This is based solely on our experience at this Black Bear diner in Pueblo CO. We have dined at…read moreother Black Bear locations and are big fans. We were thrilled that Pueblo actually got one earlier this years. This is our first time dining at this location since their 'pre-opening' test opening.
We have been hearing rumours about service issues. It was time to check it out. This is our experience:
We walked in at early supper hour, The room was about 60% full. It seemed they might have been a bit short staffed. We went for their AYCE Friday fish feed. Upon inquiry, it turned out that the fish offered for AYCE is pollock, whereas that in their regular fish and chips menu offering is cod. We elected to have the fish and chips, which is actually a dollar less costly. They messed up the order, sadly. We received the pollock plate with two pieces. Turned out, our server must have grabbed the wrong plates, as the manager told us that our order sat on the counter for 30 minutes unclaimed. My wife had requested hash browns, but her plate came with fries, mine did also, despite having substituted a salad for them. The salad did come and was a decent size for a side salad. Strangely, since we got the 'AKCE' plate, which was supposed to have hushpuppies, we didn't receive those. The fish was well prepared, for what it was, but it was not cod. Coleslaw was included. I found it OK; Angelika didn't like it because it essentially had no dressing. We decided to have dessert. The mixed berry cobbler was passable. Crust was top only, nicely baked; the filling was kind of.... OK: standard canned or frozen pie filling. I ordered a chocolate malt. It was satisfactory. Plenty of it and had good chocolate and malt flavor.
Our server, Erica, was pleasant, friendly and attentive, despite bringing the wrong plates. It seemed that she was probably handling too many tables, however. Service time from entry to receiving our meals was pretty standard, so no complaints about that.
Upon paying, we happened to talk a bit with a woman who seemed to be the manager. She told us about the apparent error in our order. We mentioned that we are both veterans and she gave us their discount, plus comping some of the price of the meal, probably because of the error.
We love Black Bear diner. We want to see our local restaurant succeed. So, give it a try, because they do seem to be working on meeting Black Bear's standards.