After a negative experience with the food, I decided to give this Black Bear Diner another try. This time I was with a family member. We were seated right away and our server was awesome. When the food came it was tasty and well done this time. My family member had one of the many cheeseburger choices and onion rings. I had the ham steak, eggs, and Belgian waffle. Everything came to the table hot and in a timely manner. The only slight hiccup was the ham steak, compared to other Black Bear Diners, it was on the small size. Interestingly, even though it was after 1pm on a weekday, all the parking spots were full and we needed to park in the overflow parking at the hotel next door. I am upping my rating from a 3 to a 4 and would be willing to visit again in the future. read more

Food: Me: Caesar Salad, santa maria tritip, corn on the cob, muffin and coleslaw. The only good thing was the fresh stuff: coleslaw and salad. Tritip was dry and chewy. I looked it up, it's one of those meals that's pre-portioned and reheated on-site1. Corn on the cob was ok, again, not fresh, was dry and not flavorful. Muffin tasted prepackaged, like it was frozen and was reheated. Everyone else got food that looked great. Wife got pot roast, my son got a cheeseburger that looked great. Pie was no different. Crust was not fresh, but chewy. Apples canned, not fresh. I'm not sure what happens to black bear diner. It used to be fresh, wholesome and flavorful. Service: It's under new ownership and I can tell. Service was ok. It was slow for 4th of July, but the server was ok, not as good as our last visit. Ambiance: Typical black bear diner: clean, with standard decor. As another drawback to new management, they don't have a liquor license. Not a big deal to some, but just pointing it out. read more

I don't usally eat at these places, im a small business foody, but I was working around the area and stayed the night. Getting into my hotel I see this black bear dinner and was like, what the hell, so I come in and this places looks great. I like the country feel and atmosphere of this place. I had order the black salmon dinner, with a soup and corn bread. This salmon was cooked really well and I love the flavors of the seasonings. The soft boil vegetables were seasoned too and that was a nice touch that goes with the salmon, also, can't forget about the country gravy mashed potatoes yummy! The gentleman that has served me has been nothing but welcoming and double checking when it came to my order! I can't stress it enough when other attendees don't make sure you have your order right. I wanna give my praise to my server J.C., as I am typing this he still checks on me if I need anything else. Plus, he waiting till I was done chewing before he asked me anything. That's a plus for me I will be coming back here everytime I come up here from orange county! Also i wanna give thanks to the cook who made my food! Thank you for a great dinner! read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Blacked salmon - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

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Complimented on my dress right off the bat. The waiter was fast and our food came out promptly. The spicey sausage was so spicy I took it home to devour in private with a big glass of milk. It was delicious though. My boyfriend loved his food. Loved the music and it was sure busy but we got sat immediately . read more

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Food & service way better than Emeryville or Concord. Nice ambience. Great server. Good food - turkey club sandwich excellent. , burger with fries very good. read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Turkey club with fruit salad. - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

The food was pretty decent. I had the taco salad. I wish they added more beans to the salad. The service wasn't bad. He did come check on us a few times. It was a nice and clean restaurant. read more

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I take back what I said about it being pricey. It's really average price for great portions, and great tasting food. The service is great and swift, the ambiance is fun, and they've always been helpful. I would definitely recommend this place over Denny's or other sit down breakfast spots. Oh and they're even better on doordash. read more

I would still recommend this place but todays meal was bad. I ordered the pot roast lite dinner with a cornbread muffin. the muffin was good but the pot roast was on the colder side with a super salted hot gravy on top. the mashed potatoes seemed a little old. I asked it the meat could be reheated. it was taken back and put in a microwave, fruit and all then returned. later the server asked how it was. I was honest and said it wasn't. she just smiled and walked away. the few times ive been to the Blackbear its been good, today not the case read more

First stop before the outlets. Came in for breakfast and it was not bad. Daughter and hubby shared chicken fried steak breakfast and it was CFS was good. Other black bear diner the CFS portion is much bigger nevertheless it was nice thickness that it wouldn't be dried. I got steak and eggs was disappointed on my steak as I said medium but came out well and tough. I didn't want to send it back. The pancake saved me. It was nice and fluffy the way I like it. Also the sweet potato fries were good. First time to this location and it's nice size restaurant and no wait on a Saturday at 10am. read more

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The food remains good. They haven't changed the sauce lol. However, it takes forever to order and get the food. Maybe they need more employees. read more

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Food portion are generous, big plates and lots of food. Food is tasty, this is our go to when traveling. Service is excellent, we came on a week night and were seated right away. Ambiance is cozy, everything has bear decor, very cozy and cute. read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Shasta Veggie Scramble, waffle - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

Possibly the best black bear in the business I'm from Bakersfield CA, and we have a black bear dinner here too. It's not the "Best"... so when my people said let's go to black bear to get the day started I gave a side eye and thought twice. I relented and went along for the ride and I can't tell you how glad I am that I did. The food was so good, service was so amazing. The food came out super fast and was extra fresh. Pancakes were very good and everything I ordered was exactly what I expected but better. I almost want to go the black bear dinner here in town again to give them a second try.... Or maybe I'll just keep coming to this one when I'm in the area. Ambiance was also very chill here so even more reason to return. Not busy at all read more

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I want to come here more than I can. I've been to other Black Bear Diners that were disappointing compared to this place. The new ownership seems like they're putting in a big effort. read more

While the food is always great, our waitress was outstanding. Thank you, Alo!!! Her personality and service are truly outstanding. She made our experience here delightful. read more

Nasty discusting! Shut down for rodents. Tented, found piles of rat droppings. Supposedly cleaned, re opened. STILL RATS! Dropping on counter ! Nope. Run. read more

Take the unhappy reviews with a grain of salt. Very glad we decided to go regardless of these! This location is beautiful & clean inside & out. Food was fantastic. Table service was efficient, friendly & on point (thanks Jackie). read more

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Stop by here on the way home since it was right off the 101. Portions are large. Menu has so many items to pick from so it can get overwhelming on what to order. There so many good foods that I was craving. I ended up getting their daily special. Got the spicy chicken pasta. The flavor was on par and definitely spicy. The dish came hot as you can continue to see the steam from the noodles while your eat your meal. The service was descent for a dinner for 3pm in the afternoon as it's definitely a weird time to be eat. The restaurant had some sports memorabilia and bear decorations. Will probably come back to stop for food on my next road trip down south if I'm hungry read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

Service was fast and friendly and food was also hot and good. The cinnamon French toast was delicious! Definitely recommend!! read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Pick one combo - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

I've been to several Black Bear Diners throughout Northern California. This is my favorite one. Main reason is their specials. I hadn't seen so many specials at other locations. And they even had some food not on the menu. I was gonna get the skirt steak that was on the special menu. But our waiter Willie told me about their ribeye that's not on the menu. So I got that, and boy, oh boy, it was delicious: perfectly cooked to medium: expertly seasoned. Plus their own Gilroy's garlic butter. That steak just melted in my mouth. Just perfection. We had a party of 7, with multiple kiddos, and Willie took care of us. Checking on us frequently. The restaurant was well kept. We will be coming back for sure. read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Special Ribeye with garlic butter. - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

We walked in and waited to be seated for a few moments before a man walked up to the counter and told us to sit at the third booth on the left. He seemed far more interested in the personal conversation he was having with another coworker than seeing to us. He didn't even look at us as he set menus on the table. This was our first time to a Black Bear Diner. We didn't realize at first that the old wrinkled newspaper they set down with the laminated specials menu was the full menu. The waitress who served our table was very nice and attentive. She answered any questions we had and came over just often enough for us. About the food. I ordered the homemade chicken pot pie and mashed potatoes with gravy. My husband ordered the BLT with fries. The potatoes were smashed reds and they were delicious and creamy. They came with brown gravy which was also good. The pot pie had a yummy filling. Chicken, herbs, Peas, onions, mushrooms, and carrots. But the crust,which thankfully was only on top, was horrible. Chewy, tough, and over cooked. I suggest not eating it. The fries also tasted pretty good. They had a crisp coating and were salted nicely. The BLT was okay. The flavor was nice, but the bacon was chewy. Over all not a bad experience, and the proximity to the Best Western can't be beat. read more

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I have always liked BBD and used to frequent the Gilroy location often. Unfortunately my last couple of visits have been pretty disappointing. It's their coffee!! It tastes like dishwater! It's so nasty!! Either the water they are using is not good or they are reusing grounds for multiple pots! If you get the first brew from the grounds it's probably fine but if you get the third or fourth pot from the same grounds.....it's just nasty!! They need to either stop being so cheap or teach their staff how to properly make coffee! Especially since they are technically what used to be called a "coffee shop"! read more

Food is always so good, restaurant super clean and if you happen to have Willy as your server, you're in luck. We have been to MANY BBs but this is the best Black Bear Diner that my wife and have been too by far!!!! #Potroastmeltallday read more

The food was pretty standard for black bear diner. Our waitress was nice as well and our food came out fairly quick and very hot. The 2 star review is for the manager they had working today 04/05/2026 around 5:30 pm and a little after. He was pretty rude to the employees and micromanaging. Also, he told another manager that the cooks needed to clock out at 9 but couldn't leave until 9:15 because they needed to do other things. It's infuriating to think of employees having I do any work or stay any longer with no pay on top of a manager that talks down to them and obviously micro manages. I hope management gets better soon read more

This isn't the greatest Black Bear. I've been here a few times and during the week it's very slow. I've had between OK food and not that great for the price. The service is good though. I've eaten at other Black Bear restaurants, including Sunnyvale, which is superior. They're all franchises and are not the same. The service though is good. read more

Craving something small and breakfast- like, and remembering a hot fresh cinnamon roll that i had from this restaurant about a decade ago, stopped in on my road trip. The star is for the iced tea. The cinnamon roll was awful. Hard, stale and dry with a slimy glaze. It was microwaved into q petrified mess, impossible to penetrate or pierce with a fork. Seated near the toilets, across from the cashiers where equally stale looking pies were on display.. This place used to be very good...I also ordered wrong. The sound effects of my video say it all. read more

Stayed in town for a week and ate her every morning and night! Omar at night and Miguel in the morning, solid food and excellent service. We really enjoyed coming to this spot and all the humans!!! read more

Early Saturday morning requires a big meal for this couple. The warm employees, quick service, ambiance, music, items for sale(food items, slippers, t-shirts and more) hot coffee that keeps coming, big portions and excellent prices. My favorite is the create your own plate; two eggs, two bacons and ginormous biscuits with gravy, hubbies; two eggs, home potatoes and delicious whole wheat toast. Families come in with their littles and it's always an amazing time. We love ya! Can't wait to come back!! read more

The Black Bear Diner is a traditional diner with generous portions that full you up. They have THE BEST taco salad ever! Best of all, everything is affordable. read more

This was our first visit to any Black Bear Diner. Our family of four was on vacation and we chose to have dinner at the diner. The service was wonderful. The atmosphere was inviting and comfortable. The food was aesthetically pleasing and delicious. My pickiest eater ate nearly everything on their plate. We would visit this franchise of restaurants again. read more

Great service and great food. Love the atmosphere and jukebox music. Service crew is always great and extra friendly.

Food is very generous portions, Filling and good.Clean dinning room. Minimal wait time.

Since the place is under new management I thought I would give it another try. If I could I would give it a zero stars. The tri-trip sandwich had old and new meat. The old meat was over cooked mixed with bloody not cooked new meat. Disgusting and the server took the plate back and still charged us. The chicken wings were burnt, old, reheated, and the inside was cold. The chefs do not know how to cook. They don't know anything about preparing food. They serve left over already cooked food. It is not made to order. The chefs and the staff only seem to care about chatting about their lives to each other and do not pay attention to do their job correctly. Horrible service and food. The bathrooms also needed attention but the staff was too busy talking and laughing with each other. The restaurant was not busy and there was no excuse for the staff not to be attentive with the customers and the restrooms. read more

We just left Black Bear Diner in Gilroy, CA, and unfortunately our experience was very disappointing. I ordered a bacon cheeseburger with American cheese only (extra American), cooked medium-well. When my burger arrived, it clearly had cheddar cheese mixed with American. I let the waiter know, explaining that I don't like cheddar cheese at all. The waiter took the burger back, but returned with the same burger, insisting the cook said it was only American cheese. I opened the burger and showed him that it was clearly cheddar mixed with American. He took it back again. At that point, they scraped off the cheese from the original burger and slapped two cold slices of American cheese on it. I said it was okay and that I didn't want anything anymore. While the rest of my party was eating, the waiter came back apologizing and genuinely trying to make things right. He offered to have the cook remake the burger, which I appreciated. However, when it came out, the cook gave me what was clearly a kid's burger instead of the adult burger -- no mayo, no seasoning, no flavor. The size difference alone was obvious. I tried to eat it, but after one bite, it was just sad and flavorless. To make things worse, my daughter ordered a to-go breakfast with no cheddar cheese, and when it arrived, it had cheddar cheese all over it. At that point, it was clear the cook either wasn't listening or didn't care. Replacing an adult burger with a child's burger was the final straw for us. When we went to pay, we could hear the cooks talking about my complaints, which was uncomfortable and unprofessional. That said, I want to be clear: the waiter did his absolute best. He was polite, apologetic, and genuinely tried to fix the situation, but it felt like he was being given a hard time by the kitchen. I didn't ask for anything special -- I just wanted a bacon American cheeseburger. Sadly, this visit missed the mark completely. I hope management addresses the communication issues between the kitchen and serving staff, because the service deserved better support. read more

Has gone downhill unfortunately, quality of food is not what it was . We used to love this place !

The food was amazing. The service was excellent our waiter Greg aka Big G was awesome!!! we got so stuffed so of course we had to take dessert to go lol Next time you're in the area, stop by blackbear diner and ask for Greg aka Big G he will take care of you. read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Yummmm - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

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Went hear for dinner on a saturday. The place was 80% full. We got seated after 10 mins of being at the waiting area. We were starving so we wanted to order right away but no server welcomed us even after 10 mins of waiting after we got seated. I had to stop another server from a different section to ask if we can order. He said he was not in our section so he had to come back to get our orders. The wait time after we placed our orders and the time we got our food was approximately 10mins. Not bad. Food quality - 2 of 4 orders were the tri tip and i ordered medium. It was so dry. No juice, no flavor. Onion rings were good but food quality in general did not meet expectation. The place was also very cold. We had to get out right away because we were freezing. +One star for our server and the onion rings. read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Tri tip full meal - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

Hubby & I left the City last Tuesday morning bright and early heading to Monterey. On the way down we decided to stop for breakfast. What's opened near Gilroy? Not too many businesses, but we found Black Bear Diner on Yelp. Black Bear Diner opened at 7am. That'll work. We actually waited in the car at 6:50am. The lights were amber color and hard to determine if opened yet. Peeked over after 7am and saw movement. Ok, guess they're open for business. We were the first two diners. We were greeted immediately. Sit anywhere. Given two newsprint menus. I went with two pancakes, two eggs, and two strips of bacon. Hubby got corned beef and hash brown with two eggs, and toast. Our orders were fast. My pancakes were huge. One was still somewhat on the doughy side. No problem. One was enough. Attentive service. And coffee refilled several times. read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Two pancakes, two eggs, two strips bacon - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

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My favorite comfort restaurant. I have been coming here since I was a kid and now I'm bringing my child here. The menu is huge, from breakfast to dinner. Every meal I had was never disappointing. The service is friendly and attentive. I will forever be a black beer lover. read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

The food here was better than expected based on the reviews . .we also had a hazelnut cold brew and hot chocolate . . Both were delicious! read more

Black Bear Diner Gilroy - Avocado Toast and chicken Chicken Sausage Scramble - Diners Near Me - Gilroy, California

This place was located on our way home in Gilroy. We decided to stop because the same restaurant will be opening in our city in a few weeks! It was similar to a Dennys vibe to me. My girls had chocolate chip pancakes with a side of bacon and chocolate milk. I had avocado toast with 2 sunny side up eggs and fruit and water. My husband had an omelet with coffee. The place looks clean. It was busy, but the waitress was nice. You get the bill at your table and then get up to pay at the counter before you leave. The restrooms were clean as well. read more

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