This place is now amazing! New Owners! Incredible food... I've had the burgers, the wings, salads and giant pretzel... and the Cajun pasta! There are only winners on this menu! Great beer selection! Clean! Finally this joint is doing justice to Benson!
Train Chasers
Called in order. Two burgers and fries. Cooked fast and fresh! Burgers slap, fries bang!!! Very good!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Carlyle Galloway
This place has excellent bar food. The bartender told me that there is new ownership for this place. I will say it could use some specialty/house mixed drinks on the menu
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Chad (XzombieX)
Really cool spot, probably the best vibe in Reading. Bar tender poured good whiskies and was friendly as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Randiana Bartlett
It was ok food wasn't that great could use some changes
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Dean Herbert
Bensons is just now re-opening under new management! We had dinner there last evening and it was very pleasant. I had a pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw and fries and it was quite pleasant as was the Octoberfest beer. The new staff is delightful and friendly. Their grand opening is the Sixth of September, 2024. Will certainly be visiting more often! Deano
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
K P
Great spot for a drink or food! I've been here twice now and Everytime the servers and bar tender have been friendly as can be. The owners are also very nice people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jon Stacey
Just reopened with new staff and owners. Very small menu, hopefully bigger soon. The fish sandwich was very good and came with a good potion of fries and hushpuppies too!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Cora Seitz
Management is very unprofessional and cruel to their staff. This isn't a place you want to take your friends or family to.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Martha Schott
I grew up in Reading and knew this building only for the bar "that filled the jugs of beer" for family get-togethers. It is no longer "just a bar" but a very nice restaurant.I was pleasantly surprised two weeks ago when I went inside for a pick-up order, so much so that it was first on our list for a dine-in celebration for my sister's birthday the following Sunday.The "front" (just inside the front door) is still the bar area with several tall tables spread through the area. But, when you walk to the far end of the bar, there is a "Please Wait To Be Seated" sign that indicates the entry to the restaurant section. And, it's a surprisingly large seating area that includes booths and tables in three separate location: a smaller, cozier area just behind the bar; a larger area that looks like it could accommodate larger groups with tables that could be moved together; and a small outdoor space with tables and overhead garden lights.We were there on a Sunday afternoon and it was not crowded at all; maybe four separate groups. But the atmosphere is so "small town" that we ended up talking with the group at the next table as if we'd been friends before just meeting that day.Staff was friendly and attentive to our needs without being overbearing. We even got to say "Hi!" to the kitchen staff as the handicap entrance opens right next to the kitchen, and we were able to compliment their excellent preparation of our meal on our way out.The food was SO GOOD!!!We started off with the West Benson St. Sampler: Reuben Rolls, Potato Skins and Mac & Cheese Balls. This comes with three complimentary sauces. Delicious!!!For the meal, we each tried something different and shared a bite of each, so that we all got a taste.Two burgers: 1 Up Burger with mushrooms, onions and melted Swiss cheese. (It was a 3 napkin sandwich.) Side of sauteed vegetable which were of perfect tenderness. Second burger was the Benson's Tavern Burger with a side of mashed potatoes.Fish 'N Chips with Fries: It was perfectly deep fried to extra crispy on the outside and hot/tender inside.A favorite to everyone's sampling taste-buds was the Benson's Country Bowl. It is "comfort food plus"!!! It's a bowl of mashed potatoes (a large portion), which are delicious on their own, topped with three deep-fried chicken strips, gravy, corn and Cheddar Jack cheese. The pleasure of the flavor, as soon as it hits the tongue, creates an immediate response of, "Oh my gosh, I should have ordered that!"It took us a long time to place our order because everything on the menu sounds delicious. We have agreed that we need to return several more times just to order different items each time, but the challenge is going to be to NOT order what we so enjoyed the first time.The quality of this restaurant has changed my view of Reading as not only "my beloved hometown" and "the place to be for everything wedding", but now a "TRUE DINING DESTINATION". This is a great place for date night, business lunch, girlfriend get-together, family gathering, etc. It's right up there with many of the other "talked about" restaurants around greater Cincinnati. I'm glad we finally discovered it.
Parking: There are three spot behind the building that are "tight" and require backing out of the spot and lot onto the street (not a busy street). This back lot is best for the handicap access, as the front entry has several steps.Street parking is "hit or miss". There is a sign on the side of the building indicating other lots within the block or nearby, but I didn't get a picture of it. If you only want to walk a few steps to the restaurant, that can be limited. However, if you're willing to walk past a few other shops on Benson or a few houses on Cooper, there is a large municipal parking lot on the corner of Jefferson and Cooper.
Food was good, not real exceptional for the price. Quaint small place with character. Service was exceptional!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Benson Fries
Keith Taylor
From the outside it doesn't look like much. The inside was pretty nice. I liked the atmosphere. It was a slow time when my wife and I went. I got the pretzel sticks with beer cheese, and they were really good. The parmesan garlic sauce for the wings is made in house and it was decent. I really liked how they came out hot and fresh from the frier. The ranch was very thin and did not stick on my celery very well. The macaroni bites were very plane, and did not have much flavor to the breading or Mac and cheese inside. Our waitress did a pretty good job taking care of us. Prices are a little high in my opinion. I would recommend trying this place, but it's not somewhere I will probably go again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Beer Cheese
Caitlyn Taylor
My husband and I are lunch here and I can say that the food was very well cooked but also extremely bland. The ordered the mac & cheese bites and the Rachel and both were just edible not something I’d return for.
This place is now amazing! New Owners! Incredible food... I've had the burgers, the wings, salads and giant pretzel... and the Cajun pasta! There are only winners on this menu! Great beer selection! Clean! Finally this joint is doing justice to Benson!
Called in order. Two burgers and fries. Cooked fast and fresh! Burgers slap, fries bang!!! Very good!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
This place has excellent bar food. The bartender told me that there is new ownership for this place. I will say it could use some specialty/house mixed drinks on the menu
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Really cool spot, probably the best vibe in Reading. Bar tender poured good whiskies and was friendly as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
It was ok food wasn't that great could use some changes
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Bensons is just now re-opening under new management! We had dinner there last evening and it was very pleasant. I had a pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw and fries and it was quite pleasant as was the Octoberfest beer. The new staff is delightful and friendly. Their grand opening is the Sixth of September, 2024. Will certainly be visiting more often! Deano
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great spot for a drink or food! I've been here twice now and Everytime the servers and bar tender have been friendly as can be. The owners are also very nice people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just reopened with new staff and owners. Very small menu, hopefully bigger soon. The fish sandwich was very good and came with a good potion of fries and hushpuppies too!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Management is very unprofessional and cruel to their staff. This isn't a place you want to take your friends or family to.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I grew up in Reading and knew this building only for the bar "that filled the jugs of beer" for family get-togethers. It is no longer "just a bar" but a very nice restaurant.I was pleasantly surprised two weeks ago when I went inside for a pick-up order, so much so that it was first on our list for a dine-in celebration for my sister's birthday the following Sunday.The "front" (just inside the front door) is still the bar area with several tall tables spread through the area. But, when you walk to the far end of the bar, there is a "Please Wait To Be Seated" sign that indicates the entry to the restaurant section. And, it's a surprisingly large seating area that includes booths and tables in three separate location: a smaller, cozier area just behind the bar; a larger area that looks like it could accommodate larger groups with tables that could be moved together; and a small outdoor space with tables and overhead garden lights.We were there on a Sunday afternoon and it was not crowded at all; maybe four separate groups. But the atmosphere is so "small town" that we ended up talking with the group at the next table as if we'd been friends before just meeting that day.Staff was friendly and attentive to our needs without being overbearing. We even got to say "Hi!" to the kitchen staff as the handicap entrance opens right next to the kitchen, and we were able to compliment their excellent preparation of our meal on our way out.The food was SO GOOD!!!We started off with the West Benson St. Sampler: Reuben Rolls, Potato Skins and Mac & Cheese Balls. This comes with three complimentary sauces. Delicious!!!For the meal, we each tried something different and shared a bite of each, so that we all got a taste.Two burgers: 1 Up Burger with mushrooms, onions and melted Swiss cheese. (It was a 3 napkin sandwich.) Side of sauteed vegetable which were of perfect tenderness. Second burger was the Benson's Tavern Burger with a side of mashed potatoes.Fish 'N Chips with Fries: It was perfectly deep fried to extra crispy on the outside and hot/tender inside.A favorite to everyone's sampling taste-buds was the Benson's Country Bowl. It is "comfort food plus"!!! It's a bowl of mashed potatoes (a large portion), which are delicious on their own, topped with three deep-fried chicken strips, gravy, corn and Cheddar Jack cheese. The pleasure of the flavor, as soon as it hits the tongue, creates an immediate response of, "Oh my gosh, I should have ordered that!"It took us a long time to place our order because everything on the menu sounds delicious. We have agreed that we need to return several more times just to order different items each time, but the challenge is going to be to NOT order what we so enjoyed the first time.The quality of this restaurant has changed my view of Reading as not only "my beloved hometown" and "the place to be for everything wedding", but now a "TRUE DINING DESTINATION". This is a great place for date night, business lunch, girlfriend get-together, family gathering, etc. It's right up there with many of the other "talked about" restaurants around greater Cincinnati. I'm glad we finally discovered it.
Parking: There are three spot behind the building that are "tight" and require backing out of the spot and lot onto the street (not a busy street). This back lot is best for the handicap access, as the front entry has several steps.Street parking is "hit or miss". There is a sign on the side of the building indicating other lots within the block or nearby, but I didn't get a picture of it. If you only want to walk a few steps to the restaurant, that can be limited. However, if you're willing to walk past a few other shops on Benson or a few houses on Cooper, there is a large municipal parking lot on the corner of Jefferson and Cooper.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was good, not real exceptional for the price. Quaint small place with character. Service was exceptional!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Benson Fries
From the outside it doesn't look like much. The inside was pretty nice. I liked the atmosphere. It was a slow time when my wife and I went. I got the pretzel sticks with beer cheese, and they were really good. The parmesan garlic sauce for the wings is made in house and it was decent. I really liked how they came out hot and fresh from the frier. The ranch was very thin and did not stick on my celery very well. The macaroni bites were very plane, and did not have much flavor to the breading or Mac and cheese inside. Our waitress did a pretty good job taking care of us. Prices are a little high in my opinion. I would recommend trying this place, but it's not somewhere I will probably go again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Beer Cheese
My husband and I are lunch here and I can say that the food was very well cooked but also extremely bland. The ordered the mac & cheese bites and the Rachel and both were just edible not something I’d return for.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Balls, Beer Cheese, Wings
Very nice on the inside, lots of tables, very comfortable environment... Been visiting this place since it was Meier's.
Parking: You may park on the street or across the street in the lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for lunch. Food was good, plenty of TVs to keep track of sports and good prices. We are putting Benson's into the rotation.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burger
Loading...