🐻 “Table for One?”: Black Bear Dines and Dashes at Naples Restaurant
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Locals shocked as furry foodie crashes lunch hour in search of a bear-gain buffet
NAPLES, FL — It’s not every day a 300-pound, four-legged diner strolls into your favorite lunch spot without a reservation, but that’s exactly what happened at Cameron Commons Plaza off Immokalee Road this week when a black bear decided to scope out the Naples culinary scene.
Patrons at the plaza were mid-bite when the uninvited guest lumbered up to a restaurant patio, reportedly sniffing the air for pulled pork or possibly a salmon special.
“I thought it was one of those taxidermy things,” said Helen Dietz, who dropped her fork and her chicken Caesar wrap. “Then it moved... and I moved faster.”
The bear, believed to be a hungry male either in search of food or a first date, made a casual stroll past diners, paused near the door, and—clearly unimpressed by the dress code or Yelp reviews—wandered off toward the parking lot, perhaps to check out Chick-fil-A.
Florida Fish & Wildlife officials say the bear is part of a seasonal wave of wildlife sightings, as black bears venture into more populated areas in search of snacks, mates, or just someone who appreciates a good tree rub.
“This time of year, it’s bear season,” said FWC spokesperson Toni Wilderson. “They’re out and about. And apparently, they’re now food critics.”
Local restaurants have taken swift action. One café put up a sign reading “NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE (EVEN IF YOU’RE FLUFFY).” Another started offering a new cocktail called the “Bear Necessity”—bourbon, honey, and a dash of fear.
Though the bear was not aggressive and has since disappeared into nearby woods—presumably muttering about the lack of outdoor seating—the plaza is buzzing.
“It was honestly the most exciting thing to happen to me all year,” said Roger McCann, who insisted on paying for the bear’s drink anyway. “He seemed like a mojito kind of guy.”
Authorities urge residents not to feed bears, not to approach them, and definitely not to ask if they’re gluten-free.
Anyone who sees a bear should contact Florida Fish & Wildlife—and maybe call ahead if you’re planning lunch. You never know who might be hungry.