Chez Ben Diner

I want to love Chez Ben, I really do. I’ve been there twice to TRY to convince myself that I’ll like it. The atmosphere is quaint and cozy and offers everything that you’d want in a small, informal diner. However, the food just isn’t that good. The pancakes were ok, the coffee is watery, and the potatoes taste like oil. In their best interest, I have not tried the poutine, which I’ve heard is very tasty. Will I return (?)…not with high hopes, unfortunately.

Delicious! Went here 2 times in one week after discovering this gem. Everything is delicious. If you’ve never tried poutine, you must get it here!

I never, ever like pancakes at diners or restaurants. They always just taste fake to me and I can’t stand them. That being said, I can no longer say never ever because Chez Ben makes unbelievable pancakes. They are perfectly tender, just sweet enough, and taste deliciously homemade. Big plus that they also serve real maple syrup for a small up charge.
Besides the pancakes, everything here is really delicious. They have a wide variety of Canadian and American staples. Everything they serve is well made and high quality. Their sausages, home fries, even their coffee is spot on.
It is warm and welcoming. The staff is inviting, prompt, and makes you feel at home. We will come back here again and again.

Classic, simple diner food done right. There is a good variety of poutine dishes to choose from on the menu. Staff is very friendly as well.

Best breakfast spot in the area, go for the omelettes and poutine. Cheap, cozy and delicious.

We stumbled on to this restaurant on our way to Maine. The place was packed which gave us the idea that we got lucky.
People were friendly and the food was excellent and plentiful. Everything was fresh and delicious.

The food and service are unparalleled; I wish it was open ²⁴⁄₇ to always fulfill my hankering for breakfast poutine. The gravy is divine.

Nice staff, good diner food, amazing Canadian specialities like poutine and meat spread. You must try the egg sandwich with the meat spread stuff on it. Very tasty!

Very friendly local diner. We visited on a busy Sunday morning. Breakfast was good –
I had to try the poutiune, and really liked it! My wife and daughter liked thier breakfasts as well.

My friend and I were visiting a friend in Manchester and she said we had to go here for breakfast, it’s always busy but worth the wait. We were down for whatever the locals do and we came, we waited, and it was totally worth it. It was my first time trying poutine and so I may not be the best judge but I thought it was amazing. The owners are there and know all the customers, coming and chatting with the regulars and newbies alike. What fun! We ordered way too much food for 3 people and had tons of leftovers. It was a completely memorable and delicious meal and I know when I visit my friend again I’m going to ask (beg) we come back.

I’ve driven past Chez Ben a number of times, and everytime I drove by it was closed… I thought this place was abandoned. BUT, finally on the recommendation of a friend, decided to stroll in one morning.
Seating on a weekend morning was tough, but luckily swooped in on a seat as someone was leaving. The décor is nothing fancy, and kind of dated.
The food, is amazing and addicting.
Breakfast sausage Poutine has changed breakfast for me forever. The cheese curds. The gravy. The delicious. Seriously, try it.
Also got the chilli cheese Poutine on another visit. And felt like I ate an entire months worth of calories — but I do not regret!
I’ll be back often!

I visited Montréal not too long ago and discovered poutine. I came here to fix a craving. It wasn’t exactly what I had in Montréal, but it was a good enough fix. Fries were a bit too thick and weren’t double fried like they do there. Service could have been better. Glad I can get some poutine in CT.

I’ve lived in Manchester all my life and only recently tried Chez Ben. A friend recommended we go here, and I was a bit hesitant since from the outside, the building looks a bit like one of those places where you can’t tell if they’re open or not — far back from the street, old sign — every time I drove by it I never thought much of it. Now I’m kind of kicking myself for living here this long without enjoying this place.
This restaurant is the perfect blend of cozy without being cramped or limited in food choices. The inside is surprisingly larger than you’d expect, and there’s plenty of parking. The menu has something for everyone — from traditional Canadian dishes, to standard American breakfast and lunch. I’d never had poutine before, but I can definitely see what the big deal is if it’s anything like how Chez Ben makes it.
My favorite dishes here are the eggs, hash browns, toast and kielbasa combo, and the chocolate chip pancakes. A word of (positive) warning — these pancakes are HUGE. One pancake is easily a full breakfast. A three-​pancake order could easily and comfortably feed two people. And the prices are very, very fair — I’d say even surprisingly inexpensive for the amount and quality of food that you get.
Out of all the breakfast places in Manchester, Chez Ben is probably my favorite. Their coffee is great (watery coffee is my main criticism of Cosmic Omelet), eggs cooked exactly the way you ask, and usually enough food to warrant a take-​home box. The only drawback is, being primarily a breakfast/​lunch place, they close at 2:00 pm, so if you get a hankering for poutine after that, you’re out of luck.

We went to Chez Ben Ina Saturday morning and it was only about ½ full. Our waitress greeted us quickly and had our coffee on the table in less than 2 minutes after we sat down.
The breakfast we ordered came out quickly and exactly how we ordered it. Pancakes were ok, nothing special but the homefries were great and they got my «over medium» eggs right on the money. Most places can’t get the eggs correct.
The prices were right where I expected them to be. We will definitely be back since I want to try some of the Canadian dishes.

Love this place for breakfast! I had the coconut French toast with real Canadian maple syrup and my husband had the mounty omelet (shaved steak with gravy on top). Hearty portions and excellent flavor! I will definitely be back to try the poutine! Oh and don’t forget cash only!

Chicken poutine is so good, I feel like im in Cananda eating again. Great food for the buck…

It was good, but did not really find much different than most other dinners. Our food was good, but very normal. I guess I had hoped for some different food. It was a bit dirty. Not bad, but okay.

CASH ONLY
I love the cheese burger omelette!
The service is great with a smile :)
Don’t let the outside fool you. There’s plenty of room inside for 2 – 6 people to sit at a table or the counter. The coffee is always flowing and the prices are good for the area.
CASH ONLY

No need to go to Quebec for French Canadian cooking when you can get authentically prepared food dishes in Manchester, Ct. The food here is incredible! I’m a huge fan of their breakfasts, especially the breakfast Poutine & pancakes with REAL maple syrup. Their meat pie & salmon pie dishes are very authentic & tasty. This is a must go to place.

I cannot possibly gush about the breakfast poutine enough. We were craaaaving some squeaky cheese ‘n’ gravy-​topped fries, but I had to go the breakfast route. 2 scrambled eggs, choice of bacon/​sausage/​ham, cheese curds & gravy on top of home fries with your choice of toast. God, I’m hungry just thinking about it. Perfection. My eventual arteriosclerosis will be worth it.