Benny's adds weekend breakfast hours, items -- but don't fold that menu

Benny Armas got his start more than three decades ago, cooking in other people's kitchens. But from the moment he opened Benny's, his own place in central Denver, it's been a Denver institution, growing bigger (moving from its original spot at 225 East Seventh Avenue that's now home to Mizuna...

By Patricia Calhoun

February 8, 2011

Audio By Carbonatix

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Benny Armas got his start more than three decades ago, cooking in other people's kitchens. But from the moment he opened Benny's, his own place in central Denver, it's been a Denver institution, growing bigger (moving from its original spot at 225 East Seventh Avenue that's now home to Mizuna to the old Chef Henri space at 301 East Seventh almost two decades ago) and better (adding another patio last year), catering to generations of families, friends -- and drunks. In honor of that particular service, Benny's (now known as Benny's Restaurante y Tequila Bar) won our Best Hangover Breakfast in the Best of Denver 2010.

And now those drunks -- and anyone else in dire need of a Benny's breakfast -- can get it earlier than ever.

This past weekend, Benny's started serving breakfast at 7 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to expanding his hours, Armas also expanded his breakfast offerings, introducing such items as an assortment of pancakes as well as biscuits and gravy. Mmmm, just the perfect gut-buster to go with a bowl of Benny's distinctive, hot, slightly sweet green chile...and an early-morning pitcher of margs.

Armas isn't focusing all his efforts on his restaurant in central Denver. He's tried numerous expansion plans over the years - in northwest Denver, in Glendale - and while those have all closed, he promises that when the time is right, he'll be opening his long-anticipated eatery in Littleton.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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