Benny's Restaurante y Tequila Bar (Closed Permanently)

Food Memories Outlast a Changing Neighborhood

Let me begin by saying I am very familiar with this area. I used to live in a townhome that shared the alley with the restaurantin the 90's, owned a healing arts center on the next block, and began my love affair with Benny's when the current location was a dry cleaners and the restaurant was then across the street in what later became the Aubergine and now Mizuna. It saddens me that you can go to a place that was around 30 years ago as a quaint "date place" to enjoy a chimichanga and margarita, but now go there and see it as more than a cantina - but is calling itself a tequila bar, is too loud to have a conversation with someone across the table , is overrun with young couples that bring their toddlers to roam amongst the tables, and where parking is a premium. In fact, a fence now surrounds the apartments and townhomes across the street from the restaurant because they are to be torn-down and replaced with new highrise loft apartments -- adding to the congestion of the once quiet neighborhood. On the positive side, the food has not changed. It is mouthwatering and flavorful to best any chain and most independent Mexican restaurants in downtown Denver. The combination plates haven't changed in decades and still offer combinations of items you do not see anywhere else. The price is still surprisingly affordable too! But as I looked around during last night's visit for dinner, I did not spot another gay couple in the gay masses. It was crowded and by the time we left, there was a line of people waiting to be seated. Still, not an identifiable gay couple or group to be seen, but all wanting in on what was once a gay-friendly gem to the community.

Good food, good margs, cheap.

Not as gay as it used to be, but what is........still a good place for a quick bite.

Benny's

Whether it's 2 or 10 of us, the service and food have always been great.

Mexican Food . . . not so great, but gay popular

The food here isn't the best (nor the worst), but hey . . . you are in Denver where you can find some of the best American Mexican food in America, right? This place gets VERY busy, so be prepared to wait. It's also VERY loud, so if you are looking for intimate conversation, go elsewhere. BUT, this place is popular with the gays, and the restaurant has a gay-friendly feel. Food is very reasonably priced.