Black Bear Diner

I love it here. These black bears know how to make my tummy rumble when i see their delisherous foody food in my tummy tum ! I am so happy becus their food makes me bery happy when i pit it in my mouth ! try it and i sware, you will be happy after you eat their big juicy, black bear sausages, will change your life mi amigo, me gusta me gusta! (;

Stop to have late dinner
Terrible chicken Caesar salad very little chicken and very watered down dressing
Will not return

Always good food and service with plenty of leftovers at the Black Bear Diner. Kids love the old school pictures and prices from back in the 50’s menu.

This was my first time at a Black Bear Diner. The location was very conveniently located by the freeway which made it easy for our drive back home. I ordered the spinach eggs benedict and my date ordered the Fried Chicken Steak + French Toast. It’s been a few days and I’m just about finished with the potato hash that came as a side for my dish (I had to take a good portion of the food to-​go as usual) so needless to say the portions are traditional diner-​sized and it’s a great place if you’re in the mood for a hearty meal (or after a hike, which was the case with us). Our server there was very attentive and friendly too. As we didn’t get to have a hot breakfast that morning, it was nice to be able to have breakfast food for dinner.

best meal ever was pot roast omelet but was test item only. bigfoot country fried steak is consistant. pancakes are great. omelets are 4 egg. never had room for dessert.

Home like atmosphere, great food and employees… manager Liz was super nice

Food is okay, not the best. Prices are moderate to high. Overall experience was just okay.

Used to come to the Laurel Inn as a kid and eat at their restaurant which is now the Black Bear Diner. Def not the same but this is probably better. Huge portions at reasonable prices. For Thanksgiving night, it was packed but the service was still great. Can’t say much about Salinas but when passing through this is the place to eat at. And reasonable prices on the stuff in their gift shop.

Walk in on Friday 13 2015. Got seated by the Manager Liz. She attentive, and very kind. We didn’t wait at all. The server Frank was quick to get our drinks and take our order. Now we must dig in for all this yummy food. By the way it is very growded here today! No one working lol. Well Unilocalers another success for Salinas Joints out. oh as I was typing this our food is here! And its amazing!!! Happy Friday Folks.

I’ve always found Black Bear to have mediocre food but it’s the service that has me irked today.
We walk in and it’s got to be at least 50 degrees inside. A good 5 – 7 degrees colder than outside. So we decide why not stay? We aren’t from around here and aren’t sure quite where else to go anyway.
We start to order and are told they are out of potatoes… Really potatoes? At this point we decide to leave. Well unfortunately out waitress decided to put half an order in so now we are stuck waiting for food we didn’t want in a restaurant that closely resembles a freezer.
Well fine and well until the food arrives. Two eggs over easy? No no, not today sir. It’s two eggs cooked however the chef wanted to cook them and served with a side of unapologetic waitress.
Well I’m happy we don’t live around here because thankfully for us we never have to come back again.

Warning if you get your food to go from this restaurant, inspect your food in front of them. They have messed up two orders in a row and this one is partially uneatable as they gave a vegetarian a beef patty on her hamburger. They repeated the order on the phone and when I paid for the meal. The forgot several other things too, like ¹⁄₃ the order which I picked up on before leaving. My fault I guess as they have a habit of getting the orders wrong.
The last time they gave me a burned hamburger, which was not even the correct order and was not eatable — it came complete with a stale bun.
Oh, and when I say no onions, that is exactly what I mean. I don’t mean, I will just remove them myself later.

Not sure what the deal is to be honest. This place used to have quality food and good service. Now it’s blah and crap (you decide where each one goes –the food, or the service)
Came in with my husband last weekend. Ordered a club sandwich –bacon extra crisp… I guess that translates into no bacon.
I don’t know about anyone else. But I am very (VERY) picky. And very particular… My husband mentioned it to the waiter (no idea what his name was… no worries) he totally threw the cook under the bus… Hey man. I’ve worked in restaurants. And funny enough… I know the drill. Whatever it could have been cooks fault… Just don’t do that. It’s low… Anyhow. I’m «ok» with it. I already have to tear the sandwich up because I’m picky about the ham taste… Nope. The waiter comes with a side (two slices) of bacon… That for some ungodly reason… Is wet? And burnt. There is burnt ass bacon looking me in the eyes sitting in a pool of its own sorrow…
I don’t really know what to do with that. So I shove it to the side of the table and try to deal with it… My husband… As most men… Probably ESPECIALLY most TEXAN men… Decided to bite the bacon («bite the bullet.» But with bacon… Get it?)… The look on his face tells me that black bear diner has probably ruined bacon for him for at least a month…
This isn’t the only time I’ve had crap good/​service at this black bear. A month ago I got an omelet that wasn’t cooked. And wasn’t cooked so much that the egg was running out of the middle of the two cooked sides of the omelet… That’s a special skill I think you Have to be trained for… Cook something enough to be perceived as cooked… But the middle is running snot all over your plate
Something changed at this place. Not sure what happened. It’s not the same. It’s not much better than ihop… And actually Ihop’s waffles are waaayyy better.

Black Bear Diner has the best comfort food and serves up plenty to eat. You always get more then your money’s worth. A gem tucked away in Salina’s! Their Bread Pudding heated up with ice cream & that Praline Sauce is heavenly!!! We usually buy one and split it. Vicky today Sept 16 2015 took a order over the phone for me, with specific instructions because it is my moms bday. She thought of even a better way to get the dessert here without melting. She thought immediately outside the box. A great atmosphere, casual dress yet you are treated like royalty would be. Thank you all who work there for your hard work, great food, service and fair pricing.
Blessings

Can’t say anything bad about this place. When I’m hungry and in the mood for breakfast which is an often regular occurrence I choose this location. Breakfast is served all day and is delicious no matter what time of day you decide to visit. I’ve tried several of the many items to choose from. for the most part I’ve been very pleased and content, however Bruce’s Meats Lovers Omelet holds a special place in my heart. If you are a fan of salty fatty breakfast meats as I am, this is a definite must. Also the Big Foot Chicken Fried steak is pretty damn awesome as well. Also if you are bottomless pit glutton like me, eat the bread pudding, you will no regret it.
All in all, the prices are fair, food is delicious the portions are extremely generous, service is great and the place is clean What else do you need from an establishment?

Tried the Black Bear Diner with my parents and it a good place to eat. Bob’s Big Bear Burger is really a big burger but not as tasty and juicy as expected. Also tried the Blazin Bear Sandwich as a replacement to my original order of Reuben sandwich. Its a pulled pork with coleslaw. It’s ok… Pork kinda dull tasting… and dry…
Place and service is above average and staff are friendly.

Jesus Christ we have had it with his place. Every time we try to give this place a second chance. They blow it majorly. Cold food, dirty plates, and lord knows what used food was placed on my plate. Never ever again will we come here again?

Black bear, you got to be kidding, the food is like crazy filling, tasty, looking good.
You order on the phone for pick up. Super polite. To say they give large portions is an understatement. Even the kids meal will feed a full-​size adult. No I don’t suggest it. The kids mac & cheese was basically easy Mac, and a side of fruit. The small portion of chicken fried steak was more than enough. I even had leftovers. Try and keep room for dessert. Even though I always forget to the pies are delicious. A good place to come, if your hungry and want to good meal.

HIGHLY recommend Black Bear Diner in Salinas! My family and I have been coming here for years. management and staff are excellent and always treat us well every time we are there. Big portions and great food. always =]

This Black Bear Diner crew works really really well as a team. If you listen to them on a busy weekend morning, they are always communicating with each other. It makes for quick coffee refills and great service. They obviously have a great team and management style. Keep up the good work.
We’ve been going to this location for years. The food is consistently great and you can see the kitchen from the counter. Spotless shiny stainless steel and super clean and tidy. Means a lot to me when I want my family to have a safe meal while traveling.
The portions at any Black Bear diner are always big, but they will work around your diet restrictions. I’m on an Adkins lifestyle and they are always helpful in guiding me to different options other than potatoes.
These folks work hard so tip them well!
5 stars from Phish

Breakfast for dinner? This is the place to go! Great diner for comfort food, large portions and for cheap!
Service does vary here — I’ve had some occasions where we’ve came in for office meetings with about ten of us and I’m the one that gets left without food, or a drink, or silverware. .. or who knows what else.
Definitely worth a try if you want some good, hearty american cooking!