Popular Bear-Led Pop-Up Launches Cookbook Campaign

The Cow by Bear dining experience has been one of San Diego’s more successful pop-ups since it first launched in 2011; selling out its intimate, 14-seat dinners every night at the height of its popularity. Helmed by “Chef Bear”, a human chef dressed head-to-toe in a fuzzy bear costume, the five course dinners revolved around different themes but its main course was always 50-day dry-aged ribeye. Buoyed by San Diego’s embrace of the concept, the pop-up eventually expanded to Seattle, WA and Savannah, GA.

After a satisfying seven-year run, the pop-up has announced that it’s winding down and ceasing its regular dinner schedule. Founder Bear, who prefers to remain anonymous, tells Eater that he may explore destination dinners in the future, possibly in Mexico or Joshua Tree, that will be accessible to San Diego fans. His next project is a cookbook, called Food by Bear, that’s nearly fully funded on Kickstarter. An extension of Bear’s monthly newsletters, which contain stories and recipes, the book will combine a memoir and hospitality guide with nearly 200 new and original recipes.

Before Cow by Bear says farewell, the pop-up will cook up one more dinner; tickets are available now for a five-course meal with beverage pairings that’s scheduled for Saturday, May 18.

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