Ben Michael’s Cafe
2404 Pueblo Bonito Ct NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104
Ben Michael’s Cafe Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
2404 Pueblo Bonito Ct NW
Albuquerque, NM, 87104 - Phone (505) 224-2817
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : DJ
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : Yes
Coat Check : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
C S.
I was on a road trip moving across country and we heard about been Ben Michaels from yelp and our airbnb host. It was most definitely a rememberable experience. When we came by there was some community leadership type event wrapping up. We went and knocked just to make sure they where closed. None other than Ben came to the door and told us, sure I'll feed you two. We had no idea what was going on but, Ben offered us what we had cooked for the other guests a nice salmon dish. unfortunately this was a common dish from where we came from and wouldn't have been our first choice. However, we obliged and it was a good dish. The best thing though was Ben hosted us himself and we had a very interesting talk with the man and his family until the wee hours. Its a experience I won't soon forget and I wish him and his family all the good fortunes in the world.
(5)Don W.
Holy crap, this is the best Mexican food EVAAAARRRR!!! The beans are amazing, and the chili rellenos are the best I've ever had. And I'm from Phoenix, so I know Mexican food! Seriously though... Check this plane out. Deanna also rocks!
(5)Carolyn W.
Friendly, family run, quirky, festive, fantastic margaritas...no mix used here! Everything is fresh, homemade, local, organic when possible, and prepared with care and served with a genuine and sincere personal touch. Michael, when not cooking, or squeezing lines for our margs, played the piano. The atmosphere was festive, relaxed, and upbeat. A must if you enjoy a little out of the ordinary, great food, great drinks, great atmosphere, great service, ander a personal touch from someone who is passionate about what he does.
(5)charley w.
An actually a real adobe building near Old Town area. I went here because it's near Old town, the food was good compare to other New Mexican establishment. Friday's they got live jazz band and owner is really friendly. However they do not take credit card, so just beware of that before you go.
(3)M A.
Ben was a great guy but the food was lack luster. My burger was over cooked, the papas undercooked, and the hair in my food didn't lend anything to the taste. No to mention it took 1 hour for the burger to reach my plate and I had to remind him that there were supposed to be papas. If not for the ambiance and Ben himself I would have given this place 1 stars.
(2)Andy J.
This is our special place and Ben is a great guy. Great food, fun atmosphere and no pretensions. Sometimes you have to be patient if it's crowded because the service can be, well, eclectic.
(4)Susan S.
If you like formulaic restaurants, you will not like Ben's. If you are looking for something "different", you will enjoy. Ben was chatty and made an effort to talk to each table. The food was excellent; we had the tomato salad, cerviche and artichoke dip, plus margaritas. Ben chose a wine which was excellent. I am glad we chose Ben's in lieu of Old Town. As a bonus, there was live music, consisting of bongo drums and a guitar. A great end to our visit to ABQ, which is otherwise unremarkable. Bonus: he takes out of state checks rather than credit cards. Ask him why.
(5)Kristen D.
Can I just say that this review is from a YEAR ago, but I still rant and rave about this place to anyone who listen to my Albuquerque adventure. I vacationed in NM from Los Angeles to get away from the stifling city, and I fell in LOVE with Ben Michael and Ben Michael's. I went in the afternoon, so it wasn't packed. Ben was absolutely charming to chat with, so somehow that lead to SEVERAL delicious margaritas, after an authentic mexican dish. By far THEE BEST home-made tortilla chips I ever tasted. I AM RAVING ABOUT TORTILLA CHIPS, THAT is how good they are. Ben called me pumpkin *blush.* I could hardly blame him for the huge hangover I had the next day b/c I had SO MUCH FUN :) I went back the night before I left, and Ben was playing the piano! He saw me and gave me a HUGE smile. Then he dedicated In My Life by the Beatles to me *blush again.* What an amazing place run by an amazing and kind soul! Can't wait to get back to ABQ and visit there again!
(5)Paula M.
After living in Albuquerque for almost 5 years, my first trip to Ben Michael's was one of the most entertaining dining experiences ever. Its a very relaxed atmosphere with great patio seating and friendly service. The food was really good; tasted healthier and fresher than most New Mexican restaurants. (As a native of Northern New Mexico, I take my New Mexican food seriously). The best part was listening to Ben Michael playing the piano followed by him setting up his telescope and showing us Jupiter's moons. Amazing! Treated us like family from the moment we walked in. Not to mention that he accommodated our party of 8 during Balloon Fiesta weekend...
(5)Debbie M.
What a great place! After traveling from Chicago on a cross country trip to California, my husband and I were looking for some good New Mexican. This is the place! Restaurant was closing when we arrived but Ben Michael welcomed us in and proceeded to cook us a great meal! Will definitely be back
(4)Chris M.
Albuquerque was one of those places which I had looked forward to for reasons almost everybody does. Sunshine, the whole southwest thing, and food that is practically its own type of cuisine. Bobby Flay sure seems to think so. Ben Michaels, on a sunny day, give you exactly that kind of experience. The day I stopped by while attending a conference across the street, the place looked desserted. In fact, I had to stick my head in and yell just to verify that somebody was actually working. Ben was there. I ordered some sort of Chile Verde enchilada, which was awesome. Rustic and simple. Plus, Ben has a garden right behind the place where he grows a lot of the ingredients, including chili peppers. Being from Oregon, you get used to the real generic salsa served at a lot of Mexican joints. It was great to have some homestyle salsa, one green and one brownish, with burnt chili skins floating around letting you know it's fire roasted. Ben sat with me and bs'd while I ate lunch and he his hominy soup. Ben Michaels is supposed to make some epic margaritas. But it was a work lunch...
(5)Carmine C.
Unique, wonderful ! Very limited menu but the food was terrific and the owner made the experience unforgettable. We got to listen to some piano and the he played , our 4year old hit a few keys , and we danced!
(5)Lucas K.
Interesting atmosphere, Ben will make you feel at home.. As if you are sitting in his kitchen. Had sardines and mexican cheese for an appetizer, and the salmon with rice for an entree. Food was cooked perfectly, great flavor and fresh ingredients. What more can you ask for?
(5)Have On A.
Love this place! Authentic New Mexican with an updated twist. This guy uses as much local and organic as he can. Even gets his eggs from an 11 year old neighborhood boy! Come and get your chili fix on here!
(5)Lyle F.
When it comes to fresh, what beats growing it out back? When it comes to homey, what beats having Ben open the door? And the music and food. Right on.
(5)Barbara A.
Ordered a green chile cheeseburger.. The heat of the chile was good & the homemade fries were yummy. Cute hacienda setup & awesome live music. Also very interesting because the owner, Ben, is also the chef, bartender, and dishwasher. Giving 3 stars because service was slow. Overall, food was good & the experience was interesting.
(3)James H.
Read reviews on yelp which lead us to Ben Michaels. Arrived at 230 in the afternoon and it looked closed but I tried the door anyway and it was locked. Started to walk away and Ben opened the door. I asked if they were closed and he said they were open. Walked through a living room with a woman on the couch who said hi to us. Ben took us to the dining room. No one else was there and we were seated. It was uncomfortably warm. He brought menus and I ordered a margarita and my wife asked for water. The water came in a random glass that looked like anyone would have in their cabinet. The margarita was fine My wife ordered a chicken enchilada and I ordered salad with chicken. We moved to another table close to the door and opened it to get some air. There was a big windstorm that came up and a table umbrella was trying to blow away so I called Ben to let him know and he rescued the umbrella. Food came and I thought my salad was excellent but my wife could not eat her enchilada. Looked like it was made with blue corn tortilla with cheese on top instead of inside and a spicy red sauce on it so I ate it and gave my wife the salad. Ben came out and played "While my guitar gently weeps " on the piano. Once Ben came out and complained that the president was not getting enough respect. Ben was dressed in blue jeans and a plain white tshirt and my wife didn't like that he wasn't wearing an apron and shirt was stained. Anyway overall I enjoyed the experience but my wife did not.
(4)Aaron L.
Highly recommend this place for anyone who cares about quality. Fresh picked organic greens from the garden, organic beef and organic chile grown by the owner. We started talking And Ben gave me a bag of chile seeds. Great guy. The menu is small but the food is fantastic. Authentic New Mexican faire emphasizing fresh local ingredients.
(5)Bill M.
Well I'm impressed. I punched in a search for Mexican restaurants, and found this little jewel right off of Hywy 40 in AL BQ, NM. I walked in and Ben met me at the door. It had charming atmosphere with Tony Bennett playing over the audio. He then proceeded to bring me me out to his garden in back to pick fresh ingredients for the salad. The food was great! I'll be back.
(5)Julie F.
What a cool litlle place this is. A bit off the beaten track, it was a good find on a warm Saturday. When we arrived, there was only one person waiting tables and while we had to wait a bit to put in our order, once the food did arrive it was popping hot and delicious. They used fresh garlic and other goodies from the garden. And yet, the best part was getting sernaded by our host. He is a crooner fan and knows how to play them on the piano. Thank you for a great late lunch!
(4)Janeth N.
Truly authentic New Mexican Food. Ben Michael is so friendly and kind and makes the whole dining experience very chill. I especially recommend the chicken enchiladas with green chili!
(5)Johnny L.
I really liked this place a lot! Been here several times now, the owner is awesome. Friendly, enthusiastic service. And, of course, fantastic music. Blues night is my favorite and they are pretty well stocked on beer and wine as well. Food is.. Not bad! But not very impressive. Will still be back again. And again. And again. And again..
(4)Tommy T.
Incredible food!! Simple New Mexican dishes prepared extremely well with quality ingredients! Cheers to the Chef and thank you for the warm welcome and great service!
(5)Brenda D.
We first discovered Ben Michael's Cafe a few years ago when our cab driver insisted it was "a MUST" while visiting Albuquerque. He was right, and we come back at least twice a year for the amazing food, warm hospitality and impromptu entertainment provided by the owner! If you are seeking the freshest ingredients, gourmet twists on old New Mexican favorites, and a casual laid back environment...you'll find it here. The service is relaxed and friendly and you'll leave feeling like you just stopped by an old friend's place for a bite and to catch up. Ben Michael is truly a renaissance man with an incredible culinary gift. Stongly recommend the "World Famous Margarita".
(5)Damon T.
The food here is down-home New Mexican and the menu seems to often be a work in progress based on what he has fresh. Sometimes that's even fresh from his garden. That's a good thing. If there's a special, you're wise to get it. Otherwise, your standard New Mexican choices (enchiladas, carne adovada, etc) are all great. The building is worth seeing in it's own right; the owner built it through the years to what it is today. There are great patios in both the front and back, a main room with a piano (the owner will play you some tunes if he's not slammed with orders), and little side room. Very quaint. It's a one-or-two man show most nights, so if you're going for a quick bite to eat you're in the wrong place. The last time we visited the experience took about 2 hours between drinks, ordering, an impromptu concert and a lengthy conversation with the owner. If you make time to slow down and enjoy it, this is a real gem!
(4)Spankey L.
The best Flan ever. You know when its not all smooth and has. A little curdeling. Prtfect. Thats the way it should be.
(5)Mark R.
I live in Denver, and every time I am in Albuquerque, I stop to see Ben Michael's at his restaurant! I DO mean THAT! Ben is there cooking for the people who come in! Where do you find this EVER! True New Mexico food in a building Ben BUILT! When we were last there, I called ahead and he said "Come on down!". Well, there was a semi-private party going on and we were invited in and treated as family! Ben cooked us up what were ordered (tho, we usually ask what he recommends) using fresh vegs he grows. Ben will even play the piano for you if he has time! INCREDIBLE! (Cash and check only)
(5)Zach U.
If you're looking for a "chain" restaurant feel then this isn't for you; but, if you're down for ordering the tapas of the day and for having some of the best homemade Mexican food you've ever had then by all means stop in. Awesome guac, awesome rellenos, awesome margaritas like nothing you've tasted, and the live music friday night is great, too.
(5)John D.
It doesn't look like much from the outside. You get the impression that the guy serving the food and shuffling tables around outside (of which there is 5) is the same guy cooking the food. Nonetheless my wife and I were really impressed. We both order combination plates with a tamale, chile relleno (perfectly spicy), taco and an enchilada w/ veggies and adovada. All were absolutely amazing and around $12. Fresh and full of flavor. The meal was wonderful. I will tell you that I agree with the comment about the margarita just being tequila and orange juice though, but I still am giving it 5 stars because the food was perfect. The service was good, but we're easy to please. Great place. Must stop if in Albuqurque.
(5)art f.
Food = solid: ordinary taco, fresh chile relleno. Very cheap. Margaritas: orange juice and a splash of tequila? Dios mio. These are not margaritas. Service: Bizarre. Ben told us he is a pharmacist. I don't know what drugs we're talking about here. He spent 40 minutes talking with another party with his back to us. Finally we got his attention. He had no record of our orders but we through (with one interruption so he could explain several wall hangings to another party). Finally we paid the bill (no credit cards). Eating at Ben Michael's is more like dining with a very eccentric friend than partronizing a restaurant. It is right across the street from the Hotel Albuquerque and after a mind-numbing all day conference may be an interesting adventure if you're in the right frame of mind.
(2)Trisha S.
What the hell is all the raving about??? This place is NOT air conditioned and the food is flat and bland and wayyyyyy too expensive. I had his mint tea and it tasted like water with a mint leaf waved over it. Michaels nephew sat at the piano right next to us and stumbled over a few songs He did not know how to play and it was irritating while we were trying to eat Far too many GOOD restaurants here to have to settle for this one.
(1)Katie J.
Ben Michael's was kind enough to host our wedding rehearsal dinner a few weeks ago, and our guests were treated to a unique, homey, New Mexican dinner experience. We served steaks (gigantic, juicy rib eye steaks) and stacked green chile chicken enchiladas, both of which were delicious. The calabacitas was great also, a nice New Mexican touch for our guests, most of whom were from the Northeast. Ben Michael even sat down at the piano and serenaded us for a bit! Our experience was as comfortable and relaxed as sitting down at our own dinner table, without the cooking and cleaning up!
(4)Jesse P.
Great atmosphere, really laid back feel. We came here for lunch and it was pretty quiet. The owner waited on everyone and then cooked up all the food while we enjoyed conversation. Food is good and the atmosphere is funky and made me feel at home.
(5)Ashley W.
Ben Michael's is a place to go if you aren't in a hurry; he does almost all the cooking/serving himself most nights. He's an eccentric and entertaining guy and the food is good. He tries to use organic ingredients when he can, and will be delighted to take you on a tour of the house that became his restaurant. Margaritas are strong and dangerous. Live music on some weekends.
(5)Richard S.
This restraunt had exceptional mexican food. It had the best guacamole, tender pulled pork, great beans,and an awesome atmosphere. Ben is a kick ass chef!!! The margaritas lived up to the advertising offers "world famous". Great family restaurant.
(5)Matt K.
Cliffs Notes: great food, spotty service*, nice ambiance *apparently 2 workers simultaneously called in sick on a Saturday night. I've never spent much time in ABQ, being a Santa Fe native and frequent visitor to Taos, it's always been somewhat of a step-child in my frequent visits back to the "home land". We had an early flight back to Denver, so decided we'd stay the night here and not make the 50+ mile drive at the crack of dawn. I'd always wanted to check out old town, so we ventured down, found a spot to park & started wandering. My mom had told me La Hacienda used to be a good local place, but as soon as we wandered by, I could tell they had gone the way of our world-famous Casa Bonita. I found Ben Michael's on Yelp, read a few reviews, and we decided to wander up Rodeo Rd. and give it a shot - easy walk from the old plaza. Our first impression was nothing to write home about - it appeared there was Ben, and his trusty side-kick running the entire show - and so it was. Thinking I was going to be thoroughly impressed by the self-proclaimed "World Famous Margarita's", this was not so. They were rushed out to the table, and at MOST mine had 3-oz of liquid in the glass. Good tasting, but nothing in comparison to a stardard silver coin - especially the standard set by the Taos Inn with their Cowboy Buddha. We ordered our food, and it came out fairly soon - both of us got the Chili Relleños, my wife went Christmas tree style, me with just green chili. We also ordered chili con queso, this never appeared. The food was delivered and I have to say, the relleños were probably the best I've experienced - and I consider myself to be a very harsh critic as well as true connoisseur of this New Mexico staple. Nice and crisp, the perfect amount of cheese, and green chili that had a balanced combination of heat and great flavor. After this, it went downhill, unfortunately. A rather large table arrived, sat down, and we didn't see a server (Ben) for 30+ minutes. My wife had ordered another margarita, it never appeared even after we reminded him. Being the lone soldier who was covering it all, he was busy cooking for the large table. Once done with this enormous task, he came over to apologize to us saying 2 of his staff had called in sick, thus the reason he was running around like a chicken with his mole cut off. The only other person he had working for him was underage, so could not legally deliver the hooch. I completely empathize - and the fact that I was treated to the best relleño ever makes up for the unfortunate service. Still, how about offering up a free beer for the effort? You want me to come back, you gotta tease me more than a simple "sorry I made you wait forever and forgot to bring 2 items you ordered to your table" story. Therefore, I give the 4-star empathy vote, but suggest if this occurs again that he hone in the marketing and customer service skills should he want the word of mouth to spread in a kind way. Would I return? Es posible. No se.
(4)Scott v.
Had a fantastic family dinner. 13 Ben made each plate sang a song and played the piano... Love this place
(5)Hayley H.
For what Ben Michael's Cafe is, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the homey nature. The establishment had some major flaws however that have been touched on by other reviews, but perhaps not in a way that made sense to me personally before I went so I'm writing my own. The business/service side of this restaurant is not a priority to the owners/people in charge (are there any?). That is okay for what it is: a neighborhood hangout where almost everyone knows each other and is welcoming to newcomers. I dig that. Our server was incredibly inexperienced for being in a service position (the young girl pouring waters would have done a much better job). He referred to every menu option as "really good," even though it was clear that he had not tried one of the options he served us. He awkwardly dropped water on our table and proceeded to wipe it off with his hands. He forgot little things (like silverware, side options, pen for the check) even thought we were one of three tables in his section (spaced out over two hours). Not a huge deal. Bad day, whatever, I get that you can forget little things sometimes. We chose the ceviche to start, but our server wasn't sure if it was available. Ben Michael was at an adjoining table eating with friends so our server went over to ask him about the ceviche. Not super professional, but it's a neighborhood joint. Our server informed us that they were out of the ceviche but we could try the cucumber salad, before he can finish an unknown who is eating with Ben Michael comes up from behind and encourages us to try the cucumber salad. Sure, we say. Why not. My bf asks for the Carne Adovado, which they do have. I ask for the Chile Relleno and am told they are out of Chile Relleno. Our server tells us they are out of chicken as well (in general), in fact they only have beef (and I guess, Adovado?). I ask for Beef Enchiladas with papas on the side. BF asks for rice. Server checks with the kitchen and informs us they are out of rice. lol. The "cucumber salad" arrives fairly shortly (heard there were long waits at this place, but we had fairly average wait times for our food). It is half of a large, under-ripe cucumber cut in thick slices served on a small plate with barely any chili pepper sprinkled on top and two thick slices of lemon. I'm from LA and know what this dish is supposed to look like, and this is a kindergarten snack rendering of it. Still no silverware at this point, he comes back after the request with silverware and some gross sauce (my best guess: veg oil and cheap balsamic) that he douses the cucumbers in because he forgot to do so before he served it to our table. We later find out this dish cost $7.95. Our full plate entrees were $10. The pricing just made no sense. We felt like we got totally screwed over. My papas are forgotten and I get the default squash. At this point, I'm guessing getting papas is going to be a stretch, so I didn't say anything and just ate the squash. It's not that the food is just bland or whatever, which it was, although my bf's burrito was okay. It's that this isn't actually a restaurant in the business sense. This is your neighbor Ben who makes okay food and lets you sit in his backyard while you eat it. And that's totally fine, I have friends like Ben and they are awesome. The service is just way too weird for this to be considered any normal understanding of a restaurant and they should be ashamed for charging us 8 bucks for a few slices of cucumber drenched in vegetable oil. 2 stars for atmosphere, fun neighborhood vibe, and a cool jazz band playing. TL;DR Kind of a rip off, strange service, bland food, cool vibe
(2)Joe M.
Ben Michael and the rest of the staff at his cafe are among the warmest, friendliest people I've encountered at any food establishment anywhere, which bumps up my review to three stars. Based on other reviews, we were prepared for slow service, but we were disappointed that the arrival of food was very disorganized. We'd ordered some appetizers - and margaritas - and postponed placing our main order for a bit. When the margaritas came out, we placed the full order. Unfortunately, after a long wait - during which it seemed like everyone else who'd arrived after we did had been served - they brought out two entrees and two appetizers. I suspect the appetizer and entree orders were never separate[d], and so everything got re-queued up at the end of the line after we placed our orders for entrees. This would have been more acceptable if the food had been better. The fish taco was great, as were the calabacitas (grilled zucchini with spices (ginger and garlic?)) and the guacamole, and my son said his Ben Michael Burger was good. However, they were out of rice (on a Friday night), and all of the other food we had - a quesadiilla (which we ordered without chicken, but came with chicken), ceviche (which appeared to be just shrimp cocktail with guacamole), chile relleno and carne adovada - was rather uninspiring. My daughter had ordered a huevos rancheros without cheese, which came much later than everything else, and when it did arrive, it had cheese. We decided to cancel that order, as we were already sharing the other items. The "world famous margaritas" are served on the rocks in glasses typically used for frozen margaritas. I enjoy good margaritas in either format, but I didn't think these margaritas were very good. Again, the people at Ben Michael's are fantastic, and it was clear that many of the other customers there on a Friday night were either regulars or from the neighborhood (or both). If not for their kindness, warmth and enthusiasm, I'd be assigning a two-star rating ... and I feel almost guilty assigning a three-star rating, but thought I'd add a contrasting opinion to the otherwise nearly uniformly glowing reviews of the food here, for the benefit of future prospective customers who might have tastes and preferences similar to mine.
(3)Aaron A.
Fresh, locally grown food. So deep and rich in flavour. Family run, great staff. A must eat at in abq.
(5)Thomas G.
This place is not a hole in the wall . It is a hole in the adobe!! This place is just plain Wacky , Weird and Wonderful. The food is even better. If you go there and expect instant service, don't go. If you want to relax and enjoy the enviroment, very unexpected music and ambiance. Then go. Bring cash as credit cards are not taken. The second margerita is more world famous than the first. the third mar..............
(5)Shanan A.
Delicious food, great vibe, tasty "world famous" margarita's, good food. Seafood tacos are my favorite, and great guac. Great outdoor seating. Music on Friday is very good, and there's a lot of good interaction with the staff and musicians. Also, Ben is really cool, a great laid back owner. Ben has two first names. He also has unusual hair, like an unkempt perm and hasn't seen a comb, which doesn't really matter to this review. He's mostly giving tours to customers of the building he built himself, after he quit his career as a pharmacist.
(5)Hugh A.
Albuquerque ranks as the friendliest city on our cross-country drive thanks to the owner, who invited a couple of out-of-town guests in even tho' he was closed. This is a must-see location, ask about the building's history. It's across the street from the Hotel Albuquerque @ Old Town.
(5)Steve T.
Best restaurant experience I've ever had. Great food and margaritas, but the hospitality was the amazing.
(5)lowell w.
This is the kind of place that has become such a rare find in an era of fast food and chain resaurants! Ben Michael's Cafe is an old house built in the 1940's that the owner (Ben Michael of course) added on to which is now the seating area. Very rustic and cozy. On Fridays he has Jazz players from the local college and or the local community playing. I have also on occassion seen him have song writers in there and old friends of his playing the piano. If he gets a moment he will come around and visit with everyone in his restaurant and he might even play the piano. Now on with the food! One thing to know before I get going on this - he grows alot of his own vegetables!! And what he doesn't grow he tries to get off of the local markets/farmers!! Also he does all of his own cooking! Yes he cooks it all also! You don't see that too often! His tomato salad is to die for, not super filling, great lunch time meal! The Ben Michael Burger is awesome, and he has the hottest green chille that I have ever ate! Oh and get the Flawn for desert! A must for anyone looking for somethign out of the chain/fast food way of life! But no cards only cash, when asked about it he told me the fees are just too much. So instead of bumping prices he only takes cash.
(5)