Black Bear Diner
Coffee
Huckleberry Bear Claw
Short Stack Sweet Cream Pancakes
Thick Cut French Toast
Recently opened in Henderson, with a 2014 visit to the Tropicana location still relatively fresh in my mind, it was entirely at the behest of a friend who quickly responded to a Facebook post looking for breakfast recommendations that the twenty minute drive to North Green Valley Parkway took place and although the decorative cabin décor is nowhere near as comprehensive as the Northwest location Black Bear Diner’s recipe for success was otherwise faithfully replicated with competent down-home classics served by a team of smiling servers as ignorable top-40 filled the air overhead.
Largely unimpressed by the ‘traditional’ Bear Claw during my prior visit suffice it to say a repeat was not high on my list of things to try, but with my buddy signing up for the Bear Lovers E-Club scoring a free coffee and one of the pastries the warm Huckleberry iteration proved a modest improvement on the cold almond paste, though the doughy lack of lamination and lack of filling in the ‘toes’ still left much to be desired, particularly for an item dubbed a signature.
Fairing far better than the ‘appetizer’ it was of two ‘Griddle Vittles’ that the rest of our breakfast was comprised and although the French Toast was decent but largely forgettable the ‘secret recipe’ of buttermilk and sweet cream constituting the base of two airy pancakes was worth every cent of the modest $6.49 tab, fake maple syrup aside.
TWO AND A HALF STARS: A mere $10 each after tax and tip when taking into account the E-Club discount Black Bear Diner is perfectly fine but having now visited both local locations and trying the pies, pastries, French toast, and pancakes there’s really no pressing reason to return, particularly in a city with no lack of local places turning out equal or better food at a similar cost.
RECOMMENDED: Sweet Cream Pancakes
AVOID: Bear Claw.
TIP: For those with kids, or adults who simply fancy cutesy décor, the Tropicana location offers far more eye candy though each location serves the exact same menu with service equally pleasant at both. For those looking for a deal, sign up for the free E-Club two-to-three days before dining as it takes that long for the coupon – which expires in 13 days – to arrive.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor
