TLDR: Cash only; Portion sizes are still on the bigger side; Our favorites: buckwheat pancakes, corn beef/pastrami hash. ----- Been here many times over the last decade whenever we are in Big Bear. Our latest visit yesterday was still overall a very positive experience. Much to our delight, their buckwheat pancakes are still the best pancakes EVER (imho). These pancakes are the reason why we come to Teddy Bear every time. Something about the flavor and texture just makes them stand out. In fact, we no longer order pancakes anywhere else. Corn beef hash and pastrami hash are still so very flavorful and satisfying. The cinnamon cornbread is still good. Coffee might seem a little weak for some (like my husband) but good enough for me. Our server was super busy so service was understandably a tad slow but decidedly adequate. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - Buckwheat pancakes, corn beef hash, pastrami hash, cinnamon corn bread, biscuit & gravy - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Pros: We liked the feel of a "small town diner" and staff were very friendly. They have tons of food options and service was quick. Came here on a Saturday for lunch and we were seated right away! Cons: We were not expecting this place to be cash only! The chairs were uncomfortable and the bathrooms are not nice. Their soda machine wasn't working and they didn't offer iced coffee (although they did give us hot coffee and a cup of ice). Their Ceaser salad had way too much dressing to the point where it was soggy! Overall it was an alright place for our weekend getaway lunch. But we would not eat here again. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Cozy place, great service, and very friendly staff. Chicken pot pie and country fried steak are good. The cinnamon french toast is a must have. Only thing is they don't have a paper menu. You need to scan the QR code to see the menu from your phone. It is challenging for elderly people. read more

Talk about déjà-vu, walking in here just brings back memories of a time in the long long ago, then I found out I did come here 15 years ago! When this place already looked like it's been here for ages. A staple to the Village, the only thing that's different is the menu; now it's all accessible via QR code rather than menus that's passed through hands from everywhere. If you need glasses to read, bring them. My parents were having trouble navigating the menu without their glasses through the phone. Even with the biggest font it still is not the same scanning with your eyes rather than our fingers. Plenty of breakfast items to choose from, the blueberry pancakes seem to be where it's at. Tons of blueberries and a stack is more than most places give. The waffles were not as good as their pancakes. And the hashbrowns outshined the omelette but it's such a cozy restaurant you would eat the warm orange slice on your plate and smile as if grandma is still around and sane. Coffee was blander than brownish dishwater though but the service felt like the friendly sun on your face. read more

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Delicious, went there for breakfast every morning on our trip in Bear Lake. Prefect outside patio with our pup. Great services and lots to choose from classic breakfast, lunch or dinner read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - My favorite chicken fried steak - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Yes I had the chicken fried steak and eggs It was delicious !!! And perfect Wife had the sliders She said they were delicious too Great service Our waitress was Monique Great service never asked for anything read more

Great spot in Big Bear for comfort food! Portions are huge definitely come hungry. Everything we ordered was warm, hearty, and tasted like true diner-style home cooking. Service was friendly and the place has that cozy mountain vibe that makes you feel right at home. Perfect stop after exploring the area. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Awesome place. Exactly what you want when you go to a mountain town for breakfast. Food was high quality, people were really nice and attentive, and the diner has a sweet charm to it. read more

It's important to note that this rating has nothing to do with the food, as we ended up leaving before ordering. My low rating is entirely based on the customer service experience within the first few minutes of arriving. I came in with my dog, fully aware that we would need to sit outside. Since most restaurants still have you check in first, I stood at the podium where there was a sign indicating a server would check in guests. After standing there briefly, an employee asked if we wanted to sit on the patio. I said yes, and he responded by telling us to "go up the ramp." Not even in a friendly manner. Me being me I just wanted to verify that I didn't have to check in as it wasn't just myself, my party we're not all with me ..wanting to make sure I was following the correct process, I politely asked if I didn't need to check in first. His response came across as annoyed, basically repeating that he had already told us to go up the ramp. The interaction felt unnecessarily dismissive and rude. There's a difference between being direct and making guests feel unwelcome. I'm usually not someone who leaves negative reviews over one interaction, but both my husband and brother-in-law also noticed the attitude, as they were close enough to hear and it immediately made us uncomfortable enough to leave. Before leaving, I did take a quick look at the patio area and noticed it was very shaded with leaves scattered around from the wind, which didn't make the outdoor dining setup feel especially inviting either. Overall, this was disappointing because I had chosen this spot to celebrate my 30th birthday and was really looking forward to enjoying a big, delicious pancake. Unfortunately, the experience started off on the wrong foot and we decided not to stay. read more

This is a go to spot for us when we're staying at our house here in Big Bear. Like most of the local favorites it's a small building packed with big flavor! The service is always good and you cannot find better comfort food on a cold snowy day!!! The inside is rustic and reminds me of a mountain cabin . You will almost always be told it's an hour plus wait, but have no fear and a little patience. More often than not people will go somewhere else and you will be at a table in no time as you will move right up the waiting list. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - Clam Chowder - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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The wait here can be an two hour wait easily if you come on the weekend. I didn't eat pancakes or the pie, so it's possible those are good and this could've deserved a higher score. I ordered the Spanish omelette, and everything on my plate was very average. Nothing was bad, but I wouldn't wait more than 20 minutes for this meal. The staff was friendly, this place is cash only so keep that in mind and parking is limited. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Good but was hoping for better. My wife got a pot roast with fries and a side of salad. I got their country fried chicken steak with mashed potatos. The pot roast was pretty good. The chicken steak was very meh. If I were to do this again, I might sub out the country fried chicken steak with chicken pot pie. Their apple pie must be popular because it was out when we wanted a slice. This place is cash only, so come prepared. read more

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Cash only but only have QR code menus which just seems odd- ATM was down so glad we had cash another group had to leave. Server was really sweet and professional, busser just seemed confused and kind of rude (forgot straws then threw them on the table after we asked for them, annoyed look th). Food itself was decent, love that they kids menu is also listed for "smaller appetites" because I eat like a bird and never finish more than half of a diner plate. Cute cabin style ambiance. Good for a cheap quick stop but not somewhere you'd sit down and enjoy. read more

A little disappointed with the salad, good variety of lettuces but no other vegetables. The pot roast has a great flavor but you do not get anything with it, meaning carrots, onions or potatoes. They do give you a choice of potato but if you are looking for traditional pot roast meal, this is not it. Good service and a cute cozy vibe with good seating outside when warmer read more

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Food was solid. Service was meh. We kept being told that we were up next but kept waiting and waiting and waiting. Ignored lots of times by the staff. Nice little restaurant in downtown but apparently not enough seating. Not very many parking spots so you may have to find street or public parking. We eventually ordered to go. We got the country fried steak which was good but what you'd expect. But the eggs Benedict was another story. That was definitely the highlight. Done to perfection. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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What a cozy and delicious breakfast joint. Located in the downtown village in Big Bear. Please know it's cash only but they do have an ATM if needed. They also have a private parking lot. No dogs allowed inside. The portions were large. I was only able to finish half of my country fried streak. The gravy is absolutely delicious and rich. This is a great place to stop for a warm hearty meal after a chilly day. And the service is fairly fast for a place that serves such hearty large portions. I would definitely come again the next time I come to Big Bear. read more

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Great place for lunch! Didn't try their breakfast but I'm sure it's consistent with its afternoon. Great food, good service. Love the small and quaint atmosphere. If you don't know what to get I would suggest the lemon caper chicken if you want to feel healthier but the chicken pot pie if you want to go for one of the heartiest meals on the mountain. read more

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Ordered steak not best size.not much options on sides ok service not greatest.ambiance casual.cash only have not seen that except chinese decor coould improve as well read more

Loved our breakfast here! Such tasty omelets-I had the Basil omelet and it was TDF. Opted for the cinnamon corn bread and WOW!! Will be dreaming of this meal. Only annoying part is that it's cash only! Like what! read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - Basil omelette- incredible! - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Food was okay, nothing special at all. Jesse was a great server. "Cash Only" policy should have been stated before we were seated! Wonder how much isn't reported ? read more

Came in late Monday morning, place was full but was able to get a table. Cash only, atm on site charges $2.50 convenience fee. Ordered quickly and food came out in 6-10 minutes. Service was just ok. Tried the smoked pastrami meal, shortstacks of strawberry & choco chip pancakes & a hot chocolate for $46. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Had an amazing breakfast this morning. The food was great. Bur the best part was the staff. They kept my coffee filled and were very friendly, easiest 5 star Ive given. read more

What We Ordered: -1/2 Grilled Cheese with French Fries $7.89 -Pastrami Burger with French Fries $19.69 -Pastrami Hash and Eggs with Biscuit and Gravy (0.69 Each) $18.38 -Cinnamon French Toast $14.99 -Bear's Best with French Fries $19.69 We visited Teddy Bear for a late lunch after arriving in Big Bear Lake. We went to play mini golf first because it was too early to check into our Airbnb. The kids were very hungry, so we finished our round a few holes early. The mini golf "loss" meant we had to buy lunch! We tried another popular diner that was closer, but they stopped taking dine-in orders, so we drove to Teddy Bear. It wasn't busy since it was a bit later for lunch. I asked our waitress for recommendations, and she suggested the Pastrami Hash and Cinnamon French Toast. I upgraded my Pastrami Hash with a Biscuit and Gravy for $0.69, but it was unmemorable and I didn't finish it. The Pastrami Hash, however, was great, and I highly recommend it. The Cinnamon French Toast was also excellent - sweet but not overly so, with a delicious, gooey center like a cinnamon roll. My wife ordered the Pastrami Burger, which was quite good, and I also recommend it if you're not in the mood for breakfast all day! You won't be disappointed. My sister ordered the Bear's Best (slow-cooked shredded beef on sourdough with cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and onions). She said it was less than satisfactory and a bit dry, but I can't personally recommend it since I didn't try it. She was the only one who didn't enjoy her meal. I also loved that they used crushed ice for the drinks; my Mr. Pibb was perfect. Overall, I was very impressed with the food at Teddy Bear, and I would definitely return! P.S. Just a heads-up, Teddy Bear is cash-only, so bring your cash money! read more

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Cash only but they have an ATM. We were a party of 7 and ordered several different dishes but unfortunately all were bland. I hate wasting food but we left with most of the food uneaten. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Was looking forward to some good food! But cash only? For a restaurant in 2026?? Nah. You all have to update. It's almost 2030! For goodness sake! Took my business elsewhere. read more

Glad we stopped by this place for breakfast. Reviews were all good which makes it even better. We originally stopped by another place but they happened to not be pet friendly even though it was posted on their page. This place is perfectly located right in the heart of town. Also it was great that we were walking distance from it. There's a small parking lot but in the area there street parking or public lots scattered. First off, it's CASH ONLY. Signs posted and an ATM machine located right inside by the restrooms. You check in with hostess, for a Monday morning it was an about a 10 minute wait. There's inside seating and a bar area as well as separate dining area near the patio. Patio area is pretty big with covered seating. Nick who took care of us was very sweet. Menu wise, you scan it from the QR code on the table. They pretty much have everything but as it was breakfast, needed some kind of egg dish. Also the orange juice was reasonable for the size was given. Went with one of the omelette with turkey and served with their O' Brien potatoes (house potatoes) and upgraded to a biscuit and gravy and cinnamon corn bread. Both an additional fee. Also the ham sandwiches with a side of tomatoes. Plus an additional side of onion rings. Food was quite good for breakfast and didn't take long to arrive. The onion rings were crispy and served with ranch. Both the biscuits and gravy and cinnamon corn bread were excellent. I could just eat that all day. Service was really nice. Everyone was friendly down to the host and all the workers. Ended up pretty full so we didn't get to try their pies as they're known for it. It did look good inside the glass case. Now that we know about this place, we definitely be back for another meal. read more

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One good thing is the portions are huge! The chocolate pancake filled the entire plate. But the rest of the food came out either overcooked or cold. This place sure gets lots of traffic and I'm not sure why. Pass next time we're in town. read more

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Teddy Bear Restaurant is one of our favorite places to dine at for breakfast & lunch when visiting Big Bear. They have overall great services from checking in to dining in. The staff are nice and attentive! One thing to note is that the restaurant is cash only, they do have an ATM at the restaurant to take cash out for a small fee. The restaurant has a cozy and warm feel to it with a welcoming vibe! I ordered a turkey avocado melt sandwich, which came with an option of soup, salad or fries. My dish was very tasty, and I look forward to resorting it again! read more

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I stopped into this quaint restaurant in Big Bear Lake today for dinner. It's a nice little restaurant cutely decorated. I'm a fan of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup and there was very good. It hit the spot. I enjoyed it very much. The service was friendly and professional and very quick. I would definitely stop here again and try some of the other delicious things they have on the menu. read more

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The food here at the teddy bear restaurant was great. I highly recommend it. I had eggs and hashbrowns along with a biscuit and gravy. Everything was good, though the biscuit was a little dry. My wife had a Belgian waffle. The food all looked much better in person than I've seen in pictures in the reviews. It was quite busy, because it was Father's Day and there was a wait, but prices were reasonable. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - Two eggs, hashbrowns, biscuits, and gravy. - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Ordered the Blue Burger, it was okay. Sweet potato fries were great. Jalapeño poppers were terrible. Service was nice

Had to try this spot located in the downtown Big Bear Village. On a Sunday morning we ended up turning our breakfast plans into lunch after a surprising one-hour wait. I suspect we were overlooked on the list and unless I spoke up we might have seen folks seated after us who arrived later. I believe in giving grace, so I didn't complain outwardly but the overall flow felt disorganized. Once seated inside, it took about 15 minutes for the waiter to come by and take our drink order. Its cash only which isn't a deal-breaker for me, but it's worth noting for budgeting on the fly. For the food, I ordered a bacon burger out of sheer hunger and we shared a cinnamon apple pancake to split the wait. The burger arrived with a soggy bun and didn't leave a memorable impression. The pancake, however was the bright spot--delightfully tasty. My photos aren't great because I almost forgot to snap them totally my fault not the restaurant's. Given this visit and the overall experience I'm unlikely to head back on my next Big Bear trip, though I'm sure others may have better luck depending on the day and time. If only the service could race as fast as the cinnamon spiced scent of those pancakes this place might become a comforting repeat stop. For now bring cash if you'd like to avoid the ATM fee and consider visiting earlier to hopefully catch better flow and shorter wait times. read more

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It's ok. I don't know why all the long lines maybe there's not much other options here. I really was disappointed and I don't understand the hype. read more

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Everything in the picture is chicken pot pie, pot roast, French fries, tomato soup, and cornbread. Pot pie crust was very dry along with the cornbread. Tomato soup tastes like it was out of a can and was served warm not hot. Unfortunately the best item was the French fries, they were very fresh and crispy. Everyone has their own opinion and this is mine. Try at your own risk. read more

Teddy Bear Restaurant - Chicken pot pie, cornbread, French fries, pot roast, tomato soup. - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I chose to try this place because of its name and now we can't wait to go back. The food is comforting and perfect on a cold day. Well actually any day. We ended up ordering a piece of every pie they had with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pecan pie, the Apple pie, and blueberry pie were all amazing. There was one more that was like more tart that looked like blueberry but maybe was boysenberry. That one was just ok. I am missing their chicken noodle soup and chicken pot pie. If I wasn't so far away, I'd regular go back for both of those. read more

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always a good time here! ambiance is lovely and the food is always delicious and big portions! i will say, it is slightly annoying that they only have QR code menus yet are a cash only restaurant. little ironic, but worth the inconvenience to visit!! read more

Busy on weekends, we waiting about 2.5hrs to get seated. Once we got seating the staff was nice, but they weren't really attentive. We only saw our waitress twice. The food was alright, the cinnamon cornbread was interesting, & i did like how they have the syrup for the pancakes warmed up. My friend ordered a hot chocolate & the handle to the mug was cracked. The back side where we were seated wasn't the cutest, it felt a bit dirty & felt as if it may have been a storage room at some point. The other side of the restaurant was cute tho! That's where I hoped we'd be seated. read more

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The Tomatoe Soup was excellent thick & rich in flavor, so good I was remptedto ask for a second serving but Wai r Ed to see the real size of the rave on the chicken pot pie. THE CHICKEN POT PIE**** WOW*** so big , hot. Meatÿ full of vegetables* OMG in this case size matters enormous & deliciousness with every bite not disappointed at all no more room for an extra bowl of soup. What will I get on my next visit? The service was top of the line, my glass never went empty everybody very attentive. The place was packed not lacking for business. Keep up the excellent service. Food etc read more

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This was our first time at Teddy Bear Restaurant and we are so glad we found it! Our server Emiliano gave us the best service. I asked him what he recommended and he did not hesitate to provide options, share detail of ingredients and provided side options. My husband and I both took his recommendations. I ordered the Cajun chicken sandwich, and husband ordered the chicken pot pie ,which like Emiliano said " it's the size of a football"! Since we were so happy with dinner we asked what he recommended for dessert . He shared all options and then gave us top 3 . We ended up taking the boysenberry pie and it is the best pie I have ever had! Overall we left so satisfied and so impressed with everything. We thanked Emiliano, he let us know all the specials and invited us to come back to try the breakfast . We sure will ! We suggest you do too! read more

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This place is CASH ONLY, so be prepared! They do have an ATM available in the lobby if you need it. This place was so worth it! The portions of their food were big and the ingredients tasted high quality! This place had such a cozy local dinner feel, and had the cutest bear decorations. I went with a large good and every single person throughly enjoyed their meals. I personally got the veggie burger and it was pretty basic but still tasty. Their fries had a good flavor and texture! Lightly crunchy exterior with a soft center. The staff was very friendly and understanding. I had originally ordered their tomato soup as a side for my burger and as they handed it to me I asked if it was vegetarian because I had forgot to ask earlier. They had informed me that it was not vegetarian and happily changed my side to fries instead. I really appreciate them being accommodating! It was such a pleasant experience eating here, so if you get a chance, you should check it out! read more

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