I was NOT looking forward to writing anything bad about this place tonight. But I figured if I didn't, they may not learn from their mistakes and may lose more customers.. I want to support them so badly, I've waited for them to open up for a long time.. I was/am a big supporter of Black Bear Diner, I was invited to their pre opening event, had a free meal and enjoyed it a whole lot. Met an awesome waitress named Karissa. I returned as a paying customer, and enjoyed the experience and food as well.. then I went back for breakfast and it was ok, but saw they had Fish fry Fridays. So tonight, I was craving for fish fry, and it happened to be Friday.. checked their menu on the website to make sure they have fish fry, and saw they had beer battered cod.. We were seated at 7:30pm, waited 15 mins before a waitress came by to get our drinks.. then she took our order, I ordered fish fry..she said all you can eat fish fry? I said yes, cause I wanted fish fry.. First I had clam chowder as one of my "Sides"Then came my fish fry dinner ... the fish looked like it was shake and bake style, not beer batter..so I was a bit concerned.. i ate it and it tasted like fish sticks that you get frozen and baked.. well, I was hungry so I ate it anyway.. then the waitress came back and asked if I wanted another (All u can eat) so I said yes, just one piece because I was filling up. I sat there and waited, while I was waiting, I was looking at the kitchen area, where the finished plates of food would sit at the pass, waiting for runners to bring them to the diners. I noticed a plate with one piece of fish, that had just been put up.. then a bunch more plates of food started piling up... so I sat there and watched for another 15 mins, that fish was still sitting there.. I then asked another waitress to see if my fish order was ready, she tracked down my waitress and my waitress said omg, you didn't get your fish yet? Then that other waitress came back with THAT piece of fish that had been sitting up on that counter for the last 15 mins, I KNEW it was mine, and I was right. It was now room temperature .. The waitress asked if I wanted to speak to the manager.. I said sure, I would like to speak to the manager, but not to complain to get a free meal, but to let him know, how my one piece of fish had been sitting up there for so long, while they had so many people just standing around.. they had four people at the register just standing around talking, they had three people at the host podium standing around talking.. So 20 mins after waiting, the manager finally showed up.. he asked what was wrong, so I explained to him... how we are big supporters of Black Bear diner and how we were impressed with Karissa (First waitress) and because of her, we have been coming back.. but tonight's experience was lack luster. I told him how I wanted beer batter fish, but what I got was fish sticks. I showed him the picture from the website. He then told me they had TWO types of fish fry.. if you order regular fish fry, you'll get the beer battered cod. If you get the "All u can eat" it will be the fish stick style. Ummm no one told me that, the waitress didn't ask me for an option, she just assumed I wanted the "All u can eat" fish. The last time I went, I ordered a banana cream pie to go.. I went home, ate it, the flavors were great, very fresh. But all I got was banana flavored cream and whipped cream, and two tiny slivers of banana.. I asked that manager if the banana cream pie should have more than 2 slivers of banana. He said it should have a LOT.. I told him mine didn't. Anyway.... He shrugged it off, he shrugged off my complaint about the fish.. I told him he had a lot of people just standing around, instead of helping run the finished food to the customers. He said ok thank you... and left. No apology, no nothing. Remember, I don't like to complain to gain or ask for any discounts or free food. But I would appreciate an acknowledgement or concern about what I was saying. I hope this place stays in business, but if they continue running their business with this type of management, they may not have returning customers. Took forever to get food, food quality is not up to par, and manager don't know how to manage. read more

Black Bear Diner - Fish fry Friday (More like big frozen fish sticks) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vista, California

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We were looking forward to trying the first Black Bear Diner in Vista, CA, we knew it would be busy, and we were willing to wait because our experiences at other BBD locations while traveling in other states have always been super and delicious. Unfortunately, this visit fell short of expectations. We waited over 45 minutes to be seated and another 30 minutes for our food. My pancakes were overcooked, hard, and not the golden, fluffy pancakes we're used to. I asked for a new batch, but the replacement was identical (manager brought out 2nd batch)...still overcooked and stale. Our waiter did not check back with us, although other staff did refill our drinks and clear the table. We left a tip because we did receive our food and the restaurant was clean, but given the price, we expected better food and service. We hope this location can improve. Bummed read more

This is such a cute dinner with delicious food and great customer service. Our server was so nice and helpful, special shoutout to marycate :))))))) read more

Black Bear Diner - 10/10 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vista, California

At the time of the soft opening, 1 would given it a 5 star rating. Why? Staff was attentive, food that was brought to out to out table was hot. I believe at that time they were having plumbing issues then too. Two weeks later, my family went back again. Chaos amongst the staff. It was so busy. It took along time to place our order and even longer to get our food. We repeatedly had to ask for a refill of hot coffee. We never saw our waitress. The food was brought to by another waitress. The food was cold. Again we asked for our waitress, nowhere to be found. Lots of staff were just standing around.When we asked for the manager it took him 15 minutes to show up to talk to us. I don't think Black Bear was prepared to open. read more

I have to say, as a first impression of the long awaited opening of the Black Bear Restaurant in Vista, CA. It doesn't hold a candle to other Black Bear Restaurants I've been to over the years. I stopped by after a full days work, to get some food togo, was looking forward to sinking my teeth into one of my favorite sandwiches (the tri-tip french dip) and was simply shocked by its quality. The meat was BEYOND TOUGH, more like dried up leather pieces! And the gristle marbled into the tri-tip slices was absolutely disgusting!!!!!! You couldn't CHEW the meat, even AFTER dipping the sandwich into the au jus sauce. A total waste of money, not worth the price of a $17 dollar sandwich! In addition, I added a piece of banana cream pie, for dessert, or so I thought. What a DISAPPOINTMENT, the filling was some sort of fake, off flavor pudding filler with a few cut up banana slices, and some sort of graham cracker crumbles that lay loose at the bottom part of the pie dish, I'm assuming this was their version of a pie crust. What a concept. As for the whipping cream topper, too much! And the price, A WHOPPING OMG $8 dollars, what a SHAM!!!!!!! Last thought, as for the ambiance, poor at best, it felt more like a sweat lodge throughout the restaurant, and I was there just under 10 minutes. Just a suggestion, alittle A/C would go a long way when it comes to the comfort and dining expierence of your patrons, and staff alike. And as for the jukebox out front, too loud! All in all, a total waste! Thanks for nothing! Regards! read more

Went for an early morning breakfast at this new black bear diner in Vista. My server was Andres and was a really nice guy and very attentive. The food was all very good. Will be bringing back the family for lunch or dinner. Great menu and really enjoyed it read more

We ordered scrambled eggs , sausage patties and hash browns . Hubby had hash and biscuits and gravy. The sausage was good. Nothing else was passable. Warm not hot food. Terrible service, no follow up. Lack of server knowledge as far as sequencing. Kevin was nice but needs more time to learn. read more

I did come for the soft opening and we were asked to give our feedback directly vs reviewing or at least that's how I took it and I am ignoring that. Because it was the soft opening obviously I did not experience the wait as everyone else who came after the official open. We enjoyed our meal and are awaiting our next chance to come back. By that I mean once the hype has died down and the waits aren't so long. I had the hobo omelet whicch was pretty amazing. Cooked well and stuffed with meat and toppings. My son had the bear claw French toast. He would like to order that again except with another side as he got the bears choice and it's a rather small breakfast compared to the other options. I did not care for it. I found it too sweet and in a sugar addict so take that as you will. Maybe I was expecting it to have like a cheesy or custardy filling instead. My husband got the grizz and he felt that was a substantial portion. Arnold palmers and lemonades are only allowed 1 refill, my son and I got each and a refill however there was 3 lemonades on the bill so watch for that. We all are very eager to come back and work our way through all the appealing items on the menu and do recommend read more

We loved our experience at Black Bear Diner in Vista! Such great service, yummy food, fun decor, and great music and cool a/c on this hot summer day. Jeff, Dani, and Jennifer were all wonderful and made our experience even better. We'll definitely be back! read more

I wish I could give this place a big fat zero! Like many people in my area I have waited in anticipation for this place to open up after countless delays. I waited, what I felt was a good amount of time, for them to work out any kinks before I went in. I don't know if today was just an off day because I've read several good reviews, but today was just awful. First of all our waitress was covered in dog hair. Not something you want to see on the person who serves your food and depending on the item, also makes it. It really grossed me out. We ordered patty melts. My husband had onion rings and I had a salad. We also ordered a chocolate malt and chocolate cream pie to share. What was served to us were the sorriest looking patty melts I had ever seen. They also had an unpleasant odor, like old meat and they were unseasoned. What was in the plate was a hamburger patty on toasted, not grilled, soggy white bread. The onions were lumped in the center making the bread even more soggy. The cheese wasn't even melted. I asked the waitress why the bread wasn't rye as described on the menu? She picked up my plate and took it away as if I had annoyed her. After that reaction my husband didn't want to have his patty melt replaced. It honestly looked like what you would get off the child's menu it was so plain and sparse. My salad was forgotten 3 times. Our chocolate malt was nothing more than chocolate milk with melted ice. It was so runny I thought they must have run out of ice cream and there was no malt flavor. The chocolate pie is in a tin with the bottom filled with loose chocolate crumbs with chocolate pudding heaped on top and then whipped cream. This should not be advertised as pie! It is chocolate pudding and not even good chocolate pudding! All of it was the worst diner food we have ever eaten. The service was terrible and the section of the restaurant we were seated in looked like the storage section. It was stacked with high chairs and an area where the water pitchers were kept. The area was so narrow and closed off I felt like I was in a closet. I will never come here again. We honestly could have eaten at Texas Road House for the same amount of money and had far superior service, food, and a nicer seating area. Such a disappointment read more

This Black Bear gives the chain a bad name! Everyone loves black bear up North, always great service and food. Vista location by far worse place to have BF in Vista. What a let down. read more

The food was good, better than in most areas I've been to. I ordered from the smaller breakfast menu and still had enough for two light meals. The cost was, I think, good, considering the amount given, and compared to ordering out at other restaurants. Delivery guy, Jason, was very thorough in following directions, kind, respectful, respected my property, and prompt read more

So, the wait was long, we were told 20-35 minutes, but it ended up being 41 minutes. We got there around 9:45am on a Saturday. It was worth the wait. Our waiter was great, food was great, bathroom was clean, it was a good experience. We will be back. Thanks! Happy to have a great restaurant to go to in Vista! read more

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We eaten a few different places in the chain. Place is humming, just opened. We waited a few weeks to go. Today, Saturtay, we waited 35 min at 10 AM. Lots of people checked time and left. Lots of other locations in inland Los Angeles and Nevada, that is the same. The food was great, spicy sausage was on spot spicy, just nice, gravy and biscuit on point, the waffles very nice as usual, Brian's omelet very good, all our coffees mugs got filled at good intervaults, and very good coffee, not your typical low quality diner material...WHY 4 stars? Well the country potatoes were a bit under cooked on 1 of the 3 orders, but given the new start and new staff, we understand, and things will get better, that we know, it will happen, they have that quality reputation. Just be patient and kind, lots of young faces in the front staff, great new employer in Vista. Happy to have a new choice in town. read more

Shout-out to our amazing waitress Bernie! She was sparkling with charisma and attentiveness :) She got everything perfect on my complicated substitution order and the food came out hot, tasty and with generous helpings - enough pancakes and hollandaise sauce for another meal!! I got a free breakfast for my birthday (and you don't have to come on your actual day). My kids loved their burgers/fries and homemade strawberry shake-so big they split just one! read more

Thank you for the invitation! The only thing better than Black Bear Diner, is FREE Black Bear Diner! The Staff did great! The Food was spot on and the free dessert samples were a special treat as well! We gotta stop by and get a pie very soon! read more

Black Bear Diner - Training event! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vista, California

7 of us today 6/2 for a birthday lunch. Waited 45 min. but well worth it. Bear decor.. wow! Service great. Tried 4 different menu items..all better than average. Brought us a free pastry to feed all of us to celebrate. DEFINITELY going back! Our waitress Jennie was wonderful! read more

Opening day. Food was good. Some opening day training issues but nothing that affected me. I had the volcano. I'll be back. read more

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The best thing about this place is the service, and the setting, but the food fails to meet expectations and live to the hype. I get it, it's new, just opened, fresh, but food was not it. Food was not throughly cooked, fries salty, orders were missing items, and the saddest part was that our bread pudding to go was literally just pulled out the fridge and just put in the box. So it gets a two star for me as of right now, might give it another shot later down the road after they worked out the kinks but gotta say very disappointed in this place. read more

Black Bear Diner - Cold bread pudding. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vista, California

My daughter and I had the worst breakfast.! My waffle was burnt and soggy !!! The biscuits and gravy my daughter had were digusting! Tasted like crappy Bisquick dry and doughy with very little gravy. Food was cold!! My coffee had a weird taste, The bathroom had no toilet paper!Never again! Very disappointed! Our waitress was very nice that's about it! read more

Great service and very friendly staff. Beautiful decor inside. Big menu and lots of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We ve been there twice and all our food was tasty and had large portions. The manager Victoria stopped and talked to us both times asking how everything was. Very friendly. We will definitely be coming back soon! read more

Well-trained, polite staff! Delicious food--we had a Patty Melt with fries and Fish N chips with coleslaw & fruit. Excellent food, fast service, and very kind, well-trained staff. Lots & lots of parking, too. Go check it out for yourself and ENJOY! read more

We had been looking forward to going here! It was fantastic! The bear and wild life decor and jute box it was packed! The staff were fantastic! I has dinner there and got the fish and chips plate. They served these giant biscuits. All in all beyond 5 stars If you want dessert and choose not for a large helping try the huckleberry ice cream read more

Parking is terrible They need to figure that out because they're losing customers I drove around the lot for 10 minutes waiting for all the cars infront to try and find parking while everyone is honking and fighting over customer's spots when they are leaving. It's a mad house. I actually came here earlier in the week with the same issue. Got lucky with parking. Once we gave the waitress our order, food took about 20 minutes to be served, which one plate was cold. We were constantly trying to swat the flies by our table which seemed odd. Then as we were eating, we were given our check and was told "no rush" however that automatically felt like we were pushed to get out. After attempting a second try and the parking was terrible, I left and won't be coming back as well telling my friends and family about this experience. read more

Black Bear Diner - Customers trying to find parking - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vista, California

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l Had fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. My cousin had pot roast with baked potato. Her husband had a club sandwich with fries. Solid meal and portions were big. 9/10. Server's name was Autumn. She took great care of us. 10/10 read more

Above and Beyond Service;-) Real cheesy dining room decor "filled with all things' Bear;-)))" Humongous Portions for breakfast, "the most important meal of the day" double dare ya to clean your plate!!! read more

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Great breakfast offerings, friendly service. If you see a line outside the door, just know that it typically moves pretty quickly. Thumbs up! read more

Delicious food and amazing service! A server, Bri served me and my family our food with the sweetest smile and outstanding enthusiasm. Overall a good wholesome environment, Definitely returning. read more

Food was really good comfort food. Lots of very friendly, well trained staff. The one critique is on the cleanliness of the floor. We have been there twice and the floor looked very dirty both times. As many people as they have working there they should have someone running a little push sweeper all the time to keep the floor clean. Dirty looking floor is very unappealing for a diner. read more

Nice atmosphere, clean, and you can find some great souvenirs. Good customer service and the food tastes great.

Food is definitely NOT worth the wait. Items sounded great on the menu and looked good on other people's tables. When actually trying the food, it was just ok. When factoring in the cost, definitely not worth a revisit. read more

We waited until the crowds thinned out and dropped in. We are so glad we did. Staff was very friendly especially Karissa. We will always try to get her table. The dinner was delicious and they even offer a smaller portion menu which was great for me, my husband got the regular amount and the food was more than plentiful. It was a wonderful experience and we will go back. The dessert was wonderful too. read more

So looked forward to this opening close to home. We would always stop going to Las Vegas. We went yesterday at lunchtime. Waited 45 minutes for two entrees. The last one came out 15 minutes later we were almost done eating and it came out cool. Food was delish though. Not sure we'll return. read more

Huge selection of menu items. Pricing is great and portions are large. Staff is super friendly. Love the decor.

First time in to any Black Bear ever and used the reward they sent for signing up. Gotta say, pretty worth it and the amount of food you get for the price is totally better than most spots! Insane! Definitely will be back . Wait may be a little long depending but like most places, and whether have enough staff or not, still worth it. read more

Black Bear Diner - Black bear - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Vista, California

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The food is always good I love the muffin is grate all the time and coffee never disappoint me

The food was great nice clean place! Service was excellent friendly people and very welcoming. We will be back.

Went in for breakfast with a couple buddies and was greeted and seated immediately by Carissa who was overly happy to greet us. Next our waitress Jennie was quick to bring our drinks and take our orders. The food was great with large portions. Jennie made sure our coffee and waters were full and that our food was just how we liked it. overall the service deserves 10 stars. read more

I and a friend ordered the one biscuit and gravy with two sausage links. The amount of gravy was insufficient to cover both halves of the biscuit. Yes, I could have asked for more gravy but why and this was my test visit for the new opening. Not impressed. The wait was short enough. The service was great. The restaurant was very busy. I have heard so much about the portion sizes here. The biscuit was just OK, Just light on gravy. May try again in a month or so. read more

We went in to try their breakfast. I had their sweet Cream pancakes, bacon and two eggs(easy over). My husband had 3eggs(easy over), bacon, hash browns and toast. Everything was very delicious. My only recommendation is to find a better sugar-free syrup. It was a very busy day. The restaurant is decorated with very cool pictures of bears catching fish(bass or salmon, I'm not sure. Our waitress Bernie was very attentive and helpful. A really welcoming employee. We hope to get her again. We will be sure to share our experience with all of our family and friends. read more