Black Bear Saloon

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

I have to agree 100% with what Joseph said. I had exactly the same experience. We went on a Thursday night, it wasnt crowded at all, and it still took the waitress almost ten minutes just to get our drinks (sodas!). Right away she informed us that they were out of four things, one of which was SALMON. Meaning every salmon dish on the menu was off limits. We then ordered the pretzel sticks only to have her come back ten minutes later and tell us they were out of those too. Evenutally, I had the French onion soup, and unlike another reviewer, I found it subpar. The broth was bland (I needed to add a ton of salt just to give it some flavor), the cheese texture was all wrong (very gluey), and there was ONE crouton in the whole thing, which was completely soggy and falling apart. We also had the Bear Bites, which were actually the best part of the whole meal and thats not saying much. We ordered mild but they were definitely at least medium in my opinion (probably better that way since Im guessing their version of "mild" wouldnt have much flavor), and the waitress didnt notice we didnt have silverware when she delivered them so she sent someone off to get some (which took far longer than it should have). By the time we actually got to eat them (most likely a combination of sitting out in the kitchen waiting to be picked up and our waiting for silverware), they were cold, and not crunchy. Also, the blue cheese dressing that came with them had clearly been watered down as it was liquidy and bland. Finally our meals came: my boyfriend got the blackened chicken wrap and I got the portobello burger with cheese, onions, and avocado (yes, Im weird). His wrap didnt resemble anything blackened at all, and was instead filled with a sauce that tasted like ketchup. It didnt taste good. My burger was okay, but I didnt eat much of it so I guess I cant really fairly weigh in on that. We got side salads with our dinners, and at least the greens were fresh but the dressing was again watered down (this time ranch). We decided wed had enough and would go to Hot Tomatos for dessert (more expensive, but the food and service are sooooo much better). We then had the same experience as Joseph: 18% gratuity was added to the bill, which was absolute B.S. because wed been planning on leaving a lot less than that for the incredibly crapulous service. Bottom line, we would never go back there again, and as Joseph did, I must point out that I and my boyfriend have pretty low standards for food. We eat at crappy Chinese buffets and dive bars all the time and enjoy it. So if we say its bad, its bad. Youd have to be trashed to think that was good-quality food, which explains a lot. This place desperately needs a new manager and a new head chef.

LI

Livvie A

Im visiting an ill friend nearby and just wanted to grab some dinner here on a Tuesday night. From what I could see there were four staff behind the bar area, and 5-8 customers other than me the whole time I was there. It took about five minutes for someone to ask me about a drink (diet coke), and a few more to get it. At least it gave me time to order my fish and chips. Then I took a call from a friend. About 15 mins into my call a staff member dropped by my table to tell me they had messed up my food order.. but didnt offer to refill my drink. I finished my call ten minutes after that, and still had to wait for my "food". Someone in the kitchen had too literal an idea of fish and "chips" - my fried battered piece of fish was soaking oil down onto a bed of potato chips/crisps. Luckily for me, someone finally refilled my diet coke, so I had an opportunity to say that it wasnt what I expected, but I accepted that might be my mistake, and could I please get some fries? The staff went away, and came back saying it was the kitchens mistake and that he would get me some fries (he didnt notice or know this when he brought it out?). The fries did come out very quickly, although they were really only barely brown. I did eat pretty slowly, Ill admit. However, it took 25 minutes for a staff member to come and check if my food was okay. At that point I had two bites of fish left (and the plate of oil sogged crisps, and most of the limp coleslaw). He offered to take my plates, and I had to snag my fish so he wouldnt take it. He didnt offer to refill my drink. It took him over ten minutes to come back with the bill, then over another five to bring me back my change. Also, when he took my bill, he took my plate... and took the last of my drink. It would have been nice to have a refill, or at least the offer of one. It would also have been nice to be offered something off of my tab to compensate me for screwing up my meal twice and making me wait for it. The fish was great, one extra star for that. Needless to say, I wont be back to eat here.

A

A Private User

While Ive been told by others that the restaurant can be nice, my first experience will also be my last and should also serve as a warning to anyone else who picked up a Groupon good at Black Bear. My companion and I arrived for lunch at 12:20 PM; the restaurant was empty save for literally ONE couple. It took the waitress several minutes to even bother coming over with a menu, after which it took her another five minutes to make a second pass to take our orders. In an empty restaurant. At 1:00, I finally flagged her down and asked after our food, which finally arrived at 1:05. We hadnt ordered anything large or complicated, either: "bear bites" (bits of chicken dipped in buffalo sauce) for me and a flatbread for my companion. The food was of dubious quality given the time the kitchen had put into preparing it. After finally conveying our need for a check, the waitress delivered it... and an 18% gratuity had been added "for our convenience". When questioned, the manager told me that her interpretation of a Groupons "tax and gratuity not included" fine print meant that it allowed her to add the gratuity of her choice to my bill, in this case far more than they deserved. To add insult to injury, when I tried to pay the exact amount I still owed after my $20 Groupon was applied... they didnt have any cash in the register, and stared at me in disbelief when I told them that yes, I did in fact want my change back because it was bad enough they were already taking too high a gratuity out of me. All in all? I dont think you could pay me to return to the Black Bear Saloon... and someone once paid me $50 to eat a six-month-old Subway cookie we found in my glovebox. That should tell you something.

SH

Shayna Hayes

I keep trying to give this place chances because its downstairs, but the truth of the matter is, the food is not that good, the bartenders are bad and the service is always spotty. Went in for buffalo chicken dip today and got a carton that was empty. No joke. EMPTY. I thought it was a joke or I was being punked. I always check my order before leaving because they NEVER get it right. Im going to have to stop being lazy and walk down the street to Agave or Aladdin. Black bear is not worth the hassle even though its downstairs.