Ender Hall

- 400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652

Introduction / Overview: A Unique Culinary Hub in Bergen County

For New Jersey locals seeking a dining experience that combines high-quality cuisine with an educational mission, Ender Hall at Bergen Community College (BCC) in Paramus, NJ, represents a truly unique destination. While the term "cafeteria" might suggest standard institutional dining, Ender Hall is, in fact, the epicenter of the College’s esteemed Hospitality/Restaurant Areas. This facility is where "future chefs and restaurateurs learn the tricks of the trade in these professional-style kitchens," allowing talented students to translate classroom theory into real-world, highly flavorful practice.

Ender Hall is home to several dining concepts, most notably the Bergen Room Bistro (also referred to as Bergen Bistro), a student-run, full-service restaurant that opens its doors to the public. It is a vital part of the Culinary Arts and Hotel Management programs, offering residents a chance to enjoy a top-tier meal at an exceptionally affordable price. Far from typical cafeteria fare, the Bistro's menu changes weekly, reflecting the students' current curriculum and showcasing their growing skill sets in crafting everything from complex entrees to delicate pastries.

This makes the dining experience at Ender Hall, particularly within its formal student-run settings, much more than a simple meal. It is an opportunity for the public to engage with and support the future of the New Jersey culinary industry, all within a welcoming, on-campus environment. For those visiting the main campus in Paramus, Ender Hall represents a flavorful and educational pit stop.

Location and Accessibility for the New Jersey Patron

The Ender Hall facility is centrally located on the main campus of Bergen Community College in the heart of Paramus, NJ, making it highly convenient for residents and visitors throughout Bergen County.

The institutional address for the building is:

400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA

As a core academic and public service building on the BCC campus, accessibility is a priority. The building features a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all members of the New Jersey community can easily access the dining facilities and other programs housed within. Furthermore, the campus provides Wheelchair accessible parking lots, simplifying the process for patrons traveling by car.

Its location on Paramus Road places it easily reachable via major regional routes like Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway. Patrons should note that as part of a college campus, dining experiences like the Bergen Bistro often require reservations and have specific operating hours, particularly during the academic semester.

Services Offered

Ender Hall and the adjacent Pitkin Education Building (which houses other campus dining options) offer a range of student-led and campus-supported services focused on practical learning and public convenience:

• The Bergen Room Bistro: A full-service restaurant experience with Dine-in and Table Service, run by talented culinary and hospitality students. It often features themed menus and multi-course meals.
• Formal Lunch Service: During the academic year (specifically Fall and Spring semesters), the Bergen Bistro offers a structured dining experience, sometimes featuring a four-course meal for a very low, fixed price, available on select days (e.g., Wednesdays and Thursdays at noon).
• Modified Buffet Options: In certain semesters, the dining room offers a modified buffet, which includes beverages, soup, salad, proteins, accompaniments, artisan breads, and pastries for an affordable fee (e.g., $12).
• Culinary Program Collaborations: The facilities are used to train students in real-time restaurant operations, including front-of-house management, kitchen preparation, and menu development.
• General Campus Dining: While the formal Bistro is a main highlight, other general dining options exist on campus (such as Primo Pizza and Bergen Brew in the Pitkin Education Building), offering quick, healthy, and affordable choices for students and the public.

Features / Highlights

What makes the dining at Ender Hall and the affiliated student-run operations a notable highlight for the New Jersey community is the fusion of education and top-level execution:

• Educational Mission and Quality: The most distinguishing feature is that the food is prepared and served by students of the Culinary Arts Program. This results in "top-tier dishes served at an unbeatable price," driven by the students' "passion, effort, and dedication."
• Exceptional Value: The formal dining experience at the Bergen Bistro is incredibly affordable, with multi-course meals often priced significantly lower than commercial restaurants in Bergen County, offering "an absolute steal" for high-quality cuisine.
• Constantly Changing Menus: The menu is not static; it changes weekly based on the students' coursework and learning focus, meaning patrons can experience a diverse range of cuisines and techniques, from Lobster Ravioli to Cajun Short Ribs and Vegan Stuffed Pepper.
• High-Quality, Specific Dishes: Reviews highlight the success of specific dishes, such as "delicious" Beef Medallions with Sweet Corn Risotto, moist and tender Smoked Turkey, flavorful Lentil Soup with a spicy kick, and the exceptional quality of freshly baked desserts like Pecan Pie and Pear Tart.
• Dietary Options: The student-chefs are often tasked with preparing a variety of items, which can include specialized choices like Vegan Tomato Soup and a Vegan Brown Sugar BBQ Whole Roasted Cauliflower, demonstrating modern culinary flexibility.
• Professional Atmosphere: The Bergen Bistro dining room is transformed with "elegant table settings" and often features soothing background music, setting a professional tone that reflects the serious effort put in by the student staff, who are responsible for everything from greeting guests to plating the final course.

Contact Information

For general inquiries about the Ender Hall facility at Bergen Community College and information about the various student-run dining options, please use the main college contact details. For the formal dining experiences like The Bergen Bistro, patrons should be prepared to make advance reservations as seating is limited.

Address: 400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA

Phone: (201) 447-7100

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing to dine within the facilities at Ender Hall in Paramus, NJ, specifically at The Bergen Bistro, is an outstanding decision for several compelling reasons unique to this location in New Jersey.

First and foremost, it is an investment in the future of the state's hospitality and culinary workforce. When you visit, you are "supporting local students as they prepare for their future careers." This direct support translates into highly motivated service and a level of execution aimed at professional standards, as students are showcasing their skills to professors and the paying public.

Second, the culinary quality is exceptional for the price point. Where else in Bergen County can a diner secure a multi-course, seasonally inspired, expertly prepared meal—featuring entrees like Cajun Short Ribs or a complex Pumpkin Carrot Ginger Soup—for a cost that is often less than a simple lunch elsewhere? The constantly rotating menu is a huge draw, offering a taste of global and regional cuisines executed by up-and-coming chefs.

Finally, the atmosphere and sense of discovery are unmatched. It’s an "ultimate dining experience" that transforms a campus building into a cozy and engaging venue. Patrons are not just getting food; they are participating in a learning experience. For New Jersey foodies and anyone who appreciates a great deal on a quality, full-service meal, securing a reservation for the student-run dining events at Ender Hall is absolutely worth the effort. It is a win-win: patrons enjoy fantastic food, and students gain invaluable real-world practice, all conveniently located on the Paramus campus.

Ender Hall

400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA