Experience:
I was extremely excited to try Black Bear. As a bar manager in the industry I had heard great things about Black Bear and wanted to jump on the opportunity to visit when they came into the metroplex. We decided to wait a few months, as they seemed busy initially.
We arrived 12:05 and were quoted a 30 minute wait at the host stand. It was 59 minutes later at 1:04 when we were alerted that our table was ready, however as someone in the industry I wasn't upset because from the lobby it seemed busy due to the amount of people waiting. I was surprised to see only a third of the restaurant was seated when I entered the building, this was 10-12 tables including the bar top. Again, not upset because maybe they were understaffed.
We were greeted by the assistant manager at the host stand and walked to our table where we sat down around 1:06. We were greeted by a server around 1:30. It took us 24 minutes to get greeted at our table in a restaurant with at most 15 tables inside. I learned later they had four servers on and two managers. In this industry we all have bad days so I wasn't upset. I was a little peeved that I was at a tiny table next to the restroom. This was only because I'm particular about the size of the tables I sit at in empty restaurants, had the restaurant been packed then I'd be fine with whatever.
We were greeted by a nice, yet shaken server around 1:30. I ordered water and coffee, also my food immediately since we decided during the 24 minute wait. We received our coffees around 15 minutes later at 1:45, I reminded the server about my water. We sat there without communication or "table touching" from any worker until 2:10 when another worker brought my friend their food. We spoke to 2 people between 1:06 and 2:10; and I still didn't have a water. After 42 minutes, I finally received my water at 2:12.
My friend received their food at 2:10, my food was "allegedly" on the way. This was disappointing since I ordered 40 minutes before in a 1/3 filled restaurant. I stayed positive in hopes that it was coming when the minutes began passing.
I received half my food at 2:20. This was an hour after I ordered, 74 minutes after sitting and 2.5 hours since entering the building into. Still only received half my food. I didn't even receive the entire entree. The best part is that the food was terribly cold and the gravy was a congealed mess. I nicely reminded my server that I was missing some items and began the wait for my food.
Received the biscuits for my meal at 2:33, still no sausage. Food should've been remade but didn't want to wait. No drink refills.
Friends food turned cold, he waited for me to get mine. No one ever inquired if our food was good or bad. We had 4 table visits in 2 hours.
Environment:
Everyone was nice. Servers we spoke to were upset that other servers didn't show up.
Environment was nice. Hearing the manager yell, "Don't be a baby, I gave you five minutes", at who I assumed to be a cook was a interesting. As a manager in the industry I would have been upset too if my tickets times were over an hour in a diner-style restaurant. Eggs, bacon and fried foods do not take an hour to cook.
Server pointed out to the assistant manager that I never received all my food. Manager stated, "Oh man, I was wondering who's food that was". Was apologetic, didn't offer any discount or compensatory void for my very late meal. I wouldn't have wanted him to comp my meal but he should've offered.
The next manager I spoke to seemed completely overwhelmed. She stated she had 4 servers and herself to manage a full restaurant and a 19 top. However, like I said, the restaurant might have had a wait but was less than half full the entire time I was inside. 4 servers and 2 MOD's should've easily handled the business they had including the 19 top. I have tackled the same situation multiple times with less servers and managers. Its all about team work, training and organization. Who knows, maybe the kitchen killing tickets and ticket times is to blame for the staffs performance.
Food:
Chicken fried steak: Cold 8/10.
Over-Medium Eggs: Over cooked, not runny 3/10.
Hash browns: Cold, plastic tasting 5/10.
Gravy: Congealed but once stirred decent 5/10.
Biscuits: Giant but again cold so doughy in the middle 5/10.
Hot sausage Patties: Never received, no one came to check what I was missing 0/10.
Overall:
Staff was nice but disorganized and dysfunctional. Restaurant was a third full and management could not organize to tackle the situation. Food should never take an hour to come out in a diner, tables should never wait on drinks for an hour. If you're going to give out late food, make sure it's the full ticket.
This location will not survive in Mesquite if the experience provided to others is similar to the one I received.
Food: 5/10
Service: 3/10
Experience: 1/10
Timeliness: 1/10
Cleanliness: 6/10
Overall: 3/10 read more