defunct wine bar known as Brix. P.P.PS . I'll vouch for the men's bathroom as it was quite nice. I usually don't mention restrooms in my reviews unless they're abominable or spotless or unusual, so take it from a pro.
(4)
Miki T.

I was craving a burger and had been looking to try, so I ordered take-out. Ordered 'fancy pants' with Manchego. They forgot the fancy. No braised onions or truffle mustard. Luckily I had Target Dijon in the fridge. The meat was very good. No cutlery, which you need for the home fries. Luckily I had a fork at home. My husband is going to be pissed when he sees $37 for 2 burgers and desert and I can't even shoosh him with my enthusiasm.
(3)
Holly H.

Believe the hype!! I've been told by several people how amazing this place is, and I need to go. So my boyfriend and I were on our way to a venue in town and he was craving a burger and I remembered Benjamin's was in the area. He ordered a buffalo blue burger and I got the candied jalapeÃ±o and cream cheese burger....both were AMAZING!!! Best buff burger we've ever had!! And the cream cheese burger was insanely good!! The hash on the side is beyond words...it's made with bacon fat, yum! The server was great, they had some great happy hour specials as well. We will FOR SURE be back!!
(5)
Aaron R.

Place is good. upscale pricing, quality foods and a really neat atmosphere
(4)
Calcifer L.

This is one of my favorite burger places. Their goatcheese and apple burger and different but still delicious. The only reason I gave them a 4 instead of a 5 is because they don't have fries. What kind of burger joint doesn't have fries?!
(4)
Paige B.

Before eating here, I always thought "a burger's a burger." However, I stopped into Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar while traveling and I was quickly proven wrong! I ordered the "My Morning Burger," and absolutely loved it! The food was great, the service was friendly, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was relaxing. If I'm ever back in the area, I will definitely be revisiting.
(5)
Kristine S.

Burgers, brews, and hockey.
(4)
Marta N.

Was there for the burgers yesterday. Very nice burger, perfectly done. Loved the truffle mustard and red onion combo. Their mixed drinks need a bit of work. Ordered a Negroni that tasted like straight gin, and a Manhattan that was way too sweet. The cheese and meat board is pretty decent, although I would like to see some stinker cheeses on rotation.
(4)
Laura H.

A great alternative to Burgatory or BRGR! I have sat at the bar and at tables and I have had attentive service every visit! The Rosemary Balsamic Goat cheese and green apple burger is my favorite!The flavors compliment each other well and it was cooked medium as I had ordered.The red wine braised onions&truffle mustard burger was also very good.I was not impressed with the buffalo burger though-it was just ok. My boyfriend has also had the fried egg burger which he said was spicy but not overpowering.The burgers are a little pricey but the goat cheese and apple burger is highly worth it-I don't think I could say the same about any of their other burgers however. Of note, each burger comes with a side but fries are not an option. that does not bother me but I know some diners would not be happy. The curry cloeslaw is ok-but if they have the blue cheese potato salad order that-it's awesome! They also have good drafts!
(4)
Matt S.

Small bar and three other areas - tables in front room, tables outside and a back room with a pool table. Good craft beer options on tap and in bottles. Great bourbon selection. The veggie burger is a little different - sweet potato and chick peas but I liked it. The home fries are good too, but the best part of my lunch was the wasabi broccoli salad. It tasted like a broccoli sushi roll. I really like the two large widows in the front - lets a lot of light in and makes for an open air room when weather permits.
(4)
Allison F.

We spent the weekend in Pittsburgh, and this was by far the best food of our trip! Cool atmosphere, delicious food.
(5)
Gary R.

I'm happy to say that Benjamin's has progressed significantly since my last review and has earned this 4 star rating! They seem to have addressed each of my initial issues and I'm now a fan!! They have draft beer!!! OK, not a lot of taps but still, enough to suffice! And they had $3 beer specials on my visit there on Saturday - including 21st Amendment! I love that!! So count me in as a happy camper! We sat at the bar, which is really charming. The whole place just feels good, even without the fire. I'm sure that's coming as the weather turns. Kasey was our bartender and was just totally awesome and attentive. She was great and a delight to talk to. We ordered burgers and they were spectacular! The beef really does make a difference and these were incredibly flavorful - the custom hand mixed blend rivals most any others I've ever had - and is far better than that of Burgatory in my opinion. I had the burger with the fried egg on top (love that!), thick cut smoked bacon and hot sauce mayo and I'm here to tell you it was fabulous! It was bigger than the burgers we had here previously so I think they've adjusted things properly. My wife's goat cheese and green apple burger was equally amazing and we both left stuffed!! Although I didn't order them, the pretzels which initially were vending machine quality bag pretzels are now on the menu as "soft" pretzels with truffle mustard so I'm assuming they've improved there as well! A great place and I can't wait to go back!!!
(4)
Anthony F.

Ive been here a million times. Cheese plate happy hour is always awesome. The burgers have flavor and are actually tasty. Stop by for a simple meal.
(4)
Julia G.

Burgers. They are my soulmate. My one true love. If I could eat a burger every day, I would. So when I find a burger I've yet to try I can't help but succumb to its meaty ways. The menu features burgers (duh) and a few sandwiches, salads, and starters. Naturally when I go to a place that refers to itself as a "burger bar" I get a salad. Just kidding. I got the Top Shelf Cheese burger which is a single burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and your choice of blue, brie, or cheddar cheese. I went with blue cheese because it is the ultimate. The burger was delightful. Seriously. It was a blend of sirloin, brisket, and short rib. I'm a firm believer that you don't need to do a blend if you have quality ground chuck but this blend was flavorful, moist, and overall cooked to my specific temperature requirements aka medium. The sides that accompany the burgers and sandwiches could use a little work. My broccoli was ok as was the pasta salad and home fries. If Benjamin's steps up it's side game it will have a really great burger combo on its hands. And for all you gluten free people, Benjamin's offers gluten free buns!
(3)
Samantha E.

Ordered the goat cheese and apple burger and it was yummy. A little under cooked, but still delicious. Great customer service, they were willing to seat our large party in the lounge area.
(4)
Rachel M.

Benjamin's is one of my favorite burger places ever (and I'm a vegetarian!). My husband and I love the atmosphere, service, and most of all the food. The veggie burger is real - not a store bought frozen patty, but real and you have amazing toppings to choose from! My husband always switches up his choice, but we have never had a bad meal there - also their side dishes are fantastic. Typical sides, with a little bit of a twist.
(5)
Tim H.

Walked down for lunch on Sunday. Brunch with bloody Mary's available. Wanted to try the burger since they have the fresh ground meat mixed from a couple different cuts. Tasted great best burger so far in Pittsburgh. Home fries a neat and different side option. Well worth it especially when you compare to something like five guys (chain). Inside it's a neat looking place with bar and sidewalk seating. Not a big place so if see a line you will have a long wait. Also the kitchen is very small at end of bar. We had a great experience and the price surprised me. Less than $12 a person for a burger and side.
(4)
Dave P.

Benjamin's is good bar/ restaurant on the Northside. The ambience and use of space is excellent, more restaurant than bar and tastefully done. The slow roasted pork sandwich reminded me of my mom's pork toast with its moist hint of connsmon. The sliders with bacon and jalapeÃ±o cream cheese seal the deal. Perfectly cooked, spicy without being overpowering, and bacon. Everything is better with bacon.
(5)
Tracy C.

BEST Burger I have had in a long time. I travel a lot and eat in a lit of places across the country but this one is a favorite...
(5)
Aisha M.

FANTASTIC. The atmosphere and the food are wonderful. When I say the service was slow I don't mean it in a bad way. It gives you time to have a drink and appetizer while looking over the menu, what I mean is I didn't feel rushed. The burger I had was the Apple & Goat Cheese. I just moved to the North Side and I will visit this place again and again !
(4)
Gabrielle L.

Came here on a chilly November night after picking up my brother from work in the North Side. He suggested Benjamin's after multiple recommendations from his coworkers, and I was down for a burger, so there we went. I decided to go out on a tiny limb and try out the balsamic/rosemary goat cheese and apple burger, which was absolutely delicious and cooked to a perfect medium-well per my request. I was admittedly a little underwhelmed by my side of home fries, but the star of the show was definitely my burger. I washed it down with a delectable triple IPA that was on draft. Overall, I enjoyed Benjamin's and will likely come back to try another one of their top shelf burgers soon.
(4)
Nathaniel S.

The place is huge with a separate lounge/pool table area. Went for brunch on a Saturday around lunch time. The bloody mary bar was solid as was the 6 tap beer selection but it took awhile for a table and the service was extremely slow. The food was delicious and the server apologized and offered a free dessert but we passed. Would come back for drinks or lunch but only if we had lots of time.
(3)
Jennifer N.

Let's say you want to watch a hockey game, drink a beer, and eat a burger. This is the place for you. I don't watch hockey, I don't drink beer, and I don't eat red meat, and even still I found Benjamin's lovely. The veggie burger made of chickpeas is slightly dry, so do yourself a favor and get it with a sharp cheese (I got the blue cheese), tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. The hamburger received rave reviews from my dining companion (he order the one with bacon, a fried egg, and sriracha-- what a combination!)The burgers come with a choice of sides ranging from a carrot coleslaw to homefries (cooked in bacon fat) to a tomato and basil pasta salad. In short, you won't be stuck with a boring plate of limp fries. The service is friendly and efficient, the food is cheap (two burgers for $20, way cheaper than DC), and the space, while slightly loud, is charming.
(4)
Mike H.

Fancy looks, fancy prices. Not a whole lot of options on the menu. Got the pork sandwich. The pork was good, but just not a whole lot of it. Price per portion is on the high side.
(1)
Alejandro L.

I went to Benjamin's with some friends. The small restaurant was crowded, and although we were told that it'd be an hour wait, there were plenty of seats at the bar. The menu is small, focusing only on burgers and a few sandwiches. I ordered the wine braised onions with trouffle mustard burger. The burger came out perfectly cooked. The meat was perfectly seasoned and all of the flavored complimented each other so well. Hands down, this is the best burger in the Burgh!!
(5)
Lnn S.

My experience here was not memorable for any good reasons. In fact, the oven was apparently broken when we arrived, and despite the fact that it took them almost an hour to fix it, the free appetizers we were promised did not appear for at least half an hour, either. Our waitress was nice, but I'm pretty sure she brought me the wrong beer. This aside, my salmon sandwich with brie was exactly that - a few slices of very smokey salmon and three chunks of brie. I'm not a chef by any means, but how much talent does that really take?? In addition, my side of tomato-basil pesto pasta salad, which I'm sure you're thinking sounds yummy, was really bland. The best part of the experience was the outdoor seating on the deck, but I was glad I wasn't at one of the tables crammed down in the alley. This out-of-towner was not impressed.
(2)
Jason F.

I stopped by here last Friday evening with my fiance for dinner. We had tried going to Benjamins this past summer whenever we were in the North Side only to be turned away because their oven wasn't working. We figured it to be a fluke and headed over at around 7:00 PM on a frigid night. Whenever we arrived the place was packed with only a single empty table which we were shown to promptly. This table ended up being near the front of the restaurant and next to two windows and so both my fiance and I elected to keep our jackets on during the whole meal. I would imagine this is usually not a problem but happened to be that night since Pittsburgh was in a cold snap. For our dinner my fiance and I decided to start off the meal by splitting the soft pretzels and choosing the truffle mustard over the candied jalapeno cream cheese dipping sauce. This would later allow me to order the candied jalapeno cream cheese and bacon burger for my entree with a side of curried cabbage cole slaw since I wanted to try different things. Within a short time of ordering the pretzels came out with a welcome warmth to them. They tasted pretty good on their own with my only complaint being that they might have been over salted a bit. That was easily remedied by rubbing some of the salt off before I ate it though. The real star of this dish ended up being the truffle mustard. Who would have thought combing truffle with mustard was a good idea? Well it was as the strong truffle flavor came through first before making room for the nice mustard flavor. Our entrees came out a bit later and as my burger was being placed down in front of me my first thought was "This is it for my $10.50 burger?" Of course I could have went with the double but the $4.50 more for an extra meat patty that wasn't very large probably wouldn't have made me too happy either. In any case I decided to start off my dinner by digging into the curried cabbage cole slaw. There wasn't much curried flavor to the cole slaw but it did have a lot of vinegar on it which I enjoyed but I imagine that many others would not. Then I moved on to the burger which ended up tasting pretty good . It's meat was cooked to the proper medium temperature and the candied jalapeno cream cheese provided some good flavor with a bit of spiciness. The bottom line for me is that I probably wouldn't stop here again in the future. It's not that the food was bad as I ended up enjoying most of what I had ordered but I think that it is overpriced for what you receive.
(3)
Maribel E.

Food is scrumptious. Portions are small. Service is hit or miss. The menu items are beautifully written and I guess that is what you pay for. The hype. It is overpriced. The food and the drinks could use a bit of generosity.
(2)
M K.

Benjamin's has really improved. I went there when it first opened and the food and service were horrible. I went back last night as a lot of people in the neighborhood have been saying it improved. They were right, the food and service is much better these days! I got their staple item, a burger with bacon fried home fries. Both were very good. The appetizer I got was was shrimp and grits. It was done differently than I have ever seen it, but it was really good.
(3)
Emily M.

Went here for Saturday brunch. They have a great brunch menu and a make your own bloody mary bar. I ordered a breakfast item, but one of my friends had a burger and loved it! We were able to sit outside, and it was lovely. I can't wait to come back here and order a burger! The menu has sooooo many that sound delicious. The service wasn't spectacular by any means, but it was fine. The interior of the restaurant looked nice, but we sat outside so I can't really comment on it.
(4)
Rebecca M.

I came here for the first time a month ago and have been back 3 times since because it was so good! I had heard that this was the "best burger in town" and after testing it out, I think I agree with this sentiment. I have tried both the rosemary gouda burger and the red-wine braised onion burger and both were fantastic. Every burger on the menu sounds appealing, so I will work my way down the list. The service has not been consistent but on my last visit it was great, plus I don't might sacrificing great service for a great burger. Each burger comes with your side of choice - I'm not sure you can go wrong here but the pasta salad is a nice alternative to fries. Also, the brie and honey appetizer is absolutely delicious - if that is your type of thing don't pass it up!
(4)
Mike D.

I love burgers so this isn't much of a stretch for me. If you are looking for a casual dining experience, some nice cocktails, and cheap beer specials then I think Benjamins would do you well. I keep my burgers simple (American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo), so I haven't strayed too much on ordering anything else. I will say that the appetizers that we've order have left us a little wanting. We did order the cured meat tray, which was billed "as the best in Pittsburgh", didn't quite live up to that. Was good enough, but nothing to live up to that hype. We also ordered the baked brie, which was tasty but didn't really have that much actual brie in it. Soft pretzels however are great, as soft pretzels always seem to be. Besides my burgers, in which I always order a double, my wife tried the roasted portobello sandwich and Rosemary-Balsamic Goat Cheese & Green Apple burger. Both were adored. The ambiance is great, it's cozy, and warm. That does have it's downside though. It can get crowded, and sometimes I do leave smelling a bit like the grill. None of these negatives have stopped me from going back though, as I've been there 3 times in the last two months.
(4)
Lawrence R.

We've been back for lunch or brunch since my last review, and we really do like it there. We're still hesitant to try dinner after that last, awful time.
(3)
Will K.

Benjamin's is awesome! First off I must say the food is pretty good. The jalapeÃ±o creme cheese burger is one of the best around. Sometimes service can be iffy tho when there is a crowd but they manage to do a good job. They have no kitchen but they do have a tiny grill at the end of the bar. This will surely slow the process of cooking many meals at once. This is a good place to go when you aren't in a hurry and don't want the same old food. I would recommend Benjamin's for happy hour or a lazy Sunday lunch or dinner. They have some great daily (happy hour) specials so be sure to call and ask!
(4)
Lucretiz C.

I'd like to see this business get a boost in their star ratings and here's why. The decor is so lovely on the inside , lit candles on the bar and modern art works on the walls. The back section of Benjamin's has additional seating a pool table and oversized black comfy couches. I can see myself having fun back there ;) I dined here two days in row and enjoyed both visits. And also Benjamin's has a back patio seating area, for those of you who value this sort of thing. I ordered the cheese board yumm-o which is served with truffle mustard and wine braised onions. The blue cheese was soft and melt in your mouth delicious. I did think it was odd that there was no cheese knife so I had to eat the cheese with my hands. I used the cheese to scoop up the mustard, no biggie. I also ordered a burger topped with truffle mustard and wine soaked onions with a side of cole slaw. I wasn't a fan of the coleslaw , way too much vinegar. The burger was juicy and hot and peppery and made to order. If they cook all the burgers this well I'll be back to sample more, particularly the blue cheese, green olives topped burger. Warning, they serve all their food on paper plates with plastic utensils , that justs a heads up!
(4)
Lauren P.

I was hesitant to try this place as I did not know what to expect. As soon as I walked in I loved it. They have outdoor and indoor seating with brick interior that makes it feel cozy. We went for brunch and started on the back patio however the weather did not hold out and we found ourselves inside shortly after. Our waiter seemed a little off that day and confused about menu items although I think he was just helping out. They had a blood Mary bar which I would recommend if you like these drinks. For my entrÃ©e I went with the BLT-bacon, lettuce, tomato, and fried egg. It was supposed to be served with fruit but came with potatoes. The sandwich was delicious. I would have preferred fruit but the potatoes were very tasty. What amazes me about this place is they have one tiny stove that they cook most meals on one at a time. The only disappointment was someone in our party ordered the crab eggs benedict. They forgot her ordered and she was served after we all finished eating and did not like the crab. The restaurant more than made up for this by brining her out a side of potatoes right away and serving us 2 bread pudding desserts-these were delicious and served warm with ice cream. The owner also came out and apologized and asked for suggestions for improvement. Overall I would skip brunch and go back for a burger and $3 Sangrias they have on Fridays.
(3)
Chris S.

This place was absolutely awful. The service was extremely slow and the quality of the food was just terrible. Hamburgers were extremely undercooked and unseasoned. A trip to McDonald's would've been a better experience than wasting time going to this restaurant. If you like the idea of sitting around wasting time and being concerned about the risk of getting e-coli. poisoning I would say it would be fine -- Otherwise, stay away!
(1)
Barry R.

Urban legend has it that the owner's renamed the wine bar formerly known as Brix, "Benjamins" because they poured so many 100 dollar bills into the renovation project! You can see where the money went, it's got a chill, but beautiful vibe with a roaring fireplace, exposed brick walls, tons of great art, a friendly knowledgeable staff and a pool table and plush couches in the well styled back lounge. The menu is broken up into 3 sections "Not Burgers", "Burgers" and "Snacks". The specialty burgers are as creative as they are delicious, I got the MASSIVE fluffy apple and rosemary goatcheese "fat boy" 14 oz burger, and it was as tasty a burger as I've ever had. Between Brgr, Burgatory, Tessaros and Winghearts, trendy gourmet burger bars are big in the burgh, and Benjamins brings a free spirited, unpretentious but high class twist to the game. I ate at Benjamins Wednesday night, and I'm already enlisting friends to bring when I go back this weekend. I'm not much of a wine connoisseur, and Benjamins has a nice wine list and very well stocked micro brew list to wash down their killer burgers. I'm sorry Brix Wine Bar didn't work out, but Benjamins has risen like a phoenix from ashes to create something even better!
(5)
Amy R.

An interesting little place. They've improved upon the dinnerware since the reviews hating on the paper plates. They are at least metal now. I'm still hoping that they'll use real silverware soon, instead of plastic. The interior is dark and cozy...and they need to bring some aspects of the restaurant up to snuff. In addition to the silverware, get some decent real storefront windows - don't paint on your logo yourself. Also, the music was somewhat strange. Well, okay there was just one song that was of obvious questionable subject matter when in mixed company. I was with my husband so I just cocked my head, said 'well that's an interesting song to hear at a restaurant'...but I'll tell you the old lady at the next table looked appalled. Anyhow...the burgers were REALLY GOOD. I'd definitely go back again for the burgers. Juicy, perfectly cooked, seasoned just right. Love it. And they have hard cider. Woot!
(4)
Anthony W.

Very good service. Excellent burgers. Great decor. Definitely get the "fries" as a side and I also highly recommend the Sriracha deviled eggs appetizer. I'm looking forward to returning soon.
(4)
Ginger S.

Atmosphere and service were great!! Good selection of drafts and cider with happy hour specials. I had the veggie burger with green apple and my love...aka goat cheese. The patty was fresh with wonderful flavor and the toppings went great together. The side of cole slaw was very tasty but a bit on the small side. Will definitely return when the weather is warmer and the store front opens up to the outside!
(5)
Beth K.

First off, I wish I could give Benjamins an extra half star for excellent service and beautiful bathroom. Seriously, the bathroom is spectacular and they handled our party of 11 like complete pros. My problem is, the burger I had just doesn't stand up to others I've had in the city. It's good, but nothing mind blowing. I started my meal off with a side salad, which was a little odd because it had salsa on top. It was a very tasty salad with good balsamic dressing, dont get me wrong, but definitely the first time I had salsa on a salad (and not much else). I ordered the Top Shelf burger with Aged Cheddar cheese. I got a side of home fries. I added bacon and pickles to the burger. The burger was big, with toppings piled high. Not a bad thing, but I appreciate a bun that can handle a big burger, which this was not. I ended up eating most of the burger with a fork and knife, and just picking out the bacon and eating it by itself (it was really good bacon). The pickles were not standard dill pickles, but a sweet and spicy pickle which was OK, but not what I would have chosen. The home fries were good, but let's face it, not french fries, which is what I think everyone wants instead. I'll stress again how great the service was... they separated all of our checks without us even asking. They were extremely attentive and friendly. I would go back just based on this fact. Great service like that is hard to find!
(3)
Lauren G.

Very interesting to have a place open up across the street from Modern Cafe, which I visit a good bit, and be more on it's level as far as class. Sure, you walk inside and Benjamins is beautiful looking. From the exposed brick right down to the wish-I-had wooden tables. But with this look also comes an aroma of greasy burgers that you are sure to walk out smelling like. They are doing what they can to ventilate, I guess, as they had a large metal device trying to take out some of the smell. It just wasn't enough. The bar tender, who also served us, was very friendly. He suggested things from the menu that were unusual and a must try. Unfortunately I wanted to try what he suggested as a veggie burger. More like bun burger with a paper thin patty of veggie burger. I do not recommend the veggie burgers from this place for a second. I just tried my hand at a veggie burger the week before at home, and mine was 8x's better on the first try. Yikes. Beer selection was plentiful. I love when places have a lot to choose from. I'd like to go back to the billiards area on a game day with some friends and hang out there. All in all it was, well, A-OK. My dates burger was delicious so I'd say, stick with the burgers. It is, after all, what they are known for.
(3)
Kimberly B.

Pretty decent place. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. My friends and I stopped by on a cold rainy night for a few burgers. I felt like being semi-healthy so I ordered the rosemary goat cheese and apple burger but with a veggie patty. I regret ordering the veggie patty because it was not very good. It wasn't terrible, but I've had better. (Ex: kaya, stack'd, burgatory). The cheese and apples were delicious, however. I definitely would order again, but with a regular burger! For my side, I got the ginger broccoli. It is served cold, which I wasn't expecting. It was really good, though! All in all, good place that I'd be willing to try again.
(3)
Uncle C.

I love the burgers at Benjamin's, but I have to talk about the brunch I had on a recent Sunday there. I'm not certain if the full menu -- in addition to the brunch menu -- was available because it was Pittsburgh Marathon weekend, but that was a nice surprise. And a couple people at my table took advantage, getting breakfast burgers for their late brunch. A couple others ordered omelettes, which looked dense and delicious, more like a frittata. Me? Easy choice -- buttery shrimp and grits. Spectacular. Most of us took advantage of the bloody Mary bar -- extensive list of goodies to add, several different mixes (and spice levels) to serve as bases and a long list of vodkas -- including a few they'd infused on their own -- make the bloody bar a mandatory stop on a Sunday morning. Finally, I have to say I was impressed with the service. Benjamin's was jammed not long after the marathon had passed through Western Avenue, but the folks helping us did a good job of keeping our glasses full and making sure our food got out in a reasonable amount of time. I'll always be willing to go back to Benjamin's for a burger. I'm happy to say I have a great neighborhood option for brunch as well.
(4)
Olivia H.

Benjamin's has really expanded over the last year, and I'm happy to see it! I've been to the restaurant a total of six times, and each time is better than the last. They have expanded their menu (mainly the appetizers and sides) and ventilated their grill as per Yelpers requests, and seem to have a vested interest in the opinions of their patrons. The Siracha deviled eggs are pretty disappointing in my opinion, but the balsamic goat cheese burger is worth the trip alone. Their unique flavors are refreshing, and frankly a little higher brow than most upscale burger joints (read: Burgatory) which is definitely a good thing. Upon my last visit however, my party waited for upwards of an hour for our meals to arrive. The chef came out of the kitchen to personally explain the situation to our table. He said that the propane ran out as he was cooking our order. He felt extremely terrible about the whole ordeal, and comped the entire meal, plus our hefty bar tab (easily over $150 total). My experiences at Benjamin's continue to be pleasant surprising, and I'm glad to see that they continue to gain popularity. I just hope they stay underground enough that I won't have to wait for upwards of an hour to get a table, like some other burger joints (read: Burgatory).
(4)
Kaleigh L.

Amazing! Try the "My Morning Burger" and goat cheese and apple burger. Best burger I've had in a VERY long time. The meat is packed with flavor and makes all the difference. They are doing it right here!
(5)
Dave L.

I have been here twice and both times the wait staff was dry good at checking in on us. The burgers are the best. Next time I go I will tell them to surprise me. I know what e er I get it will be great.
(5)
Abby C.

Stopped by on a recommendation, had the goat cheese and Apple burger. O. My. Good. Lord. Everything about this was amazing and delicious. Cooked perfectly, great taste, great prices, great service. My husband had the meat plate and the cheese plate which we took half of both home and are later and they were still delicious. We loved it SO much we went back the next morning for brunch and the bloody Mary bar. SERIOUSLY. Also amazing!!!!! I had the smoked salmon, which they forgot the fruit, but not sure if I'd have been able to eat it w everything else!!! Absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!! My husband had the hangover cure which he also raved about!!! And the bloody Mary bar?! Everything you could want...just a great little place!!! You leave smelling like burgers, but is that REALLY a BAD thing?! I'd recommend Benjamin's to any and all...which we have friends coming from our of town this weekend, we will be stopping by before the pirates game!!!!! Can't wait to try something new!!!!!!!!
(5)
Dana H.

I have been here twice now in the past few months. Pleasant atmosphere, nice staff, great beer selection and AWESOME burgers. So far I have had the "candied jalapeno cream cheese & bacon" and "Fried egg, bacon, potatoes, hot sauce mayo burgers." I ordered both cooked medium, and they were spot on. As for sides, I've had the "curried cabbage cole slaw" and the broccoli salad. Both were delicious. Their soft pretzels with truffle mustard were also very good. There was a small issue during one of the visits, which is why this isn't a 5-star review. My friends ordered soft pretzels that never arrived. Well they arrived eventually, but only after reminding the server. They received an apology from two staff members. I'm also pretty sure they weren't charged for the pretzels. My only suggestion to improve Benjamin's menu would be to add some fancy french fries!
(4)
Troy C.

Had the jalapeÃ±o cream cheese and bacon burger. Was a little hesitant but the jalapeÃ±o cc made this burger an amazing combination of taste and spice. Wife had a portobello mushroom Swiss burger on a gluten free bun. Little girl ate the biggest BLT we ever saw along with the burgh fried egg on the sandwich as awesome as the food was the service from Alana was even better and that says a ton cause the food couldn't have been any better.
(5)
David B.

I enjoyed my visit here. The food was very good and the wait staff were attentive. I ordered the pulled pork and potato salad. Everything was delicious.
(3)
Jessica C.

A $12 burger in a paper basket, yuk, but I can live with it. Serve my kids raw burgers and vent your grill into the hallway and not outdoors...that, I have a real problem with. We will not be going back, but then again, it will probably be something new soon enough.
(2)
J M.

Infused vodkas and a make your own bloody mary bar make this place a must stop for a Sunday brunch. The hangover helper is beyond awesome. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Rich C.

BWAB is the latest edition to the burgeoning burger scene in the burgh'. As such, I was intrigued to visit, and delighted for further development in the Northside. The interior is cozy, and the brick above the bar is a nice touch. The rest of the interior doesnt really match it. This really seems to be a metaphor for the lack of congruence BWAB exhibits. Ok, I get it, premium burgers justify a premium price in the ever recent trend of making pedestrian american fare into something more culinary. Some places have been successful at this. As it stands now, I left with neither a positive or negative experience. That in itself, is a negative. They are new, and as such, do not have drafts yet. They have a decent bottle/can selection of micro's. The menu is succinct, and you have the option of burgers. Good job, as I think menus exhibiting brevity are generally prefferred. The list of burger options reads well, however the sides read like something akin to Denny's. My girlfriend, as usual, ordered better (Goat cheese and apple burger), and I ordered the Bleu Cheese, Lardo, Green Olives, Pimento, Onion. They did cook both of them to med-rare, which is one plus. The lardo was one giant piece, resulting in an inequality of distribution across the burger. The other ingredients were sparse and lacked the definition. If you are trying to juxtapose different flavors, they should really all have an element of uniqueness to them. The side, hash browns/home fries, looked like they came out of a frozen foods section. If you want to justify your 11/plate price point, it is going to take a bit more than Orieda and some fancy toppings to win over my burger loving self. I hope these are merely growing pains, but my girlfriend and I both left stating that we could probably construct a better burger ourselves. This is not a problem unique to this restaraunt, but people tend to get wrapped up in the concept and skip the details. Sorry, but we yelpers notice this stuff. If you are going to step up to Wingharts or Tessaro's, you better bring your A-game.
(3)
Amy G.

I have been to Benjamins twice. Both times just for drinks, so cannot comment on the food. What I did experience was bad service. The first time the bartender was more interested in socializing then bringing over the drinks. Second time, it was not the severs fault the service was bad, she was the only one serving an increasingly busy place for Sunday brunch. What annoyed me was the owner just watched her sweat and did not step in to help out. Would not suggest the Manhattan.
(1)
DJ J.

Stopped by for a bite and a brew. Great spot to have some good times in the neighborhood. There were many having some fun on the Pool Table in the back room. The beer and wine list are not long but there are some good selections. The menu is limited. The burgers are hand made using a custom blend of sirloin, brisket and short ribs. Cooked on a little grill at the end of the bar. The Fired Egg, Bacon, Potatoes, Hot Sauce Mayo Burger was tasty and juicy. A two napkin burger. The potatoes were tasty. The mayo on the burger was limited or almost nonexistent, had to ask for a little more. My associate had the Portobello Mushroom & Swiss burger, said it was delicious.
(3)
Jarrett H.

Benjamin's is a new bar taking over BRiX's old space (and I believe by the same owners) after zoning issues caused them to close their doors. Their menu is focused, offering about a half-dozen varieties of burger, some available as house-made veggie burgers, and gluten-free buns upon request. Three sides and a few appetizers ranging from pretzels to pate are also on the menu. The space is narrow, with a large bar sitting on the right half and a handful of tables on the left. At the far end of the bar is where the cooking appears to take place, and beyond that in a separate room is a billiards room(And maybe more, I didn't venture inside). Arriving on a Saturday evening, there were a few sporadic diners, but plenty of space even for a large walk-in party. In addition to their full bar, Benjamin's has a beer and wine menu - no drafts though, currently at least. Their can/bottle menu has a few craft and local favorites in addition to common macro selections. The prices are reasonable, and their daily happy hours can make this bar a steal(4:30-6:30 - ranging from $1 PBR to $4 wine). We started off with the mini pretzels and truffle mustard($2). The truffle mustard was as it sounds: Mustard with a splash of earthy truffle flavor that really comes through. I'm not sure it's my favorite truffle-flavored condiment, but it was tasty. The pretzels themselves appeared to be regular store-bought mini pretzels. I chose a burger with green chilis, salsa, and chipotle sour cream and a side of home fries($9), while my friend decided on an egg, bacon, and hot sauce mayo burger with slaw($11), both medium. The food came quickly and immediately the first thing I noticed is that my burger was entirely raw. The server was happy to correct the error and did so quickly. In the meantime I had some of my homefries, which were good, but just homefries. I would really prefer french fries, but I'm not sure they have a fryer here. My burger came back warm and cooked to a nice medium. Eating these burgers is a messy task - they are juicy to the point of excess and leave your area soaked. Unfortunately, I found the flavor of the burgers to be lacking, and my toppings didn't really didn't add much. My friend agreed that his tasted a bit bland. Because Benjamin's is new, I would like to go back and give them another shot, but there are a lot of places to get an excellent burger in Pittsburgh, so they're entering a market with some pretty tough competition - especially if their menu remains as focused as it is. I do like their attempt at combining a classy atmosphere with spruced-up blue-collar food, but at some points it felt more like an identity crisis than a synergy. They appear to be working at it constantly, though, so I'm hopeful that in time, Benjamins will shine
(3)
Caroline S.

I had a burger with Apple and goat cheese...the others also had burgers and everyone lived them. The atmosphere is fun and the staff is most accommodating.
(5)
Kate E.

I went here with a couple friends before the football game. We wanted something quick but substantial. I am a big fan of the "vibe" of this restaurant, cozy, dimly lit, fire place, beautiful bar. The menu at this place isn't huge and all sandwiches/burgers (but hey! its a burger joint so I guess that makes sense). There are a lot of fun options, rosemary balsamic goat cheese and green apples, aged cheddar, wine soaked onions. So I might not be the prime candidate for this spot because I don't eat red meat or pork. Generally, burger spots have some alternatives (turkey burgers, chicken breast, salmon, portabellas) but this place only had a veggie burger. I wasn't floored by the patty. I am normally a fan of zesty bean based burgers but this was had a sweat potato base. It wasn't horrible but I have had better. The consistently wasn't stellar. I ended up getting the rosemary-balsamic-goat cheese with green apples. It was good but the toppings were the best part and the bread was a bit much. We also got the mustard truffle pretzels which isn't really anything fancy on the pretzel front (just normal Giant Eagle mini pretzels). The truffle mustard was awesome though! I think the order is $1.95 so its not breaking the bank and makes the Giant Eagle pretzels understandable. PROS: Cozy ambiance, good bottle list, fire place, pool tables, fun toppings. CONS: No draft beer, limited veggie options OVERALL: I will be back. Apparently, the menu changes frequently so I look forward to some updates.
(3)
Gerald M.

Drive for 45 minutes just to eat a hamburger? (Did I say a very good hamburger?) Read the feature/review in Thursday's Trib magazine section. First trip, ever, for a specialty hamburger. Certainly will not be the last! Visited on a Saturday afternoon. Restaurant was just about full. Nice contemporary atmosphere. Very interesting selection of beer from the taps, bottles and cans... yes, cans. Had a little of each! Burgers were excellent. Cooked exactly as requested. Sides were also very good. Slaw was not typical, much more creative. Very good service from the server and bartenders. Excellent French press coffee, and the pound cake with blueberries was one of the better desserts I have recently enjoyed. We have already determined our selections for the next visit. Never knew that hamburgers could be this good. Oh, I should mention that, for a gourmet burger restaurant, no one has any attitude problems. I have seen too many reviews about poor service with indifference at other places. Benjamin's is a fairly new venue. Everyone works hard to deliver a good customer experience. Great wine and beer choices. Great food. Great service. What else could you want? Sure, you can have that too: fair prices for a first-rate meal. Enjoy!
(5)
Heather I.

Starting with the positive, the food was delicious, and the decor was very pleasant (as others have mentioned below). The front window was open, so we enjoyed a nice open air dining experience while dining inside. We enjoyed the charcuterie very much as an appetizer and each one of our four dishes were delicious. While our server was nice, I was very disappointed in the length of time it took for our food to arrive. From sitting down, it took approx. 45 minutes for our entrees, and there was only one other table in the place! For it being that empty, I would have expected much quicker service. Also, for the classy casual vibe that the restaurant is trying to cultivate, it was very disruptive to have two children running around shrieking and climbing on things. I don't know if they were an employee's or the owner's, but it was a very annoying addition to our meal. I'm a big proponent of trying to let an establishment know of a problem in case they can fix it before I take it to the internet to complain, but how do you ask them to please take their children elsewhere?
(3)
D K.

I am excited to report a drastic improvement at Benjamins. I have had several fantastic burgers since my initial review. I will say that despite their best efforts, the smell is still there. I wish they would install a proper hood. Other than that I would recommend a visit!
(4)
Carrie C.

The burgers are delicious. They are very juicy and many unique options for toppings. It is a large burger so you will definitely leave full. The Brie appetizer was also very good.
(5)
Elissa W.

Benjamin's was a real find. Their unique blend of ground on-site burgers gives a great, one of a kind flavor. Service was excellent, friendly, and very knowledgeable. Decent gluten free bun (hard to find)
(5)
L S.

great atmosphere, interesting menu, friendly service. love this place. it's tiny so will be packed on a weekend night, but nickys isn't the only great find on western ave. they don't have a huge draft selection but what they do have on tap is quality and there is a decent supporting bottle selection. they even have vegetarian options in case you have a meat free person in your party. better than your average burger joint for sure.
(5)
Dennis S.

A life altering, truly divine religious burger eating experience! All four of my counter parts agreed. Glad to find this gem! Soft pretezels and the mustard and candided jalepeno dip worked. My burger was topped with rosemary, goat cheese and a green apple shredded...While the topping complemented the burger the meat combination is epic. Next time I go back will be trying the hot lamb sausage sandwich, can't wait. As for the service easily overlooked, people were friendly it's a laid back vide and a great spot!
(5)
Melissa K.

Saw an ad in the city paper, and well, the burger people in us just had to check it out. The place is small, with a modern minimalist style. I got the rosemary balsamic goat cheese burger with apples...DEVINE, my husband got the BBQ burger, which was also quite delicious. The burger patties alone were tasty...their grill must be amazingly seasoned! I have a mean appetite, so in saying that I still felt slightly hungry when done...an appetizer would have hit the spot. I only gave it 4 stars tho because the service was under par...straight to the point, no friendly hellos...will try again because luckily the burgers make up for the lack-luster service.
(4)
Jen L.

The burgers are really good - it's such an awesome atmosphere. I love sitting by the fire. One tip, as a typical booth sitter, the chairs are awesome. I think they are still getting into the grove and I'm excited to keep going back.
(3)
Joey C.

Tried this place first time last week. My partner had a veggie burger and found the spice and texture nearly unpalatable. My pulled pork was fairly good; cole slaw very weird, acid-y like vinegar, I didn't like it. Our friend liked his burger. Service TERRIBLE - three people(? huh???) waited on us, lost the first order and had to come back 5-10 min later and re-take the whole order. Got part of it wrong. Was hard to get anyone's attention to get another beer - and they didn't come around to ask. All in all, REALLY MEDIOCRE - I'll go somewhere else.
(2)
William P.

It's an awesome burger. Lets be real. The bread is from bread works. Score me 5 points. The burger is a wonderful blend of awesomeness. Beer selection is outstanding. Come watch football and have a beer and burger.
(5)
Robert F.

I finally checked this place out. I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars mostly on potential. They seem to be addressing previous complaints placed on yelp. The bar is well stocked, great beer selection, and my burger was great. It was under cooked but the staff addressed it and I got a new burger ASAP. The atmosphere is very chill. Great place to relax, even a good date location. I want this place to succeed. Honestly I don't understand the complaints about the prices. If you want a shitty cheap burger go to McDonalds.
(3)
Austin S.

Great food, great service and great atmosphere! A welcomed addition to the North Side! Try their speciality cocktails and amazing selection of gourmet burgers.
(5)
Jc J.

So, I tried Benjamin's today in Allegheny West. Not a huge disappointment. The service was very good. The burgers we ordered were accomplished very well. I had BBQ Bacon Burger and my friend had some Balsamic vinegar, Apple, whatever burger. I hesitated ordering it because I imagined cheap nasty bacon with ValuTime BBQ sauce. It was actually quite good. The bacon was very thick cut. The bun was perfect and toasted. It appeared to possibly be whole wheat as well. I unfortunately did not get to try my friend's burger. I had home fries and he tried the cole slaw. The home fries were good, but very breakfasty. I would've been happier with fresh cut french fries. They were light and not soaked in oil but not exactly what I wanted from a burger place. The cole slaw was _NOT_ cole slaw. It was cabbage but with a vinegar dressing. It was very tasty and felt like it was much healthier than something slathered with a cream dressing. I would order it again but I don't feel it should be called cole slaw. The menu was actually rather confusing at first. It seemed to be in the wrong order, if that makes sense. We also only went hoping to have appetizers or something small and really the only real option was a meal or wine/beer. The appetizer section seemed to be lacking any sort of appeal. The other sandwiches that were offered did not appeal to me at all. My friend thought of the Salmon but decided against. There also did not to appear to be a children's or Smaller portion section of the menu. Yes, I order from the children's menu. I like the smaller portions and the smaller price. My favorite is the "Chicken Toes" from James' St Gastropub. I did have the White Sangria which was amazing. We did not sample any other drinks because it was a quick lunch/early dinner. Overall, I would return but it would not become a frequent spot for me. Other's commented about how the food was served in the past. I was ok with how it was served and how the staff treated us. However, it was really more of a nothing spectacular, nothing horrible thing. I saw no specials and nothing extremely fabulous stood out to me. If guests were visiting, I would show them one of the other awesome places we have to eat first before returning.
(3)
Sarah O.

Love, love, love Benjamins. Sounds like they had some growing pains starting out but this is one of my favorite places on the Northside. The burgers never disappoint and the bar is great. Try the burger with the carmelized onions - heaven!
(5)
June R.

Entertainment for the taste Budds!! Great atmosphere & great burgers. I had the goat cheese, green apple, burger & it was the best ,cooked the way I liked it. Cole slaw was great!! Bryan's burger was the Benjamin's burger cooked to perfection with crispy home fries in a cozy intimate setting music low enough to converse over. Very friendly staff in a clean environment!! Muted lighting for a great atmosphere! Highly recommended.
(5)
Mary Anne K.

The hamburgers were good but a bit over priced. We wanted Cheddar cheese instead of Swiss and they charged us $1.25/person for the substitution. Never telling us ahead of time. Nor did we see it on the menu. Nice atmosphere
(3)
Dennis M.

Wish I could write a positive review of our first trip to Benjamin's on Western Avenue. The whole experience was poor at best. It felt dirty and dark. One table of two and two at the bar. We ate outside. A limited menu. Both burgers were undistinguished and...I hate this...served in small paper baskets. A $12 burger should not come in a paper basket. One side (in the same basket) was poor lettuce and the other side of home fries was just warm and charred. The music was loud and very strange. Annoying. So, folks, get your burgers at 5-Guys. Yes, it too may be loud and busy but the product is of much higher quality. I wonder what will follow Benjamin's. We can only hope.
(1)
Bernard O.

One of our regular haunts, The Modern Cafe, was packed, and our party couldn't get a table, so our fearless leader suggested we go across the street to this new place, Benjamins, and give them a shot. It didn't take us long to figure out why this place didn't have as many customers as their neighbor, because the prices seemed ridiculous, although the atmosphere was ever-so-slightly upscaled compared to The Modern. We arrived at 4:30, which was supposedly happy hour, but we didn't seem to get happy hour prices on the beers and such that we ordered. Two people from our party ordered the Grilled Cheese sandwich because they didn't have enough money to buy a burger. Yes, you heard me right. The burgers were THAT pricy. The grilled cheese turned out to be very weird - grilled cheese on a pancake? AND of course, it was ALSO overpriced. Apparently, our party wasn't the type of clientele that this establishment was interested in, because it took forever to get somebody to take our order, even though the place was mostly empty. And how long does it take to cook a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches, anyway? I had a cup of coffee, and nobody ever bothered to ask me if I wanted a refill, so that's all I had. My friend had a couple of Budweisers with his "grilled cheese" thing, plus some home fries that he paid extra for but didn't end up eating because they were greasy, and his tab was over $16. At one point while waiting for our order, we decided to shoot a game of pool upstairs and left our stuff at the table. In a few minutes, the same inattentive waitress hunted us down and asked whether or not we were still going to use the table, even though our food hadn't come yet. She had an attitude about it, even though we were the ONLY people in the place who were using a table. This surley waitress was training a newbee, and ended up handing a sizeable tip to the apologetic and sincere newbee, and pretty much stiffed the surley one because she treated us like we were poor college kids and not worth her time or effort. We frequently go out to the restaurants and bars in this neighborhood, and there are some excellent places that we visit often like Nikki's Thai, Peppi's, The Allegheny Sandwich Shop, Georgio's, and of course, The Modern Cafe. If Benjamins lasts more than a year, I'll be shocked, because neighborhood regulars like us won't be spending any money there.
(1)
Jen K.

I went here with my boyfriend last night. The place was completely dead at 6pm. The waitress was a complete ditz that kept dropping utensils and ignoring our needs (We were one of two tables that had people sitting there.) She spent most of the night texting on her phone, not paying attention to the fact that we were out of drinks completely. We ordered two servings of appetizer pretzels with mustard. Mustard was great. Pretzels were cheap, store bought hard pretzels. We stared in disbelief for a few minutes before deciding to eat them. We ordered and shared a BBQ, Swiss Cheese, and Bacon burger, (Which was a little too red, but okay.) They do all of the cooking on a flat top stove right in the dining/bar area, which fills the room with a foul grease smell that you will end up smelling like in a matter of minutes. I was pretty disgusted with the atmosphere, and the restaurant appears to be confused as to what it's trying to be. All of my clothes reeked of nasty grease. Thought I was going to a pretty decent burger place, not a Dennys.
(1)
Michael P.

Really enjoyed my burger with the truffle mustard, and romaine lettuce with salsa and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Plus they had Anderson Valley's Winter Solstice (bottle) to accompany it. I walked out smelling like a deep fryer, but it was completely worth it.
(4)
Payden V.

I ordered one of the burgers that you can pick the kind of cheese you would like to have on it. I chose bree. I got a side of home fries and a bloody maria as a drink. I had to explanation what that (my drink) was to the waitress which was slightly difficult conciderring the high volume of the music. It was 2 pm they already had the music up almost to club/bar volume. The drink was like 9 dollars and my burger was around 10 pretty expensive for a greasy lunch for one person. I had a craving for a greasy burger and that's what I got. If your into that kind of thing go for it. I like that they have a pool table as well.
(4)
Carrie W.

I have put this off too long and for no good reason. I. Absolutely. Love. Benjamin's! Yes I love a burger restaurant that really doesn't have a kitchen and that operates without a deep fryer. Why? Probably because they have the best burger in Pittsburgh. I am sure that statement can be met with disapproval, and I don't care. These bar side made burgers are so good! I have yet to have a burger cooked there that wasn't cooked incredible perfect and to my requested standards, seasoned wonderfully and was so full of flavor. Their candied jalapeno burger served medium rare is my favorite and I get it every time I come. I also really enjoy their shrimp and grits, actually the BEST shrimp and grits I have ever had. Perfectly cooked grits, not hard or gritty, with a habanera cheese sauce, topped with broiled shrimp. So delicious. I need to point out that my first visit to Benjamin's was for a Yelp event last year. I am so happy they had that event and I got to attend, because otherwise I don't think I would have ever tried this place. Now since they lack any fryers and the kitchen is literally on the corner of the bar (IE the oven, prep, plates) their side dishes are all raw minus the bacon home fries. I don't mind this at all, I prefer something a little healthier to go with my most likely 800 calorie burger, but I wish the sides were a little more inventive, and I wish they offered a salad as well. Last time I tried the broccoli salad as my side. Eh it was ok. The broccoli was nice, crunchy, and vibrant but the sauce and other components lacked flavor. I also had their pasta salad and potato salad. The pasta salad was my favorite of the three but still wish there were some other options for sides. I must also mention, they have a Brunch with a Bloody Mary Bar on Saturday and Sundays, and offer daily drink specials, on top of their Monday through Friday Happy Hour specials which you can get $2.00 off your draft choice. Just a couple more reasons I love this place.
(5)
Tada Y.

Benjamin's is a solid choice if you're in the Pittsburgh area and looking for a bite to eat. They have a pool and game room in the back if you're interested in hanging out and a lively front room, but might feel a bit grungy. Since I came with a group of 8, they sat us at a table in the back. The service is fast and friendly. While the food is good, I wouldn't say it is miles ahead of any other burger bar. Their menu has quite a bit to offer and would be a recommended location for anyone looking to grab a decent bite at a fair price.
(3)
Will R.

Eff this place all day long. Stopped in for a bite on a Sunday afternoon. Much to my surprise, they were serving brunch. I was on board. they stopped serving it at 3, which was fine as we were there about 20 minutes before then. We were seated and watered and promptly ignored until 3:05 or so. We were then told they may not be able to do brunch for us, as it ended at 3. Great. They asked the cooks who obliged us, but then proceeded to burn/forget half of our order. Then we waited another half an hour for the check. I wish this was an isolated incident, but every time I've come in it's the same story. Pretty good food prepared with 0 care and absolutely miserable service. You'd be better off going literally ANYWHERE else. Go to the Monterey Pub just a few blocks away. You'll be much happier with the experience.
(1)
Nena U.

Excited to try Benjamin's Western Avenue Burger Bar.. I ventured out in the steady downpour today.. It was about 11:45 so there was plenty of parking. What a cool little place! The bartender was friendly and took my to-go order. The menu has a lot to choose from.. it was tough to choose. I love burgers~! I went with the "Buffalo Blue" Burger (Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese, Romaine Lettuce) well I must say "it was a mighty tasty burger". You can tell it was good beef and real blue cheese crumbles. The burger was juicy and quite delicious. I was surprised that "French fries" weren't on the menu. They are just such a great accompaniment to a burger (American girl always). Sides include: Bacon Fat Home Fries, Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad, Curried Cabbage Cole Slaw, Potato Salad or Broccoli Salad. Bunch on Sunday 10:30 - a.m. - 9:00 p.m. brunch menu & build your own Bloody Mary bar available until 3pm. Theres a small dining room area - bar and a jukebox! ! I love that! There is outside seating (weather permitting). I bet they have a great happy hour.. I cant wait to go back! Nice draft beer selection.. always rotating.. that's cool. My meal was $10.95 - burger plus a side - a little above average.. but was it worth it? YES
(3)
Davidcia G.

Very nice place! It's a small neighborhood joint that has a lot of warmth and ambience. The waiter was very friendly, and even made me a martini based off of what my taste buds wanted at the time. Very strong too by the way :-) For appetizers, we enjoyed the cheese board, smoked salmon and Cured meats. All three were amazing! So many amazing flavors. The Cured meats came with a few slices of homemade pickle slices, and spicy brown mustard. The smoked salmon came with capers and horseradish sauce. The cheese board included salted almonds and pure honey. I didn't have a burger but they have many selections and options. My father in law had one and he described it as amazing! I will definitely return.
(4)
Rachel C.

I'm happy to say that Benjamin's has grown into an awesome place for gourmet burgers and more! I think they had a rough time with all the changes and transitions years back, but they've finally found a groove and I'm happy to indulge in! Their burgers not only have quality meat, but also have amazing gourmet toppings like cream cheese (HELLO!), candied jalapeÃ±o and truffle mustard (MY FAVE!). I can gladly say they accommodate vegetarians with a fantastic tasting veggie burger (I can confirm) and also offer gluten free buns. I also love their sides too, because c'mon, you can't' have a good burger without a grand offering of sides. Honestly there's not one I don't like, with their broccoli salad, interesting take on potato salad (with mustard and blue cheese) and curried cabbage slaw. I also have been to brunch, where they have a great bloody mary bar. And I can't leave without saying they have a healthy selection of portobello offerings, which is one of my fave items to have in anything I eat! The atmosphere is fantastic and it always amazes me knowing that they're literally working from that tiny grill you see by the bar. Seriously, take a look over there, because it will impress you number one, and number two, you know it's going to be hot off the grill good!
(4)
Tim W.

After attending Yelp's Burger Bonanza @ Benjamin's I had to go back for an encore. Being that it was my daughter's birthday and that she loves burgers as much as I do I figured that, that was as good a time as any to make a return visit. Upon entering we were greeted and quickly seated in a booth next to the bar. The wife and daughter both got a cream soda and I got a Coke. We started off with the Shrimp and Grits for our appetizer. (Byrd's Mill organic corn grits, habanero cheddar cheese, brown sugar and butter.) My daughter doesn't even like grits but, she loved these. My wife and I both went with the Candied Jalapeno burger with pickles and lettuce and tomato and the birthday girl ordered a bbq, bacon cheese burger with lettuce and tomato. We patiently sat and watched in excitement as our Bacon Fat Home Fries (onions & poblano peppers) were being cooked next to the bar. It was like Christmas morning as our burgers were brought all at once to our table. I am so glad I went with the Candied Jalapeno Burger! I ordered it medium and that's just how it came to me. It was super juicy and cooked perfectly! The freshly ground blend of Sirloin, Brisket & Short Rib was amazing and by adding the jalapeno cream cheese really makes the burger. It was so good! The Bacon Fat Home Fries were really good as well and complemented the burger to a tee. My other complaint was the bun as it missing something. it could have been buttered or something. The house made pickles were great also. Our waitress was perfect the whole night and never left my Coke or water glass get empty for long.
(5)
Meghan B.

I was disappointed that I didn't love my experience here as much as I did when I came to the elite event earlier this month. After coming the first week of October and sampling a lot of Benjamin's signature items (shrimp and grits, candied jalapeÃ±o burger and the crab cake), I couldn't wait to return! My boyfriend is a huge burger fan so I knew I wanted him to experience this place as well. We came on a Thursday night around 830. It was kind of busy and the bartenders were very busy, considering they were not only covering the bar but the table service as well. Our service was awesome, our server was super friendly and attentive to us despite how busy he was. I ordered the candied jalapeÃ±o burger with a side of broccoli with wasabi sauce, a side salad and the curried coleslaw. My boyfriend ordered a traditional burger with fries and a side salad. He liked his burger and fries but didn't feel as if it was anything out of the ordinary as far as your average burger goes. We both felt the side salad wasn't worth nearly $4. It was decent in size but the only toppings were soggy tomatoes, white onions and croutons. Nothing special. The curried coleslaw was disappointing- barely any curry flavor and the vinegar taste was overwhelming. The wasabi broccoli was alright, but I didn't finish it because the sauce was a little over powering. I'm giving this place three stars primarily because the candied jalapeÃ±o burger itself is that good. The sauce is amazing. I don't think I'll be returning, unless I have an intense craving for the candied jalapeÃ±o burger.
(3)
Larissa G.

If there's one thing I love, it's a good burger, and my goodness, based on the meal I had here Benjamin's knows exactly how to make a good burger! I stopped in with a family member because we had a discount card for Benjamin's, but after our meal we'd come back whether we were getting the discount or not. I ordered a top shelf cheeseburger minus the onions and with a couple extra of my favorite toppings. And the burger I got was, well, really darn good! It was definitely not undercooked, but the dripping of juicy beef goodness that had me carefully eating over my plate the entire meal was a clear indication that it wasn't overcooked, either - and given my history of getting overcooked burgers, this was fantastic. My dining partner enjoyed one of their fall ales in addition to their burger, and the two things went together really well. I was admittedly way more focused on the yummy burger than the booze at that point. I guess my only tiny complaint was that I had a little confusion with the menu, which led to me getting a spicy side dish with my food. So much of the menu includes a list of ingredients that you can choose from, that I didn't realize that ordering a side of broccoli would include all of the listed ingredients (which included wasabi) mixed together as a dressing. So I ended up eating a pretty spicy side of broccoli with my burger. It tasted just fine and now I know better for next time, but it wouldn't hurt if they clarified which parts of the menu were "pick your ingredients" and which ones weren't. But overall, Benjamin's is definitely somewhere I'd eat again, and now it's on my top five places to grab a great burger in this city. My dining partner and I left feeling full and content. Can't wait to stop by again!
(4)
Marla K.

We came here on St. Paddy's Day for dinner before a dessert-only wedding. It was fairly busy but we got a table right away. We started off ordering some beers. They've got about 8-10 craft taps. Unfortunately I'd just had a burger at home the night before, so to eat I ordered the crab cake sandwich. My food was good. The crab cake was big and very moist. I really enjoyed the pasta salad I had as my side. My husband and friend we were also with both got burgers. My friend looooves their burgers. My husband liked his as well but he did say he's had better. My friend disagrees, but I didn't have one so I cannot settle the debate! When we got the check at the end of our meal we did get charged for the wrong more expensive beers. But I understand that the staff was probably going a little crazy with St. Patty's day! I'd really like to go back and try the burgers for myself.
(3)
Greg T.

Stopped in with a bunch of clients on their recommendation. Very good burger bar with great decor and charm. Ordered the candied jalepeno burger with bacon. Asked for it rare and it came out perfectly cooked and topped with spicy, jalepeno cream cheese and crispy applewood smoked bacon. Bun was fresh and did not get soggy while eating the burger. As a side I opted for the curried slaw which was also very good and cut the unctousness of the burger. Everyone else reported thier burger and sides were excellent, particularly the bacon fat home fries. Service was very good and prices were reasonable.
(4)
Brad G.

I stopped in here on my visit to Pittsburgh because I love a good burger & the place I stayed recommended this place. The city I'm from has a ton of great burger places so I'm slightly spoiled. It was a great place to hang out, have a few drinks, eat, & shoot some pool. Upon entering, I noticed the music immediately. Great music was playing that night. It made me want to dance while eating my burger. We were greeted & it smelled delicious. It's nice that this spot is next to a road to where you can watch people, dogs, & cars go by while you eat. Most burger places in my city don't have that. For the appetizer we decided to have the Baked Brie (Brie, Granny Smith Apple Slices, Roasted Almonds, Wildflower Honey, Crostini). If I lived in the neighborhood, I could probably go here all the time to drink & eat baked brie the night away! Looking at the burger menu, I was slightly overwhelmed. In my city, there are gourmet burger places, but most of them have 2 or 3 go-to burgers. This menu... Every single one of them sounded tasty! I decided to go with the Candied Jalapeno Burger (Candied Jalapeno cream cheese & apple wood smoked bacon). The burger was great. My only complaint is that it was a little dry. I normally order my burger medium so that it has pink & plenty of juice. It was still great... it just came out a little more on the medium-well to well side. This place doesn't serve fries. Instead they have other sides along with Bacon Fat Home Fries(Onions & Poblano peppers). I wish places here in Louisville had that side! Dessert choice... Brownie Sundae! We weren't able to finish it because we were so stuffed! The last thing to mention with this place is the beer. Options on tap as well as plenty of cans, bottle, wines, & cocktails to choose from. After eating, we decided to play pool while I had a few more drinks. The staff there was great! I invited them to my city... yeah... when I drink a lot I tend to want everyone drinking & to have a good time with me. I hope I wasn't obnoxious. :-) I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Maura U.

This is definitely a 4-star burger joint! Ordered the soft pretzels, just to try out two dips that intrigued us - the candied jalapeÃ±o cream cheese and the truffle mustard. I was not a fan of the cream cheese because I don't like the heat, but my husband took it down! The truffle mustard was good, more of a finely-ground, stone-ground mustard that had a smooth finish. Smacked the sour and bitter taste buds all around! Our meal was a split burger and side - the BBQ burger and the broccoli salad. My thoughts on the burger: The first thing I noticed was the doneness; as I cut the burger in twain, the juices flowed into the lower bun and onto the plate. YES. This is a medium rare burger! Probably the first correct one I've had all summer! Next, the bacon. Thick strips of bacon, not too over-peppered, and still with a bit of chewiness. Tasty. The BBQ suave was on the savory side, most notably from the pepper, then what I think is a smidge of onion powder. All mingling together nicely on this fine burger. The bun: surprised it wasn't toasted, but that is all. Broccoli Salad: Boasting a soy-wasabi dressing, this chilled salad rocks the salty buds. It is truly covered with this sauce, assumably, it's been brining/marinating in it. Mostly soy sauce flavored, it didn't have the wasabi punch I was expecting. Good, nonetheless. I suggest giving this place a try. My hubby and I are taking the afternoon to compare this and Bubba's in Bridgeville (both new to us). We'll let you know the winner later!
(4)
Margaret H.

Very solid burgers here, you can tell they are freshly ground in house. Fun combinations, I'm partial to the one that comes with goat cheese and a giant pile of julienned apples. Also, THANK GOD I FINALLY FOUND A PLACE WITH A GLUTEN FREE BUN. Jesus, Pittsburgh is a city obsessed with wheat. My one complaint: their potato salad is so promising, what with bleu cheese and a mustard vinaigrette, but the one time I got it, the potatoes themselves were undercooked. Like crunchy raw. Other sides are top notch, like the bacon fat home fries and the vaguely Asian broccoli salad. Go for brunch. Get the Hangover Helper. Thank me later.
(4)
Nova S.

I've been wanting to try Benjamin's for a while now, and I had the chance to suggest it when I had dinner with friends last Friday. It was a nice day and we were lucky enough to snag the last outdoor table which was great. The place was pretty packed but not so bad that one would feel uncomfortable though it was getting more crowded by the time we left around 8:00 PM or so. We go there in time for the tail end of happy hour plus they had their sangria on special, so I ordered that and we ordered the pretzels appetizer which was half off and which came with their candied jalapeno cream cheese and truffle mustard. The pretzels were warm and soft but the star of the dish was the jalapeno cream cheese. It was so good that I saved the little remaining bit to have with my burger. The mustard that came with the dish was also great, but we were all clamoring for the jalapeno cream cheese, which made me wish that I'd ordered the burger that comes with it, but I will do that next time. For our burgers 2 of us got the veggie burger which was honestly close to the best veggie burger that I've ever had in my life. I will definitely go back there. I got the Buffalo Blue burger with the veggie patty and overall, the sauce must have gotten soaked into the veggie burger because it was completely dry and hardly there so and had very little buffalo sauce flavor, I was happy that I still had some of the jalapeno cream cheese, but the burger itself was tasty. My friend got the Goat Cheese and apple veggie burger and really liked it though she felt that the amount of shredded apple on top was excessive (it was) and took at least half of it off. Her husband got the fancy pants with beef burger and he enjoyed it. My friend and I got the broccoli salad as our side dish and while it was okay I felt like the broccoli was way overcooked to the point where it was kind of too mushy so I really didn't enjoy that. My friends husband got the potato salad as his side, and said that it was fine, but nothing great. So, overall we really did enjoy our burgers and appetizer and will definitely go back, but we may try different side dishes and options the next time and maybe it will hit 5 stars.
(4)
Elaine A.

Mmmmm Meat! Best gourmet burgers ever. Great service, fun menu, cozy atmosphere, fun decor. Bloody Mary Bar for Sunday Brunch is a nice touch. So far have tried the Mushroom Swiss Birger, the Barbeque, and the Candied Jalepeno cream cheese and Bacon burgers.... And recommend all of them. #allofthemeats The Pickeled stuff and deviled eggs are also great:) Love the simple concept of the place! Count me in for another.
(4)
Kevin O.

I had lunch with some colleagues at Benjamin's. This was my first visit and though I was intrigued by the burgers, and some other menu items, I was craving smoked salmon on the drive in this morning. As luck would have it, Benjamin's offers a pastrami style smoked salmon with brie, romaine, onion, tomato, dill aioli on a toasted wheat Kaiser roll. This sandwich is pared with a choice of side dish and who can resist wasabi and broccoli? Very nice, fresh broccoli florets, shredded carrots, and sesame with a light wasabi dressing. The menu pricing is slightly upscale and my lunch cost $13+ with no drink. I like water! Benjamin's does have a full bar and the atmosphere is very "pub" like which is to say that it is comfortable, the music was appropriately loud enough but not too loud for conversation at your table, there is a TV showing soccer, and the seating is fine. Tables w/chairs on one side and a long bench on the other. I cant wait to try this place again. Next time I'll be checking out the burgers for sure!
(4)
April I.

Was there for Sunday brunch, was excellent!! Very good food!! Even though kitchen was slow, short a cook, it was worth the wait!
(5)
Jonathan D.

Compared to last time I was here, this was a much better experience. I stopped in for brunch last weekend with the intent of having a bloody Mary, only to end up having breakfast and two drinks. First off, Jaime at the bar is a really great server. She's attentive, outgoing, and friendly. She's the type of person that wants you to enjoy yourself and will make sure you do - so props to her. For breakfast, I enjoyed their rendition of lox and cream cheese. Instead of being served with a bagel, it came with two thick slices of toasted marble rye bread. In addition to the bread, an assortment of toppings, including tomato, lettuce, and onion were served. Their jalapeno cream cheese is served on the side as is an aioli sauce (although I felt it was unnecessary). The bloody Mary bar was well stocked and clean. For the alcohol in my drinks, I opted to try their house infused vodkas. Lastly, I enjoyed chatting with the two female cooks behind the counter. They were extremely friendly and interesting. I really wish every time I went to Benjamins was as good as this experience.
(4)
Doug S.

Beautiful burgers here to compliment the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Good service and knowledgable too
(4)
Antwain C.

Slow - for a burger that is flame broil - it's a good burger but nothing I couldn't duplicate in the back yard - The business is great for this spot - everyone extra friendly - the home fries were OK but the Potatoes salad was missing a lot of identity! Overall I would eat here again in a pinch but would not be my 1,2,3 choice to grab a non- commercial burger place! No milkshake or tradition fries and that's because the kitchen is basically behind the bar! Again no distinguish flavor or homemade ranch or signature taste that says their name! Nothing that makes you have an addiction to and crave later! But perfect for this area that is without this kind of variety! Another thing! They had to turn down customers because they have only about 50 seating amongst 4 tables - so smaller couples have to sit at the bar - not cool!
(3)
Selena S.

Yes. The burgers surpass any others in this city. But the Shrimp & Grits...the finest by far north of Charleston SC. And Sangria. And Bloody Mary bar. And Bourbons. Just come here.
(5)
Angelica R.

I really want to like this place. It's nice but just a touch overpriced for me, especially on the North Side. I was here for lunch on a Saturday but ended up with the brunch BLT and side of homefries. The sandwich was a little lopsided; all the B was on one side and kept falling off. I wish I had more L, and the T was one slice in the middle, so I wanted more of that, too. I really didn't enjoy the chunks of onion. I'm not talking about a thick-cut ring, or slivers of onion spread on top - there were big chunks of yellow onion just tossed on the bottom of the bun. I did enjoy the fried egg on top, though. I love fried eggs on anything! It added just the right amount of moisture to the bread (a hamburger bun, naturally). It was busy, so we sat at the bar. I love sitting at the bar. I just wish I had the quick service that everyone around me was afforded. I couldn't decide on a beer when I was first asked what I wanted and I waited until my meal arrived to get a beer - and I had to ask for it. I wasn't sitting at the far end, I was smack in the middle of the bar and two girls kept walking back and forth but never stopped to inquire if I was ready for a beer yet. I hate to harp on it, but if I'm paying $9 for a draft, I want $9 service. I'll be back to try more, but I'll try to come at a slower time and speak up sooner for that beer!
(3)
Lauren K.

I have tried so hard to like this place given its proximity to my house, but I just can't. While the burgers themselves are fine (though $$$$), everything else is terrible, from the sides to the other sandwiches to the smoked salmon (I suppose the charcuterie plate is just OK as well). Beyond the food, the service is usually downright rude, the inside of the place is just bizarre, the bathroom is always disgusting and usually out of toilet paper, the ventilation is terrible so you'll smell like a burger when you leave, and it's so expensive for what it is. Again, I've wanted to like this place and have been here quite a few times, but I regret it every time I step foot in there.
(1)
Tracy W.

One of the best burgers I've ever had!! We had the baked Brie for an appetizer. They had a great list of drinks and craft beers! I had the Rosemary and goat cheese burger and my boyfriend had the mushroom and Swiss. Everything was a absolutely amazing. There were so many things I wanted to try on the menu and it will be my first stop the next time I am in Pittsburgh!!
(5)
Brad F.

We came in on a Sunday night with two table taken in the place and were asked to move to a smaller table in case a larger table came in. They are closing in 25 minutes and we wanted to watch the football game. I said we would move if a larger party came in and got attitude from our waitress. I would think they would want the extra income before closing. We live in the neighborhood and are in the industry. Dirty looks and attitude don't work for us.
(1)
Darren W.

Prior to catching Ghost B.C, at Stage AE, I found myself with time to squander, so to Western Avenue I hoofed it wielding a Just Pay Half Hot Card in search of a mighty burger. As it turned out, Benjamin's no longer accepts the Hot Cards (thankfully, I had funds!), and while I've had mightier burgers, what Benny's is serving up doesn't run away from the likes Burgatory or Tessaro's either. Freshly ground and hand-made daily, Benjamin's burgers are a compelling blend of sirloin, brisket (!), and short-rib (!!), creating beefy, bloody, smoky alchemy within mouths and a toasted Breadworks bun. Benjamin's offers a number of burger builds as well as salad, snacks, and other types of sandwiches, but I created my own monster of brie, lettuce, tomato, onion, and bacon, shouting giddly "IT'S ALIVE!!!" as beads of jus rolled down my fingers upon first munch. Winghart's has a similar burger dubbed The Shipwreck, and it does not compare, my Benjamin's creation acting as the Kraken, pulling it down further into the depths of the ocean. The housemade pickles put my taste buds in a trick as they accomplished something I never thought possible: The coins of cured cucumber were sweet, sour, and a little spicy simultaneously, causing my eyes to roll like a slot machine as I bit into each jarred medallion. The bacon fat homefries had an off-putting dryness to them, and despite what the menu said, I detected no lardy flavors in the underseasoned tuber cubes. Nonetheless, I took in some of the Pirates game at the dark, wooden bar, one comfortably co-opted by locals, politely spurning the advances of tipsy middle-aged women as I conquered yet another Liberty Steak, pondering what a blasphemous North Shore Good Friday evening Papa Emeritus II had on the dimming horizon for this Catholic boy gone astray... youtube.com/watch?v=fWZQâ€¦ P.S. The service was adequate overall even if it took some time for the bartender to warm up to me (he came off as a tad curt at first). He seemed to know all the other patrons, though. P.P.S. Benjamin's is the brainchild of Paul Tebbets, formerly of the defunct wine bar known as Brix. P.P.PS . I'll vouch for the men's bathroom as it was quite nice. I usually don't mention restrooms in my reviews unless they're abominable or spotless or unusual, so take it from a pro.
(4)
Miki T.

I was craving a burger and had been looking to try, so I ordered take-out. Ordered 'fancy pants' with Manchego. They forgot the fancy. No braised onions or truffle mustard. Luckily I had Target Dijon in the fridge. The meat was very good. No cutlery, which you need for the home fries. Luckily I had a fork at home. My husband is going to be pissed when he sees $37 for 2 burgers and desert and I can't even shoosh him with my enthusiasm.
(3)
Holly H.

Believe the hype!! I've been told by several people how amazing this place is, and I need to go. So my boyfriend and I were on our way to a venue in town and he was craving a burger and I remembered Benjamin's was in the area. He ordered a buffalo blue burger and I got the candied jalapeÃ±o and cream cheese burger....both were AMAZING!!! Best buff burger we've ever had!! And the cream cheese burger was insanely good!! The hash on the side is beyond words...it's made with bacon fat, yum! The server was great, they had some great happy hour specials as well. We will FOR SURE be back!!
(5)
Aaron R.

Place is good. upscale pricing, quality foods and a really neat atmosphere
(4)
Calcifer L.

This is one of my favorite burger places. Their goatcheese and apple burger and different but still delicious. The only reason I gave them a 4 instead of a 5 is because they don't have fries. What kind of burger joint doesn't have fries?!
(4)
Paige B.

Before eating here, I always thought "a burger's a burger." However, I stopped into Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar while traveling and I was quickly proven wrong! I ordered the "My Morning Burger," and absolutely loved it! The food was great, the service was friendly, and the atmosphere in the restaurant was relaxing. If I'm ever back in the area, I will definitely be revisiting.
(5)
Kristine S.

Burgers, brews, and hockey.
(4)
Marta N.

Was there for the burgers yesterday. Very nice burger, perfectly done. Loved the truffle mustard and red onion combo. Their mixed drinks need a bit of work. Ordered a Negroni that tasted like straight gin, and a Manhattan that was way too sweet. The cheese and meat board is pretty decent, although I would like to see some stinker cheeses on rotation.
(4)
Laura H.

A great alternative to Burgatory or BRGR! I have sat at the bar and at tables and I have had attentive service every visit! The Rosemary Balsamic Goat cheese and green apple burger is my favorite!The flavors compliment each other well and it was cooked medium as I had ordered.The red wine braised onions&truffle mustard burger was also very good.I was not impressed with the buffalo burger though-it was just ok. My boyfriend has also had the fried egg burger which he said was spicy but not overpowering.The burgers are a little pricey but the goat cheese and apple burger is highly worth it-I don't think I could say the same about any of their other burgers however. Of note, each burger comes with a side but fries are not an option. that does not bother me but I know some diners would not be happy. The curry cloeslaw is ok-but if they have the blue cheese potato salad order that-it's awesome! They also have good drafts!
(4)
Matt S.

Small bar and three other areas - tables in front room, tables outside and a back room with a pool table. Good craft beer options on tap and in bottles. Great bourbon selection. The veggie burger is a little different - sweet potato and chick peas but I liked it. The home fries are good too, but the best part of my lunch was the wasabi broccoli salad. It tasted like a broccoli sushi roll. I really like the two large widows in the front - lets a lot of light in and makes for an open air room when weather permits.
(4)
Allison F.

We spent the weekend in Pittsburgh, and this was by far the best food of our trip! Cool atmosphere, delicious food.
(5)
Gary R.

I'm happy to say that Benjamin's has progressed significantly since my last review and has earned this 4 star rating! They seem to have addressed each of my initial issues and I'm now a fan!! They have draft beer!!! OK, not a lot of taps but still, enough to suffice! And they had $3 beer specials on my visit there on Saturday - including 21st Amendment! I love that!! So count me in as a happy camper! We sat at the bar, which is really charming. The whole place just feels good, even without the fire. I'm sure that's coming as the weather turns. Kasey was our bartender and was just totally awesome and attentive. She was great and a delight to talk to. We ordered burgers and they were spectacular! The beef really does make a difference and these were incredibly flavorful - the custom hand mixed blend rivals most any others I've ever had - and is far better than that of Burgatory in my opinion. I had the burger with the fried egg on top (love that!), thick cut smoked bacon and hot sauce mayo and I'm here to tell you it was fabulous! It was bigger than the burgers we had here previously so I think they've adjusted things properly. My wife's goat cheese and green apple burger was equally amazing and we both left stuffed!! Although I didn't order them, the pretzels which initially were vending machine quality bag pretzels are now on the menu as "soft" pretzels with truffle mustard so I'm assuming they've improved there as well! A great place and I can't wait to go back!!!
(4)
Anthony F.

Ive been here a million times. Cheese plate happy hour is always awesome. The burgers have flavor and are actually tasty. Stop by for a simple meal.
(4)
Julia G.

Burgers. They are my soulmate. My one true love. If I could eat a burger every day, I would. So when I find a burger I've yet to try I can't help but succumb to its meaty ways. The menu features burgers (duh) and a few sandwiches, salads, and starters. Naturally when I go to a place that refers to itself as a "burger bar" I get a salad. Just kidding. I got the Top Shelf Cheese burger which is a single burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and your choice of blue, brie, or cheddar cheese. I went with blue cheese because it is the ultimate. The burger was delightful. Seriously. It was a blend of sirloin, brisket, and short rib. I'm a firm believer that you don't need to do a blend if you have quality ground chuck but this blend was flavorful, moist, and overall cooked to my specific temperature requirements aka medium. The sides that accompany the burgers and sandwiches could use a little work. My broccoli was ok as was the pasta salad and home fries. If Benjamin's steps up it's side game it will have a really great burger combo on its hands. And for all you gluten free people, Benjamin's offers gluten free buns!
(3)
Samantha E.

Ordered the goat cheese and apple burger and it was yummy. A little under cooked, but still delicious. Great customer service, they were willing to seat our large party in the lounge area.
(4)
Rachel M.

Benjamin's is one of my favorite burger places ever (and I'm a vegetarian!). My husband and I love the atmosphere, service, and most of all the food. The veggie burger is real - not a store bought frozen patty, but real and you have amazing toppings to choose from! My husband always switches up his choice, but we have never had a bad meal there - also their side dishes are fantastic. Typical sides, with a little bit of a twist.
(5)
Tim H.

Walked down for lunch on Sunday. Brunch with bloody Mary's available. Wanted to try the burger since they have the fresh ground meat mixed from a couple different cuts. Tasted great best burger so far in Pittsburgh. Home fries a neat and different side option. Well worth it especially when you compare to something like five guys (chain). Inside it's a neat looking place with bar and sidewalk seating. Not a big place so if see a line you will have a long wait. Also the kitchen is very small at end of bar. We had a great experience and the price surprised me. Less than $12 a person for a burger and side.
(4)
Dave P.

Benjamin's is good bar/ restaurant on the Northside. The ambience and use of space is excellent, more restaurant than bar and tastefully done. The slow roasted pork sandwich reminded me of my mom's pork toast with its moist hint of connsmon. The sliders with bacon and jalapeÃ±o cream cheese seal the deal. Perfectly cooked, spicy without being overpowering, and bacon. Everything is better with bacon.
(5)
Tracy C.

BEST Burger I have had in a long time. I travel a lot and eat in a lit of places across the country but this one is a favorite...
(5)
Aisha M.

FANTASTIC. The atmosphere and the food are wonderful. When I say the service was slow I don't mean it in a bad way. It gives you time to have a drink and appetizer while looking over the menu, what I mean is I didn't feel rushed. The burger I had was the Apple & Goat Cheese. I just moved to the North Side and I will visit this place again and again !
(4)
Gabrielle L.

Came here on a chilly November night after picking up my brother from work in the North Side. He suggested Benjamin's after multiple recommendations from his coworkers, and I was down for a burger, so there we went. I decided to go out on a tiny limb and try out the balsamic/rosemary goat cheese and apple burger, which was absolutely delicious and cooked to a perfect medium-well per my request. I was admittedly a little underwhelmed by my side of home fries, but the star of the show was definitely my burger. I washed it down with a delectable triple IPA that was on draft. Overall, I enjoyed Benjamin's and will likely come back to try another one of their top shelf burgers soon.
(4)
Nathaniel S.

The place is huge with a separate lounge/pool table area. Went for brunch on a Saturday around lunch time. The bloody mary bar was solid as was the 6 tap beer selection but it took awhile for a table and the service was extremely slow. The food was delicious and the server apologized and offered a free dessert but we passed. Would come back for drinks or lunch but only if we had lots of time.
(3)
Jennifer N.

Let's say you want to watch a hockey game, drink a beer, and eat a burger. This is the place for you. I don't watch hockey, I don't drink beer, and I don't eat red meat, and even still I found Benjamin's lovely. The veggie burger made of chickpeas is slightly dry, so do yourself a favor and get it with a sharp cheese (I got the blue cheese), tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. The hamburger received rave reviews from my dining companion (he order the one with bacon, a fried egg, and sriracha-- what a combination!)The burgers come with a choice of sides ranging from a carrot coleslaw to homefries (cooked in bacon fat) to a tomato and basil pasta salad. In short, you won't be stuck with a boring plate of limp fries. The service is friendly and efficient, the food is cheap (two burgers for $20, way cheaper than DC), and the space, while slightly loud, is charming.
(4)
Mike H.

Fancy looks, fancy prices. Not a whole lot of options on the menu. Got the pork sandwich. The pork was good, but just not a whole lot of it. Price per portion is on the high side.
(1)
Alejandro L.

I went to Benjamin's with some friends. The small restaurant was crowded, and although we were told that it'd be an hour wait, there were plenty of seats at the bar. The menu is small, focusing only on burgers and a few sandwiches. I ordered the wine braised onions with trouffle mustard burger. The burger came out perfectly cooked. The meat was perfectly seasoned and all of the flavored complimented each other so well. Hands down, this is the best burger in the Burgh!!
(5)
Lnn S.

My experience here was not memorable for any good reasons. In fact, the oven was apparently broken when we arrived, and despite the fact that it took them almost an hour to fix it, the free appetizers we were promised did not appear for at least half an hour, either. Our waitress was nice, but I'm pretty sure she brought me the wrong beer. This aside, my salmon sandwich with brie was exactly that - a few slices of very smokey salmon and three chunks of brie. I'm not a chef by any means, but how much talent does that really take?? In addition, my side of tomato-basil pesto pasta salad, which I'm sure you're thinking sounds yummy, was really bland. The best part of the experience was the outdoor seating on the deck, but I was glad I wasn't at one of the tables crammed down in the alley. This out-of-towner was not impressed.
(2)
Jason F.

I stopped by here last Friday evening with my fiance for dinner. We had tried going to Benjamins this past summer whenever we were in the North Side only to be turned away because their oven wasn't working. We figured it to be a fluke and headed over at around 7:00 PM on a frigid night. Whenever we arrived the place was packed with only a single empty table which we were shown to promptly. This table ended up being near the front of the restaurant and next to two windows and so both my fiance and I elected to keep our jackets on during the whole meal. I would imagine this is usually not a problem but happened to be that night since Pittsburgh was in a cold snap. For our dinner my fiance and I decided to start off the meal by splitting the soft pretzels and choosing the truffle mustard over the candied jalapeno cream cheese dipping sauce. This would later allow me to order the candied jalapeno cream cheese and bacon burger for my entree with a side of curried cabbage cole slaw since I wanted to try different things. Within a short time of ordering the pretzels came out with a welcome warmth to them. They tasted pretty good on their own with my only complaint being that they might have been over salted a bit. That was easily remedied by rubbing some of the salt off before I ate it though. The real star of this dish ended up being the truffle mustard. Who would have thought combing truffle with mustard was a good idea? Well it was as the strong truffle flavor came through first before making room for the nice mustard flavor. Our entrees came out a bit later and as my burger was being placed down in front of me my first thought was "This is it for my $10.50 burger?" Of course I could have went with the double but the $4.50 more for an extra meat patty that wasn't very large probably wouldn't have made me too happy either. In any case I decided to start off my dinner by digging into the curried cabbage cole slaw. There wasn't much curried flavor to the cole slaw but it did have a lot of vinegar on it which I enjoyed but I imagine that many others would not. Then I moved on to the burger which ended up tasting pretty good . It's meat was cooked to the proper medium temperature and the candied jalapeno cream cheese provided some good flavor with a bit of spiciness. The bottom line for me is that I probably wouldn't stop here again in the future. It's not that the food was bad as I ended up enjoying most of what I had ordered but I think that it is overpriced for what you receive.
(3)
Maribel E.

Food is scrumptious. Portions are small. Service is hit or miss. The menu items are beautifully written and I guess that is what you pay for. The hype. It is overpriced. The food and the drinks could use a bit of generosity.
(2)
M K.

Benjamin's has really improved. I went there when it first opened and the food and service were horrible. I went back last night as a lot of people in the neighborhood have been saying it improved. They were right, the food and service is much better these days! I got their staple item, a burger with bacon fried home fries. Both were very good. The appetizer I got was was shrimp and grits. It was done differently than I have ever seen it, but it was really good.
(3)
Emily M.

Went here for Saturday brunch. They have a great brunch menu and a make your own bloody mary bar. I ordered a breakfast item, but one of my friends had a burger and loved it! We were able to sit outside, and it was lovely. I can't wait to come back here and order a burger! The menu has sooooo many that sound delicious. The service wasn't spectacular by any means, but it was fine. The interior of the restaurant looked nice, but we sat outside so I can't really comment on it.
(4)
Rebecca M.

I came here for the first time a month ago and have been back 3 times since because it was so good! I had heard that this was the "best burger in town" and after testing it out, I think I agree with this sentiment. I have tried both the rosemary gouda burger and the red-wine braised onion burger and both were fantastic. Every burger on the menu sounds appealing, so I will work my way down the list. The service has not been consistent but on my last visit it was great, plus I don't might sacrificing great service for a great burger. Each burger comes with your side of choice - I'm not sure you can go wrong here but the pasta salad is a nice alternative to fries. Also, the brie and honey appetizer is absolutely delicious - if that is your type of thing don't pass it up!
(4)
Mike D.

I love burgers so this isn't much of a stretch for me. If you are looking for a casual dining experience, some nice cocktails, and cheap beer specials then I think Benjamins would do you well. I keep my burgers simple (American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo), so I haven't strayed too much on ordering anything else. I will say that the appetizers that we've order have left us a little wanting. We did order the cured meat tray, which was billed "as the best in Pittsburgh", didn't quite live up to that. Was good enough, but nothing to live up to that hype. We also ordered the baked brie, which was tasty but didn't really have that much actual brie in it. Soft pretzels however are great, as soft pretzels always seem to be. Besides my burgers, in which I always order a double, my wife tried the roasted portobello sandwich and Rosemary-Balsamic Goat Cheese & Green Apple burger. Both were adored. The ambiance is great, it's cozy, and warm. That does have it's downside though. It can get crowded, and sometimes I do leave smelling a bit like the grill. None of these negatives have stopped me from going back though, as I've been there 3 times in the last two months.
(4)
Lawrence R.

We've been back for lunch or brunch since my last review, and we really do like it there. We're still hesitant to try dinner after that last, awful time.
(3)
Ginger S.

Atmosphere and service were great!! Good selection of drafts and cider with happy hour specials. I had the veggie burger with green apple and my love...aka goat cheese. The patty was fresh with wonderful flavor and the toppings went great together. The side of cole slaw was very tasty but a bit on the small side. Will definitely return when the weather is warmer and the store front opens up to the outside!
(5)
Lucretiz C.

I'd like to see this business get a boost in their star ratings and here's why. The decor is so lovely on the inside , lit candles on the bar and modern art works on the walls. The back section of Benjamin's has additional seating a pool table and oversized black comfy couches. I can see myself having fun back there ;) I dined here two days in row and enjoyed both visits. And also Benjamin's has a back patio seating area, for those of you who value this sort of thing. I ordered the cheese board yumm-o which is served with truffle mustard and wine braised onions. The blue cheese was soft and melt in your mouth delicious. I did think it was odd that there was no cheese knife so I had to eat the cheese with my hands. I used the cheese to scoop up the mustard, no biggie. I also ordered a burger topped with truffle mustard and wine soaked onions with a side of cole slaw. I wasn't a fan of the coleslaw , way too much vinegar. The burger was juicy and hot and peppery and made to order. If they cook all the burgers this well I'll be back to sample more, particularly the blue cheese, green olives topped burger. Warning, they serve all their food on paper plates with plastic utensils , that justs a heads up!
(4)
Lauren P.

I was hesitant to try this place as I did not know what to expect. As soon as I walked in I loved it. They have outdoor and indoor seating with brick interior that makes it feel cozy. We went for brunch and started on the back patio however the weather did not hold out and we found ourselves inside shortly after. Our waiter seemed a little off that day and confused about menu items although I think he was just helping out. They had a blood Mary bar which I would recommend if you like these drinks. For my entrÃ©e I went with the BLT-bacon, lettuce, tomato, and fried egg. It was supposed to be served with fruit but came with potatoes. The sandwich was delicious. I would have preferred fruit but the potatoes were very tasty. What amazes me about this place is they have one tiny stove that they cook most meals on one at a time. The only disappointment was someone in our party ordered the crab eggs benedict. They forgot her ordered and she was served after we all finished eating and did not like the crab. The restaurant more than made up for this by brining her out a side of potatoes right away and serving us 2 bread pudding desserts-these were delicious and served warm with ice cream. The owner also came out and apologized and asked for suggestions for improvement. Overall I would skip brunch and go back for a burger and $3 Sangrias they have on Fridays.
(3)
Chris S.

This place was absolutely awful. The service was extremely slow and the quality of the food was just terrible. Hamburgers were extremely undercooked and unseasoned. A trip to McDonald's would've been a better experience than wasting time going to this restaurant. If you like the idea of sitting around wasting time and being concerned about the risk of getting e-coli. poisoning I would say it would be fine -- Otherwise, stay away!
(1)
Barry R.

Urban legend has it that the owner's renamed the wine bar formerly known as Brix, "Benjamins" because they poured so many 100 dollar bills into the renovation project! You can see where the money went, it's got a chill, but beautiful vibe with a roaring fireplace, exposed brick walls, tons of great art, a friendly knowledgeable staff and a pool table and plush couches in the well styled back lounge. The menu is broken up into 3 sections "Not Burgers", "Burgers" and "Snacks". The specialty burgers are as creative as they are delicious, I got the MASSIVE fluffy apple and rosemary goatcheese "fat boy" 14 oz burger, and it was as tasty a burger as I've ever had. Between Brgr, Burgatory, Tessaros and Winghearts, trendy gourmet burger bars are big in the burgh, and Benjamins brings a free spirited, unpretentious but high class twist to the game. I ate at Benjamins Wednesday night, and I'm already enlisting friends to bring when I go back this weekend. I'm not much of a wine connoisseur, and Benjamins has a nice wine list and very well stocked micro brew list to wash down their killer burgers. I'm sorry Brix Wine Bar didn't work out, but Benjamins has risen like a phoenix from ashes to create something even better!
(5)
Amy R.

An interesting little place. They've improved upon the dinnerware since the reviews hating on the paper plates. They are at least metal now. I'm still hoping that they'll use real silverware soon, instead of plastic. The interior is dark and cozy...and they need to bring some aspects of the restaurant up to snuff. In addition to the silverware, get some decent real storefront windows - don't paint on your logo yourself. Also, the music was somewhat strange. Well, okay there was just one song that was of obvious questionable subject matter when in mixed company. I was with my husband so I just cocked my head, said 'well that's an interesting song to hear at a restaurant'...but I'll tell you the old lady at the next table looked appalled. Anyhow...the burgers were REALLY GOOD. I'd definitely go back again for the burgers. Juicy, perfectly cooked, seasoned just right. Love it. And they have hard cider. Woot!
(4)
Anthony W.

Very good service. Excellent burgers. Great decor. Definitely get the "fries" as a side and I also highly recommend the Sriracha deviled eggs appetizer. I'm looking forward to returning soon.
(4)
Will K.

Benjamin's is awesome! First off I must say the food is pretty good. The jalapeÃ±o creme cheese burger is one of the best around. Sometimes service can be iffy tho when there is a crowd but they manage to do a good job. They have no kitchen but they do have a tiny grill at the end of the bar. This will surely slow the process of cooking many meals at once. This is a good place to go when you aren't in a hurry and don't want the same old food. I would recommend Benjamin's for happy hour or a lazy Sunday lunch or dinner. They have some great daily (happy hour) specials so be sure to call and ask!
(4)
Beth K.

First off, I wish I could give Benjamins an extra half star for excellent service and beautiful bathroom. Seriously, the bathroom is spectacular and they handled our party of 11 like complete pros. My problem is, the burger I had just doesn't stand up to others I've had in the city. It's good, but nothing mind blowing. I started my meal off with a side salad, which was a little odd because it had salsa on top. It was a very tasty salad with good balsamic dressing, dont get me wrong, but definitely the first time I had salsa on a salad (and not much else). I ordered the Top Shelf burger with Aged Cheddar cheese. I got a side of home fries. I added bacon and pickles to the burger. The burger was big, with toppings piled high. Not a bad thing, but I appreciate a bun that can handle a big burger, which this was not. I ended up eating most of the burger with a fork and knife, and just picking out the bacon and eating it by itself (it was really good bacon). The pickles were not standard dill pickles, but a sweet and spicy pickle which was OK, but not what I would have chosen. The home fries were good, but let's face it, not french fries, which is what I think everyone wants instead. I'll stress again how great the service was... they separated all of our checks without us even asking. They were extremely attentive and friendly. I would go back just based on this fact. Great service like that is hard to find!
(3)
Lauren G.

Very interesting to have a place open up across the street from Modern Cafe, which I visit a good bit, and be more on it's level as far as class. Sure, you walk inside and Benjamins is beautiful looking. From the exposed brick right down to the wish-I-had wooden tables. But with this look also comes an aroma of greasy burgers that you are sure to walk out smelling like. They are doing what they can to ventilate, I guess, as they had a large metal device trying to take out some of the smell. It just wasn't enough. The bar tender, who also served us, was very friendly. He suggested things from the menu that were unusual and a must try. Unfortunately I wanted to try what he suggested as a veggie burger. More like bun burger with a paper thin patty of veggie burger. I do not recommend the veggie burgers from this place for a second. I just tried my hand at a veggie burger the week before at home, and mine was 8x's better on the first try. Yikes. Beer selection was plentiful. I love when places have a lot to choose from. I'd like to go back to the billiards area on a game day with some friends and hang out there. All in all it was, well, A-OK. My dates burger was delicious so I'd say, stick with the burgers. It is, after all, what they are known for.
(3)
Kimberly B.

Pretty decent place. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. My friends and I stopped by on a cold rainy night for a few burgers. I felt like being semi-healthy so I ordered the rosemary goat cheese and apple burger but with a veggie patty. I regret ordering the veggie patty because it was not very good. It wasn't terrible, but I've had better. (Ex: kaya, stack'd, burgatory). The cheese and apples were delicious, however. I definitely would order again, but with a regular burger! For my side, I got the ginger broccoli. It is served cold, which I wasn't expecting. It was really good, though! All in all, good place that I'd be willing to try again.
(3)
Uncle C.

I love the burgers at Benjamin's, but I have to talk about the brunch I had on a recent Sunday there. I'm not certain if the full menu -- in addition to the brunch menu -- was available because it was Pittsburgh Marathon weekend, but that was a nice surprise. And a couple people at my table took advantage, getting breakfast burgers for their late brunch. A couple others ordered omelettes, which looked dense and delicious, more like a frittata. Me? Easy choice -- buttery shrimp and grits. Spectacular. Most of us took advantage of the bloody Mary bar -- extensive list of goodies to add, several different mixes (and spice levels) to serve as bases and a long list of vodkas -- including a few they'd infused on their own -- make the bloody bar a mandatory stop on a Sunday morning. Finally, I have to say I was impressed with the service. Benjamin's was jammed not long after the marathon had passed through Western Avenue, but the folks helping us did a good job of keeping our glasses full and making sure our food got out in a reasonable amount of time. I'll always be willing to go back to Benjamin's for a burger. I'm happy to say I have a great neighborhood option for brunch as well.
(4)
Olivia H.

Benjamin's has really expanded over the last year, and I'm happy to see it! I've been to the restaurant a total of six times, and each time is better than the last. They have expanded their menu (mainly the appetizers and sides) and ventilated their grill as per Yelpers requests, and seem to have a vested interest in the opinions of their patrons. The Siracha deviled eggs are pretty disappointing in my opinion, but the balsamic goat cheese burger is worth the trip alone. Their unique flavors are refreshing, and frankly a little higher brow than most upscale burger joints (read: Burgatory) which is definitely a good thing. Upon my last visit however, my party waited for upwards of an hour for our meals to arrive. The chef came out of the kitchen to personally explain the situation to our table. He said that the propane ran out as he was cooking our order. He felt extremely terrible about the whole ordeal, and comped the entire meal, plus our hefty bar tab (easily over $150 total). My experiences at Benjamin's continue to be pleasant surprising, and I'm glad to see that they continue to gain popularity. I just hope they stay underground enough that I won't have to wait for upwards of an hour to get a table, like some other burger joints (read: Burgatory).
(4)
Kaleigh L.

Amazing! Try the "My Morning Burger" and goat cheese and apple burger. Best burger I've had in a VERY long time. The meat is packed with flavor and makes all the difference. They are doing it right here!
(5)
Dave L.

I have been here twice and both times the wait staff was dry good at checking in on us. The burgers are the best. Next time I go I will tell them to surprise me. I know what e er I get it will be great.
(5)
Abby C.

Stopped by on a recommendation, had the goat cheese and Apple burger. O. My. Good. Lord. Everything about this was amazing and delicious. Cooked perfectly, great taste, great prices, great service. My husband had the meat plate and the cheese plate which we took half of both home and are later and they were still delicious. We loved it SO much we went back the next morning for brunch and the bloody Mary bar. SERIOUSLY. Also amazing!!!!! I had the smoked salmon, which they forgot the fruit, but not sure if I'd have been able to eat it w everything else!!! Absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!! My husband had the hangover cure which he also raved about!!! And the bloody Mary bar?! Everything you could want...just a great little place!!! You leave smelling like burgers, but is that REALLY a BAD thing?! I'd recommend Benjamin's to any and all...which we have friends coming from our of town this weekend, we will be stopping by before the pirates game!!!!! Can't wait to try something new!!!!!!!!
(5)
Dana H.

I have been here twice now in the past few months. Pleasant atmosphere, nice staff, great beer selection and AWESOME burgers. So far I have had the "candied jalapeno cream cheese & bacon" and "Fried egg, bacon, potatoes, hot sauce mayo burgers." I ordered both cooked medium, and they were spot on. As for sides, I've had the "curried cabbage cole slaw" and the broccoli salad. Both were delicious. Their soft pretzels with truffle mustard were also very good. There was a small issue during one of the visits, which is why this isn't a 5-star review. My friends ordered soft pretzels that never arrived. Well they arrived eventually, but only after reminding the server. They received an apology from two staff members. I'm also pretty sure they weren't charged for the pretzels. My only suggestion to improve Benjamin's menu would be to add some fancy french fries!
(4)
Troy C.

Had the jalapeÃ±o cream cheese and bacon burger. Was a little hesitant but the jalapeÃ±o cc made this burger an amazing combination of taste and spice. Wife had a portobello mushroom Swiss burger on a gluten free bun. Little girl ate the biggest BLT we ever saw along with the burgh fried egg on the sandwich as awesome as the food was the service from Alana was even better and that says a ton cause the food couldn't have been any better.
(5)
David B.

I enjoyed my visit here. The food was very good and the wait staff were attentive. I ordered the pulled pork and potato salad. Everything was delicious.
(3)
Jessica C.

A $12 burger in a paper basket, yuk, but I can live with it. Serve my kids raw burgers and vent your grill into the hallway and not outdoors...that, I have a real problem with. We will not be going back, but then again, it will probably be something new soon enough.
(2)
J M.

Infused vodkas and a make your own bloody mary bar make this place a must stop for a Sunday brunch. The hangover helper is beyond awesome. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Rich C.

BWAB is the latest edition to the burgeoning burger scene in the burgh'. As such, I was intrigued to visit, and delighted for further development in the Northside. The interior is cozy, and the brick above the bar is a nice touch. The rest of the interior doesnt really match it. This really seems to be a metaphor for the lack of congruence BWAB exhibits. Ok, I get it, premium burgers justify a premium price in the ever recent trend of making pedestrian american fare into something more culinary. Some places have been successful at this. As it stands now, I left with neither a positive or negative experience. That in itself, is a negative. They are new, and as such, do not have drafts yet. They have a decent bottle/can selection of micro's. The menu is succinct, and you have the option of burgers. Good job, as I think menus exhibiting brevity are generally prefferred. The list of burger options reads well, however the sides read like something akin to Denny's. My girlfriend, as usual, ordered better (Goat cheese and apple burger), and I ordered the Bleu Cheese, Lardo, Green Olives, Pimento, Onion. They did cook both of them to med-rare, which is one plus. The lardo was one giant piece, resulting in an inequality of distribution across the burger. The other ingredients were sparse and lacked the definition. If you are trying to juxtapose different flavors, they should really all have an element of uniqueness to them. The side, hash browns/home fries, looked like they came out of a frozen foods section. If you want to justify your 11/plate price point, it is going to take a bit more than Orieda and some fancy toppings to win over my burger loving self. I hope these are merely growing pains, but my girlfriend and I both left stating that we could probably construct a better burger ourselves. This is not a problem unique to this restaraunt, but people tend to get wrapped up in the concept and skip the details. Sorry, but we yelpers notice this stuff. If you are going to step up to Wingharts or Tessaro's, you better bring your A-game.
(3)
Amy G.

I have been to Benjamins twice. Both times just for drinks, so cannot comment on the food. What I did experience was bad service. The first time the bartender was more interested in socializing then bringing over the drinks. Second time, it was not the severs fault the service was bad, she was the only one serving an increasingly busy place for Sunday brunch. What annoyed me was the owner just watched her sweat and did not step in to help out. Would not suggest the Manhattan.
(1)
DJ J.

Stopped by for a bite and a brew. Great spot to have some good times in the neighborhood. There were many having some fun on the Pool Table in the back room. The beer and wine list are not long but there are some good selections. The menu is limited. The burgers are hand made using a custom blend of sirloin, brisket and short ribs. Cooked on a little grill at the end of the bar. The Fired Egg, Bacon, Potatoes, Hot Sauce Mayo Burger was tasty and juicy. A two napkin burger. The potatoes were tasty. The mayo on the burger was limited or almost nonexistent, had to ask for a little more. My associate had the Portobello Mushroom & Swiss burger, said it was delicious.
(3)
Jarrett H.

Benjamin's is a new bar taking over BRiX's old space (and I believe by the same owners) after zoning issues caused them to close their doors. Their menu is focused, offering about a half-dozen varieties of burger, some available as house-made veggie burgers, and gluten-free buns upon request. Three sides and a few appetizers ranging from pretzels to pate are also on the menu. The space is narrow, with a large bar sitting on the right half and a handful of tables on the left. At the far end of the bar is where the cooking appears to take place, and beyond that in a separate room is a billiards room(And maybe more, I didn't venture inside). Arriving on a Saturday evening, there were a few sporadic diners, but plenty of space even for a large walk-in party. In addition to their full bar, Benjamin's has a beer and wine menu - no drafts though, currently at least. Their can/bottle menu has a few craft and local favorites in addition to common macro selections. The prices are reasonable, and their daily happy hours can make this bar a steal(4:30-6:30 - ranging from $1 PBR to $4 wine). We started off with the mini pretzels and truffle mustard($2). The truffle mustard was as it sounds: Mustard with a splash of earthy truffle flavor that really comes through. I'm not sure it's my favorite truffle-flavored condiment, but it was tasty. The pretzels themselves appeared to be regular store-bought mini pretzels. I chose a burger with green chilis, salsa, and chipotle sour cream and a side of home fries($9), while my friend decided on an egg, bacon, and hot sauce mayo burger with slaw($11), both medium. The food came quickly and immediately the first thing I noticed is that my burger was entirely raw. The server was happy to correct the error and did so quickly. In the meantime I had some of my homefries, which were good, but just homefries. I would really prefer french fries, but I'm not sure they have a fryer here. My burger came back warm and cooked to a nice medium. Eating these burgers is a messy task - they are juicy to the point of excess and leave your area soaked. Unfortunately, I found the flavor of the burgers to be lacking, and my toppings didn't really didn't add much. My friend agreed that his tasted a bit bland. Because Benjamin's is new, I would like to go back and give them another shot, but there are a lot of places to get an excellent burger in Pittsburgh, so they're entering a market with some pretty tough competition - especially if their menu remains as focused as it is. I do like their attempt at combining a classy atmosphere with spruced-up blue-collar food, but at some points it felt more like an identity crisis than a synergy. They appear to be working at it constantly, though, so I'm hopeful that in time, Benjamins will shine
(3)
Caroline S.

I had a burger with Apple and goat cheese...the others also had burgers and everyone lived them. The atmosphere is fun and the staff is most accommodating.
(5)
Kate E.

I went here with a couple friends before the football game. We wanted something quick but substantial. I am a big fan of the "vibe" of this restaurant, cozy, dimly lit, fire place, beautiful bar. The menu at this place isn't huge and all sandwiches/burgers (but hey! its a burger joint so I guess that makes sense). There are a lot of fun options, rosemary balsamic goat cheese and green apples, aged cheddar, wine soaked onions. So I might not be the prime candidate for this spot because I don't eat red meat or pork. Generally, burger spots have some alternatives (turkey burgers, chicken breast, salmon, portabellas) but this place only had a veggie burger. I wasn't floored by the patty. I am normally a fan of zesty bean based burgers but this was had a sweat potato base. It wasn't horrible but I have had better. The consistently wasn't stellar. I ended up getting the rosemary-balsamic-goat cheese with green apples. It was good but the toppings were the best part and the bread was a bit much. We also got the mustard truffle pretzels which isn't really anything fancy on the pretzel front (just normal Giant Eagle mini pretzels). The truffle mustard was awesome though! I think the order is $1.95 so its not breaking the bank and makes the Giant Eagle pretzels understandable. PROS: Cozy ambiance, good bottle list, fire place, pool tables, fun toppings. CONS: No draft beer, limited veggie options OVERALL: I will be back. Apparently, the menu changes frequently so I look forward to some updates.
(3)
Gerald M.

Drive for 45 minutes just to eat a hamburger? (Did I say a very good hamburger?) Read the feature/review in Thursday's Trib magazine section. First trip, ever, for a specialty hamburger. Certainly will not be the last! Visited on a Saturday afternoon. Restaurant was just about full. Nice contemporary atmosphere. Very interesting selection of beer from the taps, bottles and cans... yes, cans. Had a little of each! Burgers were excellent. Cooked exactly as requested. Sides were also very good. Slaw was not typical, much more creative. Very good service from the server and bartenders. Excellent French press coffee, and the pound cake with blueberries was one of the better desserts I have recently enjoyed. We have already determined our selections for the next visit. Never knew that hamburgers could be this good. Oh, I should mention that, for a gourmet burger restaurant, no one has any attitude problems. I have seen too many reviews about poor service with indifference at other places. Benjamin's is a fairly new venue. Everyone works hard to deliver a good customer experience. Great wine and beer choices. Great food. Great service. What else could you want? Sure, you can have that too: fair prices for a first-rate meal. Enjoy!
(5)
Robert F.

I finally checked this place out. I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars mostly on potential. They seem to be addressing previous complaints placed on yelp. The bar is well stocked, great beer selection, and my burger was great. It was under cooked but the staff addressed it and I got a new burger ASAP. The atmosphere is very chill. Great place to relax, even a good date location. I want this place to succeed. Honestly I don't understand the complaints about the prices. If you want a shitty cheap burger go to McDonalds.
(3)
Heather I.

Starting with the positive, the food was delicious, and the decor was very pleasant (as others have mentioned below). The front window was open, so we enjoyed a nice open air dining experience while dining inside. We enjoyed the charcuterie very much as an appetizer and each one of our four dishes were delicious. While our server was nice, I was very disappointed in the length of time it took for our food to arrive. From sitting down, it took approx. 45 minutes for our entrees, and there was only one other table in the place! For it being that empty, I would have expected much quicker service. Also, for the classy casual vibe that the restaurant is trying to cultivate, it was very disruptive to have two children running around shrieking and climbing on things. I don't know if they were an employee's or the owner's, but it was a very annoying addition to our meal. I'm a big proponent of trying to let an establishment know of a problem in case they can fix it before I take it to the internet to complain, but how do you ask them to please take their children elsewhere?
(3)
D K.

I am excited to report a drastic improvement at Benjamins. I have had several fantastic burgers since my initial review. I will say that despite their best efforts, the smell is still there. I wish they would install a proper hood. Other than that I would recommend a visit!
(4)
Carrie C.

The burgers are delicious. They are very juicy and many unique options for toppings. It is a large burger so you will definitely leave full. The Brie appetizer was also very good.
(5)
Elissa W.

Benjamin's was a real find. Their unique blend of ground on-site burgers gives a great, one of a kind flavor. Service was excellent, friendly, and very knowledgeable. Decent gluten free bun (hard to find)
(5)
L S.

great atmosphere, interesting menu, friendly service. love this place. it's tiny so will be packed on a weekend night, but nickys isn't the only great find on western ave. they don't have a huge draft selection but what they do have on tap is quality and there is a decent supporting bottle selection. they even have vegetarian options in case you have a meat free person in your party. better than your average burger joint for sure.
(5)
Dennis S.

A life altering, truly divine religious burger eating experience! All four of my counter parts agreed. Glad to find this gem! Soft pretezels and the mustard and candided jalepeno dip worked. My burger was topped with rosemary, goat cheese and a green apple shredded...While the topping complemented the burger the meat combination is epic. Next time I go back will be trying the hot lamb sausage sandwich, can't wait. As for the service easily overlooked, people were friendly it's a laid back vide and a great spot!
(5)
Melissa K.

Saw an ad in the city paper, and well, the burger people in us just had to check it out. The place is small, with a modern minimalist style. I got the rosemary balsamic goat cheese burger with apples...DEVINE, my husband got the BBQ burger, which was also quite delicious. The burger patties alone were tasty...their grill must be amazingly seasoned! I have a mean appetite, so in saying that I still felt slightly hungry when done...an appetizer would have hit the spot. I only gave it 4 stars tho because the service was under par...straight to the point, no friendly hellos...will try again because luckily the burgers make up for the lack-luster service.
(4)
Jen L.

The burgers are really good - it's such an awesome atmosphere. I love sitting by the fire. One tip, as a typical booth sitter, the chairs are awesome. I think they are still getting into the grove and I'm excited to keep going back.
(3)
Joey C.

Tried this place first time last week. My partner had a veggie burger and found the spice and texture nearly unpalatable. My pulled pork was fairly good; cole slaw very weird, acid-y like vinegar, I didn't like it. Our friend liked his burger. Service TERRIBLE - three people(? huh???) waited on us, lost the first order and had to come back 5-10 min later and re-take the whole order. Got part of it wrong. Was hard to get anyone's attention to get another beer - and they didn't come around to ask. All in all, REALLY MEDIOCRE - I'll go somewhere else.
(2)
William P.

It's an awesome burger. Lets be real. The bread is from bread works. Score me 5 points. The burger is a wonderful blend of awesomeness. Beer selection is outstanding. Come watch football and have a beer and burger.
(5)
Austin S.

Great food, great service and great atmosphere! A welcomed addition to the North Side! Try their speciality cocktails and amazing selection of gourmet burgers.
(5)
Dennis M.

Wish I could write a positive review of our first trip to Benjamin's on Western Avenue. The whole experience was poor at best. It felt dirty and dark. One table of two and two at the bar. We ate outside. A limited menu. Both burgers were undistinguished and...I hate this...served in small paper baskets. A $12 burger should not come in a paper basket. One side (in the same basket) was poor lettuce and the other side of home fries was just warm and charred. The music was loud and very strange. Annoying. So, folks, get your burgers at 5-Guys. Yes, it too may be loud and busy but the product is of much higher quality. I wonder what will follow Benjamin's. We can only hope.
(1)
Jc J.

So, I tried Benjamin's today in Allegheny West. Not a huge disappointment. The service was very good. The burgers we ordered were accomplished very well. I had BBQ Bacon Burger and my friend had some Balsamic vinegar, Apple, whatever burger. I hesitated ordering it because I imagined cheap nasty bacon with ValuTime BBQ sauce. It was actually quite good. The bacon was very thick cut. The bun was perfect and toasted. It appeared to possibly be whole wheat as well. I unfortunately did not get to try my friend's burger. I had home fries and he tried the cole slaw. The home fries were good, but very breakfasty. I would've been happier with fresh cut french fries. They were light and not soaked in oil but not exactly what I wanted from a burger place. The cole slaw was _NOT_ cole slaw. It was cabbage but with a vinegar dressing. It was very tasty and felt like it was much healthier than something slathered with a cream dressing. I would order it again but I don't feel it should be called cole slaw. The menu was actually rather confusing at first. It seemed to be in the wrong order, if that makes sense. We also only went hoping to have appetizers or something small and really the only real option was a meal or wine/beer. The appetizer section seemed to be lacking any sort of appeal. The other sandwiches that were offered did not appeal to me at all. My friend thought of the Salmon but decided against. There also did not to appear to be a children's or Smaller portion section of the menu. Yes, I order from the children's menu. I like the smaller portions and the smaller price. My favorite is the "Chicken Toes" from James' St Gastropub. I did have the White Sangria which was amazing. We did not sample any other drinks because it was a quick lunch/early dinner. Overall, I would return but it would not become a frequent spot for me. Other's commented about how the food was served in the past. I was ok with how it was served and how the staff treated us. However, it was really more of a nothing spectacular, nothing horrible thing. I saw no specials and nothing extremely fabulous stood out to me. If guests were visiting, I would show them one of the other awesome places we have to eat first before returning.
(3)
Sarah O.

Love, love, love Benjamins. Sounds like they had some growing pains starting out but this is one of my favorite places on the Northside. The burgers never disappoint and the bar is great. Try the burger with the carmelized onions - heaven!
(5)
June R.

Entertainment for the taste Budds!! Great atmosphere & great burgers. I had the goat cheese, green apple, burger & it was the best ,cooked the way I liked it. Cole slaw was great!! Bryan's burger was the Benjamin's burger cooked to perfection with crispy home fries in a cozy intimate setting music low enough to converse over. Very friendly staff in a clean environment!! Muted lighting for a great atmosphere! Highly recommended.
(5)
Mary Anne K.

The hamburgers were good but a bit over priced. We wanted Cheddar cheese instead of Swiss and they charged us $1.25/person for the substitution. Never telling us ahead of time. Nor did we see it on the menu. Nice atmosphere
(3)
Bernard O.

One of our regular haunts, The Modern Cafe, was packed, and our party couldn't get a table, so our fearless leader suggested we go across the street to this new place, Benjamins, and give them a shot. It didn't take us long to figure out why this place didn't have as many customers as their neighbor, because the prices seemed ridiculous, although the atmosphere was ever-so-slightly upscaled compared to The Modern. We arrived at 4:30, which was supposedly happy hour, but we didn't seem to get happy hour prices on the beers and such that we ordered. Two people from our party ordered the Grilled Cheese sandwich because they didn't have enough money to buy a burger. Yes, you heard me right. The burgers were THAT pricy. The grilled cheese turned out to be very weird - grilled cheese on a pancake? AND of course, it was ALSO overpriced. Apparently, our party wasn't the type of clientele that this establishment was interested in, because it took forever to get somebody to take our order, even though the place was mostly empty. And how long does it take to cook a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches, anyway? I had a cup of coffee, and nobody ever bothered to ask me if I wanted a refill, so that's all I had. My friend had a couple of Budweisers with his "grilled cheese" thing, plus some home fries that he paid extra for but didn't end up eating because they were greasy, and his tab was over $16. At one point while waiting for our order, we decided to shoot a game of pool upstairs and left our stuff at the table. In a few minutes, the same inattentive waitress hunted us down and asked whether or not we were still going to use the table, even though our food hadn't come yet. She had an attitude about it, even though we were the ONLY people in the place who were using a table. This surley waitress was training a newbee, and ended up handing a sizeable tip to the apologetic and sincere newbee, and pretty much stiffed the surley one because she treated us like we were poor college kids and not worth her time or effort. We frequently go out to the restaurants and bars in this neighborhood, and there are some excellent places that we visit often like Nikki's Thai, Peppi's, The Allegheny Sandwich Shop, Georgio's, and of course, The Modern Cafe. If Benjamins lasts more than a year, I'll be shocked, because neighborhood regulars like us won't be spending any money there.
(1)
Jen K.

I went here with my boyfriend last night. The place was completely dead at 6pm. The waitress was a complete ditz that kept dropping utensils and ignoring our needs (We were one of two tables that had people sitting there.) She spent most of the night texting on her phone, not paying attention to the fact that we were out of drinks completely. We ordered two servings of appetizer pretzels with mustard. Mustard was great. Pretzels were cheap, store bought hard pretzels. We stared in disbelief for a few minutes before deciding to eat them. We ordered and shared a BBQ, Swiss Cheese, and Bacon burger, (Which was a little too red, but okay.) They do all of the cooking on a flat top stove right in the dining/bar area, which fills the room with a foul grease smell that you will end up smelling like in a matter of minutes. I was pretty disgusted with the atmosphere, and the restaurant appears to be confused as to what it's trying to be. All of my clothes reeked of nasty grease. Thought I was going to a pretty decent burger place, not a Dennys.
(1)
Michael P.

Really enjoyed my burger with the truffle mustard, and romaine lettuce with salsa and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Plus they had Anderson Valley's Winter Solstice (bottle) to accompany it. I walked out smelling like a deep fryer, but it was completely worth it.
(4)

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Address : 900 Western Ave
Pittsburgh, PA, 15233
Phone (412) 224-2163
Website https://www.benjaminspgh.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No

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Burgers

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Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar

900 Western Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15233

Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar Menu

Appetizers

Soup & Salads

Sandwiches

Burgers

Benjamin's Classics

Over the Top

Sides

Desserts

Non Alcoholic Beverages

Healthy Meal suggestions for Benjamins Western Avenue Burger Bar

Appetizers

Soup & Salads

Sandwiches

Burgers

Benjamin's Classics

Over the Top

Sides

Desserts

Non Alcoholic Beverages

Payden V.

Carrie W.

Tada Y.

Will R.

Nena U.

Davidcia G.

Rachel C.

Tim W.

Meghan B.

Larissa G.

Marla K.

Greg T.

Brad G.

Maura U.

Margaret H.

Nova S.

Elaine A.

Kevin O.

April I.

Jonathan D.

Doug S.

Antwain C.

Selena S.

Angelica R.

Lauren K.

Tracy W.

Brad F.

Darren W.

Miki T.

Holly H.

Aaron R.

Calcifer L.

Paige B.

Kristine S.

Marta N.

Laura H.

Matt S.

Allison F.

Gary R.

Anthony F.

Julia G.

Samantha E.

Rachel M.

Tim H.

Dave P.

Tracy C.

Aisha M.

Gabrielle L.

Nathaniel S.

Jennifer N.

Mike H.

Alejandro L.

Lnn S.

Jason F.

Maribel E.

M K.

Emily M.