2008 Woodie Awards
Family-style restaurant offers wide array of food at low prices
By Kristen Baselj
Rocket Dining Critic
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Focus
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This quaint restaurant and bar offers a wide variety of menu selections, including snacks to start, soups, salads, stout sandwiches, burgers and beef on buns and pasta, chicken, seafood and beef entrees. All sides and soups are homemade and the fries are hand cut from fresh potatoes.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
The Mac 'n' Cheese Wedges were certainly an interesting "snack to start" out with. Accompanied by a side of ketchup and the ranch dressing I requested as well, these wedges were crunchy on the outside and just like a bowl of velvety macaroni and cheese on the inside. They are certainly worth a try.
As far as main dishes go, it was easy to see why the Chicken Victoria was labeled in the menu as the "restaurant's most popular dish."
This large portion of two tender chicken breasts was smothered in three cheeses, thick bacon and a hefty serving of sautéed mushrooms.
With the accompanying choice of soup or salad, and sides consisting of a baked potato, mashed potatoes, grilled home fries, hand-cut fries, broccoli, garden rice or steamed vegetables, you can put together the perfect combination of food to suit your tastes.
I would strongly recommend the Open-Faced Steak Sandwich with au jus sauce for dipping.
In between two thick pieces of garlic Texas toast, the steak sandwich was very tender and well-seasoned. If you are just stopping in for a light lunch, this sandwich was also big enough for two.
In following with the well-sized portions theme, the Banana's Foster Pie was enormous and delectable. I would say that three people could have easily split it and been satisfied.
I had never heard of the Magic Hat Brewing Company, but its No. 9 draft beer is something to talk about.
I would say that it was refreshing with its sweet, but not too overbearingly sweet peach or apricot taste. I will definitely try it again and look for more selections from this company.
PRICES
Considering the portion size, "Snacks to Start" were rather inexpensive, averaging $5, and only two of the more than 15 sandwiches and burger choices went higher than the $6 to $7 range.
Entrée prices were well suited to the portion sizes. The most expensive entrée on the menu was the full-cut filet mignon at $19.99. Most other entrées were about $6 to $7 dollars less, averaging about $13 each.
ENVIRONMENT
Benjamin's is a small and slightly cramped restaurant. When entering, you walk directly into a bar area, which has two TVs and some booths for dining.
To the right of the entrance was a separate, more intimate room where high-backed booths leave you feeling separated from the surrounding ones.
A third area was decorated in a nature-esque motif and included a large moose head adorning the wall above the fireplace.
This room had more of an open feeling because there were no booths to seclude you from other tables.
The restaurant does take reservations, so be sure to specify the area in which you would prefer to sit when calling.
SERVICE
Benjamin's was rather busy when my guest and I arrived, so for time's sake, we decided to eat at the bar. There were at least three of what seemed to be "regulars" there, who the waitresses knew by name, which is always a good sign in my book.
However, when I say that I sat at the bar, I don't want to lead you to think that these guests were "regular" drinkers, and in fact I don't think that any of them were drinking alcohol at all, which tells me that they come for good dining.
The wait staff was very laid back, but not so relaxed that they forgot to concentrate on a speedy delivery of all courses. The meals were well-prepared and came in a very reasonable amount of time.
Benjamin's
Route 58
Mercer, Pa 16137
724-662-4301
Kristen Baselj is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.
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