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Black Bear Diner
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch
246 N Humboldt AveWillows, CA 95988
(530) 934-3797
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 6 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 6 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
49 reviews for Black Bear Diner
Review Highlights
"...spotted a new item on the menu called 'Cabo Mahi Mahi Tacos."
(in 2 reviews)
"Yummy and hearty comfort food."
(in 4 reviews)
"Portions are huge so we order from the smaller plate menu..."
(in 3 reviews)
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49 reviews in English
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Review from Joey Y.
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
My friend and I stopped here for dinner on our way back to Portland from LA. We've never been to BBD before so we weren't sure what we were getting into. We were hungry (SF traffic SUCKS!!!!!), tired (have been driving for 10+), and pissed from being in LA for few days (LA SUCKS!!!). Anyways, so we weren't playing around. We wanted some serious food or else "somebody's gonna get a hurt real bad."
I ordered the Chicken & Avocado Sandwich and my friend ordered their cheeseburger with fries. YUM. It was delicious.
Maybe it was the sum of the said conditions that made the food taste so good but I don't care. The wheat bread on my sandwich was grilled to perfection with tasty bacon, thick slices of avocado and chicken breast. The ingredients worked. My friend gave a huge thumb up for his plate.
It was little pricey for my liking but it gave us the extra energy we needed to drive all the way to PDX. -
Review from Wayne L.
Santa Cruz, CA
2/7/2012
Edited based on more info. from Black Bear customer service......
Went here with my son and his friend on the recommendation of the friend. It seemed like a California version of Cracker Barrel at first glance. Anyway, most standard fare dinners, meatloaf, fish and chips, etc. run about $12 with soup or salad included. We had meat loaf, pot roast, and chicken fried steak.
The waitress warned us the pot roast came with potatoes in it, which seemed like an odd warning as it is not unusual to find a pot roast sauce with potatoes, carrots, etc. Anyway, my pot roast comes out and I figure out where some of this is coming from. The pot roast consisted of meat, potatoes, carrots, celery, and sauce.
Now this would seem A-OK for a pot roast, right? The recipe I use at home for a pot roast basically has all these things, plus some onions. So what's the problem you might ask? The problem is that when most people cook a pot roast, they do it in a single pot with all these other things. Not so at the Black Bear Diner it seems.
Apparently, the way they do it here is that they cook the meat by itself, have one pot of brown gravy in the kitchen they use for multiple menu items, and then cook the vegetables by themselves. The "chef" completes the meal by combining these ingredients on your plate and sending it on out. This night, it was even worse, because they were out of the usual veggies and they apparently had to improvise. That combined with a lack of knowing how long to boil potatoes, dragged the meal down to one star level.
So the waitress comes out and does the usual how is everything deal. I explained to her that having half cooked veggies in the meal was stupid. She said she would talk to the chef. She came back a bit later and explained that the chef agreed with me and he wouldn't want to eat it either. So I gave them back one star for at least agreeing with me that it was a crappy meal. That and the fact they gave us a free dessert as an offset.
Still not probably going back there though.
Oh and the lemonade was $2.69 a glass! -
Review from Dale H.
9/27/2011
I love THIS Black Bear Diner. There are other good ones, but this is by far my favorite Diner.
We've been coming to this one for a while now. It's the one we go to when we go camping at Stony Gorge. The staff here is great. Friendly. Attentive. Knowledgeable. The food is always done very well. We're not expecting like a Michelin rated company. It's just quality food at good prices. I prefer the burgers myself. And garlic fries. My son and I both like garlic fries here...with tons of ketchup. He also enjoys a good burger here.
I've had ok experiences at other BBD's, but this one has never failed me. -
Review from D. L.
San Jose, CA
12/21/2011
Hubby and I visited this BB Diner on our way back from visiting relatives in OR. Nothing special, but the cooking definitely needs improvements. I had cornbeef hash and eggs but my hubby had steak and he's always liked his steak rare. He asked for rare but got OVER COOKED. Service definitely leaves to be desired. We told the waitress after we were leaving. No tip. (To Insure Prompt service).
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Review from Matt H.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
During my racing weekend I wanted to get some grub. Enter Black Bear Diner, a place that I've seen around but never tried for fear of kitsch. Well my fears were met, but without the wife, I was able to enjoy.
The menu was fairly large and varied which was a big surprise. Lots of choose from on the bfast side all the way to the dinner side. Despite lots of yummy choices, the stomach was calling for fish and the mahi mahi tacos looked like they would fit the bill. Why would any sane person order mahi mahi while at a resty in the middle of nowhere in CA, I don;t know either. I also was quite parched so I went with the huckleberry lemonade which seemed to be a specialty. For dessert I ordered the huckleberry pie, made with stevia to lower the calories.
Huckleberry lemonade - excellent but sweetness of huckleberry masks the tartness of lemonade.
Mahi mahi tacos - regret. should've gotten Reuben, burger, eggs, anything but this dish.
Onion rings - not bad. I consider myself a bit of an onion ring aficionado, and these were decent.
huckleberry pie - boooo yeah. definitely recommend and the ice cream just perfectly melted on top. I even ate the crust.
The service was fast but the resty was jam packed. I had three different waitresses, which is a bit odd, but made me feel important.
If I'm ever in Willows again, I'll be back. -
Review from sandyann g.
Livermore, CA
6/28/2011 1 photo
It was a hot and muggy summer night. Some humidity in the air with the little summer bugs flying busily about. It was getting late and I was hungry so I was very happy to see the Black Bear sign along deserted I-5. I don't really like to eat at the Black Bear because they they think they are literally feeding a hungry bear and give way too much food. But there was that gnawing hunger in my belly with miles to go still.
I spotted a new item on the menu called 'Cabo Mahi Mahi Tacos!? Cuál es éste? This is not 'Traditional American Food'! The tacos when they arrived were delicious. This is a new menu item but they know what they are doing. The fish was shredded with some cabbage, onions and wonderful sauce on top of two soft corn tortillas with just a few sprinkles of cheese. None of that Westernized 1/2 pound of cheese here. As I was eating my tacos I kept wondering if somehow I had been magically transported down to Los Cabos. With the humidity, heat, and fresh Mahi Mahi you could have fooled me! -
Review from Duane W.
Oakland, CA
8/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in here on the way home from Oregon, looked like the best option...and we were right! Service was a bit slow, but the Pot Roast made up for it! My kids liked the Lasagna, and the big black bear in the entrance was collecting hugs the whole time.
Will stop in here again for sure. -
Review from Andrew P.
San Marcos, CA
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was on a roadtrip up to Redding, and was pleasantly surprised to see this diner along the way. I had been to one in Madera and loved it, so I figured I'd try this one.
The atmosphere was pretty cool... seemed different than what I remembered, but I liked it... very woodsy feeling. The service was great. My waiter (who I'm guessing was some sort of manager) was fast and friendly - no complaints there. I ordered the Western BBQ burger... it was huge! I could barely finish. The burger was cooked perfectly and I liked the BBQ sauce quite a bit. Fries were good too. For the price, it's a decent value. My only complaint was that there was a particular employee that was trying to be some sort of gangster or something... don't know what the deal was, but he just wouldn't shut up with his ghetto-speak. Other than that, it was a good experience... too bad Black Bear Diner hasn't really hit SoCal yet! -
Review from Megan K.
San Francisco, CA
10/9/2011
It's a chain. It's on the way to Portland. It has a lot of bear decor. Portions are bear size. Very little on the menu if you're vegetarian and/or don't necessarily want a gut bomb. But when you're on the road w/ limited options you grin & "bear" it.
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Review from Jen V.
El Monte, CA
8/1/2011
I remember eating at one of their locations in Reno years ago and never realized that it was a chain. I had dinner today here and it was pretty delicious. I got the herb crusted trout and my partner got the tri-tip and we were both pleased with our meals.
The coolest thing about the place is the ambiance. It's bears everywhere and for an animal-lover like me, I found it charming and kitschy without being cheap or overkill. I loved it.
Also, they have these cute mini pies for about $4-5 which is such a steal when you go to places like Marie Callendars or Coco's and they have slices of pie for just as much. -
Review from Eric B.
4/23/2011
The first Black Bear Diner opened in 1995 near the old strawberry patches near Mt. Shasta. The menu, service and decor are designed to remind the guest of a time when life was a little more simple and not so un-BEARable. There are about 30 Black Bear Diners around, including 1 in my home state of Iowa.
This Black Bear Diner in Willows is a convenient stop for when we're either going to or returning from Ashland Oregon. It's a comfortable place, with food that's good and plentiful, friendly folks, and a definite step (or 2) above other chain places like Denny's or IHOP. This is American comfort food as you like it.
The bear kitch including photos, paintings, mugs, stuffed animals, themed menu items and condiments, etc., get's old quickly, but who cares? I won't own it, but it no doubt makes someone happy.Listed in: Ashland Oregon
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Review from Sarah R.
La Habra, CA
5/3/2011
The service was just ok. We sat for a LONG time before someone finally helped us, which I'm guessing only happened because the host told someone we needed a server. By the way, the host was most definitely high as a kite when we were there. I get it, restaurant work sucks - but for goodness sake dude, spray some cologne or don't smoke in a confined area while you have to work!
The food was ok. I had the granola pancakes (or whatever they're called) and I liked them a lot. My mom had the tuna sandwich and hated it. I told her that's what she gets for ordering a lunch item someplace that is known for breakfast. My husband has the denver omelet and was pleased. -
Review from Cyndi L.
Sacramento, CA
12/6/2010
One of my favorite places in the world to sit and enjoy people watching and comfort food.
I only go a few times a year, on the odd occasion I go to my hometown. And yet, we are virtually always remembered. Which is one thing I love....been going there nearly 10 years and they have a lot of the same staff.
The portions are HUGE. Almost every plate can be split between two people. The salads are GIGANTIC and loaded with yummy stuff. The burgers are excellent, classic burgers.
The kids menu is probably the best one I've ever seen and has stuff for even the pickiest little eater.
Because this location is more of a "on the way to somewhere else" location, the people watching here is usually amazing. The decor is wonderfully tacky and kitchy.
Even when it's super busy, they are still generally on top of their game and we get seated in a reasonable time.
And the apple pie? TO DIE FOR. -
Review from Chandra Y.
ELIZABETH LK, CA
9/1/2011
The worst Black Bear I've been to. Service and food were terrible. I usually look forward to a Black Bear meal, I hope this experience hasn't ruined me. If you've never eaten at BB don't let this be your first!
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Review from Richard H.
Manteca, CA
6/17/2010
Willows is conveniently placed between where we live (Manteca) and Dunsmuir, where we have friends that we enjoy visiting.
My wife and I have been here twice. The first time they were very busy, but they greeted us warmly and we were seated quickly despite the crowds. The second time they weren't crowded, but all the staff was busy so it took a few minutes to be seated.
The service is always good in Black Bear Diners and this one is no exception. The food is good and plentiful, too. Eating here has been a pleasant experience both times we have stopped here. -
Review from Jessica P.
Emeryville, CA
10/15/2009
I'm making this whopper of a review all about bears.
Black Bear is no Denny's. It's no IHOP and it's not some hip, greasy spoon everyone wants to go to. It's just plain old comforting, and I would not hesitate to go back to another one again.
The bear kitch, as Joe mentioned, is a riot. Bear photos, paintings, mugs, stuffed animals, themed menu items, mugs, labeled condiments etc..really is over the top, but it's crap like that makes me happy. I don't have to own it, I just like knowing it's out there and someone, some where, has ceramic bear fixtures or curtains in their kitchen.
Our server was friendly and yes, they do love dogs. We were lucky since this particular Black Bear was situated right off the highway, in your typical travel park and rest type area. Gas up, drink up, eat up and go.
The outdoor patio was nice, and it was a glorious day to sit outside. Each server did, indeed, come out to gawk at our little man, who sometimes looks like a little bear himself.
Food was pretty decent, nothing too greasy, lots of options, good portions (although I'm not thrilled with their potato salad) and a vegetarian can find plenty of options as well. Prices are reasonable too. Truckers, families, tourists and bear lovers unite.
By the way, their biscuits are bigger than a wrestler's fist. Go for it.
Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya. -
Review from Joe B.
10/14/2009
The little lady and I can bearly (ha ha) pass up a Black Bear Diner. We almost stopped on the way up to a wedding around Lake Almanor (NE of Chico) but decided to hit it up on the way back. See, she has this bear thing . . . .
The California Omelette was great and just what I expected, hash browns were tasty, but the huge, flaky biscuit was good enough to prompt a Facebook status update. Make sure you get a biscuit here.
There's outdoor seating, and if you have a little pup along for the ride with you, you might want to take him out to lunch here. They LOVE little dogs here. I think every server came out to check out our little guy.
A fine diner stop if you're on your way up or down I-5! The bear kitsch alone is worth it, but it's good diner food. -
Review from Scott L.
Belmont, CA
5/8/2007
This is a review by a vegetarian.
This is the place to stop if you're traveling from the Bay Area to Lassen/Mt Shasta/trinity alps. It's right off I5.
Eat one meal on the way there
camp/bike/hike/kayak for 3 days
Eat one meal on the way back.
You'll experience no net weight change.
Although this is a western chain, the food actually has taste as well as heft.
One blackberry milkshake + one order of garlic fries = 2000 calories and no hunger for the rest of the drive.
Plus it is an air conditioned oasis. -
Review from Mortiche W.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 7/8/2008
Update: What is up with their servers putting their hands all over our food? Last time we were here the server dude put his thumb IN our pie. This last time the server put her hands all over the rims of our water glasses, fingered the lettuce in my salad. Geebus Christ. WE may hit up Denny's instead at the rate our food is being molested here.
There's much better ways of packing on the calories. Bring on the duck fat fries anytime, I"m skipping on Black Bear.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/9/2007
If the general size of their patrons wasn't warning enough for you, then let us tell you a little… Read more »
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Review from Roger G.
Berkeley, CA
7/9/2007 3 photos
If you've ever thrown your body off a racetrack like an 80mph ragdoll, you know that afterwards you're willing to compromise your standards of culinary excellence a bit. You've just had the Planet Earth use Physics to beat the living snot out of you. You deserve a break. Eat wherever is convenient. Say, across the street from your motel.
However, when you see multiple tables walk out due to being ignored, (both at dinnertime and at breakfast), and when you see your waiter bring you your pie by carrying it with his thumb in the crust and then spastically fumble to construct a to-go pie box while making jokes about the probable annoyance level of the other patron he'd been ignoring, and when you realize that the portions are supersized to match the supersized customers, you might decide "Next time, I'm willing to drive a bit."
Two stars, only for value. You get an obscene amount of mediocre food. If you aren't spherical in dimensions, I recommend ordering one meal and splitting it with your family. -
Review from Matthew R.
Sacramento, CA
1/13/2010
The giant "Not In Our Town" meth warning on the front door might as well be an advertisment that one could score meth in the parking lot.
If you were into that kind of thing.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. -
Review from Lorrie M.
1/12/2009 2 Check-ins Here
I'm sorry this place gets an A+ from me because of their enormous portions that you can NEVER finish and ALWAYS take home and the overall flavor and deliciousness of their home-style meals.
This place IS where you want to come for a traditional American meal (breakfast, lunch OR dinner) that also comes with a side order of a feel good time. Their desserts always looked delicious and extremely drool-worthy but I have yet to come away from a meal at a Black Bear diner and had any room for such desserts. Hence my attack plan next time is to come here ONLY for dessert and eat nothing else for dinner! :) -
Review from Brian M.
Beaverton, OR
2/11/2008
Denny's or Shari's on steroids. The food is good and there is LOTS of it.
Service is always friendly and consistent. Its a tradition to over eat here for dinner so you have a stomach ache on the front straight. -
Review from angel s.
San Jose, CA
4/15/2011
I've finally decided to try Black Bear's bread pudding and it was delicious. The walnut sauce is sweet and it is placed in a small container, which I preferred because if the bread pudding was drenched in sauce, it would be too sweet. The bread pudding was soft, moist, with subtle sweetness, and had perfect amount of cinnamon and raisins. It was delicious! You can control how sweet you want your bread to be.
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Review from Liz T.
6/14/2009
We stopped in here on our way back from an amazing houseboating trip at Lake Shasta. We were planning to go to Denny's until we decided maybe this place looked a bit less commercial. Even though it's still a chain, I gotta say it hit the spot!
I had the make your own with waffles+strawberries, 2 scrambled eggs, a slice of ham and an extra biscuit. The server said, "You eat A TON for a little girl" and we laughed hysterically. Apparently the portions are laarge. My other friends ordered a california omelet, a grilled chez and veggie soup combo, and the mt shasta lava cake.
Pretty much everything was totally scrump. My waffle was perfectly cooked with ripe, yummy strawberries. The biscuit was insanely huge and buttery and good. The ham was Easter brunch grade -- super thick and juicy and glazed.
If you're looking for good, basic breakfast foods and dessert...go here!
Nothing to cap off a fatty house boating trip with a fatty diner lunch. -
Review from k f.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 4/4/2011
I'm here on almost a weekly basis and rating is the same. Service is hit or miss as well as food with the exception of great oatmeal (which even starbucks and mcdonalds have now). Looking forward to checking out Nancys Airport Cafe.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/5/2008
I really really used to like this place. Im not sure if I have just been there too many times now to… Read more »
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Review from Nena G.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2008
Of all the real junk food available on the road (chain "restaurants"), this seemed to be more of an authentic and appealing choice.
The experience seemed somewhat of an entertaining act as the servers, as friendly and nice as they obviously are, spoke and took order REALLY LOUDLY. If you are in a good mood, this will amuse you. It adds to the character of the place.
Also, the portions are GIGANTIC. It is unbelievable to think that anyone could or would eat that much in one sitting. One order of any burger, for example, is enough for four people! The amount of fries on each plate is truly "thought-provoking". Do we need to waste so much? And, if we eat it all, how do we justify the way we look and the risks posed to our health (most people at the restaurant were way overweight )?
Ahhh! Choices, choices when traveling long distances on the road. The answer: prepare in advance by having fresh fruit and food that you have prepared. Know what you eat. -
Review from Karen C.
12/13/2009
I hate diners. But I hate Denny's even more than I hate random diners, so between the two, Black Bear was the lunch choice while stopping for gas. I walked into Bearville, USA, and I was frightened by the newspaper menus. Then I was frightened by the people that were surrounding me, but whatever. A girl's gotta eat. Let me tell you... this food was DELICIOUS. I had the larger-than-life cobb salad, the rest of the fam had the turkey dinner & a roast beef sandwich. We could have all shared ONE of the meals. If the waitress tries to talk you into the larger version of a plate (and she will), take a note from Nancy Reagan and Just Say No.
I wish I wouldn't have been on a road-trip, as my leftovers would have come home with me. Black Bear, I'll be back. -
Review from Jeremy W.
1/5/2010 7 photos
Theres nothing finer, than stopping off at Black Bear Diner!
Well maybe, but nonetheless... Solid food, great portions, quick friendly service, Guinness, Corona, and few other bottles o beer... I think I'm a fan!
Like 90% of anyone else who's been here, we were headed up to Mt. Shasta, and stopped off in Willows for some fuel and a bite along the way.
We had the Tri-tip dip with some fries, and the Stuffed chicken with mashed potatoes and mac n cheese. The Tri-tip itself was about what you would expect when in a diner, but the bread and au jus were pretty good! The stuffed chicken was not something I would generally order, so I cant really give a good or bad opinion on it, but it seemed ok to me. Had a hollandaise sauce atop it!
I think the sides were my favorite part, the Mashed potatoes were buttery goodness, the fries were cooked just right and had decent seasoning, the mac n cheese was think and cheesy!
They had some pretty awesome looking desserts, but we didn't get that far,
if you have kids, take them here and let them run around and enjoy all the bear scenery!
Did I mention they have Guinness? ;) -
Review from Caroline C.
Los Angeles, CA
12/26/2008
I actually came here with low expectations, even though a sign out front boasted the best breakfast in town. It's a small town so that didn't seem like much of a claim. But I come to find that their breakfast is pretty decent. Large portions, the bacon was crisp, the coffee was so good and drinkable that I just drank it black and they even have whole grain pancake. I had split the Volcano breakfast (about $9) with my bf and even then we still didn't finish the plate.
The service was prompt and she always made sure our coffee cups were full. I even liked the scramble eggs which only required more salt and pepper. But I'm a fan. I'll swing by the next time I'm in Willows. It's quaint and they have a jukebox. You get a lot for the price, at least compared to how it would be if this restaurant was in L.A. -
Review from Ruby D.
Willows, CA
9/26/2011
Good food.
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Review from Fabien H.
Los Angeles, CA
6/2/2009
Breakfast served all day! 'nuff said
I've only ever gotten the breakfast (at dinnertime) from this place, and it hasn't disappointed... The service is friendly, and will work with you to get you what you want when you can't make up your mind!
Last meal I got there included fresh fruit, 2 eggs, links sausages, and a full glass of OJ. It was just the right proportions for me, although others at my table got gargantuan meals and were unable to finish!!! -
Review from Ljótur H.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2009
They were really nice, and the place was clean, and it's convenient, but that's where my compliments end. I really wanted to like this place. I know it's a chain of highway diners, and I should've known better when I saw the gift store, but I can't help thinking they're kitschy-cute & I want to support something that started up in Mt. Shasta. But ugh, no. Never again.
The vegetarian options were breakfast or an $8 Gardenburger. It just kills me to pay $8 for them when I can get a pack for less than that. So, I got a Belgian waffle. Berries & whipped cream for $1.50 extra? I wasn't going to, but the waitress informed me that they had blackberries. Awesome! I figured they would be warmed-up frozen blackberries & whipped cream from a spray can, but my wildest dreams couldn't prepare me for JELLY with big, brown, disgusting-looking blackberries. I think jelly is repulsive & even gagged a few times while digging it out of my waffle. If you want to offer jelly for the toast, that's great, probably a healthier option than the fake maple syrup, but you should tell people it's JELLY, not call it berries. Gross.
My boyfriend got some biscuits & gravy that he said were, as yelp puts it, "Meh."
No, Black Bear, next time I'll just pick up some trail mix at the nearest grocery store. Too bad, I wanted to like you. -
Review from James M.
Puyallup, WA
7/12/2011
Didn't make one of our meals right, so the California Benedict sat while the other was remade. Upon arrival it was cold and solidified... a big dissapointment because it sounded great. The bacon seemed pre cooked and the fruit salad side seemed a bit old and tasteless. Hashbrowns were cold but good. Bathroom was plain and a little grungy. A disappointing California chain restaurant experience.
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Review from Rachel C.
Roseville, CA
7/28/2011
The food here is very yummy and the portions are huge, you could easily split pretty much every meal between 2 people. The workers are friendly and it has a relaxed, country atmosphere. We love stopping here when we're traveling!
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Review from Peg S.
6/18/2008
Humongous portions (dry biscuits the size of my head). Cheesy bear souvenirs. Still, there's something very charming in a white trash kind of way. Their blackBEARy (how clever & cute!) cobbler still tastes good three days later.
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Review from Tamara M.
New York, NY
6/21/2010
Yummy and hearty comfort food. It was late when we stopped for the night, probably too late to be eating so heavy, but we were really glad we stopped in. We opted for breakfast food, and it didn't disappoint. There are some "Little Less" options for those who want a smaller portion...or for those saving room for an AMAZING blackberry cobbler for dessert!
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Review from Sacramento M.
Sacramento, CA
5/1/2011
My wife and I sometimes have dinner here passing from Sacramento to redding. The food is always pretty standard and reliable. Today the service was pretty poor however. Waitress was abrupt, little effort was being made to be nice. I realize everyone can have off nights, but we could also hear bickering among the staff which was unpleasant to hear. Overall the food was decent, but the staff set the diner apart in all the wrong ways. We would come back again for the food, but not if we have a similar experience with the people there. It only takes a smile and a quick nice word to totally change the feel of our meal. Hope they improve in the future!
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Review from Nobody M.
Los Angeles, CA
7/26/2007
Oh you think you're white trash because your mom put a key around your neck and taught you how to cook Mary Kitchen corned beef hash while she worked the night shift at Circle K?....ok, well maybe that does earn your WT degree....but if you never lived in a trailer, have never seen a bird skin lamp and have never burned your Dolphin short'd ass on bare metal in the back of a station wagon in the summer, just show up at BBD and order your ass something disgusting that you've always feared. Trust me, it will be good, you will see the light and may even have visions of popcorn fried in bacon grease dance upon your head. (Trust me, visions are way better than the oral equivalent).
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Review from heather w.
Berkeley, CA
10/7/2007
So you're in the middle of No-Where and you need breakfast before hitting the track. The Black Bear Diner stands as a testiment to those who need hard-core sustenance, and I mean that, as a breakfast at this artery-clogging and heart-stopping diner will literally keep you fed for the entire day. Order anything, and I mean anything, and you will get a plate worthy of feeding 4 Americans or 12 Ethiopian refugees. The Surgeon General warns us against breakfasts like this. A three egg omelette is a monumental thing, stuffed full of your choice of cholesterol laden delicacies. A side of sausage, bacon or ham is a bit more than a side, it's your protein quotient for the entire day, as does the pile of yummy home fries fill the carb quotient, and I dare you -- I dare you -- to finish the whole plate. And you get biscuits; three of them to be exact, if I'm remembering correctly and they stand about three inches tall and are perfect unto themselves, but take you to cholesterol nirvana when spread with soft butter and a spoonful of strawberry jam.
Every T-Hill track day starts with a Black Bear breakfast, which morphs into a bit of snack about 11 a.m. and then maybe even a full on lunch at 2 p.m., when the biscuits become the sandwich slabs for whatever egg and meat is leftover. I'm telling you, an $8.00 breakfast at the Black Bear stretches into a day's worth of hearty food and caloric density.
Turn 360 degrees around the main drag of Willows and tell me if you can find anything better. I dare you. And Burger Thing doesn't count.
