My sister and I were in town for the weekend and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Benjamin's. We were promptly seated and Jordan P was our waitress. Jordan was very warm and knowledgable when describing the specials and menu. Our service was excellent; salads and bread arrived at the table shortly after our cocktails. Dinner was Chicken Lafayette for my sister and Chicken Marsala for myself...outstanding! We couldn't leave without taking dessert to go--tiramisu and double chocolate cake..all for under $60, which is unheard of in our hometown of Philadelphia. If we ever are in town Benjamin's is a definite choice for dinner.
(4)
Chuck J.
I ate here several times years ago and was so impressed that I didn't come back almost forever. Fortunately, I got roped into joining some friends. I moaned and complained to my wife right up until we hit the door, then sucked it up and pretended I was happy to be there. Smart move, as it turns out. We split four appetizers around the table--serviceable bruscetta and caprese salad, a really good seving of friend artichokes, and the house favorite, Ben's Bangin' Shrimp--an out of the world dish of tempura shrimp on a bed of tangy asian cole slaw that, to be clear, made me immediately regret agreeing to sharing all the appetizers. I wanted every shrimp for myself. Me. Not my friends, not the love-of-my-life and mother of my children. I wanted the shrimp. I don't remember what my dinner was called, but it was a half dozen raviolis stuffed with tangy cheese filling, on a bed of spinach, with tomatos and mushrooms under a light, but really decadent white wine and cheese sauce. It's can't miss. My wife had the shrimp arribiata (maybe because she didn't get her share of the first course? hmmm....) and it was pretty good, too. Other folks at our table had chicken parmesan (yawn), Chicken Lafayette, some kind of salad, and the flat iron steak. Everybody was happy and full. We skipped desert, but loaded up on the beer--used to be they had a bunch of crap beer, but their selection has improved until it's interesting--almost. The atmosphere is also worth noting--this is an old, Victorian-era house with lots of small rooms, each with a few tables, along with "outside" seating on patios that is closed in behind glass and heated--very cozy, especially during the holiday. Well, done Ben.
(4)
Jim G.
Upon my leaving of indiana, a regret of mine is that I haven't been to Benjamins more than a handful of times. Completely and utterly blows every other restaurant on Philly street out of the water. Wait staff is very nice and give a refreshing relief from the cocky and ditzy bartenders who serve your food on the bar strip. Got the tilapia fish tacos and crap and artichoke dip... I had to have both. Absolutely amazing. Will be a must stop whenever I come through the area.
(4)
Kayla N.
We really enjoyed date night at Benjamin's. The crab artichoke dip was delicious! We both had dinner entrees and an appetizer for $50 (including tip). Maybe restaurants are more expensive where we are from, but I thought the price was excellent for what we ate. The service was quick and both the hostess and our waitress were very personable. The owner made his presence known and wanted to be sure that all patrons were enjoying themselves. We sat on the patio near the bar. It was very sweet and quaint. One negative part of our experience was the VERY limited parking. They really should look into expanding their parking lot in the back. We will definitely be returning.
(4)
Ingo C.
Good place to have a drink. The variety of beer is good, yesterday I had an Yingling Octoberfest, in the past I used to have Labatts Blue. just $3.50 for a pint -- a steal compared to what you pay in the DC region. The food is generally decent, nothing outstanding, but also pretty inexpensive. Really nice is the outdoor patio, even heated in Winter times.
(4)
Walter K.
This is one of the best places to eat and drink in Indiana, PA. Which means in real world terms, it's not very good. It does have a really nice outdoor area, and some craft beer on top, albeit at big city prices.
(2)
Roberta J.
We went for a family gathering last night expecting not too much from the prior reviews. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the good service, great salad bar, decor and ambiance. The manager made a special effort to make sure all was well. Encourage you to give it a try!
(4)
Jennifer W.
This seems to be the place to eat for the upper crust of Indiana, PA society. Its all about the Benjamins, right? Ba dum dum ching. Seriously, every time I have been there, it has been fairly busy, with luxury sedans and SUVs filling up the tiny parking lot out back. Now, here is what I don't understand: why do people spend good money here when they could go to the Coventry? Not sure. Bust since the Coventry is only open three nights a week, sometimes you have to do what you have to do, which is eat in Indiana, PA, at a place that doesn't involve inhaling deep fried potato skins while some frat boys grunt at the table next to you The setting itself is quite charming: an old Victorian house with a beautiful outdoor patio area under the trees, which is a pretty fantastic place to be on a summer evening. Foodwise, it is OK. I agree with the other comment that you could go to Ruby Tuesday for the same quality. Tonight I had a pizza with feta cheese, spinach, peppers, and portabello mushrooms. The crust was pretty outstanding. The shrimp/scallop combo in wine and butter sauce is good, but you cant go wrong sauteeing anything in wine and butter. They do have sangria in the summer, which is a huge plus- I go for the sangria, but stay for the food. One time last summer the server told us it was their Mexican night, because they were serving tapas. I digress.
(3)
Melanie R.
We visit Benjamin's twice a year when we travel to Indiana, PA. The staff are friendly and the food is very good without being expensive. The restaurant is charming and it's quiet enough to have a conversation. Good place for date night.
(4)
Sweet B.
This was the "nice" place to take a date when being a student at IUP. It's pretentiously tacky, with incredibly mediocre food--though the patio was a nice place to sit. Ironically, the best offerings are also on sale next door at Subs n' Suds at a fraction of the price. Not the best bang for your buck.
(3)
Kelly D.
Benjamin's is a large Victorian home that has been transformed into a fine dining restaurant creating a unique atmosphere. There are many rooms that you could end up dining in, but for larger groups or if you prefer a more traditional experience, there is a large outdoor patio area complete with a full bar and space heaters for the colder evenings. The bar is also open for those who prefer drinks without necessarily dining. I sat and had a drink while I waited for the rest of my party to arrive. The food is above average but expect expensive prices. My only complaint is that it is not a good value. While the food is okay, with a few dishes being pretty good, for what I am paying I expect better quality. I could get some of the same food of the same quality at a chain like Ruby Tuesdays or Olive Garden and pay a lot less. It seems to me that Benjamin's aspires to be a fine dining restaurant but fails in the food quality section. Still, if price is not a concern, they are worth checking out. While you could wear something like jeans to Benjamin's, dressier clothes are the norm.
(3)
Michelle U.
Have lived in Indiana for 2yrs but never had been to Benjamins. I had a business lunch there this past week and I will definitley be going back. I had a qusadilla and it was wonderful. Our waitress was attentive but not the friendliest person I have ever encountered. Only negative was that it took awhile to get our checks and get out of there so we were late for a meeting. They did have a gluten free menu for anyone who is staying away from wheat.
(3)
Katharine C.
If you haven't been to Benjamin's for some time, I implore you to give it another try! Benjamin's has been around for a while and either I'm getting soft of it has definitely improved. As an undergrad attending IUP in the early 2000s, I dined at Benjamin's a handful of times. It was a little out of my price range and I really only went there on dates and when the family came to visit. The food wasn't anything to write home about, but the atmosphere was good and the clientele suitable for bringing your grandparents around. Now that I'm back at IUP for a graduate degree we've visited Benjamin's on several occasions and haven't yet been disappointed. The food seems much improved since my first time in Indiana and the atmosphere has been well maintained. Each visit my husband and I have made to Benjamin's we had great service, and drinking on the back patio is a treat. It's great to people watch on warm summer evenings having a few beers on the patio out back as well. Go back to Benjamin's with an open mind and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised as I was!
(4)
nancy g.
This is great old house converted to a restaurant. This will be a must each time I am in town. I had pecan crusted salmon & husband had filet Mignon with crab meat. Both were delicious. I will be back !
Not impressed, Benjamins. Ultra slow service married with bland foods with no ability to select my sides is not the way to my heart. Oh and being priced like a big fancy restaurant doesn't make you a big fancy restaurant. Believe it or not, my experience started out great. The fried artichokes were a great appetizer which had me psyched for my main course. While they didn't have my first beer selection, they recommended another I rather enjoyed. Still, it went wrong once I honed in on the filet. I was informed of the vegetables, and then told I couldn't 'have them my way'. Ok, I might get that if they weren't claiming to be fine dining. It wasn't like I was asking for a vegetable they didn't have! I ordered it anyway and requested another beer. My waiter came back in about 15 minutes... not with my drink but to flirt with the table next to me. Another 10 minutes went by before I got my second beer and 20 more minutes before I saw my steak (wait, 45 minutes for a medium rare steak?!?). While the steak was cooked correctly to my order, it really seemed to lack any favor. To top it off, it took 20 minutes for me to get my bill after I finished.
(2)
Patrick M.
We have eaten here twiceand both times have had great food and service. The outdoor bar and tables are great. The menu is very interedtibg with a good selection of appetizers bad entrees that works for a 16 year old and us oldee folk too. The beer selection is not bad. The first time i went they had a fantastic cocoanut stout which, unfortunately, they did not have last night. They did have guinness so all was right with the world. Highly reccomend this place when youre in indiana pa.
(4)
Marie G.
Ate dinner here with my boyfriend after his grandmother suggested it. She recommended the fried brie with the raspberry sauce and we did not regret it!
(4)
Lucas G.
The service and atmosphere were great. The quality of the food was excellent. The Crab and Artichoke Dip, BBQ Chicken Salad and the Flat Iron Steak were flavorful. We are definitely coming back. The waiter was very attentive and allowed us to enjoy our appetizer without rushing the entrees.
(5)
Lizelle A.
Benjamins is a nice little treat in Indiana, PA. A college town, there are few places that aren't populated by the young throngs, but I've never felt like I needed to leave Benjamins because it's too "college-y." When you enter the premises there is a nice outdoor patio/bar area on the right. It's the perfect setting for an after work drink or even a bridal shower. My husband had a work function there and it was a nice cozy spot to get to know everyone. Inside the decor is very Victorian. That antique feel somewhat matches the menu because there are many classic American dishes. My favorite starter is the fried zucchini. If anyone can get me to eat vegetables that's a feat in itself. And the lobster ravioli is excellent. The portions here are sizable, but you never feel overly stuffed after eating everything on the plate. Good food, good people and a light casual feel accurately describe this local gem.
(4)
Richard A.
My sister and I are in town visiting mom and dad. We managed to breakaway to have dinner together and more or less randomly found Benjamin's. What a lovely and tasty surprise. The service was nice and the food delicious. My sister had the Cajun glazed salmon and I had the wasabi crusted tuna. Perfectly cooked and wonderful. The bang in' shrimp tacos were good too as an appetizer. Nicely done Benjamin's, I wish mom would let us free for another meal there.
(4)
Dan F.
Had a nice dinner with a group of seven. The shrimp appetizer was excellent. It was deep fried with a nice crispy crust. They take the time to remove the tail so you eat the whole thing. Nice touch. The crab and artichoke appetizer was also quite good, but not a unique as the shrimp. Still a good choice. We had a variety of entrees, but didn't try any of the beef. The pasta was ever so slightly over cooked. To me it could have been a little more al dente. However the portions were large and the sauces well done. Our server, Carly, was attentive without being intrusive. I would go back.
(4)
Derek B.
Joshua's Chicken and Pasta was excellent and the small portion, which came with salad and fresh bread, was plenty for me, an adult man. I've eaten here the past 4 visits to Indiana, PA and would absolutely recommend it. The last 3 times it was cold so we ate inside but visiting this time (mid-June) the weather was absolutely perfect for sitting outside in the extensive patio/ terrace area. Great choice!
(4)
Tom L.
Benjamins is Indiana, PA's most over-rated restaurant. It is a quaintly decorated converted house and over the years has become the date nite place to go when looking to go somewhere special....Special mostly defined by expensive and pretentious. They serve a few pasta dishes but nothing you would expect, steak, seafood. Food is uninspired and not that great for the most part. I have had one very good dish but it was a special, served one time as far as I can tell and the chef didn't remember it when I asked him about it on a later date. Don't set your heart on a steak or fish before you find out what their potato and veg are for the night because you have no choice. They make one and only one and will not deviate. So, if you would like a baked potato with that steak....forget it. Tonight it is sweet potato. No kidding, that has happened to us and we don't like sweet potatoes. You would like some green beans? Nope, it's squash tonight. I've tried 2 of the steaks and neither cut was tender or seasoned correctly. Bland, boring, piece of chewy meat. The worst of Ben's is that the service is painfully slow....if the food were better, I could understand it but really, nothing is prepared in a way to justify this excruciatingly slow service. Some of their chairs are also so uncomfortable, it makes the waiting all the more painful.
(2)
Dan T.
Despite what they attempt to portray this place is awful with a capital awful!! I walk in the back & notice the 'see hostess before being seated' sign...ok, no problem...so I go stand next to the hostess station and wait, and wait and wait some more...after getting tired of standing I decide to seat myself and commence making eye contact with every employee who walked past and ignored me...the rest of my party came in and after a bit we were finally given menus...we only ordered appetizers and I could've done better in the frozen food section of Walmart!! The crab & artichoke dip was basically soup & the calamari was downright disgusting...THIS is 'fine dining'??! The only bright spot was that the food came relatively quickly but this was quickly forgotten due to how long it took to pay & escape!! The only thing worse than the cooks are the waitresses...if you're hungry in this part of town head down the street to Sheetz...save yourself time & money and eat similar food!! You get 1 star Benjamin's only because there's no option to give you less than that!!
(1)
Emily M.
We were very unimpressed with Benjamins. Six of us went there for dinner at 4:30pm on a Saturday evening (my grandparents in their 80s were with us). We were the second table to be seated, as they opened at 4pm. We were very disappointed because they only had one serving of scallops left and one of their filet dishes they were completely out of. We couldn't believe that 2 of their most expensive dishes they didn't have on a Saturday! And out when they opened... not even later into the night. The food itself wasn't anything special. My brother managed to snag their last serving of scallops and got the Shrimp & Scallops Borzac. For $22 he got 3 scallops an 3 shrimp in a cup of butter. It was nothing as described and nowhere near the size it should have been for $22! My dad and I got the crabmeat Alfredo linguine and it had no taste. The crab didn't taste like crab and the sauce was very plain. My grandma asked for a baked potato as a side and she was told her only option was mashed potatoes. Our waitress was very nice and it wasn't her fault, but this restaurant is not stepping up to the plate. There's not much elsewhere to eat in Indiana, so there is no challenge for this restaurant to better their service. On a side note... Another waitress who was taking care of a large bridal shower should not have been allowed to look the way se did. It was EXTREMELY obvious that she rolled out of bed and came into work, thanks to the severe bed head. Very unprofessional.
(1)
Louis C.
Benjamins is nice for a date- great atmosphere and is pretty but in my opinion, the food wasn't that great. There's not really much else to say. Service was good, excellent atmosphere, average food.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Tamera P.
My sister and I were in town for the weekend and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Benjamin's. We were promptly seated and Jordan P was our waitress. Jordan was very warm and knowledgable when describing the specials and menu. Our service was excellent; salads and bread arrived at the table shortly after our cocktails. Dinner was Chicken Lafayette for my sister and Chicken Marsala for myself...outstanding! We couldn't leave without taking dessert to go--tiramisu and double chocolate cake..all for under $60, which is unheard of in our hometown of Philadelphia. If we ever are in town Benjamin's is a definite choice for dinner.
(4)Chuck J.
I ate here several times years ago and was so impressed that I didn't come back almost forever. Fortunately, I got roped into joining some friends. I moaned and complained to my wife right up until we hit the door, then sucked it up and pretended I was happy to be there. Smart move, as it turns out. We split four appetizers around the table--serviceable bruscetta and caprese salad, a really good seving of friend artichokes, and the house favorite, Ben's Bangin' Shrimp--an out of the world dish of tempura shrimp on a bed of tangy asian cole slaw that, to be clear, made me immediately regret agreeing to sharing all the appetizers. I wanted every shrimp for myself. Me. Not my friends, not the love-of-my-life and mother of my children. I wanted the shrimp. I don't remember what my dinner was called, but it was a half dozen raviolis stuffed with tangy cheese filling, on a bed of spinach, with tomatos and mushrooms under a light, but really decadent white wine and cheese sauce. It's can't miss. My wife had the shrimp arribiata (maybe because she didn't get her share of the first course? hmmm....) and it was pretty good, too. Other folks at our table had chicken parmesan (yawn), Chicken Lafayette, some kind of salad, and the flat iron steak. Everybody was happy and full. We skipped desert, but loaded up on the beer--used to be they had a bunch of crap beer, but their selection has improved until it's interesting--almost. The atmosphere is also worth noting--this is an old, Victorian-era house with lots of small rooms, each with a few tables, along with "outside" seating on patios that is closed in behind glass and heated--very cozy, especially during the holiday. Well, done Ben.
(4)Jim G.
Upon my leaving of indiana, a regret of mine is that I haven't been to Benjamins more than a handful of times. Completely and utterly blows every other restaurant on Philly street out of the water. Wait staff is very nice and give a refreshing relief from the cocky and ditzy bartenders who serve your food on the bar strip. Got the tilapia fish tacos and crap and artichoke dip... I had to have both. Absolutely amazing. Will be a must stop whenever I come through the area.
(4)Kayla N.
We really enjoyed date night at Benjamin's. The crab artichoke dip was delicious! We both had dinner entrees and an appetizer for $50 (including tip). Maybe restaurants are more expensive where we are from, but I thought the price was excellent for what we ate. The service was quick and both the hostess and our waitress were very personable. The owner made his presence known and wanted to be sure that all patrons were enjoying themselves. We sat on the patio near the bar. It was very sweet and quaint. One negative part of our experience was the VERY limited parking. They really should look into expanding their parking lot in the back. We will definitely be returning.
(4)Ingo C.
Good place to have a drink. The variety of beer is good, yesterday I had an Yingling Octoberfest, in the past I used to have Labatts Blue. just $3.50 for a pint -- a steal compared to what you pay in the DC region. The food is generally decent, nothing outstanding, but also pretty inexpensive. Really nice is the outdoor patio, even heated in Winter times.
(4)Walter K.
This is one of the best places to eat and drink in Indiana, PA. Which means in real world terms, it's not very good. It does have a really nice outdoor area, and some craft beer on top, albeit at big city prices.
(2)Roberta J.
We went for a family gathering last night expecting not too much from the prior reviews. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the good service, great salad bar, decor and ambiance. The manager made a special effort to make sure all was well. Encourage you to give it a try!
(4)Jennifer W.
This seems to be the place to eat for the upper crust of Indiana, PA society. Its all about the Benjamins, right? Ba dum dum ching. Seriously, every time I have been there, it has been fairly busy, with luxury sedans and SUVs filling up the tiny parking lot out back. Now, here is what I don't understand: why do people spend good money here when they could go to the Coventry? Not sure. Bust since the Coventry is only open three nights a week, sometimes you have to do what you have to do, which is eat in Indiana, PA, at a place that doesn't involve inhaling deep fried potato skins while some frat boys grunt at the table next to you The setting itself is quite charming: an old Victorian house with a beautiful outdoor patio area under the trees, which is a pretty fantastic place to be on a summer evening. Foodwise, it is OK. I agree with the other comment that you could go to Ruby Tuesday for the same quality. Tonight I had a pizza with feta cheese, spinach, peppers, and portabello mushrooms. The crust was pretty outstanding. The shrimp/scallop combo in wine and butter sauce is good, but you cant go wrong sauteeing anything in wine and butter. They do have sangria in the summer, which is a huge plus- I go for the sangria, but stay for the food. One time last summer the server told us it was their Mexican night, because they were serving tapas. I digress.
(3)Melanie R.
We visit Benjamin's twice a year when we travel to Indiana, PA. The staff are friendly and the food is very good without being expensive. The restaurant is charming and it's quiet enough to have a conversation. Good place for date night.
(4)Sweet B.
This was the "nice" place to take a date when being a student at IUP. It's pretentiously tacky, with incredibly mediocre food--though the patio was a nice place to sit. Ironically, the best offerings are also on sale next door at Subs n' Suds at a fraction of the price. Not the best bang for your buck.
(3)Kelly D.
Benjamin's is a large Victorian home that has been transformed into a fine dining restaurant creating a unique atmosphere. There are many rooms that you could end up dining in, but for larger groups or if you prefer a more traditional experience, there is a large outdoor patio area complete with a full bar and space heaters for the colder evenings. The bar is also open for those who prefer drinks without necessarily dining. I sat and had a drink while I waited for the rest of my party to arrive. The food is above average but expect expensive prices. My only complaint is that it is not a good value. While the food is okay, with a few dishes being pretty good, for what I am paying I expect better quality. I could get some of the same food of the same quality at a chain like Ruby Tuesdays or Olive Garden and pay a lot less. It seems to me that Benjamin's aspires to be a fine dining restaurant but fails in the food quality section. Still, if price is not a concern, they are worth checking out. While you could wear something like jeans to Benjamin's, dressier clothes are the norm.
(3)Michelle U.
Have lived in Indiana for 2yrs but never had been to Benjamins. I had a business lunch there this past week and I will definitley be going back. I had a qusadilla and it was wonderful. Our waitress was attentive but not the friendliest person I have ever encountered. Only negative was that it took awhile to get our checks and get out of there so we were late for a meeting. They did have a gluten free menu for anyone who is staying away from wheat.
(3)Katharine C.
If you haven't been to Benjamin's for some time, I implore you to give it another try! Benjamin's has been around for a while and either I'm getting soft of it has definitely improved. As an undergrad attending IUP in the early 2000s, I dined at Benjamin's a handful of times. It was a little out of my price range and I really only went there on dates and when the family came to visit. The food wasn't anything to write home about, but the atmosphere was good and the clientele suitable for bringing your grandparents around. Now that I'm back at IUP for a graduate degree we've visited Benjamin's on several occasions and haven't yet been disappointed. The food seems much improved since my first time in Indiana and the atmosphere has been well maintained. Each visit my husband and I have made to Benjamin's we had great service, and drinking on the back patio is a treat. It's great to people watch on warm summer evenings having a few beers on the patio out back as well. Go back to Benjamin's with an open mind and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised as I was!
(4)nancy g.
This is great old house converted to a restaurant. This will be a must each time I am in town. I had pecan crusted salmon & husband had filet Mignon with crab meat. Both were delicious. I will be back !
(5)C S.
Visiting family in Indiana, and decided Benjamin's was a great place to celebrate 2 birthdays. Ate inside (even though the outside area looked very tempting) because we had been working outside all day. Wonderful appetizers and meals all-around! I'm on a Whole30, and our waiter kindly asked the kitchen to tweak my entrée a bit - they went above and beyond my expectations. Thanks for the great service, Brian and a great experience.
(5)Michael F.
Not impressed, Benjamins. Ultra slow service married with bland foods with no ability to select my sides is not the way to my heart. Oh and being priced like a big fancy restaurant doesn't make you a big fancy restaurant. Believe it or not, my experience started out great. The fried artichokes were a great appetizer which had me psyched for my main course. While they didn't have my first beer selection, they recommended another I rather enjoyed. Still, it went wrong once I honed in on the filet. I was informed of the vegetables, and then told I couldn't 'have them my way'. Ok, I might get that if they weren't claiming to be fine dining. It wasn't like I was asking for a vegetable they didn't have! I ordered it anyway and requested another beer. My waiter came back in about 15 minutes... not with my drink but to flirt with the table next to me. Another 10 minutes went by before I got my second beer and 20 more minutes before I saw my steak (wait, 45 minutes for a medium rare steak?!?). While the steak was cooked correctly to my order, it really seemed to lack any favor. To top it off, it took 20 minutes for me to get my bill after I finished.
(2)Patrick M.
We have eaten here twiceand both times have had great food and service. The outdoor bar and tables are great. The menu is very interedtibg with a good selection of appetizers bad entrees that works for a 16 year old and us oldee folk too. The beer selection is not bad. The first time i went they had a fantastic cocoanut stout which, unfortunately, they did not have last night. They did have guinness so all was right with the world. Highly reccomend this place when youre in indiana pa.
(4)Marie G.
Ate dinner here with my boyfriend after his grandmother suggested it. She recommended the fried brie with the raspberry sauce and we did not regret it!
(4)Lucas G.
The service and atmosphere were great. The quality of the food was excellent. The Crab and Artichoke Dip, BBQ Chicken Salad and the Flat Iron Steak were flavorful. We are definitely coming back. The waiter was very attentive and allowed us to enjoy our appetizer without rushing the entrees.
(5)Lizelle A.
Benjamins is a nice little treat in Indiana, PA. A college town, there are few places that aren't populated by the young throngs, but I've never felt like I needed to leave Benjamins because it's too "college-y." When you enter the premises there is a nice outdoor patio/bar area on the right. It's the perfect setting for an after work drink or even a bridal shower. My husband had a work function there and it was a nice cozy spot to get to know everyone. Inside the decor is very Victorian. That antique feel somewhat matches the menu because there are many classic American dishes. My favorite starter is the fried zucchini. If anyone can get me to eat vegetables that's a feat in itself. And the lobster ravioli is excellent. The portions here are sizable, but you never feel overly stuffed after eating everything on the plate. Good food, good people and a light casual feel accurately describe this local gem.
(4)Richard A.
My sister and I are in town visiting mom and dad. We managed to breakaway to have dinner together and more or less randomly found Benjamin's. What a lovely and tasty surprise. The service was nice and the food delicious. My sister had the Cajun glazed salmon and I had the wasabi crusted tuna. Perfectly cooked and wonderful. The bang in' shrimp tacos were good too as an appetizer. Nicely done Benjamin's, I wish mom would let us free for another meal there.
(4)Dan F.
Had a nice dinner with a group of seven. The shrimp appetizer was excellent. It was deep fried with a nice crispy crust. They take the time to remove the tail so you eat the whole thing. Nice touch. The crab and artichoke appetizer was also quite good, but not a unique as the shrimp. Still a good choice. We had a variety of entrees, but didn't try any of the beef. The pasta was ever so slightly over cooked. To me it could have been a little more al dente. However the portions were large and the sauces well done. Our server, Carly, was attentive without being intrusive. I would go back.
(4)Derek B.
Joshua's Chicken and Pasta was excellent and the small portion, which came with salad and fresh bread, was plenty for me, an adult man. I've eaten here the past 4 visits to Indiana, PA and would absolutely recommend it. The last 3 times it was cold so we ate inside but visiting this time (mid-June) the weather was absolutely perfect for sitting outside in the extensive patio/ terrace area. Great choice!
(4)Tom L.
Benjamins is Indiana, PA's most over-rated restaurant. It is a quaintly decorated converted house and over the years has become the date nite place to go when looking to go somewhere special....Special mostly defined by expensive and pretentious. They serve a few pasta dishes but nothing you would expect, steak, seafood. Food is uninspired and not that great for the most part. I have had one very good dish but it was a special, served one time as far as I can tell and the chef didn't remember it when I asked him about it on a later date. Don't set your heart on a steak or fish before you find out what their potato and veg are for the night because you have no choice. They make one and only one and will not deviate. So, if you would like a baked potato with that steak....forget it. Tonight it is sweet potato. No kidding, that has happened to us and we don't like sweet potatoes. You would like some green beans? Nope, it's squash tonight. I've tried 2 of the steaks and neither cut was tender or seasoned correctly. Bland, boring, piece of chewy meat. The worst of Ben's is that the service is painfully slow....if the food were better, I could understand it but really, nothing is prepared in a way to justify this excruciatingly slow service. Some of their chairs are also so uncomfortable, it makes the waiting all the more painful.
(2)Dan T.
Despite what they attempt to portray this place is awful with a capital awful!! I walk in the back & notice the 'see hostess before being seated' sign...ok, no problem...so I go stand next to the hostess station and wait, and wait and wait some more...after getting tired of standing I decide to seat myself and commence making eye contact with every employee who walked past and ignored me...the rest of my party came in and after a bit we were finally given menus...we only ordered appetizers and I could've done better in the frozen food section of Walmart!! The crab & artichoke dip was basically soup & the calamari was downright disgusting...THIS is 'fine dining'??! The only bright spot was that the food came relatively quickly but this was quickly forgotten due to how long it took to pay & escape!! The only thing worse than the cooks are the waitresses...if you're hungry in this part of town head down the street to Sheetz...save yourself time & money and eat similar food!! You get 1 star Benjamin's only because there's no option to give you less than that!!
(1)Emily M.
We were very unimpressed with Benjamins. Six of us went there for dinner at 4:30pm on a Saturday evening (my grandparents in their 80s were with us). We were the second table to be seated, as they opened at 4pm. We were very disappointed because they only had one serving of scallops left and one of their filet dishes they were completely out of. We couldn't believe that 2 of their most expensive dishes they didn't have on a Saturday! And out when they opened... not even later into the night. The food itself wasn't anything special. My brother managed to snag their last serving of scallops and got the Shrimp & Scallops Borzac. For $22 he got 3 scallops an 3 shrimp in a cup of butter. It was nothing as described and nowhere near the size it should have been for $22! My dad and I got the crabmeat Alfredo linguine and it had no taste. The crab didn't taste like crab and the sauce was very plain. My grandma asked for a baked potato as a side and she was told her only option was mashed potatoes. Our waitress was very nice and it wasn't her fault, but this restaurant is not stepping up to the plate. There's not much elsewhere to eat in Indiana, so there is no challenge for this restaurant to better their service. On a side note... Another waitress who was taking care of a large bridal shower should not have been allowed to look the way se did. It was EXTREMELY obvious that she rolled out of bed and came into work, thanks to the severe bed head. Very unprofessional.
(1)Louis C.
Benjamins is nice for a date- great atmosphere and is pretty but in my opinion, the food wasn't that great. There's not really much else to say. Service was good, excellent atmosphere, average food.
(3)