What does a pharmacist turned restaurant owner who is literally a one man show do when his name is the restaurant? If you are Ben Michael, you are the host, waiter, bartender, chef, bus boy cashier and entertainer. Cash only. Entrees are $15-$33. The guy is literally amazing as his friend says, Renaissance man who whips up the Southwest dishes. But if you are lucky and not in a rush, he opens his piano for a little sing a long. If you come, be prepared to wait for the check, but you'll leave smiling. read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - Ben Michael at the piano - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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First time here. I am traveling through New Mexico. I just stopped for a bite to eat. This place is very unusual... the chef is the owner and his food is delicious. I say unusual because the food is a cut above what you would expect ...this place has live jazz on Tuesdays. It's fairly small but the food and coffee are fabulous. He made a bowl for me with pinto beans, organic squash, delicious pork, with some cheese on top. Very flavorful. The coffee was basically a cappuccino. Very good. On my way back I can't wait to try his ribeye steak and a world famous margarita. It says in here he tales credit cards but he doesn't. However he tales checks and cash. I didn't have any cash on me so I wrote him a check That's the first check I've written in a long time LOL I definitely recommend this place 100% read more

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We came here for dinner before the holiday stroll. We were happily surprised that there was not a huge crowed and my partner joked with me that I had not been here before. I really enjoyed coming here. Ben Michael was there, he made some beautiful flower garlands from his garden, played piano with a patron, and made sure that each person enjoyed the food. Everything was freshly made, organic, and delicious. I will definitely be back. It is cash only, but completely worth it. There is an ATM close by so it is easy. read more

So I went to Ben Michael's tonight, it was my second time there, I went for my friends birthday, and I'm glad I did. The jazz musicians were awesome, loved the old school New Mexican theme. Ben michael got himself an old traditional New Mexican adobe house, and transformed it into a restaurant himself! It really made you feel at home, no pun intended! :) I feel like many people who were there were regulars snd I saw a lot of them even seemed to know each other, it had a very quaint vibe to it. Ben Michael himself is a really nice, social, and really cool guy all around once you get to know him. But I wanna touch on why you guys are seeing the negative reviews about him. So, you gotta understand he has sort of a unique personality, the minute you meet him he might joke with you in a way that you think is rude, he's treating you as if you're familiar to him. My friend gave me a heads up so I knew that as it was happening, but he warms up to you and you can tell after a while that he's a super friendly guy just has an interesting way of dealing with his customers. You see at ben Michael's, when you step foot inside, be prepared to be treated like you're at his family party and you're one of his cousins, uncles or brothers, that's the way he will communicate. It's important to know this and be okay with it before you go there. Also he's a little sensitive about his cooking, he gets his feelings hurt from what I've been reading, but luckily I liked everything I ate and I had no reason to make any comments or else I would probably experience what he would be like in that situation lol. The picture I attached was a Scratch made key lime pie with peach jam made with peaches grown by the restaurant owner himself! This taste nothing like store bought or most restaurant key lime pie so if you usually don't like key lime pie you gotta try his version of it. He had a buffet today I forgot to take a picture of it, but normally you order from a menu but he had a big turn out for jazz night and we went with buffet style. Something you should know about this restaurant is there's no real menu, everything always changes and ben makes everything from Scratch, organic, locally grown and sourced. read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - Scratch made key lime pie with peach jam made with peaches grown by the restaurant owner himself! - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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You know I haven't written a review in a while, so I have to give it to Ben Michael....thank you for pulling me out of my slump! Unfortunately not for the right reason. One star is for the live music, one star is for the food and patio. You know I've been able to support a a plate sale a few times, whether for someone in a tough financial spot or trying to pay medical expenses, always for a cause you can feel good about. That being said, plate sales are never about the food, but just supporting the family. Somehow I felt the same way, minus the feeling of you doing something good to help someone in need. The food was fine, grass fed burgers and wild caught shrimp. All from the Costco freezer section. But is that why you go out to eat? For items you can easily buy and prepare yourself, not me. Save your money and make it at home. Now if you just want a beer and listen to music, this is your place. Customer service was bad, worst part it was from the owner, I assume is the gentleman manning the black-stone outside was pretty rude and very rigid. Not the kind of qualities you want in a service/hospitality business. 1st thing- he did was tell me "don't be picking at my S&!#" as I tried to grab a few onions and tomatoes for my burger. This was right after he told me condiments are right here, help yourself. The tomatoes and onions I guess didn't fail under that category even though they were right beside the "condiments" Once he realized my confusion he said "oh my bad" Do you want some more? 2nd thing- he wouldn't allow any furniture moving in the patio, so if you have a larger group and you want to move the table 2' closer you will get a "No, they're set where they're set" 3rd thing- THER'RE CASH ONLY!!!!! This minor irritation would probably roll off me normally, but when you're that unprofessional with you customer USING PROFANITY, it's adding to the reasons not to come back. On top of that he proceeded to tell me "do you have anything smaller than a hundred when you just bought $50 worth of food and drink" Sad 1st impression, go to Sawmill across the street, better value, more options, and owners won't use profanity with you. If you really want the Ben Michael's experience without the irritations, light up your grill in the back yard, slap on some Costco grass fed burgers, and play some easy jazz on you portable speaker, you'll have a better time I promise! read more

terrible food with a chef who has an go but no skill or talent. Chili was bland, chicken was overcooked and mushy with no seasoning. Beans were disgusting and the veggies were watery and undercooked. truly dissatisfied and disgusting read more

Such a lovely small restaurant. Very friendly staff, the feel was very homey and the food was fantastic! Note: be prepared they are cash only read more

We had a long day learning a plaster technique at American Clay, we decided to come and enjoy a dinner at Ben Michael's. What an absolute treat. We had an amazing caprese salad (with homegrown tomatoes, cucumbers, and mozzarella). Then we had their delicious enchiladas that came with calabacitas (squash) and beans. Their margaritas are top-notch as was the flan and key lime pie. Very reasonably priced. Plus, the owner (Ben Michael) was awesome. He played some piano for us. He made us feel like family. Annette, from San Juan Capistrano read more

Organic and Mexican food? Well it's here. The owners are 70's throwbacks playing 70's music. The building looks even older. How can you go wrong with that? 1st customers of the day so the place was empty. Chips and salsa came out. I like blue corn so that was good - the salsa was meh. For meals we ordered the enchiladas - it came with whole pinto beans and grilled zucchini? Ok. different. Plus a salad with chicken. Both meals were great, I misunderstood when being asked about an egg (I thought he was talking red or green) so I said on the side - oh well. Got the egg and put it atop the enchilada where it belonged (juries out on that one). The zucchini worked with this dish. The salad was equally tasty with nicely cooked chicken. What made this a meal though was the desert. It was their flan! Not a typical "jiggly" flan. This had some texture and wasn't drenched in caramel syrup. Pleasing to the palate without being overly sweet. An epic finish to a nice lunch. They are cash only - but if you show up without it there is an atm nearby to save the day. read more

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We throughly enjoyed our dinner tonight at Ben Michael's. We started with chips and salsa. This salsa was sweet but had a nice kick. I ordered the fresh veggies with shrimp: perfectly prepared asparagus, onions, tomatoes, red peppers, fennel, squash, something like a Hungarian pepper, organic and some homegrown plus nicely grilled shrimp. My husband ordered Manatza enchilada and he said it was awesome. All flavors fresh and portions perfect. We've been traveling for two weeks and we put this meal right up there with one of our best meals. read more

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Call ahead and check the hours. Yelp isn't accurate. The food is homemade and very authentic. Owner is a local. The adobe building is very New Mexico. read more

The most unique, entertaining, delicious experience. Ben Michael is a one man show, and a show it is. Hope you take the time to get to know the man. We were privileged to meet him and enjoy his food, and his stories. We were a 2 top until Ben Michael prepared himself a plate and joined us for lunch. Doesnt happen every day. Then he popped open the old piano and boy oh boy. If you go.... dont be in a hurry. And be open to whatever comes your way. You wont regret it. read more

bad food and poor service. was told because I now have long hair that my id is invalid. chef got upset his food was cold when served and got sent back. read more

Went on a Saturday night and one guy is there doing it all. The front dining room was closed off so you had to eat in a smaller side room that had a few tables and one high top. There was a smaller heater on that had the room super hot. After seeing a piece of pape menu, depressing hot room and one guy doing it all we left. read more

Cash only (ATM is close). Pork enchiladas with rich red New Mexican chile sauce, beans and summer squash (seasoned with fennel from his garden). And then the jazz band started. According to a neighbor at the bar, they were particularly talented (aka, we were particularly lucky to see & hear them). Small old interesting space that felt ideal for the chef and the music. The chef assisted with serving and handling checks. read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - The jazz band - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

What a great place! The food is excellent NM fare! Freshly prepared by Ben Michael's himself with local ingredients and served by him or his lovely girlfriend. The atmosphere is absolutely charming. It feels like you are over at a friends house for dinner. Tuesday nights are live jazz nights and are really a "can't miss" when I'm in town visiting my mom. Ben is the greatest of people and I recommend anyone who is dining at his place to strike up a conversation with him. Maybe even ask him to "tickle the ivories" a bit if he's not too busy. He might even come up with a personalized tune for you and your party! At the end of your meal you'll come away feeling better about life and certainly with a spring in your step! read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - Mom and Ben Michael's! - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tasty shredded pork, red Chile enchiladas. Great ambiance on a Wednesday night. Live jazz performers and a packed house. read more

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Food took very long to cook. When it came out, it look so unappetizing that I just threw my money down and left. You might have a different experience. The place looks cool though. read more

So lovely. Ben, the owner and chef was delightful. We had a wonderful meal and low key evening. The food was well prepared and and delicious read more

Great restaurant, awesome atmosphere, incredible, local, organic food prepared with care and love.

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! read more

Fantastic food. Ben Michael himself is an extraordinary man - warm, welcoming, and even an accomplished musician! The enchiladas, steak, and shrimp special were all delicious. The Keylime pie was sublime - the best I've ever had. read more

We were walking by, curious with the range of reviews. So glad we did. It turned into a wonderful evening of food and conversation. We were the guests, and we were treated with a welcoming glass of wine, fresh snap peas from the garden, conversation with the owner and friends of his who walked by. Did we mention the food was wonderful too? I had the pork enchiladas and my wife had the cheese enchiladas. The Chile sauce was perfectly warming and deep. The flan desert topped the evening. A wonderful neighborhood feeling place for good northern New Mexico cuisine. Just the way to start our first trip to Albuquerque. Our host could not have been nicer. read more

We were in Old Town, and the restaurant we planned on was full, so we looked on Yelp for another option...what luck! (We chose it based on the name alone.) Delicious enchiladas, my friend had ribeye that she raved about, and we got a free concert from the owner/chef/bartender! If you're hoping for fancy, keep walking...for our group, it was the perfect night! read more

It's a truly awesome locals only hang out with incredible daily specials and margaritas that will make you forget your worries. And there truly do have the best flan I've ever tasted read more

nice people, GREAT salsa, but I ordered cheese enchiladas and got a meat order that was "okay". Note that Google and Yelp state the establishment accepts credit cards, but faintly printed on the copier menu is "cash only". Whoops! The wrong order stepped up the price. I was sent across the street for a bank machine to get more cash. All was settled. read more

This is a unique restaurant that acts more like a chefs table. Come here with cash and be ready to impress the in-laws. The owner/chef/maitre de/musician is a one man show. He was so happy to see us, know our story, and tell his. This was a great story to tell friends after a lackluster trip to ABQ. Some of the people in my party were not feeling it, but if weird is your jam, stop in. I got a pulled pork enchilada which was heavenly. The menu is announced at your table at the top of the meal. Don't be caught on your phone during this announcement, you'll miss all the good stuff! Also, best margs in town. read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Incredible, hidden gem! We were just passing through and found this place on Yelp and we are so happy we did. This cute little indoor/outdoor place is small but the atmosphere is great. The live music just added to our experience. We were greeted by the kindest woman who told us the menu (it must change as to what is fresh because it wasn't written down!). All the ingredients used are organic and fresh -- the pork enchiladas were incredible and even had rosemary from his garden. The dinner ended with the homemade flan that was so good! This is a must if you're in the area! read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - Pork enchiladas - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Went on a Tuesday night for music and dinner on the patio. Ambiance is fine on the patio and the music was. Food was burgers or enchiladas. Ordered the green chile cheeseburger, grass fed and the same type you can get at Costco. They were decent, but nothing special. The owner was super rude and snarky. It's cash only. Would not go back and would not recommend to friends. read more

We were passing through on our trip across the USA. It was the off season in ABQ. Ben, the owner, greeted us. At first it was a little awkward as no one else was here. Ben is a gritty, salt of the earth guy. Look more like the cleaning guy then owner and chef. He had this with the way he greeted us that was disarming and definitely knew we were in for a treat from the smell of his cooking from his kitchen. If you want an authentic home cooked meal and want to feel like family then come here! And he is a great musician! read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - Worlds famous flan! - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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This is the type of review that is a conflict for me to do. I don't want too many people to know about the great food, casual ambiance, tasty margaritas, and live music when the one man band is not cooking, seating, serving, and sharing conversation all in an adobe building he built 30 years ago and yet give Ben all the business he can handle when word gets out. The place is not classy, but not trashy. Just a nice relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a good meal and a unique experience. They also have live music on Tuesdays and do not take credit cards. Enjoy. read more

We stumbled upon Ben Michael's when looking for a late lunch near our motel. Our meal here was really special. We struck up a conversation with a neighboring table. Ben Michael played us a song on his piano. We left feeling full -- full of food, ideas and community. The space was beautiful -- high ceilings and thoughtful decor. The food was tasty -- we ordered different kinds of enchiladas. The beans and especially the calabacitas were healthy but still had great flavor. read more

It is definitely a different experience. I can't say it was a foodie experience, but we had a great time. Ben is there to cook, entertain, and make conversation. He played the piano for us, made our lunch, and gave us a tour of the house, little pharmacy, and the outside patio. Unfortunately, the problem started with our glasses of water which seemed to have come from a tap and warm. No menu, so we were told what the specials were (4 different enchiladas) and we chose pork. We were asked if we would like chips and salsa and we responded "sure." Salsa was dismissible, and the chips were from Costco. The enchiladas had flavor, but just an odd leftover taste and the hominy was a bit hard. When given the bill we were shocked at the price of $12.95 for each dish and $3.95 for the chips and salsa. We suggest you go for the entertainment, and eat elsewhere. read more

Wow I came here randomly and really loved it. There was a great jazz trio, a deliciously spicy pork enchilada on the menu, and great energy in the place. During the bands break the owner Ben Michael played Beatles on the piano! read more

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Ben Michael's is an amazing place! Ben himself is the funniest, kind and welcoming host. His menu happens to be whatever is seasonal, not a traditional "menu". The restaurant is a small, intimate place where you can laugh, relax and have fun! Ben welcomes our family with open arms, he even taught my son how to play the blues on his piano! The food was incredible. Ben and his partner are fantastic! read more

10 stars! What an amazing experience! Arrived in town sort of late the Friday before New Year's. Ben was trying to close early since it was slow. But he kindly let us in, made us margaritas, cooked a delicious dinner, serenaded us on the piano, regaled us with stories about constructing the adobe building (it's really cool!) and provided loads of invaluable advice for our trip. Then sent us on our way with a bag of New Mexico chile peppers! What an extraordinary human being. Sacramento loves you, Ben! read more

I'm not sure why I haven't eaten here sooner. I've been in Albuquerque 25 years and I just had the best blue corn enchiladas with chicken ever! Amazing! The beans and posole were very fresh and amazing as well. I had take out and I especially liked that the take out container was two paper plates wrapped together. During this Covid time it is nice to see less plastic waste for take out. I've found my New Mexican fix! read more

Wonderful service and beautiful patio. The food was magical. I was skeptical about eating hominy with my beans, but I'm hooked after that experience. read more

Ben Michael's Restaurant - Carne adovada - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

We really enjoyed this place. Opens at 6. Jazz on Tuesday night starts at 7. The menu was smaller than shown on yelp but the food we had was very good and many organic ingredients. Ben is a character but I recommend this to folks that want New Mex cuisine with an organic ingredient spin. Great local place. read more

Food is excellent, ambiance is unique, and Ben Michael is a very special person; he does it all, the cooking, the waiting, the bartending, the cleaning, and plays the piano (good blues). This is an experience, not just a really good dinner. You may come away with a new friend. Oh, and his family in these parts goes back to 1590! read more