The Bears Den

"Really enjoy this place. Home cooked style food. Service was great. Very friendly and welcoming. Surprisingly as busy as it was, being lunch time, had no problem getting a table."

Jon French

"Bear's Den, like many college dining halls, serves a fundamental purpose: to feed a large student body with diverse needs and preferences, multiple times a day. It is with this understanding that I offer this review.

The Basics:

Variety: Bear's Den generally offers a reasonable variety of food options. There are usually stations for hot entrees, a salad bar, a sandwich station, and some form of dessert. Efforts are made to include vegetarian and vegan options, though consistency in this area can vary.

Quality: Food quality is, as expected, a mixed bag. Some dishes are well-prepared and flavorful, while others can be bland, overcooked, or otherwise unappetizing. The salad bar is usually a safe bet, and certain "comfort food" items tend to be reliable.

Atmosphere: The dining hall is a large, often crowded space. Seating can be challenging to find during peak hours. Noise levels are high, making it difficult to have quiet conversations. The general ambiance is functional rather than inviting.

Cleanliness: Cleanliness is generally adequate. Staff members work to keep tables and food service areas tidy, but the sheer volume of students makes it an ongoing challenge.

Areas for Improvement:

Consistency: The biggest issue is the inconsistency in food quality. Improving this would significantly enhance the dining experience.

Atmosphere: While it's unrealistic to expect a fine-dining experience, small improvements to the atmosphere, such as better lighting or more comfortable seating, could make a difference.

Communication: Clearer labeling of food items, especially regarding allergens and dietary restrictions, would be beneficial.

Overall:

Bear's Den fulfills its primary function of providing sustenance. It's a place of necessity rather than a culinary destination. Students will likely have a range of experiences, from satisfactory to disappointing. Management and staff face the difficult task of serving a large and demanding population, and while there is room for improvement, they generally succeed in providing the basics. For a college dining hall, it's within the range of what one might expect."

Kade Carnes

"Great customer service , very welcoming atmosphere. Food was disappointing. Rice and gravy had no flavor (most disappointing), chicken was kinda pink in the middle , cabbage tasted like water. I give the food -10/10 atmosphere is very nice and all workers was very nice but they need a new cook for sure."

makaylia wilder