They were a major sponsor of last nights PAC12 broadcast. I knew of them because I had googled Dunsmuir-Mt. Shasta eateries to see how many were still around after I left NorCal eighteen years ago. Their Mt. Shasta location was familiar, they must have replaced another establishment I had frequented. The two bears wandering through Shasta Caverns, fairly close to corporate headquarters, was repeated several times, but I was wondering why I was seeing an ad for a far Northern diner in San Diego?
Turns out they are a far bigger chain than I had envisioned, with locations all across the West except in San Diego County. I appreciate seeing "Bear" sponsors of Cal Football; I had a Bank of the West account for many years but had to give it up because they have very few South County locations (SD). I would have gone to Black Bear diner today if it was within a 30 minute drive. They have locations everywhere I have lived and worked in California, except San Diego county.
Because my family is from the Dunmsuir/McCloud/Mt.Shasta area I would be biased in their favor.
Has anyone actually tried their menu? I would try their Linguica & Penne Pasta just because I'm Portuguese and have never seen it used in an Alfredo sauce.

Have heard you get a lot of food but the quality is not great. Have never tried.

We've eaten at the one up in Shasta and it is the original one. i like it but it is not a gourmet place. Sort of similar to Cracker Barrel. Miss those breakfasts with biscuits and gravy.

I've eaten at several different Black Bear diners, with slightly different experiences at each. Overall I enjoyed them, but I don't think they are quite the ticket if you are specifically looking for healthful meals.

oskidunker said:

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Have heard you get a lot of food but the quality is not great. Have never tried.

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More of a funky dinner experience. They have a bunch of bears at every location, so it can't be bad. There is one near the Oakland airport for those who want to give it a try (and one still in Sonoma, hopefully). You go there for breakfasts (which are hearty and good) and if you want some comfort food. It is not a healthy or foo-foo place for the wine and cheese crowd.

There's a Black Bear Diner in Beaverton, a suburb of Portland, OR. I've been there quite a few times over the years. I mostly go there for their breakfast menu, even for lunch. I like their scramble, good and substantial. It is always very crowded during lunch on the weekends.

There's a Black Bear Diner in Emeryville, right off I-80, Powell St. exit.

3 in central oregon (Bend, Redmond , Madras). Its a decent place for comfort food and relaxing.

Their commercials are funny.

After all those commercials, and with a hotel discount coupon in hand, I decided to try the Danville location. Bad idea. Food was of very low quality.

The founders and current owners of Black Bear Diners are Bob Manley and Bruce Dean. The first one was indeed started here in Mt. Shasta. Bob Manley and I used to own some llamas together and were deer/elk hunting partners. Bob Manley has always had an infatuation for black bears and even named his first business The Black Bear Art Gallery here in Mt. Shasta.

There's 20+ Black Bear Diners scattered thru California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado. Bruce Dean used to be married to a woman who owned the Hi-Lo Cafe in Weed, CA which Bruce managed. After the divorce, Bruce teamed up with Bob Manley and created the Black Bear Diner which had the same menu as the Hi-Lo Cafe in Weed.

Now you know more than you probably ever wanted to.

Good restaurant if you want to be stuffed and fat at a decent price. Quantity instead of quality.

tenplay said:

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Good restaurant if you want to be stuffed and fat at a decent price. Quantity instead of quality.

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Bigger is better?

joe yaks said:

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tenplay said:

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Good restaurant if you want to be stuffed and fat at a decent price. Quantity instead of quality.

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Bigger is better?

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Joe Yaks - There's a restaurant in Dunsmuir called YAKS that's won some nat'l honors for its food. I ate there once for lunch and although OK certainly not deserving of nat'l recognition. Any relation to you?

RealBear65 said:

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joe yaks said:

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tenplay said:

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Good restaurant if you want to be stuffed and fat at a decent price. Quantity instead of quality.

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Bigger is better?

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Joe Yaks - There's a restaurant in Dunsmuir called YAKS that's won some nat'l honors for its food. I ate there once for lunch and although OK certainly not deserving of nat'l recognition. Any relation to you?

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I've never heard of "YAKS" or stopped for food in Dunsmuir, only gas, but that's not the same thing.

I once had a very bad meal in Weed when Hwy 5 N/S was closed by a storm blowing across the grade from the west. The food was bad, but there wasn't much of it. They had bad pie and an abundance of drunken cowboys.

If you're looking for a bad meal go up the road to Yreka, home of the new late "State of Jefferson". There are fewer drunken cowboys and lots of potatoes.

My advice is never eat at a place called "Yak's" unless they serve a Winking Lizard Burger or the place is in Mongolia . . . but don't order the yak butter.

*BTW--Now there is a Black Bear Diner in Weed, CA:
https://blackbeardiner.com/location/yreka/

We have been to the Black Bears in Emeryville and Arden Way in Sacramento many times when we were looking for breakfast. No, it will never make it to a Michelin list but the meals are hearty and probably not too good for the heart if you go there too often. The servings are very large, much bigger than Denny's, and provides a good fix if you have a "greasy spoon" craving once a month. The bears have always been a magnet for me and they have them everywhere from the display in the front of each store to the condiments and coffee cups and probably the jam.

I am very partial to bears and also to the Mt. Shasta area so that is enough to draw me in.

Go Bears!!

One down here, in Gilroy, near the Outlets. It's a step or two up from Denny's, FWIW. I like the place, especially our little ones...

Better than Denny's. Worse than a lot, but good with teenagers.

oskidunker said:

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Have heard you get a lot of food but the quality is not great. Have never tried.

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This is a perfect description

The only Pac12 college towns with Black Bear diners are Tempe and Tucson.
Although there are some in neighboring towns.

MinotStateBeav said:

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3 in central oregon (Bend, Redmond , Madras). Its a decent place for comfort food and relaxing.

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Been to Bend and Redmond ones several times. Bend area is a treat in summer.

sp4149 said:

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The only Pac12 college towns with Black Bear diners are Tempe and Tucson.
Although there are some in neighboring towns.

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There is one five miles from the Utah campus. Hard to call Salt Lake a college town however.

RealBear65 said:

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The founders and current owners of Black Bear Diners are Bob Manley and Bruce Dean. The first one was indeed started here in Mt. Shasta. Bob Manley and I used to own some llamas together and were deer/elk hunting partners. Bob Manley has always had an infatuation for black bears and even named his first business The Black Bear Art Gallery here in Mt. Shasta.

There's 20+ Black Bear Diners scattered thru California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado. Bruce Dean used to be married to a woman who owned the Hi-Lo Cafe in Weed, CA which Bruce managed. After the divorce, Bruce teamed up with Bob Manley and created the Black Bear Diner which had the same menu as the Hi-Lo Cafe in Weed.

Now you know more than you probably ever wanted to.

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Their web site lists over 100 locations, everywhere I've lived and worked except San Diego.
My uncle used to frequent a real greasy spoon in Mt. Shasta called Wendy's I think. Is Mt.Shasta Pastry in that location now?. Places like Mike and Tony's were too upscale for him. The dining choices in the area have really changed since I moved to San Diego. We used to stay at the Tree House and their was a diner/restaurant just north of it. Did the Black Bear Diner replace that other eating establishment? Was there a Burger Barn in Mt.Shasta or just the one in Dunsmuir?

Next time you come out here go to a place called "The Pancake House" ..makes the best pancakes I've ever had and the omlettes are huge and good lol.
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

MinotStateBeav said:

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Next time you come out here go to a place called "The Pancake House" ..makes the best pancakes I've ever had and the omlettes are huge and good lol.
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

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Oh, we have been and love it! Best packages in the world. We go to Bend (Tetherow) every summer. Will send you a message here before we next head-up. BTW, Baldy's Barbecue in Bend for a hole in the wall family run place is a real find.

Black Bear Diner opening in San Rafael (Terra Linda) on October 30, after long delays (permit issues).

MinotStateBeav said:

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Next time you come out here go to a place called "The Pancake House" ..makes the best pancakes I've ever had and the omelettes are huge and good lol.
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

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I was enthused until I saw that they used peanut oil. Over the last 20 years I've developed an allergy to Walnuts and Peanuts (which is actually a legume allergy). What I don't find in most 'pancake houses' is buckwheat cakes. "It's an acquired taste like Guinness". It's a good thing they let you know about the peanut oil up front.

Further north on I-5 near Olympia was a truck stop restaurant at Hawke's Prairie which served trucker's portions and was well patronized. The last place I had good Buckwheat cakes. Their pancakes looked like hubcaps, I could never finish a 'tall' stack of three. Two pancakes was good for about 6-8 hours. Buckwheat cakes are no longer on their menu, disappointing.

MinotStateBeav said:

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Next time you come out here go to a place called "The Pancake House" ..makes the best pancakes I've ever had and the omlettes are huge and good lol.
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

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There's one of those in Los Altos/Mountain View. Went like 20 years ago, so can't vouch for it now but I'd imagine the pancake batter is the same.

They're opening one of those up down the street from me in Redmond, but I haven't been to one yet. I love good BBQ though.

My brother in laws parents come out from Ohio every year ...they ate at the pancake house 5 of the 7 days they stayed in Bend lol.

Hey my uncle has peanut allergy and we took him there, I don't recall if he ordered something special..but he didn't have any kind of allergic reaction. Might check if they make stuff without that.

oskidunker said:

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Have heard you get a lot of food but the quality is not great. Have never tried.

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Your comment is going to officially be labeled FAKE NEWS! wedged in the middle of a very long Off Topic thread which itself will be labeled FREE ADVERTISING.

triplebear said:

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MinotStateBeav said:

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Next time you come out here go to a place called "The Pancake House" ..makes the best pancakes I've ever had and the omlettes are huge and good lol.
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

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There's one of those in Los Altos/Mountain View. Went like 20 years ago, so can't vouch for it now but I'd imagine the pancake batter is the same.

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Been to the one in Pleasant Hill many times. Granddaughter loves it.

bearister said:

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Your comment is going to officially be labeled FAKE NEWS! wedged in the middle of a very long Off Topic thread which itself will be labeled FREE ADVERTISING.

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I'm sure Black Bear Diner paid for the commercials on the PAC12 network. I was wondering if there was a Cal tie-in. The closest connection I found was a video of Mike Pawlawski hunting a Black Bear in Canada.

I've never eaten at one, but their commercials air during Giants games, too, and sometimes they are hilarious: