Benjamin N. Matta a prominent figure in Pecos, Texas, founder of Ben’s Spanish known for its delicious Mexican - American food 

A resolution from the Texas Legislature in 2010 honors Benjamin N. Matta for his life as a restaurateur, rancher, and activist. HR 1264 Legislative Session: 82(R) 04/27/2011 H Reported enrolled: Apr 27, 2011 8:00 am. In memory of Benjamin N. Matta of Pecos. Author: Gallego, MATTA, BENJAMIN N. (N3019)

The resolution states he founded Ben’s Spanish Inn in 1939 and it became known throughout West Texas. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 90. Texas Legislature Online 

Texas State Legislature

House of Representatives No. 1264 Legislative Session: 82(R)

In memory of Benjamin N. Matta of Pecos.

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to a close when restaurateur, rancher, and activist Benjamin N. Matta of Pecos died on November 4, 2010, at the age of 90; and

WHEREAS, Ben Matta was born in Saragosa on April 1, 1920, to Sebastian and Margarita Matta; he learned the value of hard work at an early age, leaving school after the sixth grade; and

WHEREAS, In 1939, Mr. Matta was managing a grocery store in Pecos when he started his first restaurant in a house on the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets; by 1960, Ben's Spanish Inn had moved to its fifth location on West Third Street, seating 450 patrons; the restaurant was known throughout West Texas for its popular chile relleno, and Mr. Matta designed and built a chile roaster that could roast 500 pounds of chiles in an hour; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Matta was a champion for civil rights; in 1943, he refused to accept a seat in the upper balcony of the Grand Theater in Pecos, where Hispanics usually had to sit; from 1949 to 1952, he led a successful campaign to obtain pavement and gutters for the East Pecos neighborhood, and in the early 1950s he helped to stop the segregation of Hispanic students in Pecos schools, despite a boycott of his restaurant; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Matta continued to be a leader in his community, serving as a Pecos city councilman, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, and president of the Pecos Development Association; he was a 20-year member of the Pecos Lions Club, and in 1970 he was named as an Outstanding Director of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce; he attended St. Catherine's Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Mr. Matta retired to his ranch near Fort Davis, where he continued to demonstrate his skill at design and engineering, constructing an irrigation system for his vegetables and fruit trees that used half the water of a traditional system; he relocated to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1992 and then returned to Pecos in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Matta was joined in matrimony to the former Jesusita Chuy, and together they were blessed with six children, Ben, Jr., Louis, Jerry, Raymond, Hilda, and Mary; a passionate believer in education, Mr. Matta devoted much of his earnings from his restaurant for many years to sending his children to college; and

WHEREAS, Ben Matta lived a full and generous life centered around his family and his community, and his devotion to both will continue to inspire all those who knew and loved him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Benjamin N.  Matta and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Jesusita Chuy Matta; to his sons, Ben Matta, Jr., Louis Matta, Jerry Matta, and Raymond Matta; to his daughters, Hilda Kershman and Mary Hollopeter; to his brother, Thomas Matta; to his sisters, Elvira Garcia and Maria Matta; to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Benjamin N. Matta.

Representative Pete Gallego

April 12, 2011

Ben's Spanish Inn History

Ben built Ben's Spanish Inn in the 1960s. Matta's restaurant and his chile relleno (stuffed pepper) became famous in West Texas and across the . Ben's operated at that site through the late 1980s, after ran restaurants at four other locations in Pecos. 

Longtime Pecos restaurant owner Matta dies

by Rosie Flores, Staff Writer

A longtime business owner whose Pecos restaurant was known throughout West Texas, and who was also a leader of the effort to provide equal education for Hispanics in Pecos schools in the 1950s died November 4, 20`0, at Reeves County Hospital.

Ben N. Matta, who for years operated Ben's Spanish Inn in Pecos, died at the age of 90. Matta, who was born on April 1, 1920, in Saragosa to Sebastian and Margarita Matta, was a longtime businessman, who also was a rancher in Jeff Davis County. 

He started his business in 1939, in a small house as the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, while working fulltime as store manager for Safeway. In 1960, Matta built the restaurant's best-known location, at 815 W. Third seating 450 patrons.

His best-known culinary creation was a chile relleno (stuff pepper), which was recognized as a world-class dish. People in Pecos used to ask about Ben's Spanish Inn and its famous chile rellenos. 

Matta retired to Fort Davis in 1978 and became a full-time rancher. He moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in 1992 and  returned to Pecos in 1997, where he resided until his death.

He was a community promoter and activist: 1943, he was the first Hispanic to gain seat at Grand Theater lower level. He and Jesusita, his wife presented U.S. currency at the ticket office, whish could not be refused. Upon being threatened with forcible eviction, he argued that he had paid with U.S. currency, which was accepted as legal tender, therefore he could not be thrown out or be made to move to the upper balcony where Hispanics usually sat. 

In 1949-1952 , he spearheaded street paving and gutter replacement for East Pecos. After being informed that paving could not be done only after he had secured signed agreement by all property owners in East Pecos. He, along with other volunteers, worked more than three years to get the needed signatures.

In 1953-1954, Matta led a fight to stop a high school to be built for Hispanic students in East Pecos. He was a staunch advocate of education as a means to break the cycle of poverty and low wages.

After he learned that the local school board was attempting to build a high school on the East Side of Pecos to force Hispanic students into segrated eduation. Matta enlisted the help of lawyer friends who negotiated with local officials and filed lawsuits to prevent the plans from becoming reality. During the negotiations, his business to force him to drop his fight.

Matta was a strong supporter of higher education. In 1956-1976, he spent most of his earnings sending his children to college. He was rewarded with PHD's Master Degrees, Bachelor of Art, Certifications of Completion from his sons and daughters, all of which he proudly displayed.

He was a 20 year member of the Pecos Lion's Club; 1970 Outstanding Director of the Pecos Chamber of Commerce;