Great Bear Pub

Great Bear Pub
175 – 5665 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC

Almost a month ago, on my way back from Seattle/Tukwila, I was in delivery mode after crossing the border. I ended up delivering goodies to different people and, knowing that Sherman and his hockey team was playing that night, I decided to bring some stuff for them as well. That’s because, well, they were good to me as well since they let me join them for after game dinners (in this case, Pattaya Thai and Tenhachi). The place they were supposed to meet was Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub. Bear… Bear… For some reason, at first, I thought it was in Kingsway, as in THIS Great Bear Pub, instead, that place was in North Van. OK, it was a long drive but, hey, when you see people with happy faces, that’s what matters the most. But, that “bear” thing stuck in my head and one night, I decided to go to Great Bear Pub…

I guess this is the reason why it is called “Great Bear”?

Aside from the fact I happened to drive in this area a lot, there is also a post written by Kevin of 604 Foodtography. His emphasis was on the specials, including things like steak and crab for $11. Alas, it was only available from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – The day I went, it was way past 9:00 p.m. I guess, no special for me so I will stick with the regular menu instead… Assuming I could get a table first…

See, it is not that the place was full (there were several empty tables and the bar plus the patio, though they were people smoking), instead I have embedded that mentality that I should be waiting to be seated rather than grabbing a table by myself. Probably it is fault of my own but I could have easily spent a couple of minutes standing there while waitresses were walking by back and forth. Eventually, one “spotted” me and told me I could sit anywhere. Way to go… So, which is the “best” approach? If there is no sign, do you grab a table by yourself or you wait to be seated??? :-/

After I was seated (or rather sat myself) at a table and given the menu, I bounced back and forth as to what to order. Again, the special was not available at that time of the day so was debating between some “safe” pub dishes like the Sheppard’s pie or sandwiches. In the end, I went for a burger. In this case, their Smoky Mountain Burger - Lean buffalo patty, bacon, bbq sauce, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, $11.50. In what seems to be an odd choice lately, I went for the salad rather than fries. Needless to say, there was bacon! Did I say bacon?

I will have to admit the bacon was well cooked – crunchy with still some pork goodness in it. The burger itself was… Average? The truth is that it just felt like a regular burger. Now, I know both buffalo and beef aren’t that different and that buffalo (or bison if you prefer) tends to be leaner than beef. And I will admit it was juicy but, past that, there wasn’t that much of a meaty taste. In a way, if it wasn’t because I ordered (or was described as) buffalo, I won’t have been able to tell them apart. Regardless, it was a decent burger in its own ways, as the mushroom and bacon compensated for any shortcomings.

Overall, I wasn’t necessarily wowed by this burger and the service, something I seldom make reference to, was something to be desired. But, then again, this is a pub and expectations must be at par to that fact. If it is more for entertainment factor, then it is there. In fact, that night, there was a live band playing and a large screen TV almost anywhere you look, well, it just adds up to it. So, for food alone, I won’t necessarily go back but, if it is to hang with others to watch sports, well, that’s its purpose and, from what I saw from other customers, it seems to be a good place to do so.

Tagged under: Burgers • Burnaby • pub