I just add to leave this comment about our server last night, Angelo. He seemed so nice, and he was nice, but he was a very poor waiter. He got our orders pretty much correct, but when they brought my table mate's Cobb salad, there was no dressing. in addition to that, another person in my party did not receive their orange juice. It would not have been a big deal, except our waiter, Angelo, did not come back to check on us. After nearly ten minutes, I had to go to the area where the food comes out of the kitchen and ask that the ranch dressing be delivered and the expeditor brought it out. I did not realize at the time that the orange juice had not come, either or else I would've asked that it be delivered, as well. It wasn't until we had nearly finished our meal that Angelo finally came back to the table, with the checks. At that point, my friend mentioned orange juice had not come with her meal and he brought it over. But, by then it was a moot point because she had already nearly finished her meal. It was a little funny because the booth right behind us had to speak very loudly to get the attention of one of the other staff members to let them know that Angelo had not returned to their table after the food was delivered, either. He was none too happy and listed four things that needed to be addressed. So, I've come to the conclusion that Angelo needs additional training because even though he's a nice enough fellow, he doesn't know his job. He needs to come back to the table within no more than three to five minutes of bringing the food to see if there's anything else needed. He failed to do that, not only with our table, but the booth directly behind us and I would wager to say he neglected ALL of his customers that evening. So, I would urgently ask that the management urgently address the situation and let Angelo know that he needs to do his job in a much more efficient manner. They need to monitor him, to make sure that this does not happen again, with ANY of the customers in his section. We love the Black Bear Diner, their food is delicious and up to this point, their service has been excellent. But, if the Black Bear Diner management continues employing waiters who fail miserably in their service to their customers, we might just have to rethink whether or not we want to continue coming to this restaurant in the future. Thank you very much. read more

Bad service, had approach waiter to be seated. Wrong drink served and meal was served after others who came after us. No refill offered with meal I finished it while waiting for meal. read more

Adorable cottage diner with wooden carvings and bears theme! Absolutely love it... almost feels like it should be up in the woods! Service was good, sat us down, food came out on time, food was plentiful for the cost and reasonably priced compared to other diners that are not inflated. I tried the chicken sausage scramble and my son had the sprinkle pancake. Lots to choose from. Clean diners, plenty of seating and also parking. read more

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Came on a beautiful San Diego Saturday during brunch, expected a long wait but was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't that long, given how busy it was. Jonathan our server was great, prompt, friendly and offered some selection opinions of which I appreciated immensely. Got the corned beef hash and I must say while I grew up eating the canned now that I'm an adult and my pallet is more refined the homemade is so much more superior, also got the biscuits n gravy (his suggestion) it was smack in and also got the grits (don't judge me I was participating in big backery that day) which were perfect. The ambiance is typical diner atmosphere so no surprises there. Will def continue to frequent as the food and vibes are BEAR-y good (see what I did there) LOL read more

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Wait, this place is soooo cute. I had never heard of it and it's a little far from where i live so it was a surprise to stumble upon. The decor is really thought out, made me feel like i was in a cabin in a tiny town in the woods. I got the skinny breakfast that still came with biscuits and gravy. Huge portions. I could tell the hashbrowns for example were made by hand. They also had huckleberry syrup to put in the iced tea! I will be returning. Loved it! read more

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I have been coming here for years - either in person, or via Postmates. I love a good diner breakfast. Seems Black Bear's quality is hit and miss lately. I usually get my delivery with the bag stapled shut. This morning, the bag was wide open, and the top to my breakfast container wasn't properly on. Was it tampered with? Who knows. I usually rave about the biscuits - this morning it was over cooked and "crunchy" - maybe reheated from yesterday's batch? For some reason the sausage links were salty. They never were in my previous orders, so I wonder if they switched brands? It is a diner breakfast and still beats fast food any day - I just wanted to voice my opinion on the quality going downhill lately. read more

I love breakfast and I love this spot. I bring my friends here and is 45 minute drive and a 45 min wait. But worth it. I brag about this place all the time. read more

Food was so good!! Service was also great. I love that there is breakfast alllllll day!

Our team decided to switch things up and hold our get-together and mini team-building at Black Bear Diner, and it turned out to be a great choice. Our server was pleasant, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu, which made ordering easy. The servings were huge, well-cooked, and nicely presented--definitely great value for the price. The seating area was comfortable and spacious, making it an ideal setting for a good meal and some team socializing. The only thing that could be improved was the coffee, which wasn't as strong or flavorful as we hoped. Still, overall, it was a solid experience, and a spot we'd consider returning to for future team gatherings. read more

Food is ok but the prices in this place are crazy. Also, crank the AC down a little bit. Having to keep the sweater on and hurrying our meal because we're freezing in there doesn't score any points. When the AC cools down your food and the frozen butter doesn't melt on the lukewarm pancake....thats a problem. Service was great but can't make up for other shortcomings. Probably not going back here. read more

Had an amazing dinner. My husband and I wanted to check them out. The service was great it was on a Sunday evening. My husband had the chicken fried steak and I had the Tri Tip. Everything was so tasty. read more

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First time here and so happy we stopped by. This diner is so spacious and clean. The service was great. We got seated right away and the server who took our orders was so polite and got our orders right. Their menu here is HUGE. Love the fact that you can order breakfast anytime of the day. I got the Chicken Sausage Scramble and we shared the Bread Pudding French Toast. The food came out quick. Our food tasted delicious. The portions here are huge so come hungry. Thank you Black Bear diner for a delicious first time experience and your hospitality. I can't wait to come back and try something else off your menu. read more

Let's start by our wait time. Place was packed but the wait was only 25 minutes. Hostess was friendly and got us seated right away. Our server was Fred. I was worried at first it seemed he had a 15 top to deal with as well as our 4 top. He handled both tables like a pro. Check backs were awsome. Our food was amazing. Salad fresh and crisp the Turkey dinner I had was great. I did a sub for the broccoli and had coleslaw and again amazing. The overall ambiance was comforting and music was very nice. We visit from Tucson when we visit my daughter and her family. Excellent experience thank you all!! read more

Cute place for breakfast. We happened to be close by to have our car serviced and needed to kill time. Ended up at Black Bear Diner. The decor is cozy with a cabin feel and bears everywhere. Portions were huge and food was tasty. And we loved that the food was out quickly after ordering. I was too full to try a pie but next time I will have to order to go because they all looked so good! read more

Black Bear Diner - Diners Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Im not surprised this diner has 4 stars and some cases deserve 5. I drove from Chula Vista just to enjoy this all time favorite of mine. Large portions of delicious food, the most friendliest staff, and fast service. Ive come for lunch and breakfast and never disappointed. A must try. read more

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Had a Joe's Hobo omelette. It was delicious. Service was top notch our server was Casey. Very sweet. Patient with us and had great recommendations. Will be back for sure. read more

A place so fantastic I've become a regular! The food is always delicious, fast and best of all affordable--or at the least reasonable prices for the portion sizes. Servers are always in a good mood which influences the overall ambiance and quality of the time spent at the restaurant. It always feels like you're family here, with not one individual member to single out as every one does their jobs incredibly well. You won't be disappointed coming here! read more

When we visited on a Sunday morning, it was really busy! Instead of waiting 10 to 15 minutes for a table, we sat at the counter. The restaurant was full of energy, and our server, Diego, was fast, super friendly, and very helpful. I ordered the Bear's Choice breakfast, which came with two eggs and a choice of sides. I added sausage links and stuffed blueberry French toast, which tasted more like a danish. The food was tasty, and if you enjoy a big menu with lots of options, I'd recommend trying this popular diner! read more

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I went to eat with my family for Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day. They took the only vegetarian dinner item off their menu, fettuccine alfredo. I had to order off the kids menu. I It was just Mac and cheese and French fries. The Mac and cheese looked exactly like the boxed Kraft Mac and cheese that you would buy at the grocery store and cook on your stove at home. I don't expect boxed Mac and cheese when I eat out at a restaurant. Every year we eat here for Thanksgiving but will not be returning. Standards are low here. I had to go somewhere else afterwards. Do better Black Bear Diner! read more

Came here, last year, for breakfast with a guy I was seeing and the service was great! It was nice and cozy inside and the food was delicious! He got a burrito, I think and he ate it all! I got a country fried steak and eggs and loved it! OJ was great! Coffee was great! Thank you so much, guys! Not sure I'll be back in the area... but if I do, I'll come back here! read more

Went to blackbear diner in El Cajon for the first time today and I was very impressed with how good the food and how good the service was shout out to Diego my server for being absolutely awesome kind and super helpful throughout our lunch! He let us know our wait times for food prior to sitting he educated us on the menu and helped us choose some of the best food options we've had in a while. He was even kind enough to give us waters as a parting gift. We are definitely going to be coming back here just because of Diego's awesome attitude thank you black bear diner for some good food!! This place gives home cooking grandma vibes but don't let this fool you, this food is solid and tasty! read more

Black Bear Diner - Diners Near Me - El Cajon, California

The food & service is wonderful. I hand the Eggs Benedict without the meat instead I upped for Tomatoes hubby had tee traditional breakfast of eggs & hash browns. All was delicious we will be back when we come across one in our travels. read more

Sol was my server yesterday and she crushed it! I've been here a few times, but never have I had such great service! She is a gem and a keeper! read more

Went with my Mom Dad And Sister for mother's day. Amazing serivce and food as always. Staff was professional polite and went above and beyond. Food we had the Bear paw chicken fired steak. And saland Broccoli and mashed potatoes. 5 stars for all highly recommend going to Black Bear read more

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Great customer service. Everyone was super nice and the food was great. The ambiance is family friendly. My parents love it. Will be back for sure. read more

Best pancakes, hands down! The service at this Black Bear Diner is always on point--I've never been disappointed. The menu promises big portions, and they definitely deliver! The pancakes are absolutely incredible, and everything I've tried has been delicious. Consistently great food and friendly service keep me coming back. Highly recommend! read more

Went Friday evening. Was there a few weeks ago and was closed for "remodeling". (DIL said it was pest problem). All new staff seemed like. Hostess/cashier was the most unsmiling person, no personality or welcoming. I requested booth and she said all taken. Then took me to mini booth by kitchen. I said okay just cause I was hungry. Very nice young waiter. Order came out fast. Got my usual lesser dinner of Santa Maria tri tip med rare, baked potato. Requested broccoli only but they only had a mix of carrots and broccoli. Order came out fast. Tri tip very difficult to cut and chew. Lots of fat to cut off ends and couldn't chew up most pieces all the way. Potato good. Broccoli good, lots of carrot coins. A little underdone. I thought cheese came on the potato and asked for it on the side( to put on broccoli) They brought a small bowl of it and later on my check was charged $2 extra for it. Decided not to complain. Saw hostess seat several more patrons while there. Still no smile, no personality. Got her again at check out. No smile. No personality. Very blah. Almost seemed mad or unhappy. Probably won't go back again for this meal. Maybe breakfast once in awhile. read more

Excellent! Been here twice now for breakfast and both times the food and service have been great! Definitely going to be back.

good food with good prices. hoestyle type of menu.I saw a sign goin in for the roast beef melt sandwich so I ordered that. I asked what sides were available. I chose the baked potato. food came quick. sandwhich was pretty good. came with cup of aju sauce for dipping. my mom got the chicken fried steak. there's an option for 2 sizes on alot of the meals. she went with the smaller portion. someone elso got the larger portion plate and it was much more food. prices were fairly reasonable. under 20 for most things. service was excellent. our waitress was attentive but not overbearing. very friendly. Inside felt kinda like a dinerish feel. pretty casual. Will defintly come back read more

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Great experience at Black Bear Diner in El Cajon close to the parkway plaza mall. Took my friend here for breakfast because I have been wanting to try this place. The interiors gave me an Idyllwild vibe--cozy and rustic. It's hard to believe this used to be another restaurant years ago; the renovations are fantastic. The food was delicious, the service was impressively fast, and our waiter was excellent. On top of that, there's ample parking, which made the visit even more convenient. Highly recommend this spot for a satisfying meal in a charming setting! They also have a fun selection of merchandise for sale, including fur boots, onesies, and T-shirts. They even have a jukebox where you can play your favorite songs, adding a nostalgic and entertaining touch to the dining experience! Will definitely come back! Highly recommended. read more

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We liked our breakfast experiences so much we decided to return and see what lunch was like and we were not disappointed. We both went for the Cobb salad with grilled chicken and it was excellent! We'll be headed back soon to try dinner! Also thanks to our server, Isabel, for doing such a great job! read more

Black Bear Diner - Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad - Diners Near Me - El Cajon, California

The service was absolutely terrible. Our server, Alicia, had a clear attitude and made everyone at our table uncomfortable. The way she spoke to us was disrespectful, and it felt completely unnecessary. Unfortunately, this didn't seem like an isolated incident... there was an argument happening between a waitress and the table next to us as well, which says a lot about the overall service culture here. While the food itself was good, it doesn't make up for being treated poorly. Good food isn't enough when the service makes you feel unwelcome. I wouldn't return because of this experience. read more

The flavor of the food was very good The portion of food was very good Our waiter "Jonathan" was very good The vibe below average It wasnt "warm" It wasnt an atmosphere that would draw me back Overall i rate this total experience 6 or 7 out of 10 read more

Slow to get seated, service took forever, not good food, fruit on kids meals was not edible, the cornbread (paid extra) was rock hard like something you'd see someone bounce off the ground in a movie. I literally waited 20+ minutes to get my card back after paying. The worst. I couldn't bear to go again. read more

The food here is... well, didn't get the chance to eat. Being busy is not an issue, but apparently being a single diner is. No, I don't want to eat at a counter, I like my space. Yup, not gonna get my Lil birthday special... worth a shot... shot missed. read more

One of my favorite brunch places. Their food is flavorful, not greasy, and fresh. Nice decor, clean, friendly servers, and prompt. read more

Went on Sunday after church. We waited about 5-10 minutes.. we had a big party. We had Jabari and Alicia waiting on us. They did great and were attentive. Food came out quickly. The food was good as always. This was my 3rd time at this location. read more

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To begin, we love Black Bear diner. Been coming religiously because of the food and the friendly staff. Today was a different experience. This if the El Cajon, CA on 12/14/25 at ard 3:25-4:01pm. I ordered 3 Christmas dinners, 2 cub meals and a CHOCOLATE CAKE. Understandably, I would not have time to check the bags at the counter just as I picked up the order, or be able to open up each packaging because really, who does that? When I got home, I checked every single container and found I was missing the CHOCOLATE CAKE. Knowing that today is Christmas eve and the diner closes at 4pm, I immediately called at 3:57pm just to report what's missing in my order. The girl who took the call immediately responded , "we close at 4pm... short of saying 'what do you want?' So I spoke quickly and explained I am missing the chocolate cake from my order. She countered with, " it's in one of the bags...we "triple checked" the bags and know the cake was there. After she was done, I said it's not there. She went on to reiterate that we "triple checked it"..... I interjected and said that I know you're closing and I don't need it today, I can come back for it tomorrow. She again, without asking anyone states " we can't do that. You picked up the order today so we cannot give the cake tomorrow. I don't think we can do that. (This response irritated me even more. If you're not sure, then don't say it. Make sure to think about what you will say to a customer before you say it especially if you do not have the authority to make decisions or you don't know the rules for a fact. So at this point, I got irritated even more. I raised my voice because she was talking over me and again, I want to get off the phone quick so as not to hold anyone over 4pm. At 3:59, she stopped responding. I know I am still connected because I can hear the restaurant background. I kept saying hello a few times and she was not responding, obviously ignoring me. I mentioned while she was ignoring me that I will report this incident because it left a bad taste. It's Christmas Eve and she took a piece of happiness away. There is no excuse for rudeness and talking over a customer who is obviously upset. Please review the call. I can't even enjoy the food. It left a bad impression and an ugly taste in my mouth. I have an idea of who this person is. She was at the counter when I picked up the food. In fact, she was very unfriendly. Very standoffish. Friendly advice, to this girl, even if you own the place or related to the owner, you should not be acting like you're better than a customer. I ended the call at 4:01pm as respect to everyone else working at Black Bear diner today. I will call again tomorrow and see how it turns out. It's not the cake, it's the lack of respect that employee showed that should not be left addressed. This girl may have not said it out loud but insinuating and challenging me about the cake, is in bad taste. I offered to take pictures of every container and contents and countering with we "triple checked" the contents is passive aggressively insinuating that I am lying. Why would I lie over $8?!?! And offering to come back and pick it up the next day. Again this experience with this particular employee left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

Somewhat disappointed. We went for Easter Dinner on Sunday afternoon. We arrived about 2:30pm and the line was light. Probably only had to wait about 15 minutes. I ordered the ham dinner (Easter special) and it was fairly disappointing. It came with 4 pretty thin slices of ham. The first 2 slices were decent tasting, but the 2nd two slices were VERY DRY. Vegetables - broccoli and carrots were pretty uninspiring without much flavor. Mashed potatoes were pretty good but portion size seemed small compared to my normal experience there. Side salad with ranch dressing was very good. My wife ordered breakfast and was happy with her meal. But the special, Easter ham meal was disappointing. We've always had pretty good meals (mostly breakfast and a few dinners) here and so probably will return, but I can't say we would return for another Easter Dinner. Nor would I recommend it to anyone else. read more

First time here. Loved it. Service was very good. I never saw the bottom of my coffee cup. Country style place. If you're ever in El Cajon and was a unique breakfast and or lunch experience this is the place for you. Prices are reasonable. read more

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