Ben Michael’s Cafe

Remembered hearing about Ben Michael Café via the news as the owner «Ben» donated 100% of his profits for the day to a Local officer who was shot, and we wanted to give back to him for his kind humanitarian generosity.
We were greeted right away by the eccentric and happy, down to earth and «earthy» guy «Ben». Very inviting and I’m sure it throws a lot of people off as he truly is one of a kind. He gave us the menu and told us about menu options such as his «Caldito» and cheese enchiladas. I was a little reluctant at first to what I was going to order as this place is a open «family seating» experience, haven’t been to a unique place like this ever, besides «Bed & Breakfast» places. We decided to share a Chicken Quesadilla, and take it from there. Ben mentioned he makes everything from love and its all fresh & organic. I was eager to see & try what his kitchen of love was going to be like, and boy Ben is not only one of a kind but his Chicken Quesadilla was out of this world, something as simple as this was delicious and comforting.
This is a community neighborhood Kitchen/​Café dining experience and those who were dining literally talk from the tables across the way and say they have known been for years and what a great man he is, making fresh organic plates of comforting love out of his kitchen. We literally were there almost 3 hours talking with Ben and other guest. We tried his FLAN and it is one of the best that I have ever had in my life! Simply to die for!
We were enjoying the conversations and had witnessed a few guest come in sit down and leave as they too might be taken back by the limited menu and the eccentric Ben… BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY MISSED OUT ON by leaving… A GREAT GUY WITH A HEART OF GOLD & PALATABLE COMFORTING FOOD MADE FROM SCRATCH & WITH LOTS OF LOVE!
I can only say to those who intend on visiting & dining at BEN MICHAEL’S ~~This is the only place in town where you will experience a ONE MAN SHOW! Ben is the CHEF, your Hostess, your Server, your Entertainment and NOW YOUR NEW FRIEND!

Awesome enchiladas and Ben is the best host. Chiles and enchiladas were great. Margaritas awesome. Ben broke into an impromptu piano session with our daughter.

Clean, authentic food from a good, good man. Not to mention wonderful live music. We’re vegetarian and Ben made us special veggie enchiladas that were the best I’ve ever had which is saying A LOT. Come eat here if you want to experience something real on multiple levels.

Awesome place. Don’t think enough people come to appreciate. The food is scratch. It’s fresh. And it’s delicious. The building itself was made by Ben Michael. Bricks. Beams. Doors. Awesome guy. Really. Come visit.

Slow and unaccommodating. Extremely limited menu (chicken enchiladas, hamburger, and chili rellenos) chips were clearly from the grocery store (Tostitos is my guess) we were told we couldn’t have green chili, even though it was an option on the menu. We ordered the papas appetizer «smothered» in red chili. I almost felt like I was on kitchen nightmares and I was chef Ramsey. The potatoes were abnormally sized undercooked chunks with a tiny bit of cheese and barely any chili. I tried a single bite. All three of us got the chicken enchiladas (very small portions for what we paid) Decent flavors but I was expecting to be wowed considering all
The amazing reviews. The food could have been hotter as well! And They weren’t even rolled up like enchiladas! I was so confused. Owner told us we could only use one credit card since he doesn’t work for the government or some non sense. Nice guy though… AND nice ambiance with the live jazz musicians

We stumbled upon what is clearly a local hangout as tourists in this charming city. The band was setting up as we ordered our margaritas and nachos, followed by New Mexican style chicken enchiladas. The topping on the cake, however, was the amazing flan — and we are flan people. We have NEVER had flan this AMAZING! We ordered a second and one to go it was so good. The band began to play by then and it was fabulous! Highly recommend (don’t forget the flan!).

This place was charming — not in a white-​tablecloth way, but in the way a crazy neighbor who invites the best people and makes great food is goofy and charming. This establishment is clearly a labor of love for the owner who is as important a feature as the adobe walls and tile floors. And the strong but small margaritas. And the really good food. And the trouble figuring out how to get in. Live music (blues Tuesday) and birthday cake? Nothing about this experience was off-​the-​rack ordinary and an exquisite way to wind down after a few selfies at Walter and Schyler’s house.

Great food, dog friendly, Ben is a wonderful host and the live music is absolutely amazing! A must if you are in the old town area, a taste of Abq for sure!

I was on a road trip moving across country and we heard about been Ben Michaels from Unilocal and our airbnb host. It was most definitely a rememberable experience. When we came by there was some community leadership type event wrapping up. We went and knocked just to make sure they where closed. None other than Ben came to the door and told us, sure I’ll feed you two. We had no idea what was going on but, Ben offered us what we had cooked for the other guests a nice salmon dish. unfortunately this was a common dish from where we came from and wouldn’t have been our first choice. However, we obliged and it was a good dish. The best thing though was Ben hosted us himself and we had a very interesting talk with the man and his family until the wee hours. Its a experience I won’t soon forget and I wish him and his family all the good fortunes in the world.

Holy crap, this is the best Mexican food EVAAAARRRR!!! The beans are amazing, and the chili rellenos are the best I’ve ever had. And I’m from Phoenix, so I know Mexican food! Seriously though… Check this plane out. Deanna also rocks!

Albuquerque was one of those places which I had looked forward to for reasons almost everybody does. Sunshine, the whole southwest thing, and food that is practically its own type of cuisine. Bobby Flay sure seems to think so.
Ben Michaels, on a sunny day, give you exactly that kind of experience. The day I stopped by while attending a conference across the street, the place looked desserted. In fact, I had to stick my head in and yell just to verify that somebody was actually working. Ben was there.
I ordered some sort of Chile Verde enchilada, which was awesome. Rustic and simple. Plus, Ben has a garden right behind the place where he grows a lot of the ingredients, including chili peppers. Being from Oregon, you get used to the real generic salsa served at a lot of Mexican joints. It was great to have some homestyle salsa, one green and one brownish, with burnt chili skins floating around letting you know it’s fire roasted. Ben sat with me and bs’d while I ate lunch and he his hominy soup.
Ben Michaels is supposed to make some epic margaritas. But it was a work lunch…

Friendly, family run, quirky, festive, fantastic margaritas… no mix used here! Everything is fresh, homemade, local, organic when possible, and prepared with care and served with a genuine and sincere personal touch. Michael, when not cooking, or squeezing lines for our margs, played the piano. The atmosphere was festive, relaxed, and upbeat. A must if you enjoy a little out of the ordinary, great food, great drinks, great atmosphere, great service, ander a personal touch from someone who is passionate about what he does.

Interesting atmosphere, Ben will make you feel at home. As if you are sitting in his kitchen. Had sardines and mexican cheese for an appetizer, and the salmon with rice for an entrée.
Food was cooked perfectly, great flavor and fresh ingredients. What more can you ask for?

Unique, wonderful ! Very limited menu but the food was terrific and the owner made the experience unforgettable. We got to listen to some piano and the he played, our 4year old hit a few keys, and we danced!

Highly recommend this place for anyone who cares about quality. Fresh picked organic greens from the garden, organic beef and organic chile grown by the owner. We started talking And Ben gave me a bag of chile seeds. Great guy.
The menu is small but the food is fantastic. Authentic New Mexican faire emphasizing fresh local ingredients.

Truly authentic New Mexican Food. Ben Michael is so friendly and kind and makes the whole dining experience very chill. I especially recommend the chicken enchiladas with green chili!

Well I’m impressed. I punched in a search for Mexican restaurants, and found this little jewel right off of Hywy 40 in AL BQ, NM. I walked in and Ben met me at the door. It had charming atmosphere with Tony Bennett playing over the audio. He then proceeded to bring me me out to his garden in back to pick fresh ingredients for the salad. The food was great! I’ll be back.

I really liked this place a lot! Been here several times now, the owner is awesome. Friendly, enthusiastic service. And, of course, fantastic music. Blues night is my favorite and they are pretty well stocked on beer and wine as well. Food is. Not bad! But not very impressive. Will still be back again. And again. And again. And again.

What a cool litlle place this is. A bit off the beaten track, it was a good find on a warm Saturday. When we arrived, there was only one person waiting tables and while we had to wait a bit to put in our order, once the food did arrive it was popping hot and delicious. They used fresh garlic and other goodies from the garden. And yet, the best part was getting sernaded by our host. He is a crooner fan and knows how to play them on the piano.
Thank you for a great late lunch!

Love this place! Authentic New Mexican with an updated twist. This guy uses as much local and organic as he can. Even gets his eggs from an 11 year old neighborhood boy! Come and get your chili fix on here!