Great Food, great staff!

Reviewer: anonymous

Review Date: 03/23/2008 09:06PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

I've been going to Bear Rock at least once per week since they opened in 2005. I have yet to be disappointed with the food or the service. Great variety of sandwiches and very fresh salads. Also, as others have mentioned, very friendly for laptop users.

Still Great!

Reviewer: Jenn Vargas

Review Date: 02/17/2008 03:38PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

I have moved to San Antonio, but used to go to BR routinely when in Austin. The place is still fantastic. Low key, friendly, great salads and a great new pork sandwich. Actually you get two pork sandwiches with grilled pineapple and bbq sauce on them and they were super. Used my laptop as I always did with all the elec. plugs close by.
Still love it.
Thank You

Great for writing

Reviewer: Nicholas

Review Date: 02/02/2008 09:24AM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

I spend nearly every Saturday there writing, writing writing. Nice place, great food, good atmosphere, friendly staff.

If you want a place where you can sit, eat, work, and not get hassled by annoying staff. this is the place.

An Office Fave

Reviewer: Cheryl

Review Date: 11/14/2007 12:57PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Our office is right across a parking lot, so this is a favorite for many of us. You can't beat the Napa Salad--which is HUGE and filling. All the sandwiches I have tried are extremely tasty. The Pizzitas are not soo good--lots of the same cheeses on all varieties. They make a wonderful Angus burger.

Very Good

Reviewer: Paul Westhead

Review Date: 11/06/2007 10:01AM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Friendly help, quick to get my food and my sandwich was very good. it came on what they call flatbread and was very tasty. I also had a baked potato that was very large with ample helpings of butter, bacon and cheese.
I liked power outlets at every table. Seems like they really don't mind you using your laptop.
Good Stuff!
Paul

Different and Very Good

Reviewer: David

Review Date: 10/21/2007 09:04PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Somewhere between good and great!

Reviewer: Ralph Rider

Review Date: 09/26/2007 06:06PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

fresh food, friendly service and I can actually use my laptop without searching for an electrical outlet to plug in. They get the wireless thing (free) and they have great sans and salads

Great Selection!

Reviewer: Clint

Review Date: 06/14/2007 08:05PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

What isn't to love about the Rock??? Great Flatbread sandwiches, HUGE salads, AMAZING soups... the baked potatoes are huge. The only thing i don't like is that the main side is potato chips... they have bbq flavor on request. The service was good. It always seems like the cashier is new/ still learning how to operate the system, but the GM was very nice and offered a free cookie after the meal (btw, the cookie was one of the best I’ve had at a restaurant) I've also had some of the chocolate thunder cake, which was great as well. I’m only 20, but I'm a customer for life!

Surprisingly good

Reviewer: James

Review Date: 03/17/2007 10:47AM

Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)

I'm surprised and the negatives reviews, especially concerning portion size. My breakfasts have been huge! THe migas special was really good.

I went there with low expectations, because I wondered about the theme, but it's relaxed, casual and the service was very prompt. The food was pretty darn good and I thought a good value for the price.

Outstanding

Reviewer: Jenn Vargas

Review Date: 03/08/2007 08:11AM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Food, service and atmosphere are always good. I go regularly and usually get the great Napa Salad, but they have added pizzas and Mahi sandwiches that I like as well.
They have plugs for laptops at every table and the staff isn't pushy about getting you out fast if you're using your laptop.
I very much enjoy the restaurant and would recommend to anyone.
It seems to me the negative reviews seen on this site all mention Jason's as being great-maybe the Jason's management is worried about gettting out done by Bear Rock!
Thank You

HUGE portions, great food, excellent staff!

Reviewer: anonymous

Review Date: 10/06/2006 11:15PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

I have eaten here easily 50 times since its opening last year. A bit much? Perhaps, but the menu has so many options! I've tried several of the sandwiches, and while perhaps the less interesting options (Turkey on wheat, or turkey and bacon, etc) could be described as "bland", it's because they are by nature! If you're looking for something more "interesting", try one of the flatbread sandwiches, they're incredible!

When I see the negative reviews citing "bland" foods, I can't help but think they must have been going the run-of-the-mill route when ordering. The Moose is an enormous sandwich: I had to save half for dinner, and it was just as tasty four hours later! The salads are amazing, and the soups I've tasted (cheyenne chicken and rice, especially) were the best I've had. The service has always been excellent, excepting possibly during the height of the lunch rush, when they're absolutely swamped, or the half hour just before close.

People who mentioned using laptops were absolutely right, though. If you go in for breakfast or lunch and pull out a laptop, I have never seen an employee make you feel unwelcome or like you were a burden. They don't harrass you and leave you to your work, unless they're stopping by to ask if you need a refill of coffee or if you'd like them to clear your plate. They're remarkably friendly and welcoming, and it's a great place to go and relax!

I have been there many times, and I will undoubtedly return many times. I recommend Bear Rock with highest praise to all friends and family traveling through Austin, and to everyone I know in town!

Nothing special

Reviewer: anonymous

Review Date: 10/05/2006 11:58AM

Rating: 0/+3(Ho hum)

I've been to Bear Rock several times and have yet to be impressed. It's not bad, it's just not great, either -- it's just there. I find the food to be rather bland and the prices are too high -- it's not a good value in my book.

Outstanding

Reviewer: Chuck Griffin

Review Date: 09/21/2006 10:25AM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Notebook computer outlets at every table. Best notebook friendly restaurant in Austin. The food is very good and a fair value. The staff is very friendly and willing to do almost anything to make your time at the restaurant pleasant. They don't bother you if you are working on your laptop for extended periods of time. In fact, they go out of their way to be nice.

Super Food & Very Friendly Staff

Reviewer: anonymous

Review Date: 09/20/2006 09:16PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Colorado Turkey Club and soup is my favorite. I eat at Bear Rock at least 3 days a week. Local place with very friendly staff and management who usually surprise me with a free cookie and or warm welcome. I usually don't write these things, but when I say a couple of the negative ones I felt compelled. They must work elsewhere or own something else that is getting hurt by Bear Rocks success. The owner is always around and very friendly and helpful and the GM is great too.

Great food/Reasonable Prices/Friendly Staff

Reviewer: Catherine James

Review Date: 09/20/2006 09:12PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Food was prepared quickly and it was very good. Napa salad and soup (Potato Chowder) were great. My wife had the Pizzetta and she loved it. I think it was the Greek Pizzetta.
I have recommended to many since our visit.

Great Fabuloso food

Reviewer: Louie

Review Date: 09/04/2006 09:20PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

Bear Rock Rocks, I am very surprised at the previous reviews. I think Jason's deli left those reviews. Portions are huge, service is great, Price is covered by food quality and quantity. Atmosphere was very comfortable with couches to relax in. Overall I would definately recommend Bear Rock to anyone that enjoys a delicious and filling lunch.

Great!

Reviewer: Kathryn

Review Date: 07/21/2006 12:00PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

I was in shock when I read the previous reviews! I had ordered one of their featured items and soup. Both were great! My sandwich was by no means small. I couldn't even finish and I had to split the soup with my husband - no small portions here. I also appreciated the fact that I had a choice of a wide variety of healthy sides, not greasey french fries. The atmosphere was pleasant and they offer free internet access. Nice local/neighborhood spot. I have already recommended Bear Rock Cafe to my friends. The reviews posted on this site were all written in 2005 - maybe this cafe has made changes since those reviews...

Yummy salads

Reviewer: MC

Review Date: 12/27/2005 03:59PM

Rating: +3/+3(Great)

I love Bear Rock. It is overpriced a bit, costs me over $8 for a salad & tea, but their salads keep me coming back. One of the few places in town that really know how to make up a good salad. Their Napa Valley is their "most famous" and it is good, but I prefer the Nuevo Poblano or Spicey BBQ. I love this place, but then again.. I've never had anything but salad :)

OK food, poor service

Reviewer: Michael

Review Date: 11/06/2005 08:23PM

Rating: +1/+3(Not bad)

I have been there 3 times. Each time the food was OK (it is a sandwich, how hard is it to screw up) but the service was bad. One time, there were no napkins so I went to the counter to ask for some. I stood there for about 3 minutes before the manager noticed me and I asked for napkins. Rather than getting me napkins, he asked the girl taking orders to get them. She was in the middle of taking orders, so we did not get our napkins for about another 5 minutes. I went to the bathroom to get TP instead. Later, the manager comes out to check on us and asks if everything was good and we got our napkins. Yeah, we got our napkins, but not when we needed them.

Another time we went, I got the Mojave BBQ Chicken sandwich. It was also OK, but did not have any special flavor. The chicken and peppers portion was extremely small (more bread than either of these, and I got about 3 slices of pepper). The sandwich was also cut into four and on one cutting, there was no chicken, just cheese and peppers with BBQ sauce.

This place has potential, but until the service and portions improve, I am not going back.

nice setting, boring food, small portions

Reviewer: Marc Stephenson

Review Date: 09/20/2005 08:54PM

Rating: 0/+3(Ho hum)

If you ever wanted to eat a sandwich in a faux national park setting inside a strip mall in north Austin and you don't mind skimpy portions, this might be just the place for you. From the menu you would expect overstuffed sandwiches at least the size available at Jason's Deli, but they don't deliver. The reuben was as skimpy as the ones served at the IBM cafeteria. My chicken sandwich was okay, but nothing special. No plans to return.

Where's the beef?

Reviewer: a311shark

Review Date: 09/20/2005 06:50PM

Rating: -1/+3(Crap)

Bear Creek is very weak. I made the mistake of eating there last week. The portions are very small and lacking any real flavor. The layout of the restaurant is rediculous. They have the soda fountain in this little hallway that allows only one person at a time with a tray.