Big Bear Brewing Company (Coral Springs)
***** Big Bear Brewing Company
1800 University Drive
Coral Springs, Florida 33071
(954) 341-5545
You do know what “a variation on a theme is” don’t you? Well if you don’t, Big Bear Brewing Company is a perfect example, of a T. G. I. Fridays or a Chili’s Grill & Bar with a “slight tweak.”
I’ll bet you, that if I blind-folded you and had you “taste food” from joints like Chili’s, Fridays, Ruby Tuesdays, Flanigan’s, or (You Name It) Ale House, you couldn’t in a million years tell me which burger, pasta, fajita etc., came from which restaurant.
In my (humble) opinion, all of these “casual dining” kind-of-joints are basically the same. Other than for “different decors,” they are all cut from the same cloth.
Big Bear Brewing Company “fits” the above described mold. You know the drill: Tons of appetizers, salads, soups, burgers, “personal” pizzas and entrees to chose from. Decent food. Fair prices. Cogenial service.
The next time you are “looking” for that easy-going lunch or dinner, keep Big Bear in mind. This joint is not worth a special trip, but like I said before, “is a nice variation on a theme” (if you are in the Coral Springs area). Oh, by the way, the “tweak” is that this joint brews a “few” of its own beers. Big steel tanks are “part” of the decor.
Big Bear Brewing Company is opened 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
Jeff – As someone who agrees with 9 out of 10 of your reviews, I really suggest you give Big Bear another try. Our teen son turned us on to it and I can’t say enough good things about it. Sure they have burgers and chicken fingers, but they are fresh and delicious. We don’t eat at the regular chain places like Chilli’s or Applebee’s because of the quality and boring menus, but love Big Bear for the freshness and unique dishes on the menu. I suggest you try the baked brie, either the tortilla (Tues) or potato soup (Wed), the house salad, and the fresh fish with a baked potato. The fish is on par with Bonefish and the baked potato is one of the best I’ve ever had – make sure you ask them to load it! In our opinions Big Bear is more like a less expensive good steak house than an Americana chain. In a family with 3 teens, Big Bear is one of the few places that we all agree we get a really great meal. However, be prepared if you go during the dinner rush – you will wait for a table – sometimes as much as an hour.
I can’t say enough good things about Big Bear. It’s definitely among the top restaurants in Coral Springs.
Comparing the food to a Chilis or Applebees is misguided. The brie appetizer alone distinguishes Big Bear from most pedestrian restaurants.