Beloved Capitol Hill staple Benny’s Restaurant & Cantina might reopen soon, but with a different name and look.

The family-owned Mexican restaurant shut down during the March 2020 lockdown and has been closed ever since. In the last two years, the restaurant has provided updates on its Facebook page, hinting at “new upgrades” and promising to reopen “as things get back to normal and restrictions start getting lifted.” Last spring, owner Benjamin Armas explained in a comment on the restaurant’s Facebook page that the decision to remain closed was made in part to keep high-risk family members safe during the pandemic.

“to all of Benny’s Loyal and New Customers! We would really appreciate your time and feedback,” the post said.  “We are proposing to re-open Benny’s with a new remodel, and name of ‘Benny’s Taverna’. We will be serving Benny’s Classics (Combo’s, Burritos, Tacos with our Famous Homemade Green Chili). Along with some Traditional American & Latin Fusion. Of course we will have our amazing Margaritas.

“Our family will take the communities feedback into consideration moving forward,” the post continued. “We are very excited and truly appreciate your honest feedback so we can start working on it.”

It was welcome news for longtime Benny’s fans. For more than 30 years, the restaurant has built a loyal customer base with its authentic Mexican food, margaritas and happy hour deals. Since the post went up, it has garnered more than 1,000 likes and 750 comments and been shared more than 170 times.

No word yet on just when Benny’s might reopen. Denverite has reached out to Benny’s for comment, and will update the story when we hear back.