Big Blue Bear

Do NOT order an Americano – weak, definitely not espresso. Also, you only get an hour free WiFi. Otherwise, the physical layout is excellent and comfortable.

I love this place! I just had the standard regular coffee and bagel. Simple yet delicious! Service was awesome it was a slow morning so I got to chat with barista. Super friendly. A lot of great knick knacks to buy. They have a cute little patio and a good selection of wines. Next time I need a day away you can find me here!

Easily best espresso within 100 miles. Great staff! Friendly service. Love the Bear Tracks cookies. In the afternoon we like the wine and cheese plate — just ask at the counter. They will put what you want on it. Great atmosphere and mountain views.

This place is awesome to chill with friends and have fun or to quietly study on your computer.
Staff is good and service is quick and awesome.
The sitting area is spacious and I personally love it.
Ambiance is nice.

Staff was friendly, but drinks were hit and miss. Chai, hot chocolate, mocha latte were good. Caramel bear, Cappacino, and latte weren’t too good. For the price, all the drinks should’ve been at least decent. Oh and don’t get the lemonade. It tasted like sweet tarts in liquid form. Also over priced !

Look, I get it. We were obviously from out of town. It isn’t really a busy season for you right now, it is cold, nobody is visiting Kernville right now and all you really want to do is not be at work, but you are working non the less so that is something… we were looking for cupcakes, I find it really hard to believe that this small town doesn’t have a bakery. I asked if there was anywhere in the valley that made cupcakes. You didn’t have to laugh at me. You didn’t have to roll your eyes and give me some smart ass response about how nobody makes cupcakes around here, like I was supposed to know that. We bought a chocolate chip cookie and walked out. The cookie was good, but I will never go here again. Maybe next time you could be nice and not bothered by your customers who just have a question.

Service was fantastic! Coffee was better than Starbucks and the chocolate chip cookies were amazing! Pretty sure they used browned butter and their pumpkin stack desert was a perfect fall dessert! We will be coming back!

Coffee, cookies, and pumpkin stack are truly delicious! Friendly staff as well! Next time we are in Kernville, we will definitly be back!

Pukey bathroom, rude service, ridiculous charging 1.75 for protein powder unknowingly. Stingy people not even providing a cup of water.

The hubbs and I came through Kernville after 4x4n and came across the Big Blue Bear in hopes of a good sandwich and a couple beers. Walking in was confusing. The place is set up with dining tables and chairs so we thought it was a full service restaurant. After looking around confused I asked someone for direction in which I was told to order user the large «espresso» sign. We looked for menus but was then directed to the board high on the wall. We ordered a jalapeño cheese stuffed pretzel (found out it was frozen then microwaved, but still tasty!), a roast beef sandwich for hubbs, a roast beef panini, a snicker doodle cookie and two beers. Cost us $ 38. It was good with thick cut deli meat. The sandwich had sprouts, red bell pepper, big slices of avocado on really good bread. My panini was great on a type of pita bread with red bell pepper, spinach, goat cheese and a great pesto. It was warm and yummy. The snicker doodle was good but nothing to really write home about, a little too crunchy all around it like it was a couple days old. Good but not great to buy again.
So, 3 of 5 stars just due to price. Good sandwiches but not quite there to justify the price. Also, I expected more from the quality of the cookie and knowing the homemade pretzel lived in a freezer and was told it was microwaved to heat it up kinda hurt the image in my head about this awesome pretzel, even though it was tasty. The place was decorated very nice and it was clean. Service was friendly too. Might consider coming back for a coffee or smoothie because they looked great from the other customers, but might pass on the full lunch.
T

Internet café that doesn’t give out the wifi password! False advertising! Food was good. Coffee was good, but no internet, what’s the point.

This place felt like a second home. Michelle, the owner, was so nice and welcoming. The food was really fresh and delish. I loved it! Thank you for a great lunch Michelle and welcoming us into your Kernville family!

On first brush, most things seem fine in this little shop. The portions are large and some of the staff are polite, patient, and helpful.
Unfortunately, this is not consistent. Some of the staff are short and maybe moonlight as amateur night comedians and it’s obvious why they have day jobs– they are not funny. Banter is fine but it is inappropriate to comment on personal traits of a customer, such as the sound of their voice.
They have issues with technology working, ie: heavily preferring cash over cards and often the cars readers allegedly don’t work.
Finally, the food. Large portions don’t excuse wilted lettuce and dry, flavorless tomatoes. The food is underwhelming, at best, and even for the area, the markup borders on extreme. I honestly believe this place would be out of business if the closest coffee shop wasn’t about 15 miles away. Driving that distance to the next shop is worth it.

Great place for coffee and breakfast! Very friendly service! Highly recommend the jalapeño cheese pretzel, French Toast and the vegetarian omelette!

I’ve been coming here for years and I must say it has gotten better and better each year. You can tell that Michelle, the owner, takes pride in her business. The espresso is great. The sandwiches and salads are fantastic and the cookies are delicious. I love the friendly service I receive each time I come here. If you’re looking for a coffee, espresso, breakfast, lunch or sweet treat then look no further. For a small town business I am impressed with the quality of their food. Lastly if you need wifi then this is your place; just make a purchase and don’t try to abuse it. So if you’re in Kernville you have to stop in for something yummy.

Don’t waste your money the food is average at best but what really got me was the lack of personality from the owner take about a I don’t give a shit attitude unbelievable

Friendly staff. Good coffee. Right in the center of town. A must for a good fancy coffee when I stay here :0)

Staying in Kernville for 10 days and wanted to add another shout out for the Big Blue Bear. Met Michelle and she was very helpful about things to do in the area, tried the breakfast sandwich today and loved it!
Lovely place to relax and chat with locals.
Cheers

Pros: Only spot for descent coffee and cute cabin-​like décor that’s fitting for the Kern River. Fast Wifi. ok service.
Cons:
Really disappointed Wifi is limited to an hour!??
Obnoxious music playing, I am trying to drown it out with my music and headphones on and can’t even hear that!
Credit card use «temporarily out of order» lol

I can’t believe this place has only 2.5 stars!
We were in the area for a long weekend. After a long day river rafting the grown-​ups really needed some ice cream. Ok, and the kids too. But everything was closing already and we didn’t want to settle for store bought ice cream.
We tried out this café and though they were a minute away from closing they waited for us to get everyone together. Would smilingly unlock the door every time a new family member came in. Everyone in the store was really nice.
And the ice cream was so good. Kids took vanilla and chocolate and grown-​ups took coffee which came with little chocolate chips. All yummy. The cone didn’t look any better than it usually does, but my 2.5 year old devoured it! Go figure.