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I thought steakhouses were supposed to be stuffy, expensive, and dull. Benson's is nothing of the sort. The service was excellent, they were not only nice but charming. The food was great, even the stuff you think wouldn't be a steakhouse specialty (salads, lobster, dessert, all great). And the steak? Outstanding. Just a really nice experience.

i'm not quite sure what the naysayers on these boards are talking about -- i love benson's. i've been coming here for years, for dinners with my girlfriends, and i've always had a wonderful time. the food is delicious -- if you like a perfect piece of steak, impeccable creamed spinach, refreshing salad, and perfect martini -- and the service is warm, solicitous, and knowledgeable. this is one of my favorite places in new york -- not just a classic, but a gem.

I have been going to Benson's for years now with my girlfriends. We're young, hip women and we love this place. The food is delicious. The staff is always attentive without being over-bearing. I really love the atmosphere here. The crab cakes are truly some of the best I've ever had. And, the Benson's Chopped Salad, go for it. Just a really nice time at a really nice place.

I ate here the other night as part of restaurant week and was completely disappointed. First, we were never offered the restaurant week menu (we had to ask) once we asked for it, we were given the cold shoulder by our waiter. The food was no better than I could get at any $10 steak joint. The mashed potatoes tasted like instant and the deserts were standard run of the mill. It's time for this old steak house to have a make over.

Poor service. Food does not justify the price. Instead of reciting the specials we were told to look at the board and were forewarned - you cannot see it from our table. My husband's steak was tough and undercooked. We were not offered drinks refills even though our water glasses were empty! Go elsewhere.

I can't believe some of the reivews I've read here. I go out for a steak with two friends of mine from college several times a year. We've tried virtually every topline steak house in NYC and keep coming back to Ben Benson's. I know everyone has their own favorite but Benson's is by far and away the best. Most of these reviewers either ordered a chick steak (filet mignon) in which case you don't belong in there to begin with, or something else. For a real steak, porterhouse, sirloin, rib eye, Ben Benson's is the best. The sides are fantastic and the service is gruff, like a like it at a steak house. Value subperb. You can't go wrong. Drinks are also great. Wine list top notch.

Ben Benson's has been around for a while. They've been serving good steaks (and chops, burgers, etc) for a while. This is not the BEST steak in town but it's very good. Also their chopped meats are very good. I favor a filet mignon when I do eat steak (once or twice/month). That's totally subjective. The good news is that Ben Benson's filets have taste. Too many restaurants serve a filet mignon that's a bit dry or otherwise lackluster. (So far, the best filet mignon I've had was at Peter Luger, but since I've not been there in 10 years I'm reluctant to compare.) Bottom line: Ben Benson's is worth the price. The food is very very good. The service is mostly pleasant and attentive. They do what they do well.