The Bombshelter Pub,

University of Waterloo

*Warning: this will be a long one

The Bombshelter Pub (aka Bomber) is known to be one of the only sit-in restaurants on the university campus - besides University Club but who really goes there besides staff and students with deep pockets? Anyway, here’s the Bomber.

Baked Penne and Cheese ($9.99 + $1.99 pulled pork)

For a dish that boasted a cream sauce, all I really tasted was grease. Each fork-grab gave more room for the liquid fat to seep out into my dish. I took a short clip of this phenomenon, but I will save your appetites. The only flavour I noticed was that of the pulled pork, which makes me fear what this dish would have tasted like if I didn’t add it in. The baked pasta came with garlic breadstick, which I’m guessing was to be used to sponge up all the oil??? I ordered this dish because I’m a lover of macaroni and cheese, but this does KD some major injustice.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Belgian Waffle Sandwich ($10.99)

A friend of mine ordered this dish so I can’t tell you how it tasted, but as you can see from the picture the waffles were very well done. If this were mine, I would have sent it right back to the kitchen.

Tuesday Taco Special, Fish Tacos (3 for $7.99)

This was an abomination. Three different people tried the tacos and all three agreed: these aren’t real tacos. The image you see is a perfect example of one of those hide and seek picture games - where is the fish??? You would think that some some fish, lettuce and cheese wouldn’t taste too bad, albeit bland, but you’d be surprised. It was extremely difficult to finish even one. The longer you chewed on it, the harder you struggle. If you’re ever get a craving for Taco Tuesday, visit Ethel’s instead for their $2 for 4 tacos deal.

Overall:

This is sad. First of all, being a largely student-run restaurant I hoped they would be providing student-friendly fare. Lucky for them I couldn’t actually find any publication of theirs that promised this, so I’m assuming they know they’re on the more expensive end. It was just unfortunate that the cheapest thing a student could have purchased that day was $8 for some dollar store tortilla.

Our large group came as a club and when we asked if there would be a possibility of free sodas or appetizers the answer was “We would lose money if we gave out things for free”, yet did you know dons get free appetizers if they bring their students? I can understand that dons and first years would get an exception, but to tell me that providing free sodas will cause a loss, I refuse to believe it.

Second of all, there was a bit of a kerfuffle between a few of my friends at the table and the manager. We booked a reservation for 15-18 people, yet the table was missing cutlery. They asked the manager to bring out more, and waited for some time but none showed up even after the appetizers. When the manager was asked a second time, he finally brought out the cutlery and practically threw them on the table. There was a small argument between the two about how poor and rude the service was. The friend asked a server for the manager’s name, who eventually came back and said “You wanted to know my name? To report me to the manager? Well, I am the manager.” This was really unprofessional, arguing with a customer and all - especially with one who has learned, trained and worked in the restaurant industry. I am thoroughly disappointed that this is what UW produces; innovation does not start here.

Rating: 1.5/5 lemons