"Ben Berg’s New York-style Chinese American restaurant on Washington Avenue closes after service on Monday, September 30, according to a report by Culturemap. A representative said in a statement that it would reimagine the restaurant’s space and “explore new creative possibilities” but included little about the reason for its closing. “We look forward to welcoming diners back in the future with fresh experiences and flavors,” the representative said. In the weeks leading up to the announcement, diners speculated about the closing on social media, with some stating that they tried making reservations in advance but were told by restaurant staff that they couldn’t because the restaurant would soon be closing. Benny Chows, which served Cantonese American dishes like Beijing duck, cold sesame noodles, and brisket egg rolls, opened with some criticism. Some Houston diners took issue with the Chinese American restaurant’s faux-Asian name and found the concept of “elevated” Chinese food problematic in a metropolitan region known for its rich and diverse Asian diasporic cuisines." - Brittany Britto Garley
