The food is hot and fresh. Our breakfast platters were loaded up. Omelettes are on point. The pancakes are perfection. Service was quick. Very attentive to our sections. Made helpful suggestions to our order. The specials are delicious. My family loves the decor. One of the best spots in Burlington to get a meal. read more

Food was great diner food. Had the bacon cheeseburger and two orders of fries. Hit the spot for some good diner food. Cute bear decorations read more

The Hungry Bear - Bacon cheeseburger was AMAZING. Exactly what I was wanting. Came with double order of fries - American Near Me - Burlington, Iowa

Very neat little hometown restaurant. Not a lot of parking but I did find room to park my pickup and camper on a side street. You king of have to be looking to find this spot. read more

The Hungry Bear - Bar area. - American Near Me - Burlington, Iowa

See all

Great food and quick service. Very clean environment and friendly staff also. I would recommend

Cheap decent breakfast. Nothing special, just a good home cooked breakfast. Would go back for a fast breakfast.

Finding local joints is my favorite! The Hungry Bear was the perfect place for breakfast this morning. The food was so good and prices were good. They do take cash only but thanks to yelp we knew that and was prepared. I only saw one person working. I think she was serving and cooking but she was doing an awesome job and we didn't wait long. The perfect breakfast spot. read more

The Hungry Bear - Stuffed omelet with cheese bacon mushrooms and hashbrowns. - American Near Me - Burlington, Iowa

One of the best breakfasts in Burlington! Certainly the best priced. The pancakes are phenomenal and BIG. Love the decor too... it's so perfectly "Burlington". Everybody that lives here has to know this place and if you're passing through, you should definitely stop by. read more

The Hungry Bear - a plate of pancakes and a bowl of oatmeal - American Near Me - Burlington, Iowa

Great service and friendly staff. It's decorated very nicely and brings in a welcoming vibe. I went to breakfast with my parents here. We enjoyed our food, good quality. The only things I'd have to say weren't the best was parking, and seating. We could not find a decent place to park, as the spaces are really small and cramped. Same goes for seating, it's very small and cramped. It's a little expensive, but we'll worth it. I'd recommend it to people coming into burlington definitely. I had a great experience here and if your looking for a homely, sit down diner this is it. I would call in advance and see about seating, it really is quite small. read more

I use to eat here all the time. It was amazing flavor and price. Now they sold to a new person. The portions smaller, price higher. Potato salad taste what I imagine hell would. The food lost its flavor and ingredients not what they once were. Very sad... slow service and unbearably slow cooks. Very unfortunate in my opinion. read more

The food was good. My problem was that they only take CASH. The front door has a very small cash only that makes it hard to see. There is another cash only at the register but you don't see it because you're walking towards your table. The staff seemed ready to let you know how wrong you were for not noticing they only take cash. I made a suggestion to inform your guests before ordering that they only take cash, but they said I was rude for suggesting that. Oh well won't go back unless I have cash. I'm sure they deal with this every day but still won't inform their customers BEFORE ordering. read more

This is a great little diner you need to hit if you're even close to Burlington IA. The portions are huge and the quality of the food is great. I had the two pancakes and sausage. Take my word for it just get one pancake it's plenty. read more

The Hungry Bear - Two Pancakes and sausage - American Near Me - Burlington, Iowa

i recently discovered this place a couple of months ago. first of all i LOVE breakfast food and this is one of the best places around for just that. their prices cannot be beat especially this day in age. pancakes are HUGE that is a plus! it is a small place and parking is kind of a hassle. it is always busy but that is a good thing! the only thing i would change is how big the place is & the parking. overall the best place for food in general! read more

Cash only. Tried to call but got no answer. Looked online no where did it say cash only! Says it on the door thats it.

Love this place! Be aware that they only take cash, but the food is amazing and you seriously cannot best the prices!! Super friendly staff as well. My fiancé and I try to go once a week because we both love it so much! read more

The breakfast is fantastic! I had the chicken fried stake and eggs. The omelet is big and feeling. The staff are friendly and provide very good service. Just make sure you have cash but the prices are reasonable. read more

Good food, very homely, has a small town atmosphere. Meaning nice, quaint, newer faces are rare so expect some starring. Overall good food prices extremely affordable. read more

Best breakfast in town love the bacon egg and cheese sammiches. Great place to soak up booze after a long night of drinking good pie too!

My husband and I are new to town and were told about how good this place is. We went there this morning, and will never go back. The hash browns picked up the taste of hamburgers that were fried on the same grill. The oatmeal was a gloppy, bland mess. They do not carry butter, only margarine for the pancakes. They put slices of American cheese on top of the omelets. Ewwww! Waited a long time for someone to come up so we could pay. While standing there, we saw how filthy the top of the clear ice cream cone storage unit was. Continued to notice other things that were filthy behind the counter. To be fair, the dining area was clean, and the waitress was nice. She needed more help. read more

This place is awesome! Maybe the best breakfast ever and more than worth the money! The service was amazing, even though there was only one server when we got there. read more

This place has the best omelet I have ever had. Every time we go here I am always pleasantly surprised and how personable everyone always his and how good our food is. I'm never disappointed here. read more

Fast service.Fantastic food.was eating less than 10 min after ordering...Full mikes mess cooked to perfection...love having Carol serving and cooking for us shes the greatest. read more

Great food and great service. We went there for the game and there aren't a ton of TVs , but the food made up for it. It is really, really dark in there, but once your eyes adjust, it is a great find. Don't be turned off by the outside. read more

Very good food and very reasonably priced. Will come here again. The biscuits and gravy wes very good. Service was fast. Not crowded when we got here. We enjoyed our meal. Definitely will be back!! read more

The Hungry Bear - people eating at a restaurant - American Near Me - Burlington, Iowa

So AMAZING I really love eating here. It's a Burlington staple. It's always got plenty of customers. The wait staff is polite and courteous. My friend and I had bacon double cheeseburgers fries and a large vanilla shakes. It was so Fantastic and mouthwatering. Always a great place to eat. THE HUNGRY BEAR.... CHECK IT OUT!!!! read more

See all

My favorite little diner! I often get breakfast foods to go and it's very very good!!! No complaints! If you're from Burlington, you have ate and loved hungry bear! read more

Let's be honest: this isn't your go-to Burlington place for fine dining. Obviously. I'm not coming here for filet mignon, people, and I'm definitely not coming for any Asian food [holla at my fave B-town place: Great Wall]. BUT-- for the type of establishment it is, this place has serious charm. I've been a couple times, and honestly-- the service is slow, the food is death to your arteries, and in the summer, there's bound to be obnoxious kids running around. So what gives it the four stars? Because this place REEKS of Americana. It's your typical [almost... dare I say it? STEREOtypical] midwest fast food place. When I walk in here, I half-expect Beaver to meet me along with Lucy and Ricky in a Studebaker. [I probably totally botched up the decades in there, but whatevs]. It's VERY old-fashioned feel and while it's old school enough to be just a tad run down and super homey, it's not so old and terrible as to make you fear for your life/kids/cash. I like it. I always get the soft-serve cone. Cheap and tasty, y'all! read more

Awesome hometown gem!! Great service, good cup of coffee and amazing breakfast. Pancakes - yum!! Mike's mess is the way to go. Prices - can you say 'throwback in time?' It is cash only so just FYI and worth the wait if there is one. read more

A good hole-in-the-wall midwest feel to it, and a very relaxed, casual atmosphere. Nothing going for it as far as nutrition is concerned. read more

The Hungry Bear is a breakfast staple whenever I visit family in Burlington. The food is not even remotely healthy, but if you go in with few expectations, there are some pretty unique items and a ton of greasy spoon classics done right. Mike's mess - try it once, and when you do, make sure to eat as much as possible before the gravy congeals. After that point it is way too intense/scary to continue. Good grilled cheese, baked beans, and egg options. For those who love NASCAR - this is your spot. read more

The food is great. Service is amazing. I had the patty melt it was amazing. The staff are nice and friendly there is limited compacity and every other table is seated there is takeout. Totally recommend this place read more

It is great hometown cafe! Great environment! Wish I had one in my town. The food was wonderful! We will come back the next time in Burlington.-EM(Green Bay, WI) read more

Have not been there in a little bit, but every time I think of the Hungry Bear, I have great memories. The food is just like what your Mom made in her kitchen. I am not even hungry now, and my mouth is watering thinking about their Chicken Fried Steak. NEVER had a bad meal there! read more

Reasonably priced! Great service! Sunday mornings are busy, but worth the wait. Recommend Mike's Mess! Cash only.

If you want some real home cooking this is the place for you great breakfast really low price only drawback is it's cash only

My favorite place to get breakfast!! It's all delicious. The staff is very friendly, too!

The best greasy spoon in town! Exactly what you'd expect from a tiny local diner. Delicious, unhealthy comfort foods. Breakfast served all day. Perfect place to end an all-nighter. read more

Super cheap, not a long wait, and awesome food. No, it's not healthy, whatsoever. If you can eat there, but only for one meal, definitely make it breakfast (which is served all day btw). Between Mike's Mess and their pancakes, you'll never want to leave. read more

Great food! Small place, bad service but they always seem to only have one cook and one waitress, She does get around to you eventually. Open LATE! Best place to go after drinking or when the bars close. Very home-style cooking. Has a daily special during lunch, homemade pies for dessert. Ice cream machine. Very Cheap and food is always hot when it arrives. Diner atmosphere. Open 24 hours tues-sat closed sunday and open monday but not 24hrs read more

Was in Burlington with my brother for the Tri State Rodeo. This is a great breakfast place. I also agree that it is slow getting your food, but our food was served hot off the grittle. Very much a mom and pop place. Great food, but don't go here if your in a hurry!!!! BTW...we are going back tomorrow morning. read more

Love coming here for breakfest because it is good old fastion cooking. Down falls are the service is very slow, we ended up getting our own coffee. Prices are reasonable. read more