Blue Benn Diner
318 North St, Bennington, VT, 05201
Blue Benn Diner Menu
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Address :
318 North St
Bennington, VT, 05201 - Phone (802) 442-5140
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Kenneth P. T.
Just the BEST Dinner ! Go for the classics. You will not be thus appointed. Even better then the food is the service. Wait staff always always great you with a happy warm smile. Just a joy to be here. We always stop by when in the area
(5)Katalyst S.
Perfect. Just what you expect and want a diner to be and then better. There were so many things to choose from and what I got was raspberry pancakes with the raspberry's cooked in. So good! Traveling through towns and only staying a small while you don't really expect to do the right things. All the places we went to in Bennington were just great. This diner was excellent. There were so many choices and everything was inexpensive and delicious. We didn't wait long at all for a booth which was suprising since the place was so small. Our waitress was super friendly and she was on it with the coffee. And then they had those old jukebox things at all the booths and to my surprise they actually worked. It was just a great way to start the day and I'd definitely go back if I was in the area.
(5)John B.
Just a swell little unassuming diner in small town New England. We were there coincidentally on the last day of the jukebox with the music selectors at each booth! We were thus treated to free music as the entire collection was played one last time :) I had corned beef hash with a pair of over easy eggs strewn across the bed of hash, yum! My companions thoroughly enjoyed the blueberry pancakes & the local syrup ... The waitress was a perfect peach of a gal telling the girls that a single stack of three pancakes & one serving of syrup would do for two ;-) Simple fare for a fair price!
(4)ImaYesfa N.
Wow I can't believe I have never reviewed this diner this is my very favorite diner anywhere that I've been in the United States!! It's absolutely delicious spot on and perfection in diner experiences. They give you an obscene amount of food. In particular I go there for the turkey dinner my husband and I generally split it and it's much more than enough for two people to share. There's such a huge menu you won't even know where to start but everything is great that I've had. Matter fact I'm heading there for lunch tomorrow driving 50 miles just to go there for lunch it's that good!!
(5)Andy O.
The Blue Benn is a legend among Vermont diners. It has 6 booths, 3 either side of the entrance & 10 counter stools to the left & 10 to the right. It's the ambience. Arrive during the breakfast rush & be prepared to wait! But it's worth it - the variety of breakfast, lunch & dinner choices is enormous! Many delicious Mexican options is just one example. And the prices are very reasonable too. Going for the teriyaki chicken sandwich today!
(4)Andrea D.
Came because it was highly rated, but we waited 40 Minutes to be seated, our waitress was standoffish but attentive and the food and coffee were nothing special. I ordered pancakes and were told they were made from a mix ... Which was disappointing to hear. Prices are pretty low and if would be an okay place to eat if there wasn't an absurd wait for nothing special but I wouldn't go there again and wouldn't recommend it.
(2)J P.
Very cool (and inexpensive) idyllic diner in Bennington, VT. The menu options are extensive - some might say overwhelming - but you'll definitely find something on the menu that tickles your fancy. I had the garden scramble and the blueberry almond pancakes - both great. The veggies were fresh.
(4)Judy G.
Exactly what one would expect! There offer an unbelievable range of food. Difficult to imagine how they could keep stocks of all the ingredients. But we were there for breakfast, which was great. The muffins looked fresh-made and delicious, but did not try them this time. Have to come back later in the day some time. When we arrived, there was only one waitress on duty, so things were a little slow. But I was fascinated watching her juggle all the demands on her without missing a beat. Only complaint is that the coffee did not come right away . . . or stay refilled. But I'll be back!
(4)Sonya A.
Blueberry pie a la mode is superb!! Friendly staff. Spaghetti & meatballs had tasty meatballs. We will come back next time we're in town!
(5)Victoria W.
I wasn't expecting too much from this touristy-looking, grungy little diner, and I was starting to fear the worst when we entered and there was some terrible rotten stench. We pushed through anyway to look at the menus, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a half page of vegetarian entrees like chili and meatloaf! I got the latter, which turned out to be a pretty decent grain-based thing, and got it with mashed potatoes, which were amazingly buttery. Service was unfriendly and curt in the way that some people might find charming, but I wasn't a fan. They did have some surprisingly decent bathrooms!
(3)David W.
Although this is not strictly a vegetarian restaurant, it does have numerous vegetarian options. I've only been here for dinner years ago, so this review focuses more on breakfast. You can choose from classic diner fare, but they also have more unusual choices. The pricing is thus a bit more than the cheaper diners one might find. Right now my favorite is the Tofu Scramble, which has a nice curry seasoning, which being spicey (you can always add hot sauce). We also had the Eggs Benedict, which comes in a Popeye (spinach) version. This diner's immense popularity means that you might wait a while for a table, and the wait is worth it. But I've had luck getting seated at the counter immediately upon arrival. As they say, "If you see it, sit on it."
(5)Lydia K.
Our timing was superb--a booth was open an clean as we walked in the door. Service was friendly and reasonably fast. The food was great. Husband had breakfast--he would have liked a little more kick to the sausage gravy, but the eggs were perfect. The kids and I had lunch. Sandwiches were decent. Fries were EXCELLENT and the bacon was good enough to justify the drive back alone. Just perfect...and I'm a bacon expert. $43 for meals for 4 is a great deal. The only reason it falls short of 5 stars is the cramped lay out...but that is also part of the charm. I guess 4.5 would be a great rating.
(4)Robin B.
Awesome breakfast with efficient service. Super good fried potatoes and breakfast sandwich.
(4)Andrew B.
Good service, delicious food, I am very, very satisfied. I hope to return in the future. Thanks you!!!!
(5)Michael R.
Great diner with a wide variety of selections. Service was fast and courteous. It's also a real old school diner so the downside is you really can't go there if you're rolling with more than a few friends. They also have awesome homemade pies and assorted pastries. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)JP B.
Wow, great food on a road Trip! Had the special, meatloaf, and it was a huge Portion with freshly mashed Potatoes and steamed green beans. Outstanding!!!!
(5)Devin P.
The Blue Benn is a 1940's style, prefabricated diner sitting by the road on Route 7. Small, but easy-to-run and low-cost, these diners displaced the rolling wagons that used to roll around the county serving meals to hungry factory and office workers. The Blue Benn is original and serves a big menu of typical diner food. I enjoy it for experience more than anything. In addition to all the usual diner staples, such as burgers, club sandwiches, and pie, they have at sixteen vegetarian options on the menu, not to mention any others among the meal or dessert options posted on the walls. Food is tasty and portions sufficient. You'll pay a bit more for some options than you might expect, but this is mostly because they have such a large menu for such a small place. Note: the restaurant does not accept credit cards so be sure you have enough cash! The staff is pleasant, though busy, so don't expect a ton of attentive service. Also, plan your visit when you aren't starving: the diner is quite popular but may seat only 30-40 people at a time. Lines are common and there is only a small anteroom on the front. Oh but here's a tip: when you and the baker's dozen of self-centered people in your family decide to eat here, make sure to instruct everyone to keep walking back and forth between your four tables. This will obstruct the waitress while your 13-person order holds up the entire kitchen. Or you could GO BACK TO JERSEY. Pros: Large, varied, menu with many special options. Friendly staff who makes good recommendations. Nostalgic experience with working jukeboxes and nice views. Cons: Small and Popular, so can be crowded at times Keeping original equipment in use means worn tables and chairs Waitresses are too busy and kind to tell wandering airheads to SIT DOWN.
(4)Lisa B.
Hate to give this old time place a low rating but the food is just not that great. Heavy and the place needs a good scrubbing. Walls, floors everything. It was just not fresh and clean.Add some huge portions (which some people would give points for) of adequate food and for me, it's a no go.
(2)Jason L.
A little hole in the wall type place. Cash only. Sit at the counter and don't even pick up the menu. Gaze up at the wall and pick a special. Blue = Breakfast, I'm assuming tan/orange = lunch/dinner, but I was there for breakfast so I didn't ask. I ended up with a Southwest Benedict. Grilled Corn Muffin base, with tomato, avocado, poached egg & hatch green chile sauce. With some black beans & homefries. It was delicious & filling in only the way a little hometown diner can be. $8.50 + tax & tip. Def. on my radar to return if i'm in the area.
(5)Don F.
Great find on drive up Rt 7 in VT. Small place, but we only waited 15 or so min. Great choices and good food. We loved the chicken fried steak and open faced roast beef sandwich. The biscuits and gravy was also very tasty. We wish we lived closer.
(5)Brenda F.
The best diner I've ever been to! Corn muffins were the best. Everything was awesome. Can't go wrong.
(5)Amy R.
OMG! This place is awesome! When ever we are in Bennington we visit here 2-if not 3 times before leaving. They have awesome vegetarian options you wouldn't think would be at such a place - but its amazing. Their Nut Burger is very good, Vegetable Meatloaf is great well. They leave no room on the plate, just a big heaping pile of yUm! Waitress is cool. She's been there forever it seems. Very personable. She had a Krispy Kreme mug on the counter and my father-in-law sparked up a conversation with her about it. Knowing there weren't any around in the area and she told us about her trips to Florida. It was nice to hear her stories of traveling. We've always sat at the counter but, if you want a booth...yes you do have to wait. Very busy in the AM. Most the time you can see a line going out the door. But, menu stands all day if you can wait for the afternoon to go its not 'as busy'. Cash only.
(5)Sandra N.
I had a pretty good salad at the diner a few years ago but this was my first visit since then. I expected a long wait, but was lucky to hit it right and only waited about 15 minutes. I am a vegetarian, so I tried the nut burger. My husband had the beef burger and fries. The nut burger was one of worst food items I have eaten in years. I am not sure what it tasted like - just bad. It was loaded with cumin which is unpleasant. The herbal dressing was horrible. My husband's burger, according to him was awful. The fries were very thin, over cooked and greasy. I guess this is good novelty tourist stop, but I don't see this as regular place to eat. I gave Blue Benn 2 stars because the waitress was extremely nice.
(2)Laura M.
Great place !! Went on vacation and tried it out . Staff was friendly and service was amazing. I will be back
(5)Zac A.
After 3 trips to the Blue Benn, I'd say it is a pretty good place to get breakfast or brunch. Although I've only eaten the Sausage Gravy and Biscuits (with Eggs), I'm curious about the myriad of options on the wall. I think there are actually more breakfast choices posted on the walls than there are on the menu (which is fun). On the weekend, if you decide to sit at a booth instead of the counter, there will probably be a little bit of a wait, but you're in Bennington, Vermont, so why would you be in a hurry? Relax and enjoy the conversation with your friends, family, or the other kind people waiting their turn (the wait is purely honor-system) on the porch.
(4)Susie S.
What you want from a diner in the middle of nowhere. Variety galore and hearty comfort food. If I ever find it again, I will go.
(4)Ben R.
I must say diner heaven is a place: it is Blue Benn. The vastness of their menu is rivaled only by the sheer number of specials on the wall behind the classic diner counter. Pies to die for but only after you clean your plate! My ratatouille omelette with fresh squash, sopped up by crunchy toast and great home fries. The pancakes: fluffy and berry laden with raspberries and blueberries. Lunch, dinner, dessert, and all served smiling by great waitresses. What more can one ask for!
(5)Michele C.
For those who've given this place poor reviews: YOU DON'T KNOW FOOD! You waited 40 mins. to be seated? P.S. That's because it's in a 1950s-style trailer, there aren't many seats & the place is always PACKED because it's amazing! P.P.S. If you're coming in w/ only 2-3 ppl., you can avoid the "woe is me" wait to be seated by simply walking in & eating at the "old skool" diner counter/sitting on the spin-ee stools. Not a hard concept. The Blue Benn is the QUINTESSENTIAL diner, in my mind! Their raspberry-chocolate chip pancakes are my ULTIMATE fave & pretty much what I get most EVERY time I go...though I've had club sandwiches, burgers/fries, various other breakfast dishes -- & have never had a complaint! Not once! The servers? Yes: definitely also more "old skool", no nonsense older(ish) women who've probably worked there forever & a day & may initially seem a bit curmudgeonly (if that's a word? haha!) but once you get them talking/joking, they're great! It is CASH ONLY -- which is hard for some in this day & age (I sound like I'm 90...hahaha!) but, that's the only thing I'd say to "plan ahead" on, if you're not a cash-on-hand-person (which I am not -- so I KNOW anytime I'm Blue Benn'ing it, to hit my ATM 1st!) The 1st picture that's posted in here -- of the counter area, "old skool" Coke machine & 5,000 menu "specials" posted all over the walls fully capture what *IS* The Blue Benn! I have been trying to get this place on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" for YEARS -- it's THAT good! The kid w/ the April, 2014 review saying, "Amazed at its small size & shocked that a place like this still exists in the 21st century. We knew VT was 'behind the times', but we has no idea it was stuck in the 50s." -- You, Sir, are an idiot. Blue Benn = A++ -- for it's "small size", 50s-style atmosphere & it's overall AMAZING food choices! Easily my FAVORITE breakfast spot in the area!
(5)Chompawomp B.
Great diner..a bit in the vain of O"Rourkes (Middletown CT). If you are in a hurry in Bennington Vermont and whining about slow service here (or that it's old and cash only), just go back to Long Island or whatever hellhole you're from. This place will survive without you...
(5)Briee D.
Horrible service; long waits; over rated food. Fun for tourists though. Beware if you are a vegetarian-- they will not accommodate. Or they will say there is no meat in soup and literally use your spoon to scoop out the beef in front of you when you try to send it back.
(1)Lisa H.
Food was good - solid diner fare. Between three of us, we had a mushroom and cheese omelette, strawberry pancakes, and the "hungry person" breakfast. Everything was very tasty. Would have given 4 stars, but service was just shy of rude. Server was needlessly snippy with us. Food was good though - lots of choices, and didn't take long at all.
(3)Lina F.
This place is a great pit stop after skiing. I ordered a short stack (only 2) mixed berries pancakes with real maple syrup and they were amazing. My fiancé ordered corned beef hash and he really enjoyed it. If you want that old feel, retro diner, this place is it! The restaurant is small so be prepared to wait a bit during rush hour.
(4)Heather L.
I have been going to this place since I was a kid and I could not love it more. This diner offers no frills as it was built by Paterson Vehicle Co. nearly 60 years ago, but it's very vintage with DELICIOUS food. The diner itself is actually very small- About 8 or 9 booths. Really cool plus about the booths- they all have jukeboxes! 2 plays per quarter and large selection of music. If you go in for breakfast on a weekend (even some weekdays) and require a booth you may have a bit of a wait- If not they have plenty of counter space. The menu is quite extensive, something for everyone. I would especially recommend this diner to anyone who is vegetarian or vegan as they have PLENTY of veggie/vegan dishes. While the menu itself is huge- Make sure you check out the specials that are printed on papers on the wall behind the counter! May seem overwhelming at first as there are just so many options, but you're sure to find something tasty. I was here yesterday with a friend and ordered the Rueben omelette which comes with toast (white, wheat, rye, or sourdough- I went with sourdough- delicious) and homefries. I was not at all disappointed. My portion was enormous (enough for my breakfast this morning!) and SO tasty. This is why I emphasize checking the specials on the wall as that's where I found this gem- It's not printed in the menu. My friend ordered the Philly steak omelette which I tried and we both found out of this world. Same portion as mine- huge (he also had leftovers) I've never had anything I didn't like here. Fruity pancakes, great corned beef hash, homemade pies and muffins, delicious coffee. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone whether you're a Bennington native or just passing though. Just remember to bring cash as they do not accept cards.
(5)Dennon S.
We came to this place because of the 4 star rating on yelp. We were amazed at its small size and shocked that a place like this still exists in the 21st century. We knew Vermont was behind the times but we had no idea it was stuck in the 50s. Our waitress was obviously prejudiced from anyone who was out of town and and in the 21st century. Even though the food was good, the service left a bad taste in our mouth. We might not have helped her racist views of out of towers by repeatedly playing achy breaky heart by Alvin and the chipmunks on the table jukebox after seeing her bug eyed reaction to my question of whether or not they served waffles on the menu. If u have ever watched cinderella, u could get a good idea of the attitude of this waitress with us by looking at the evil step mother in Cinderella and how obviously jealous she was of how much more classy we were than she was. I would still recommend u go to this place if not to just go there, meet the worst server in the world and play achy breaky heart by Alvin and the chipmunks over and over and over. It's 2 plays for a quarter so we had a lot of fun. More fun than I've had in a while.
(2)elizabeth s.
This place is so cute, which is reason enough to go here. They have far too many options on the menu, but whatever I ended up getting was much tastier than I expected.
(4)Bilal A.
Be prepared for a long wait. We waited 30 minutes for a booth. Popeye egg Benedict has frozen chopped spinach microwaved for 30 seconds and served. The coffee was weak but the blueberry pancake was excellent and the prices fair. There was a unique ambience.
(2)Matthew S.
This place has a great reputation among tourists. I'm not sure why. I guess tourists passing through the area are so dazzled by the foliage that they just forget what diner food is supposed to taste like. The food is moderately priced, but not very good. I might deserve it for ordering falafel at a diner, but it was the worst I've ever had. They charge extra for real maple syrup -- in Vermont, this is shameful. Sure, I've never had food poisoning after a meal there, but as far as diner food goes this isn't the best. And I do love diner food. When I frequented the Blue Benn (it's one of the few diners in the area) I was a student at Bennington, the college on the hill. While town-gown relations are strained in general in the area, they really stand out at the Blue Benn. Waitresses have been rude and standoffish on multiple occasions. It's almost always packed, and it's a small place. Be prepared to wait. Cash only.
(1)Nancy K.
For years, this was a spot I only went to for breakfast if I had a friend visiting. It was never when it was just me and a friend - the food is awesome, don't get me wrong, but the wait can be ridiculous. People love the charm of eating in what appears to be a moveable restaurant and the old school charm of everything about this place. Then I started going more often, but not for breakfast, for dinner! Blue Benn has fantastic dinners, especially the Mexican food... oh, wow. And the waits are significantly shorter (often non-existant). Maybe other people missed the memo about dinner, too. With individual jukeboxes on the table you'll be treated to an eclectic mix of tunes if people have change. Usually once one person plays a song others start and you can hear whatever anyone plays, which is fun. The menus contain the story of the restaurant and the staff are charming and local. While it's definitely a tourist trap for breakfast you'll find some of the local Bennington characters during breakfast. Dinner is almost exclusively residents. Fun, good people, good food - a must do while in or passing through or staying near Bennington.
(5)Christopher L.
I stumbled upon this classic little diner through a review of another location in Bennington, and boy am I glad I did. As we arrived in the parking lot, our first encounter was a happy tourist telling us "You have to eat here, this place is just great. Make sure you play the jukebox." The owner of the small hotel we stayed at warned us that they might be pretty busy, and they were, but at 10am on a Friday we were able to get an open booth without any wait; just good timing I suppose. I took the advice of the happy stranger and played the jukebox, which is retro to the core. It works mechanically, with the buttons remaining depressed as you hear gears turning away inside until it clicks and the buttons pop back out. Our waitress was very pleasant, and I was never in want of anything. I ordered the Pumpkin Pecan pancakes with the Vermont Maple syrup (I were there in fall, after all) and they were absolutely fantastic. A unique variation of a classic breakfast which really set the mood for my trip. The look, feel, and smell of this place is just a great experience; a must visit for anyone going through Bennington.
(4)Marc L.
I was visiting Bennington, VT with my girlfriend who went to college here back in the 1990's. Other than visiting her old campus, her one request is that we would have lunch at the Blue Benn Diner. Thank god I listened to her, because this was probably one of the best diners I have visited in my life. Its fairly small and there is often a wait, but the food is delicious. My GF ordered the crunch berry pancakes -- I tasted them and they were great. The pancake batter wasn't overly sweet like most places make them -- instead they let the berries add the sweetness. That is the way pancakes are supposed to be -- pancakes shouldn't taste like they were made from a batter of sugar. I had two eggs with homemade turkey hash. It was incredible. Everything was so good here that we had to come back the next morning for breakfast before we left Bennington. It was that good. She had the mixed berry pancakes this time --- these were better than the crunch berry pancakes from the day before. I ordered a Ruben omelet this time -- Its exactly what you think it would be. Corned Beef and sauerkraut mixed into my eggs. YUM! (no thousand island dressing - thank god!) Wow! So, if you find yourself Bennington, please do not miss a stop at the Blue Benn. I promise you that it is well worth the trip! I just wish this place was closer so that I could go on a more regular basis. If I ever am near Bennington again, I'll be sure not miss the Blue Benn.
(5)R D.
very long wait with mediocre food. Never again. Love the little old jukebox music on the table.
(2)Susan J.
Lovely piece of Americana right near downtown... everything I've ever ordered from this friendly diner was delicious... loved the jukeboxes and the huge variety on their menu!!! I eat here every year that I visit my hometown.
(5)Scott G.
Nice little diner. Had a late lunch at 2:30, so it was not crowded. The waitress was very friendly. I had the meat chili which was pretty good. The jalapeno corn muffin that came with the chili was fantastic. Coffee was fair, nothing special.
(4)Esin G.
Can't get any better than this. Best pancakes I've ever had in my entire life!
(5)Jeff K.
I am sure Jon M. saw that sign, I bet it even was worse than he made it sound but the food was good, plentiful and the service was quite good once you got inside. The 4 of us ate at the counter and someone moved over so we could do 4 side by side which was very nice. The waitress was an older woman who was on her game, food was hot, plentiful and really good. I loved the place, the service and I will be back. I just hope Jon M. isn't there waiting outside still.
(5)Alyssa J P.
It had been 2 years and a transition to veganism since I'd last been here, but the Blue Benn Diner not only lived up to my new expectations but also to my nostalgic recollection. An entire half page of a menu loaded with veggie, and many vegan options, you will not go hungry here. I ordered the veggie "meat" loaf which came with gravy, steamed broccoli and a salad. I skipped the salad (yes, a vegan who hates salad) but the loaf and broccoli hit the spot. Paired with a side of french fries, that meal can basically do no wrong.
(5)Khoa N.
This blue-awning trailer diner stands out amongst all food choices in small town Bennington, VT. It's got over 50 reviews while others struggle in the teens. That's gotta be something. And it is. Within my 3 weeks here I have been to this diner twice, that's more than I can say for any other restaurants in the area. Both times I found myself in the multitude of people standing around the crowded entrance waiting for a table. I quickly realized that the wait is significantly shorter if I opt for the counter space. So I did. The coffee was hot and welcoming for a Saturday morning, both times before a hike. I tried the blueberry pancakes with the famous VT maple syrup the first time and enjoyed it greatly. My omelet filled with sausage, tomatoes, green peppers and mushrooms tasted amazing the second time around. My friend liked her eggs Benedict as well. This was such a different experience from the last time we had brunch in a pretentious French restaurant back in Boston. The food here is better, and not to mention a lot cheaper. We left feeling satisfied. This place is cash only. But don't worry, like I mentioned, it is also cheap so you won't need to stash hundreds in your wallet for a meal. Blue Benn is one of my favorite things about staying in the countryside. I'd choose eating in a small trailer with locals here any day over being in that awful fancy schmancy restaurant back at home.
(4)Laurel S.
We LOVE the Blue Benn! I have been several times since moving to the area and every time I go I order the California Omelet - I know I should probably try something else but it's just so delicious and I can't help myself. Big chunks of avocado, tomato, sour cream, sprouts... Yum. My mom tried the huevos rancheros and my daughter had some sort of over-the-top french toast and both garnered equally rave reviews. Plus their portions are huge, the homefries are delicious, the homemade jam that you can request for your toast is awesome, and the wait staff that we've encountered have all been delightful and kid-friendly. I love diners in general but this one is pretty special.
(5)Emily P.
Your classic diner! One of my favorite places to eat in Bennington! You cannot go wrong ordering anything on the menu. Great place for any meal of the day! A must if you're driving through town!
(5)Tom B.
What was good? Sausage gravy and eggs. Campbell chowder. Pie was not that great. Disappointed. Atmosphere was authentic diner from 1948. Service was good and efficient.
(4)Bob S.
Classic diner with both classic and eclectic selections. Large portions. I had a turkey club, which was excellent. Served with large, slightly greasy (not complaining!) fries. Excellent, friendly, service.
(5)Gedeon M.
Ordered the Popeye's Benedict. Ratings for this place were good so I thought I would try it. So disappointing. Everything is from a can or frozen. Frozen spinach, frozen OJ. English muffins were just warmed, not toasted. Hollandaise sauce tasteless. Hash browns not browned, boiled. Everything under seasoned. Didn't live up to the hype, find a better place for breakfast.
(2)Steven B.
I joined Yelp just to give five stars to the Blue Benn. It is literally the best place I have ever eaten, and I've been there probably 100 times and never had a disappointing meal. Yes, it's tiny, and it doesn't look like much from the outside. Yes, they rely on the honor system for seating booths, which can be confusing for like 30 seconds until a friendly regular in the waiting area explains it to you. And yes, it's often crowded, so the waitresses are often busy and don't bother acting otherwise - though they'll keep your coffee full through your whole meal, undoubtedly. If those are things that make you want to skip a place, it's your loss. And I'm sorry to tell you this, but you're a fool, and probably a spoiled, judgmental brat, too. The Blue Benn serves the best food in the world, in huge portions, at reasonable rates. Everything is good, but most of the best items are "specials," printed on colored copy paper and taped to the wall. I usually get the country eggs benedict, biscuits and gravy or country fried steak. But even if you're not trying to drown yourself in white gravy, there are lots of options.
(5)Ben Z.
As soon as I walked into this place, i saw an older woman coughing up her lungs (over the food, mind you). I said that I wanted to see a menu; one of the dozen menus that were lying in front of her on the counter. She told me to go back to the waiting room and she would bring me a paper menu. When I repeated that I just wanted to SEE the menu, she replied, "That's OK. I will get you a paper menu." Also when I walked in there was a horrific chemical smell as if someone opened up a nail salon together with an oil refinery. I don't understand the positive reviews when I find it hard to get passed the smells, the dim lighting, the depressed air, the phlegmatic woman coughing over the counter, the dilapidated condition of this shack, and the condescending service. I would not shed a tear if this place were to burn to the ground!
(1)Lars F.
Too bad about the 1 star rating for poor service. We stopped here on the advice of Yelp and wow, this is a diner! You don't see these much anymore. Crowded on a Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. Thankfully there were two counter seats open, so we did not have to wait 30 minutes like the rest of the crowd. The menu is posted all over the diner walls if you are at the counter. I went for the pumpkin pecan pancakes which were pretty good. My wife had the California Eggs Benedict. That soon became a giant mess, but good none-the-less. I really wanted to come back for lunch, but we were only driving through town. This place is authentic.
(4)Kamil N.
Fast service, yummy food and a cozy environment. The Blue Benn burger was one of the best I've ever had. They also had a huge selection of vegetarian meals available.
(5)Sarat V.
Found this place on a road trip. Looks like a whole in the wall but unbelievable food. We stopped for breakfast. Big servings, and plenty of selections. I had a reuben omelette, which is same as a reuben sandwich instead of bread, it was wrapped in an omelette. Fast service, definitely worth stopping for and going back to. Small place. Affordable prices.
(5)Susan R.
Yes, extremely veggie-friendly.....huge menu, endless specials......lots of fun with those table top juke boxes. The best servers. But, I only eat breakfast items here these days - too many times disappointed in other menu options. The best thing I ever ate at the Benn was pumpkin-cornmeal pancakes, and sadly you don't see them on the menu (or wall) anymore. Omelettes are huge and consistently good. I especially enjoy the swiss & avocado. The blueberry pancakes are very good, and of course, the fact that you can get real maple syrup makes it worth having anything that goes with it. I think the cozy booths are worth the wait. Interesting mix of locals and touristas.
(4)Gina T.
The first time Mike and I drove past the Blue Benn Diner I told him that I wanted to go there. It looked exactly the way you want your diner to look. The small, old diner car had my name written all over it. But as you know, Mike wasn't so keen on it. In the end, I prevailed, and we went there for breakfast the last morning of my vacation. The diner only has about 8 booths plus the counter. The sign on the door reminds you to use the honor system and that those waiting for a table will be seated in the order in which they arrived. The entire back wall of the diner is covered with 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper with "specials" listed on them, essentially making for hundreds of specials. Mike had a waffle and I had an omelet with home fries and toast. No need to wax poetic about it. It was breakfast, it was a diner breakfast, it was perfect. The diner was exactly what we needed that morning, and this one had a lot of charm!
(4)Cheryl J.
A little hidden gem in Vermont! As a Jersey girl I felt right at home in this greasy spoon of a diner. The interior was spotless! The staff had just the right amount of diner attitude I appreciate in a diner waitress. The wait was not long for a booth and the food was worth it! Not a fan of having to pay extra for Vermont maple syrup as opposed to Aunt Jemima's but I know it's liquid gold up there so I understand. Had an omlette - Vermont cheddar, ham, and avocado - the avocado (and I swear it was an entire avocado) was a fresh as I get in California. Boyfriend had the pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs and sausage. He couldn't finish it all! Jukeboxes work with a great selection! (The Unicorn Song!?! Yes, please!) A must-do in Bennington or worth the trip from Manchester area.
(5)Michael B.
All I can say is that it is a highlight of our trip. The kids love it and so do we! It is a small place but they have a system all set up including being on the "honor" system while waiting for a table. We've never experienced anything but kind and considerate locals and tourists alike. Get there early for breakfast, or you will be waiting quite a while for a table.
(5)Tim K.
The Blue Benn diner is one of my favorite places to eat in Bennington. It just never disappoints. Great for breakfast and lunch. Plan on waiting for a table at busy times.
(5)Karin R.
A bewildering variety of breakfast options makes choosing a long process. Don't just look at the menu - there are specials posted all over the wall behind the counter. I left feeling sorry that I was only spending one day in town. Be sure to get a doughnut for the road!
(5)Cindy G.
Excellent breakfast, coffee from freshly ground coffee beans in old time diner. The place is tiny, it fills up fast, but it's worth the wait. What a pleasant surprise!
(5)Sarah Y.
Absolutely love blue benn! Best diner around! Huge menu, lots of options. I'm a vegetarian and I'm always able to get something different everytime I go! The service isn't always the nicest but the food is worth it.
(5)Denis A.
We wanted to try this place after all the positive reviews here. We walked in and the space was so cramped - there was almost nowhere to breathe. I can't believe no one mentioned this in the reviews. The bar stools were all full and the row of tables that are about 2 feet from the bar stools makes this place really cramped. Menu looked interesting but after a long drive from NY we didn't want to feel like sardines in a can so we went to Jensen's down the street because it was roomy. Maybe we'll do takeout if they offer that. Please expand the diner!!
(2)Howard M.
The food is great. There is no pretense or attitude. It isn't retro, it's real. An absolute treasure.
(5)Caesar R.
Classic diner. Great friendly service. They offer just about everything you can think of and then have "specials" on the wall on every inch of free space. The wife and I took a trip here just to say we made it to Vermont during our New England road trip for our anniversary. We shared the eggs benedict and the corn bread french toast. Both were enormous servings. We also got a side of turkey hash and turkey sausage. The corn bread french toast was a home made corn bread muffin served french toast style. It was delicious, especially with the REAL VT MAPLE SYRUP. We were surprised that we offered anything but, so it was delicious to get the state sweetener for breakfast. The eggs bene was delicious as well, with large slices of canadian bacon almost bread plate size slices. The turkey hash was ok; I think it would have been better with two sunny side up eggs rather than just a side. Lastly, we grabbed a delicious cinnamon sugar donut to go as well. The donut was tasty, but it was almost a combination of a yeast donut and a cake donut. Keep on serving the good stuff Blue Benn
(4)Patrick M.
Excellent country breakfast - yelped it on the way to mt snow and WOW it was good. The place is small but in a good way. You HAVE to have the jam (raspberry to die for). We had an omelet, cinnamon swirl French toast (YUMMY), bacon, home fries... And really good hot chocolate! It is CASH ONLY though - but hey it's VT.
(4)jon M.
I'm sorry that expected some kind of service. As we walked through the entrance I noticed a sign that said 'do not enter even if there are empty seats until seated by a server'. I wish I had snapped a pic. I saw the sign as we were entering as anyone would. Who looks outside the front door to be told not to enter. the staff turned to look at us as if we had walked into some private establishment so we did a quick u turn outside. As we were standing there one of the 4-5 waitresses (with only about 6 customers) came out to make a face like what is our problem and to inform us we can come in. As we did not even manage to get any food I can only rate them on the most miserable disappointing diner experience in memory.
(1)Wendy M.
This is a diner in the way the French Laundry is a restaurant. As well as being a local institution, it gives you a take on what a diner could be if it applied imagination, standards and flair to its menu. The vegetarian menu is great, the pancakes and breakfast is exemplary, actually, the only meal to eat at a diner is breakfast, no matter what time of the day. Yeah sometimes the reputation is greater than the reality, but it is a diner, not a three star michelin restaurant.
(5)Amy G.
My momma recently moved to Bennington and this weekend I finally got to experience the drastic difference between NYC and the country! First stop Saturday morning, was the Blue Benn. Mom had never been, and heard of it from various magazines and tourist info she'd read at her new job. First off, I used to be vegan, so seeing scrambled tofu on the menu was so awesome! Even though I've since traded tofu in for eggs, it's nice to know they have options there. They also had gluten free bread available! The pancake options were insane. Pumpkin pecan! Buckwheat berry! Chocolate chip raspberry! My mom opted for the latter, and I got a delicious scramble with eggs, tons of veggies and topped with mozz. DELICIOUS potatoes came with. My only regret is that I didn't order one of those ridiculous looking donuts!
(5)Kathy Z.
very good brunch! This place is very small, only 6 tables or you sit on the counter. You might have to wait in line but I think it is worthy. The food's great! I have a omelette with beacon and smoked ham. My friend had a beef dish which came with coleslaw, turkey chowder and fries. Only about $12 person. Strongly recommend. Thank you Yelp for helping me discovering this place when I was planning a visit to Vermont.
(4)Thigh M.
make no mistake and get the chicken fried steak!!!!
(5)Nicole T.
I really enjoyed this place. They had a whole bunch of options on the menu and on the wall. I only wish that the wall options were also on the menu. I was up in VT for the 4th of July weekend, and we went to this place two mornings in a row. The first day I had the eggs benedict California style, with avacado, sprouts, and black beans. It was delicious. The next day I had a hungry person plate with a pancake, eggs, and soy sausage. I was thoroughly impressed by the soy sausage option. I am a vegetarian and have never been to a regular restaurant that offers that option. I really appreciated it and did not expect to find that all the way out in VT. I read about the do not enter sign that Jon M wrote about. I didn't see such a sign when I went there. The staff was friendly and gave good service.
(5)Charles T.
This is a must for breakfast!
(5)Sharon H.
Yum! I had the pulled pork sandwich and homemade tapioca pudding. Ambience was definitely old school diner - loved it. Sharon and Heidi were great company while I waited out a traffic accident.
(5)Tarah T.
I had been here many years ago, and didn't have the best experience but I decided to give it another try before completely writing it off, and boy am I glad I did. I brought a friend from out of town here for breakfast and we sat at the cozy bar, were served by a helpful waitress. I ordered the California omelet and my friend had the Quesadilla, and we split a homemade donut with cinnamon and sugar. First the donut came... huge! And delicious. Then our entrees arrived and they were large and very tasty. We left very full and very happy. We will return! A word of advice, look at the menu first, then look at all the offerings on the wall. It can be a bit overwhelming, but everything is good! A plus, they have vegetarian and gluten-free options.
(4)Danika A.
As far as diners go, it's good. As far as the old school diner genre goes, it's alright. It does have a ton to offer the vegetarian crowd. I got the California Benedict, which comes with guacamole, tomato, bean sprouts, and a side of black beans. Perhaps they listened to their Yelp reviews, because my portion was certainly not "huge." It was a decent size, enough to fill me. The guacamole was kind of runny and not very flavorful. The black beans were the only thing that could really save the dish from being completely bland. The fiance got coffee (which he said was not good) and the turkey and black bean enchilada platter, which he said was good (but could have been better - the salsa tasted like Pace picante sauce). I really want to give it a 4, because I feel like it has potential (based on their other offerings), but I am basing this review purely on my experience today. It's just not all that it was cracked up to be.
(3)Chandra P.
Big helpings in this tiny old fashion diner. The staff are like the usual ones you would hope to find, you walk in, they tell you to wait and you do wait even if there is a table, they are going at their own pace. They give you a menu, and plus all over the walls are papers of more food item creations that are not listed on the menu. There are the old fashion mini jukeboxes on each table, and of course the curious stares everyone gives each other, trying to figure out who's local and who's not. All in all, the food was in enormous proportions, and very decent!
(4)Howard R.
Just as advertised. Overwhelming choices (check posted specials). Great blueberry pancakes, friendly atmosphere, about the size of a subway car.
(4)Scott J.
we went over to this place for the simple task of checking VT off our list of states we have been to. This is a cute town with a stream running through it, painted mooses, an obelisque marking a civil war site (yes that far north) and lots of trees. This is a little roadside café in an old railcar. They have working juke box. Overall, the food was good (we had various pancakes and homemade doughnuts). The waitresses were friendly and not pushy. The place is too busy with menu items on the wall on multicolor paper. The place could use a little upkeep on the booths seats but it was clean and a good experience.
(4)Allison M.
Wonderful! The menu is excellent. Accommodates the gluten free - vegetarians and the omnivores! Home- made delicious food. Not a "raw food" place, but definitely a place a vegan gluten free dieted person can eat and enjoy, even if it's a little more decadent than usual. Large portions. Delicious.
(4)Eric S.
Home grown food in a warm local diner atmosphere. Friendly service and eager to serve. The hot open face hamburger w gravy and mashed w/ pickled beets was good, not great. Large variety with specials dotting the walls. Parked in a stool at the counter watching the bustle of the fast moving kitchen.. Friendly people here.
(4)Francine C.
Smoke house sandwich and Cuban sandwich was awesome! Small dine but a great find! Pleasant waitresses food was hot!
(5)Debrin S.
Oh if only every diner could be the Blue Benn! This is the real deal all around! Best turkey (fresh NOT nitrate laden), avocado, Cabot sharp cheddar, salsa, onion egg white omelet ever! Crunchy crispy fries, huge club sandwiches. MASSIVE MENU OPTIONS- SEE THE WALL BEHIND THE BAR! Great parking, tiny inside & usually packed w/ a line but well worth it! Great service- friendly smiles all around!
(5)Jack M.
This, is MY diner. I've been to 'em all folks. This is it. This is the one. PACKED on the weekends. Forget waiting for a booth and saddle up to the counter. Enormous menu. They used to scrawl items on paper plates and tape'em to the wall. I think they type them up now. Still, you can look around the wall and find something cool you want for breakfast (I've never been there for anything but). My favorites - Eggs benedict, cinnamon muffin, Sausage gravy & biscuts with a couple eggs on the side. Not all at the same time, mind you! Wowie. Heaven. They have a jukebox - kinda. I think they changed that recently. But it was surreal - you could be eating at the counter listening to "Rubber Ducky" by Ernie from Sesame Street. I kid you not. Love this diner. It's home. You'll like anything you get here.
(5)Patricia K.
This may be a case of expectations set too high by all the hype of great reviews, but we ended up very disappointed with our Blue Benn visit. When we first moved to the area, we went there with two of our friends. We were seated at a very small booth- and we're not big people, but it was cramped. It was a Monday mid-morning, fairly crowded, but not jammed. We're patient people, but it took nearly a half hour before our server took our order. We asked for coffee, and it never came until I went and got the server, who was busy talking with a group of her friends. When the food finally came, some of the sides were missing. Chalk up another 20 minute wait. By this time the blueberry pancakes, which probably were good, only tasted average from the frustration level. Maybe I'll try BB again some day. But I won't set my sights so high.
(2)James M.
Great selection. Good prices. Quaint place. Kind of small. The food was OK, but not great.
(3)Ronald P.
Its worth the wait in line.... Great old school Diner... Great Food....
(5)Drew W.
This is an old school diner... Warning CASH ONLY!!! Lots of choices for everyone. If you don't see what you want on the menu then look on the walls there is something for EVERYONE!!! The food was good and was filling but not enough for 5 stars. The four stars comes from the amount of choices, the friendly people, the price and the atmosphere. Food although not bad was nothing to write home about.
(4)Marie S.
Oh Please, this is such a yummy place to stop. Service is quick and friendly and food is just like home. We had the open face turkey sandwich, the reuben and the chicken fried steak. We always like to check out the local places when we travel and we were certainly happy with this choice!
(5)Naomi U.
This is everything a diner should be. Operating seven days a weeks out of a true diner car. And the menu!! , WELL they have: all the standard fabby diner breakfasts, fresh squeezed orange juice, all the pies, "Better Than Sex Cake", donuts, all the grill sandwiches, a good measure of gourmet entrees, and then 8.5" x 11" papers hanging from the bottom of the moldings all the way around the diner, and these are flyers listing the names of dishes a patron suggested that made the cut with the clientelle and were therefore kept "on the menu" ..... Do not miss this place if you're anywhere near it.
(5)Lauren E.
Alright, alright, some people are DIE-HARD fans of this place! MY major complaint (and to me this is no joke): I have a stomach ache for hours after going to this place. Every time. And it's not because I over-eat, but because of the high content of oil. I 've always found their food to be mediocre. But they have fantastic maple syrup (this is VT, and they are proud of it!). I also like their veggie burger. Homemade, and delicious! Everything else is just blah to me, though as I said, some people wait all week to eat at this place on the weekend. The atmosphere is fun, it's neat to be in a place where people are so happy to be there. If you live in town, you're bound to run into people you know, which is nice. Then again, if you live in town, you probably already know about the Blue Benn, so you're probably not on Yelp looking at my reviews.... A good diner, but that's all that it is. At least they don't pretend to be anything else.
(3)Nick M.
First off, this is an old fashioned Vermont diner. I've usually waited a few minutes for a table or a booth and find that these special places attract all sorts of unique people. On the weekends expect a line out the door. Talk to your neighbors in line, as this is half the experience. Waitstaff is very nice, service is pretty quick. The menu is handwritten on a series of 8x12 pieces of paper posted all over the front of the diner. There is something for everyone. I really like the omelets and corn muffin French toast. I once tried the sausage, biscuits and gravy and it bogged me down for the rest of the day. You'll find such items as Mac and Cheese, Meatloaf and other home cooking diner fare. It is greasy spoon for sure, but you should expect this going to any diner. Prices are very reasonable. Booths are a bit small, the lines are long and the food is great. You could probably find better fare but not for the money and certainly not in Bennington. I drive up from the Berkshires and the scenic road trip is under an hour and full of nice rolling hills.
(4)Steve B.
The Blue Benn has about 100 things on the menu which is good, but also tough to find those few dishes to stand out. You can tell that everything that comes out is pretty good and there has to be a few things that are outstanding. I had lunch there the first day and had the chicken burrito which was pretty good. It came out looking baked a baked lasagna on a hot plate smothered in cheese and was a very nice size portion. The next day I went there for breakfast and got the breakfast burrito with the spicy sausage which was very good as well, BUT I was disappointed that they used what seemed to be a can of corn beef hash. I thought for sure this would be a place that made their own, but they did not. Overall its a cute place in a great town and I def recommend giving it a try!
(4)Kelly M.
I really wanted to like this place because of the cute vibe and jukeboxes. Our waitress was blatantly rude. I was with my parents and boyfriend and we were shocked at her horrible attitude and what seemed like disgust with us, for no apparent reason. She looked at my dad like he was insane when he asked if they had milkshakes and basically yelled at my boyfriend when he asked for apple pie, because they were out. She seemed much nicer to all the other guests, perhaps she could tell we were from out of town, but regardless the service here was unacceptable...so much so that it actually made coming here an entertaining afternoon.
(1)Deb F.
Great strawberry pancakes, with real maple syrup. I asked for onions in my home fries, which they did. However, while the home fries and onions looked delicious and nicely browned, they didn't taste so good. And the onions were strangely sour. I had read somewhere they had fresh-squeezed OJ, so I figured it was a home made kind of place. But my lemonade was fake pink stuff. OK coffee. Definitely not great. No smiles or any other friendliness from the waitress. :(
(3)Matthew S.
This place should be featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." The gf used to go here back in the day so on our most recent trip into the hills we stopped here for breakfast. This place has everything you want in a diner. Its the size of my left pinky toe though, so we sat at the counter. This spot is all the more better to see the part of the menu thats not on the menu...Its on the wall! The food is mouthwatering, rich, and delightful. Couple that with friendly, pleasant staff and you've got yourself a 5 'yelp' star diner. PS. CASH ONLY.
(5)A D.
The food was good, the people were friendly and the prices were decent. Be prepared to chat with the people next to you if you sit at the counter. In addition to the extensive menu, on one-half of the front wall were 67 more menu options, and our nice waitress said they were all available. I intend to return.
(5)Helen C.
good food, big portions, cozy and vintage atmosphere!
(5)Jenna R.
As a born-and-bred East Coaster, I've missed the lack of diners in LA. So when I decided to come out east for a few months, my first thought was to hit up as many roadside greasy spoons as my arteries could handle. On my weekend trip to the Berkshires, I discovered this little joint, which has a clipping from Delta's inflight magazine extolling its -- four other diners' -- virtues to its readers. That alone made me skeptical. National publications go for geographic appeal and local notoriety, not necessarily tried-and-true quality. But the first thing I noticed inside the train car walls were all the menu items flitting on the papers hung behind the counter -- many of which were undeniably veg-friendly. After perusing the long list of meat-free options, I finally let the waitress lead me to my order, a nut burger. Sounds no-frills, but the flat-bread wrapped delicacy was actually quite tasty, if a little crumbly and messy. The fries still had skins on them, but weren't too greasy. My friend's open-face Boston Reuben (the waitress couldn't explain what made it a "Boston" version) kept her stuffed the rest of the day, so both of us left happy. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in the area, although I'm pretty sure we got lucky with the line, so not sure if it's worth the usually long wait.
(4)Jim F.
Solid, very solid. Had a job in town that lasted a week, we'd go here for breakfast, and by the end of the week we were eating breakfast and dinner. Tastes like whoever is cooking the meals cares about the food they are making. I am originally from NJ and am a diner fan, and am a fan of this joint. Plus they were making mexican food one night, and not afraid to use some spice, good on ya
(4)Molly M.
My boyfriend and I arrived just in time to get a booth without waiting -- we arrived around 7:30 on a Saturday and by the time we left, people were waiting to get a booth. We both had pancakes -- I had plain pancakes and he had crunchberry -- raspberry and granola mixed into the pancake batter. The pancakes were fluffy and made from real pancake batter, not that mix nonsense. My boyfriend loved his pancakes, and remarked that the combination of the raspberry and granola was even better than he had expected. My bacon was done perfectly, the coffee was excellent, and the sugar donut we ordered was homemade and so delicious. I got the sense that I could have ordered anything on the menu and it would have been awesome. There were little details on the menu that hinted that the kitchen really knows what it's doing -- for example, omelettes include shiitake mushrooms instead of white button mushrooms. The Blue Benn does charge $1.00 extra for maple syrup, but it's understandable (and totally worth it); the past couple of years have been really bad for maple sap production, and prices have gone up accordingly. Service was polite, efficient, and warm without being overly friendly (this is New England, we're rather stoic here, anyway). Food was a great value. I highly recommend the Blue Benn for a satisfying diner breakfast. Bring cash, it's all they accept.
(5)Lori B.
My husband used to run restaurants and was impressed at the quality of food given the number of items on the menu. I ordered French Onion Soup. It was excellent! Dad ordered the hamburger steak and said it was cooked to perfection. My husband ordered the grilled cheese and it was awesome. Mom and I both ordered the quiche. Nothing to write home about. Mom got a salad. The lettuce looked bagged but the tomato and other toppings were garden fresh. We ended our meal with the pumpkin bread pudding. It was good but not spectacular. We enjoyed the old juke box at the table!
(4)M M.
This is absolutely the best diner I have ever been to. In fact, I don't think I really ever thought a diner would be much more than a fun place to enjoy atmosphere until I ate here. The food quality is surreal for a diner and the atmosphere impeccable. This is one of the original diner cars with jukeboxes on every table. The same waitresses that manned the counters a decade ago, when I began going here, are still there slinging coffee and small talk. It may have lost some of its small town insularity over the years due to its huge popularity but this really doesn't effect the ambience at all. The welcoming attitude towards everyone is quite comforting. One truly unique and incredible thing about this special diner is that you can order ANYTHING on the menu... even the casually bizarre items in the "wall menu" that one might avoid are delicious. This chaotic "wall menu" behind the counter looks like a massive collection of culinary afterthoughts and seasonal supplementation to the standard menu... but many of the true gems lie here. I often spend half my visit carefully reading through the handwritten 8.5x11's taped cattywompus-all-over-the-place. How they can carry such a huge menu that keeps carnivores and herbivores sated I will never understand. Worth the trip from any of the surrounding metropolis'. Don't forget to grab a bag of their insanely good homemade donuts to take with you back to your sprawl.
(5)Ann C.
Another great spot. Been here 3 separate times and I will go back. You will wait but it's worth it!
(4)Ralph A.
The Blue Benn is always a welcome stop when I'm in Bennington, vt. The food here is special. There is always something unique being cooked up here. It's a great place.
(5)Jim Z.
As a Marlboro student this is the only good thing about Bennington (and that phallic symbol, I guess). Food's great and there are amusingly quaint local papers to read while you wait for a booth. Also, monopolizing the jukebox is fun as fuck.
(5)Elizabeth F.
Best burger I've had in a long time. Cooked the way I asked and fries that were real potatoes cooked, fresh!
(5)Allison S.
The wait isn't usually too long, even if it's crowded, but try to go after 9am on the weekdays or after 1pm on the weekends if you can. My favorites: crunchberry pancakes w/real maple syrup, hot chocolate with whipped cream, and greek omelette. Bring quarters for the mini jukeboxes!
(5)Janie P.
If you are looking for belly filling comfort food, this is the place. And the atmosphere is perfect. Nothing like filling up on a plate full of corned beef hash, eggs, home fries and rye toast in an original Silk City Diner. My husband had the hot turkey sandwich which was equally delicious. Went for the indian pudding for dessert. We were the only diners left in the place so our wonderful waitress gave us an oversized portion to share. Delicious! We took two of their delicious homemade donuts to enjoy later. And bonus! We got the booth with the jukebox that gives you three song selections instead of two. Just make sure you not only check out the menu, but the specials all over the walls. So much to choose from and I suspect it's all delicious!
(5)Eve L.
One of the leading candidates on my diner list for Most Perfect Diner. The food is delicious (although, the menu being printed on a zillion 81/2" by 11" sheets of paper an plastered all over the walls is not my favorite aesthetic) and the ambience is great. Very veggie-friendly. Long lines, and it's all on the honor system which means sometimes it moves SLOWLY.
(5)emen d.
I've enjoyed the Blue Benn many, many times over the past 30 years. Of course you should know this cute classic dining-car diner has a cult following - word of mouth plus some impressive print feature articles. This results in long lines to get in but the fab food is worth it. It's the only place for miles around where the quirky, tasty food that appeals to me is on the quirky menu. Love it! Last time I was there, I noticed that the booths and general dining area were not clean to my standards. I would wish that the owners or staff would read this and realize it might make sense to just hire a cleaning team for a spruce-up because diners figure that what they see out front is repeated in the kitchen. Sorry to have to say that but it is such a good place that remedy is worth it. Another negative to mention is that the waitstaff is at times quite ill-mannered. My party has gotten the Rude Rushout behavior from them, not always but when it happens, what ARE they thinking? (Well, we all know what they are thinking: money money money. That's short-sighted, though, can cause distinctly less gratuity.)
(4)Casey L.
the staff - two ladies out front to wait on, serve, seat and ring up a full house (which is the size of a train car) - was fantastic. busy as heck but still joking around, not at all frazzled and really friendly. we didn't want to wait for a table so we sat at the counter. the food was pretty good, we both got eggs benedict - and I am aware that you should never order that anywhere, but I like my eggs to live dangerously. the coffee was new england roasters, which I'll take over green mountain any day. a large juice there was actually 12 ounces, in most places it's little more than a rocks glass, so that was cool. bathroom was clean.
(4)Danika F.
Sweet little place, good food, decent service and a menu that covers the walls. I liked it, considering Ive never been to a diner before.
(4)Melissa B.
By far one of my favorite diners ever. There are so many menu choices that they can't fit them all into the menu. The food is always fresh and tasty and the staff is attentive. I never miss a stop there on my way through Bennington! Just remember to bring cash because they do not take credit cards!
(5)Harry W.
Look, the place is never packed with regulars ... that should tell you something. It's always out-of-state folk heading up Rt 7 who fill the parking lot. That said, I can only testify to the breakfasts ... they are pretty mediocre. We've had eggs, pancakes, french toast, etc... all very very average. The bacon is reheated, itself a crime against humanity. The homefries are creepy. The portion sizes are OK, the coffee strong but that's OK, the blueberry pancakes are 3/5 stars, pretty much the top of the menu. I've never had an issue with the morning waitresses, as a matter of fact, they've always been really nice. Now, attention winter visitors: wear your down coats and expedition-weight long johns because the place is ALWAYS an icebox: the wall heater in the north end of the diner is one sickly unit that should have been replaced 30 years ago.
(2)Kristin R.
The food and service is very good.However they're a bit different at the Blue Benn Dinner.You'll need cash , they take nothing else. And for seating you've 2 choices , either go right in to sit at the counter (which is good if you're in a hurry) or wait with everyone else for a booth , using the honor system ( first come first seated) the waitress then pops out to say " next table" and whoever is next gets the booth. Since the dinner is very small you may wait awhile so plan accordingly. If there are any vegetarians out there ,this is a good place for you ,they have vegetarian on the menu and my veggie friend was very happy with her meal.
(4)Chris K.
I've personally never understood the hype surrounding this place. Yes, it's cute and (what passes for) trendy (in Bennington). But it's so small that you often have to wait a long time to be seated - one of my real pet peeves. And while the food is good, it has never seemed to me to be worth that type of aggravation.
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