Yummy
Eating breakfast there is a treat, but it gets crazy during the weekends. It becomes very crowded and there are long lines due to the lack of seating space, but that never interfered with my hunger for some good breakfast. The maple syrup they have is heavenly, and the ice cream is very delicious.    [24 Mar 2005 00:58:50]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Waffle with icecream or fruit pancakes

     ­brc   

The best food in town
The food at the Black River is the best in Oberlin - well worth any wait. They use a lot of local and organic produce and dairy and eggs, and I think that their meat is also organic. The pancakes and the salads are great (and huge), and the soups are as good as any I've had anywhere. The service can be spotty, especially toward the end of the school year when they are super-busy on the weekends, but mostly it's pretty good. GREAT COFFEE!    [13 Apr 2006 13:18:35]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: pancakes, turkey club

     ­obie 1 kenobie   

Good Breakfast
The breakfasts there are great but the service kind of stinks. I think they need more waiters and more cooks. I once had to wait 30 minutes just to get my food but it was gooooood food!    [22 Jun 2006 23:11:18]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: pancakes

     ­Hnh   

I want to go back!
The omelets are so good at Black River. You can choose any combination of fresh ingredients including three kinds of cheese. Served with perfect home fries and a whole grain toast that is yummy as well as good for you and my favorite tea, wow. I wish I lived closer and could go there more often! I have had breakfast and lunch there several times and the service has been fine. The place is busy but the wait staff is efficient, accommodating and friendly. Oh, and the home made muffins........    [07 Dec 2006 07:12:48]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: portabella sandwich, fresh squeezed OJ, great bacon

     ­4music   

Great vegan food here
I'm vegan, and it can be difficult to go out for breakfast with friends. But Black River Cafe is sooo awesome with its vegan selections. Any pancake can be made vegan (and the add-in chocolate chips are vegan). They have tempeh bacon that is to die for, portabella sandwiches, and more. Sooo good.

Service is very slow, but it's not their fault.    [24 Aug 2007 22:23:52]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Tempeh Bacon, Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Home Fries

     ­TMP   

I will never eat there again
Bad eggs. Over sweetened yogurt. Undercooked bacon. Poor service.    [23 Feb 2008 20:00:47]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: none

     ­Peanut B, Oberlin College Student    

Poor service
The overall attitude of the management and staff and management is that of spoiled kids, who really don't care about much other than themselves and how cool they are to be running a cool restaurant. I'll pass in the future.    [04 Mar 2008 13:48:27]

Food: -   Service: -   Ambiance: -   Overall: 

     ­Not a fan!   

My favorite breakfast place
I love this place. I literally don't believe the poor review-anyone I've ever taken to this place has become a huge fan. Everything I've had is good but I especially love the pancakes with added fruit. The service can be slow on occasion during weekends, but that's only because it's so popular and you have to wait. Midweek is best if you need to get out quickly. We try to fit in a visit every week. I love this place!    [08 Oct 2008 09:23:26]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Pancakes

     ­TD   

Good in Theory
I like the food here, it is generally quite tasty. The service is some of the worst I've ever seen. I've been in fine dining for the last 10 years and this might have some of the worst management issues I've ever seen. The back of the house can't cook quick enough. The front of the house can't turn over tables quick enough. The service is pathetic.

The food is fine, but it takes you 30 to 45 minutes on the weekends to get it. 30 minutes for an omelet is outrageous.

That being said, the food when you do get it is usually pretty good, sometimes the home fries are a little dry. The pancakes are amazing. The ingredients are usually very fresh, they are organic (mostly) and they are mostly local.

The idea behind Black River far outshines its actualization. It needs better management, but fortunately for it there are enough bleeding hearts who are willing to wait half an hour to be seated and another half an hour for granola. So no problems for the restaurant, but for the customer, if you are hungry GO EARLY or go somewhere else.    [02 Nov 2008 11:47:10]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Pancakes, Portobella Mushroom Sandwich, any of the Salads, Waffles

     ­GB   

A Favorite
We love the Black River Cafe and everything we've ever eaten there. Can't wait until we move to Oberlin next year!    [01 Mar 2009 08:34:49]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Pancakes and Veggie Sandwich

     ­DB