Would never eat here again. Owner was rude. Food was cold. And the place was not kept very clean. Would not recommend.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Alejandro Chacon
First of all, make sure you bring cash. If you don't, they will turn you away to the Bank of America ATM, and fail to mention the $4.50 inconvenience fee. The lady, who was the only server in the establishment, was rude and adamant that we had to order something to be able to sit in the restaurant. We let it go, and we sat down at the big table (two small tables bunched together) we sat for a little while and she brought our chips and salsa and waters in Dixie cups? As she approached the table, she brought the items, one in each hand, but with her thumb partially in the salsa. I watched her as she was aware of what was going on. She left the salsa and didn't attemp to replace it. Use a tray! It was packed, but we didn't get our drink order for quite some time.Toward the end of our first round, we asked for a chip refill. She never returned. Keep in mind, the place isn't very big. Now here is the kicker...we were about to order some entrees. A man who was running food outside, came to our table after he ran his order. He came up to our table and tells us that we will have to split/give up one of our two little tables (By the window/entrance), because people were waiting to sit. "Well are you going to order anything??!", he said. Had we done that, there would be 6 people to a small table. I told him to repeat himself, because out of all the years of working in the food industry and being a patron of many establishments, I couldn't believe my ears. I told him, "We have an order coming up." And we walked away. As he was telling me this, he was looking at me and tapping his finger on my friend's shoulder. The waitress never returned with our chips. We were about to place our order. At that point, I was appalled and we lost our appetite and desire to be there. People, it's nothing special. Just a small building with Adobe walls. There are plenty of other establishments in Old town/Albuquerque that will treat you much better than how these people treated us. You've been warned. ?
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Catherine Guay
You MUST visit Ben Michaels Restaurant near Old Town in Albuquerque!!! I cannot tell you how wonderful and authentic this place is. It is an experience, not just a meal! Ben Michael is truly a Renaissance Man and it shows in all that he does!We first went in December of 2023 and were completely WOWED by the ambience, aura and food! He is a master in the kitchen, garden, at the piano and in the realm of storytelling! He made us feel like we were the only people in the world and we had known each other for decades! I am not a foodie in any way, but this chef and his art of cooking made me truly appreciate the world of flavors and phenomenal food! The art and photos on the wall tell the story of a wonderful life and strong connection to family.We then had a private party there for my sister's 60th birthday and once again, Ben Michael made sure we had a wonderful time. He was so personable and attentive all evening while mingling with us and getting to know us better. He is an exceptional listener. Towards the end of the evening he sat down at his beautiful piano and sang a PERSONALIZED Birthday song for my sister!!! He took in all the great details and made her a song!!!! It was amazing!!!!As you can see by now, I cannot say enough great things about Ben Michael's!!! I would be typing for days. Please treat yourself to an evening there and you too will fall in love with this exceptional restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Esteban Camacho
Amazing spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Simon
If you want a REAL and GENUINE dining experience… THIS is the place. Its unassuming. It’s simple. It’s thoughtful. It’s incredibly astounding.The owner, yes- his name is Ben Michael- hosts, serves, cooks and provides beautiful entertainment on the piano. He speaks to everyone as if they have been friends all their lives. He made me feel more than welcome- I felt at home.He built the restaurant with his own hands. He has a relationship with the space and it clearly shows in the portraits on the walls. The way the mortar reveals fingerprints and his stories surpass time makes this more than eating food- it’s a memory forever embedded in my mind.Fennel from his garden embellished the side of zucchini I had with the recommended pork enchiladas that cooked for 8 hours. The spice was relevant to New Mexico and the art of food preparation was evident in the taste of it all.I’m more than pleased with this experience. I’m honored to have stumbled into this space. To have eaten this food. To have created a memory that is as beautiful as this.-Simon Sharp
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Too Loud Bear The 2nd
Tried to take my wife out for dinner here, and getting into the place was weird. The door was locked but there was a dude watching TV in the room. He opens the door and tells us "we closed early because it was slow". It was around 7 pm when we showed up. So I don't know if the food or atmosphere is worth the gamble? But I'm not driving across town just for a restaurant to close extra early on a Saturday night because it was "slow". Oh well. Not that big of a deal. Just writing this review for other people to call before going just to be they're open...
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Daniel Garcia
This place is probably higher than what I rated it but from my experience it was cold in the dining room. Looks like a very nice place to hang out and listen to music in the summer. Although there's not many options on the menu the quality was good with a nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Joshua David J.
This place is jammin!! And the food is as authentic as it gets! If you're looking for a good time and a "home-type" of atmosphere... This is the place to go! I RECOMMEND COMING ON TUESDAY' for the 'JAZZ JAM'!!!Parking: Very open space... You have the street but also it has it's own parking, if u pull in from the street.
Great home cooking, authentic recipes. Owner is a bit quirky, but he's fun!
Lewis Schnaper
Dessert first--the homemade key lime pie is the best I've ever had, anywhere.All the food was wonderful, from the traditional New Mexican enchiladas to the shrimp special I had. Even better than the food is meeting Ben, the owner and host. His total engagement with every element of your eating experience is unique, from his having hand-made the adobes and built the restaurant to his cooking and piano playing. It's really like going to a very talented friend's house; one who happens to be a spectacular cook!
It's such a fun place, especially on their open jazz night. The food is good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Matanza Enchiladas Rancheras
David Firth
Absolutely fabulous food. Ben served and cooked, chatted with us, and played some jazz piano!Jazz is Tuesday night, not Wednesday night as of November 2023.Also, the opening times in Apple maps are incorrect... this place is open for dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa and Organic Chips
Lyle Seaman
Very small, limited menu, well prepared but not inspired. Big emphasis on organic ingredients. Unconventional low-key dining room. Might be casual cozy.Vegetarian options: Ovolacto, but I don't remember if there was anything vegan
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salsa and Organic Chips, Chicken Enchilada
D C
Ben Michaels is very personable, a great cook and delicious margaritas! We enjoyed sitting at the bar and talking to him while he was cooking. We had vegetarian enchiladas with sweet squash in blue corn tortillas and red chili.Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian enchiladas, chili reaño and fish.Wheelchair accessibility: There aren’t any steps to the entrance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Enchilada
John Cox
If you're expecting a formal restaurant experience, you aren't going to get one. If you don't go, you'll be missing something really unique, personal, and delicious.
Would never eat here again. Owner was rude. Food was cold. And the place was not kept very clean. Would not recommend.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
First of all, make sure you bring cash. If you don't, they will turn you away to the Bank of America ATM, and fail to mention the $4.50 inconvenience fee. The lady, who was the only server in the establishment, was rude and adamant that we had to order something to be able to sit in the restaurant. We let it go, and we sat down at the big table (two small tables bunched together) we sat for a little while and she brought our chips and salsa and waters in Dixie cups? As she approached the table, she brought the items, one in each hand, but with her thumb partially in the salsa. I watched her as she was aware of what was going on. She left the salsa and didn't attemp to replace it. Use a tray! It was packed, but we didn't get our drink order for quite some time.Toward the end of our first round, we asked for a chip refill. She never returned. Keep in mind, the place isn't very big. Now here is the kicker...we were about to order some entrees. A man who was running food outside, came to our table after he ran his order. He came up to our table and tells us that we will have to split/give up one of our two little tables (By the window/entrance), because people were waiting to sit. "Well are you going to order anything??!", he said. Had we done that, there would be 6 people to a small table. I told him to repeat himself, because out of all the years of working in the food industry and being a patron of many establishments, I couldn't believe my ears. I told him, "We have an order coming up." And we walked away. As he was telling me this, he was looking at me and tapping his finger on my friend's shoulder. The waitress never returned with our chips. We were about to place our order. At that point, I was appalled and we lost our appetite and desire to be there. People, it's nothing special. Just a small building with Adobe walls. There are plenty of other establishments in Old town/Albuquerque that will treat you much better than how these people treated us. You've been warned. ?
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
You MUST visit Ben Michaels Restaurant near Old Town in Albuquerque!!! I cannot tell you how wonderful and authentic this place is. It is an experience, not just a meal! Ben Michael is truly a Renaissance Man and it shows in all that he does!We first went in December of 2023 and were completely WOWED by the ambience, aura and food! He is a master in the kitchen, garden, at the piano and in the realm of storytelling! He made us feel like we were the only people in the world and we had known each other for decades! I am not a foodie in any way, but this chef and his art of cooking made me truly appreciate the world of flavors and phenomenal food! The art and photos on the wall tell the story of a wonderful life and strong connection to family.We then had a private party there for my sister's 60th birthday and once again, Ben Michael made sure we had a wonderful time. He was so personable and attentive all evening while mingling with us and getting to know us better. He is an exceptional listener. Towards the end of the evening he sat down at his beautiful piano and sang a PERSONALIZED Birthday song for my sister!!! He took in all the great details and made her a song!!!! It was amazing!!!!As you can see by now, I cannot say enough great things about Ben Michael's!!! I would be typing for days. Please treat yourself to an evening there and you too will fall in love with this exceptional restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you want a REAL and GENUINE dining experience… THIS is the place. Its unassuming. It’s simple. It’s thoughtful. It’s incredibly astounding.The owner, yes- his name is Ben Michael- hosts, serves, cooks and provides beautiful entertainment on the piano. He speaks to everyone as if they have been friends all their lives. He made me feel more than welcome- I felt at home.He built the restaurant with his own hands. He has a relationship with the space and it clearly shows in the portraits on the walls. The way the mortar reveals fingerprints and his stories surpass time makes this more than eating food- it’s a memory forever embedded in my mind.Fennel from his garden embellished the side of zucchini I had with the recommended pork enchiladas that cooked for 8 hours. The spice was relevant to New Mexico and the art of food preparation was evident in the taste of it all.I’m more than pleased with this experience. I’m honored to have stumbled into this space. To have eaten this food. To have created a memory that is as beautiful as this.-Simon Sharp
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tried to take my wife out for dinner here, and getting into the place was weird. The door was locked but there was a dude watching TV in the room. He opens the door and tells us "we closed early because it was slow". It was around 7 pm when we showed up. So I don't know if the food or atmosphere is worth the gamble? But I'm not driving across town just for a restaurant to close extra early on a Saturday night because it was "slow". Oh well. Not that big of a deal. Just writing this review for other people to call before going just to be they're open...
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
This place is probably higher than what I rated it but from my experience it was cold in the dining room. Looks like a very nice place to hang out and listen to music in the summer. Although there's not many options on the menu the quality was good with a nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
This place is jammin!! And the food is as authentic as it gets! If you're looking for a good time and a "home-type" of atmosphere... This is the place to go! I RECOMMEND COMING ON TUESDAY' for the 'JAZZ JAM'!!!Parking: Very open space... You have the street but also it has it's own parking, if u pull in from the street.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chile Relleno, Salsa and Organic Chips, Chicken Enchilada, Cheese Enchilada, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon
Great home cooking, authentic recipes. Owner is a bit quirky, but he's fun!
Dessert first--the homemade key lime pie is the best I've ever had, anywhere.All the food was wonderful, from the traditional New Mexican enchiladas to the shrimp special I had. Even better than the food is meeting Ben, the owner and host. His total engagement with every element of your eating experience is unique, from his having hand-made the adobes and built the restaurant to his cooking and piano playing. It's really like going to a very talented friend's house; one who happens to be a spectacular cook!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It's such a fun place, especially on their open jazz night. The food is good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Matanza Enchiladas Rancheras
Absolutely fabulous food. Ben served and cooked, chatted with us, and played some jazz piano!Jazz is Tuesday night, not Wednesday night as of November 2023.Also, the opening times in Apple maps are incorrect... this place is open for dinner!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa and Organic Chips
Very small, limited menu, well prepared but not inspired. Big emphasis on organic ingredients. Unconventional low-key dining room. Might be casual cozy.Vegetarian options: Ovolacto, but I don't remember if there was anything vegan
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Salsa and Organic Chips, Chicken Enchilada
Ben Michaels is very personable, a great cook and delicious margaritas! We enjoyed sitting at the bar and talking to him while he was cooking. We had vegetarian enchiladas with sweet squash in blue corn tortillas and red chili.Vegetarian options: There are vegetarian enchiladas, chili reaño and fish.Wheelchair accessibility: There aren’t any steps to the entrance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetarian Enchilada
If you're expecting a formal restaurant experience, you aren't going to get one. If you don't go, you'll be missing something really unique, personal, and delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5