Awesome breakfast for a great price. Service was quick and friendly. No complaints whatsoever. Corned beef hash was delicious as were the eggs, potatoes, and coffee. I've had many corned beef hashes from many diners and this one definitely ranks among the best I've had. I highly recommend stopping there if you're in the area or traveling through. read more

Always delicious huge portions and great service my favor is the grizzly meal they have the perfect pancakes and I like to substitute linguica for some of the other mwats. I come to black bear whenever I'm in town either at this location or in Monterey. Every meal is good the OJ is fresh the rib meat falls off the bone the salad is crisp the chicken noodle soup is good and they have the best ice cream in town but I never have room for desert because they literally fill the plates and the plates are about a foot long. I've never had a bad experience here. read more

I love it here! The portions are HUGE and the price is great! You have to try their Sweet cream pancakes with coffee . . . They were meant to be together! I did not give it 5 stars because the food is not always on point but they will make it right if you tell them and the waiters have their days. It's overall 1 of 2 good breakfast choices in Salinas. read more

Used to come to the Laurel Inn as a kid and eat at their restaurant which is now the Black Bear Diner. Def not the same but this is probably better. Huge portions at reasonable prices. For Thanksgiving night, it was packed but the service was still great. Can't say much about Salinas but when passing through this is the place to eat at. And reasonable prices on the stuff in their gift shop. read more

Food is okay, not the best. Prices are moderate to high. Overall experience was just okay.

Good food great service very reasonable prices wish more restaurants where like this one.

Our party of 12 went to Black Bear Diner for Thanksgiving. The staff could not have been nicer nor more attentive to our large party. The $18.99 Turkey or Honey Ham dinners were a feast and came with all the tasty trimmings, including a soup or salad and dessert. We came because my kitchen is in the middle of being remodeled, but we might just make this a yearly event to save myself cooking and cleanup before Black Friday. One of the employees told me they had all their servers, cooks, and counter folks come to work because they expected a large turnout. We never felt "forgotten" or ignored as servers kept a close eye on tables for needed items. The restaurant was extremely busy, but the hungry crowd and line were kept to a minimum as guests were seated as quickly as possible. I need to note that the meals were delicious and the servers kept a steady service for refills. The oven roasted turkey was so tasty and moist, along with the savory dressing, season fresh veggies of broccoli/carrots, mashed red potatoes, cornbread, gravy, cranberry sauce as well as pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Our waitress was so eagle-eyed that she noticed me giving one of our party my pumpkin pie because he opted to order a non-traditional breakfast meal. She gifted me with a pumpkin pie without charge. I felt so pampered. Let me add that the portions were most generous and everyone left with a take-home box to enjoy later. I cannot say enough about the food and the staff. Thank you for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal Black Bear Diner! read more

I wanted to let people in Salinas area. Our Black Bear is so awesome. Especially in the Customer Service area. I went to get some bread pudding take out. Because it is so delicious. it is our favorite. All are great. But I am addicted to the bread pudding with Pecan sauce. Well I went home after I picked up some different pastries. When I opened it. My dessert was like watery not quite the way I usually get it. I was a little upset. I called them back. I went back. This was the last one mind you for the day. The young lady baked it a little more. I think it was a manager. but I couldn't believe how she tried to make me happy. She tried to make my experience a great one. Yes it did the job. I left very happy. But my point is. They will try their best to make you feel number #1. She accomplished that. One more thing. While I waited. She gave me a drink of my choice. Thank you Black Bear Salinas! read more

Never had a bad experience or meal here. Denay is an amazing server she's always smiling and makes your dining experience so fun. I've had other servers and they are also great at there job. read more

Wow, always wanted to try this chain and we were so disappointed. The BLT was filled with cold undercooked bacon, gross. The other meals were underwhelming with limp greasy fries. The service was nice and the side salad was fine. Lesson learned again, chains stink. read more

Huge portions of good food at great price. Nice people to serve you. Don't drive by. Open 6 am to midnight.

Good food, great variety, pleasant staff and reasonable prices.

Have eaten here a few times, service is friendly, and you get a good meal. Had the tri-tip plate last time I was there. It was surprisingly tender and had good flavor. Will definitely come back! read more

I've yet to have a terrible experience at this location, our waitress, Morgan, gave us fabulous service. She was extremely friendly, familiar with the menu, and made us feel at home. The cooks got our order spot on, and we are picky eaters!! I will definitely come back and ask for her, definitely would recommend! read more

Service is good. I love the set up with the booths. The only problem is that the food is NEVER hot. My husband and I eat here frequently and probably will continue to frequent the place but the cooks need to be replaced. Hash browns are burnt but not hot...how does that happen? Send back the chili every time to reheat. Too bad. read more

Ate breakfast here with my parents while heading down to SoCal. The portions here are HUGE. I ordered The Grizz and could not even finish it :) The menu has a nice variety of other diner dishes and the waitress was very nice as well. If you're in the mood for lots of food, you gotta come to the Black Bear Diner. read more

Food is good, staff is great, and portions are big. My only complaint would be that sometimes they can overcook the food.

We love this place good food, great service especially Sabrina who is the best server. She knows what you need before you ask for it. Of course Jessie is always at his finest. We visit often - actually most of the servers are kind and pleasant people. It's a great place to go for breakfast lunch or dinner. Check it out! read more

Great Service from Teresa and her complete workcrew. Definitely Recommend you stop by and have all American Meal.

Great place! Love going for breakfast with my family and also with friends. Employees are wonderful and very fast food is great! Its always so busy and packed but it goes quick haven't had to wait that long like in other places read more

We have been to quite a few black bear dinners and I'm quite positive this was the best food, and overall experience we have ever had. Service was great, staff was welcoming and very attentive, food was excellent, the area was expertly kept clean, and parking was fine. Best black bear so far! read more

Came in with my girlfriend Saturday night and it was fantastic. Ordered a pasta which was delicious. Definitely gonna check out their breakfast soon. The place is filled with beautiful decor. It's nothing like all the other restaurants in Salinas definitely my new favorite place. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. read more

The one in Seaside has better customer service and it is quicker too. I had a bad experience at the Black Bear Diner in Salinas. I wanted to go there for breakfast since I had an appointment in Salinas prior to that and after my appointment I decided to try the Black Bear Diner in Salinas to get breakfast. It was just me dining in and when I told the hostess I would like to sit at a regular table she seemed hesitant about it I'm like well the booths seem full and taken so that's why I chose to sit at the table. Although my waitress was friendly but the eggs and bacon I ordered wasn't the best and the service was just slow in general. And the bacon wasn't as crispy as the one in Seaside and the potatoes were crunchy. I'm not coming back to the Black Bear Diner in Salinas due to the horrible customer service and the food. read more

Black bear diner!!!! Yeah buddie eat like a bear really. Portions are big ate here yesterday after work had a stressfull day and need of good food. This time I ordered the bacon chedder burger with garlic fries , let me tell you something a burger is just a burger but a black bear burger is the real deal. Satisfied and full and the presentation of the meal was nice had a big grin from ear to ear when my server brought my meal and the prices here are good . My server is a good friend of mine and always does a great job thanks drew! If you haven't been there go! read more

Not a bad joint to grab a bite to eat. It's clean and the wait staff is very efficient. The menu is pretty big with a lot to offer. The food is decent and the price is too. read more

had a prime rib dinner there that was surprisingly good. It was a special for the nite (Saturday) so may not always be on the menu. it came with soup (the vegetable soup was great), veggies (good saute zucchinis and squash) and a good size, well cooked baked potato. The price was a little higher than I would have expected as compared to other items on their menu. service was friendly and fast. would definitely return! read more

Everything is bad about this place. The service is really bad and they don't care. Waited for an hour for my food and it never came. My party of five left and we enjoy lunch at Famous Dave's. I will never come back to THIS place again. read more

We had a class trip to this place and it was a wonderful experience and the food was great. We called in our orders for the kids on the way there so when we got there we were seated and their food was brought out within 5 minutes of sitting down. Our waitress was amazing and so nice to everyone in our group. read more

We had the turkey club sandwich and good old fashioned BLT. Booth was delicious and portions generous. Only negative: very unpleasant funky smell inside, maybe from carpet...... read more

Just finished eating here and I believe it is a 4 star restaurant but the service was great and my cousin didn't enjoy his meal and our waitress gave him a different meal for free which was cool. Also the fifth star is because the pie was amazing. We got a delicious banana cream pie which I do recommend and I will be back soon read more

Whatever entree I get, I always ask for a Biscuit! DELICIOUS!

I love it here . These black bears know how to make my tummy rumble when i see their delisherous foody food in my tummy tum ! I am so happy becus their food makes me bery happy when i pit it in my mouth ! try it and i sware, you will be happy after you eat their big juicy, black bear sausages, will change your life mi amigo, me gusta me gusta!! (; read more

I think this place is so under rated. The wait wasn't even that long. Service was awesome. Everything is like homemade or homestyle. They make breakfast, lunch, and dinner foods. They are currently moving their diner where Famous Dave's used to be. So, they had little signs with puns on them. Servers were friendly and the menus looked like newspapers. I love how it looked inside and how the food tasted. The price isn't even bad. I recommend coming with the whole family because they even have a kids' menu! So when you're in Salinas stop at Black Bear Diner! read more

I ordered breakfast from this local diner which actually turned out to be pretty decent food. When I picked up my food the guy behind the counter even went out of his way to make sure I had an abundant amount of syrup for my meal. The only problem was when I called to place my order the woman who answered the phone had no telephone etiquette, got my order wrong and charged me more than she was supposed to for my meal. The food was good but would have been better if it were for the right price. Overall I would say its worth eating here if your planning on dinning in. read more

Not my favorite diner, but not a bad choice, it used to be better. Good food, lot's of choices, and good portions at a reasonable price. There are several of Black Bear Diners in CA, but Salinas is not one of the better ones. read more

Love black bear diner, great comfort food, you better be hungry the portions are big, I always take home half if my food. The service is good a very busy place and loud at times l especially like the BLT sandwhiches with thick sliced bacon and the homemade potato salad. read more

A great local breakfast restaurant. Very friendly staff, lots of parking, easy access from major highway. Great food choices at reasonable prices. read more

My fiancé and I finally tried it first time. Food was so great! The waitress and hostess are so friendly. The atmosphere is so homely. Because of my paleo diet (doctors order), the waitress made sure that the meal was right when I asked for specific food. They substitute red meat sausages etc with chicken sausage. Also they served white eggs without yolk when I requested. 7-grain harvest tasted so great! After I ate, my body didn't have pain at all! Normally, I accidentally eat some heavy foods and I got pain in my body. Today was a perfect day! My fiancé loved his food and ate whole! I gave 5 stars review!! Yes we will go next time and hope we get same waitress! read more

Generous portions, fast and excellent service, and excellent food! The seating options for a large group was few and far between. But thankfully, we had an incredible server, Gabby. She truly made our experience one of a kind. She was very accommodating to our strange and special requests and went out of her way to make sure we had a great time! read more

Huge Portions! Took the peach cobbler to go since we were so full. Jo our waitress was friendly, attentive and took great care of us. Homemade Parmesan chips are fantastic. read more