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    Grumpy Bears Retreat

    4.4 (29 reviews)
    InexpensiveAmerican
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Grumpy Bears Retreat Photos

    Business Info

    GRUMPY BEARS RETREAT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Grumpy Bears Retreat

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    Jackie L.

    I meant to take a picture of the food but I guess we were too hungry, our order was buffalo wings with a legit bleu cheese. They were seriously good wings, don't sleep on them. We had a burger too added bacon and egg. Everything just hit the spot after a couple of days of hiking and camping. It looks like they def have amenities if you're hiking the pct which is cool. We felt welcome, we had our small dog

    Craft beer at Grumpy Bear Saloon.
    Adriana M.

    Off roading the Kern Plateau last spring we stopped in for a beer. Immediately dug this funky cabin bar overlooking Kennedy Meadows. The saloon is surrounded by several smaller buildings for Pacific Crest Trail hikers passing through to camp, shower and rest. There were several hikers warming up and charging their phones when we arrived. Modest and cozy, the cabin is reminiscent of a rustic ski lodge. There's a large patio with a bandstand and panoramic scenic views. Seating is somewhat communal, picnic style, or else at the bar. Outdoor seating with plenty of nooks if you want more privacy. Large dirt parking lot. Nice craft beer selection, above average bar food menu. Standard service, order and pick up at the counter. We watched the sunset over a cold beer and tasty burger in the middle of nature. Cool destination spot.

    Very very cold beer.
    Tracy B.

    Place is ok. They need to update their website, especially the menu. They have no sandwiches. Just burgers. Wanted pizza and yes, they don't have that either. They do have ever have a full bar and very cold beer which is a plus. So I got some chicken wings and the hubby got a burger. The fries are homemade and very good.

    Hiker Breakfast included hashbrowns, 2 eggs, sausage patty,  and all you can eat pancakes that are bigger than your head! Delicious!
    Connor M.

    This place was a hiker oasis! The food selection was decent greasy spoon type food with vegetarian and vegan options. They had a full bar, lively atmosphere, and great service. Free camping, free laundry, and free showers were available on site. It can get a bit loud at night but other than that it is a great place to prepare for the Sierra Section of the PacificCrestTrail. Don't act like disrespectful hiker trash and they will treat you wonderfully. They work hard and clean up after a lot of nasty hikers so clean up your mess, tip well, and say thank you!

    a row of tombstones and skeletons
    Amy C.

    Seriously the best place! We have always wanted to make the drive up the mountain to Kennedy Meadows.. we finally did and we were really impressed. Stopped in at Grumpy Bear for a quick beer and ended up staying a few hours. Food was amazing and the owners were super friendly! Worth the drive!

    Eddie C.

    Camping in the Sequoias? If you are going over Sherman Pass on Hwy 395 side, this is the place to stop and grab a bite. Don't let the sign fool you, the place inside is not nearly as nice at the sign indicates... that is except for the service and the food! Grumpy Bears is located on Sherman Pass road along with 2 other eateries. Other than these, I think the closest place is a Subway about 30 miles away, so if you are hungry stop here. Grump Bears is a simple rustic building, in a huge parking lot, a big bar, and a couple of tables. Apparently folks drinking in the parking had been a problem, considering all the "No Alcohol in the Parking Lot" signs posted. There is also a corral for the locals that decided horses are the preferred mode of transportation. The power for the place comes from a big diesel generator running in the back. I don't think they have landline service and cell signal is a definite no. They do however accept credit cards approved via a satellite link. Now, that is about as fancy as it gets! We ended here at the end of our Memorial Day camping trip tired and hungry from a long drive down Sherman Pass. We were greeted by a friendly and efficient server that offered to give the nine of us all separate checks. Nice!! I couldn't decide on the chicken Sandie or the patty melt and without hesitation she recommended the Patty Melt, so that was what I had with a side of macaroni salad and an ice tea. The Patty Melt was an excellent recommendation. The generous portion of ground beef was perfectly grilled and seasoned. Grilled onions, melted cheese and nicely browned bread completed this great lunch selection! Next time? You bet! Every year on Memorial Weekend.

    Enjoying a cold one

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    8 years ago

    Opening day of Trout season we were at Kennedy Meadows. Limits every day.

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    Ask the Community - Grumpy Bears Retreat

    Review Highlights - Grumpy Bears Retreat

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    Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge - Dinner salad

    Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge

    4.2(168 reviews)
    22.4 mi
    $$

    I've been coming here for almost 30 years. After Terry and Carol passed away Jim and Darlyn took…read moreover and did some great improvements! The new patio is absolutely amazing! The bar is well stocked with all your favorites! The bartenders Katie and Brie are outstanding! They all make you feel like family! Greg and Michelle are very sweet. He's in the store and she's the host in the restaurant. Now to the food! You won't have a bad steak here. I had the rib eye the first night and the sirloin the second night, and both were cooked to perfection. Our servers were Sonya and Hailee both were so attentive. I chose to bring my own wine and they do charge a 15$ corkage fee which is very reasonable. I rented the cabin which had totally been redone and is really nice. I'll be coming back for sure!! We adore this place and it just got better!

    We camped nearby and came here for some relief from camping food. Ate outside and enjoyed the food…read moreand the ambience. It was nice to be able to walk inside and experience the rustic decor but then eat outside where it's a bit roomier and enjoy some nature. Service was attentive, and the owner stopped by our table to chat. On a Saturday night, a reservation is probably a good idea, and we were thankful we had one, because it was pretty full. The food was all about the steaks, with solid but unmemorable sides, and who could forget a $106, ~38-oz. Tomahawk Ribeye that my friend and I shared? We asked for rare, and were asked back "cold or warm in the middle"? (awesome!). My friend and I both said out loud at once, "cold", and it actually was. Very nice piece of meat done exactly as we wished. As for the prices, you could either wonder why they are so high for a place out in the boonies, or you could be thankful there's such good steak available way out in the boonies.

    Photos
    Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge - Restaurant interior

    Restaurant interior

    Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge - Golden Fried Chicken

    Golden Fried Chicken

    Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge - Patio overlooking the river

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    Patio overlooking the river

    Kristy's Family

    Kristy's Family

    3.9(259 reviews)
    35.4 mi
    $

    The diner was definitely better than I expected and we will return! The Pancakes were really good,…read moreand was the Veggie omelet. However, the Homemade Cinnamon Roll was just okay. The gentleman who took our orders was nice and very patient! The ambiance was nothing special-typical diner. The toilets could use good cleaning, too, but the bathrooms were generally okay. We stopped here on our way to Mammoth from San Diego, and we would return!

    It's a country diner, with booth seating and 50s oldies playing softly in the background…read more We were seated promptly and drink order taken right away. Coffee has free refills. I had the Country Benedict, which is a sausage patty and an egg on top of a biscuit and covered with gravy, served with hash browns. The egg was over easy, and the yolk, when broken, blended deliciously with the gravy. The hash browns were crisp and fresh - very good. The biscuit was buttered, which was a pleasant surprise. They pay attention to small details like that here. Mr. P enjoyed his burger, which came with fresh onions, tomato and lettuce on a specialty bun. The burger was smashed, yet very juicy. His fries were golden brown crisp and cut thick. He liked them a lot. This was easily the best diner breakfast I've had in a long while. Looking forward to stopping in again when I'm nearby in the future. I am full and happy.

    Photos
    Kristy's Family - Old school coffee shop/diner type place. Wish me luck.

    Old school coffee shop/diner type place. Wish me luck.

    Kristy's Family - Meat lovers omelette

    Meat lovers omelette

    Kristy's Family - Misleading advertising.....$0.99 coffee??? But only on Monday and Tuesday upon further discussion with staff

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    Misleading advertising.....$0.99 coffee??? But only on Monday and Tuesday upon further discussion with staff

    Grumpy Bears Retreat - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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