Bears Den Lounge and Motel

The meal for my 8-year-old cost $22: one apple juice, a child-size cheeseburger without a bun, no sides, no dessert offered, and a side of bacon. That was more than any adult meal at our table. Families should get clear details on kids' meals and prices before ordering. I'm also disappointed because the morning staff has always handled gluten-free orders well. Recently, though, I had a breakfast pickup order that wasn't gluten-free, and now this experience has made me hesitant to come back for a while. Our server, Bea, was extremely rude. When my child politely asked if an item was gluten-free, Bea replied, “I don’t know, you’re the one with the problem.” Things only got worse after that. If this had been my first visit, it probably would have been my last.

The waitresses are great and try to smooth things over, but the owners need to serve what they offer if they want the place to succeed. I've had three orders come out wrong. Today I asked for a vegetarian pizza with green olives and sausage, but there was no sausage. When I pointed that out, the waitress insisted there was some, though what she saw was a piece of mushroom. The same pizza once came with french fries on top and none of the other vegetarian ingredients. I've also been with friends whose cheese omelets arrived without cheese, and whose French onion soup was solid and inedible.

The rooms could use work, and it looks like repairs are underway. For a place to stay, I'd suggest Deep River Motel or Pine Motel. The staff were friendly, though, and made dealing with things a pleasure. The pork schnitzel dinner was so good I can still taste it. That's all, sorry, no photos.

This place feels like the kind of community people wish the world could be. I heard locals talking, and not a bad word was said about anyone, even the guy arrested over the weekend or the pair involved in some side hustle. Truck drivers coming off the TransCan, locals, and old guys like me get a warmer welcome than many families give each other. During my dinner, someone phoned in a takeout order, and the waitress suggested adding the Slavaki skewer. He did. An older gentleman came to pick it up, having forgotten his wife's order AGAIN. I've spent my working life in catering, traveled a lot, and owned a lodge myself. If you're a “Karen” or the male equivalent, stay away from this idyllic little oasis. It's old, sure, but clean, the food is good, and my brief glimpse of this place restored some faith in humanity. Communities can be like this, and more importantly, they should be. Thank you, Bears Den and Deep River.