Black Bear Diner Aurora — Restaurant in Aurora

I love a good diner but this place is a poor mockery of a diner experience. We weren’t greeted at all, we barely made it through the door before someone said follow me. No preference for booth or table. She just pointed out a table, threw some menus on it and kept walking. Our server was marvelous and friendly but I feel bad she has to serve y’all’s idea of food. It was as bland as the atmosphere. The place felt like a nursing home cafeteria decorated with bears that your grandmas been collecting from local craft shows her whole life. I don’t think there was anyone under the age of 60 besides us eating there. I was encouraged to order their biggest fancy burger …. I ordered it well done, but I got a burger that was stupid thick and mushy at best… it wasn’t cooked through, it had pink, cold bites even though the outside was kinda crispy and the center was hot and done?! I wondered if they seared it and then microwaved it, idk how else you get it cooked so improperly. The onions were almost raw instead of caramelized. The best part of it was the pickles and salt I added. I didn’t even bother asking them to remake it bc it had absolutely no flavor despite being “well seasoned”. The part I tried was full of gristle and tasted worse than fast food beef. I could have bought 3 lbs of quality beef for $15 instead of that mess. The fries were decent but seriously small portioned for a burger plate, I’ve seen children’s servings that were bigger. I usually help my gf finish her fries but I think even she wanted more with her meal. Her chicken strips were at least cooked but tasted and looked like any frozen cheap brand you can get from the store and make at home. The lemonade was amazing for the first glass, but then the free refill was twice the ice and had barely a hint of flavor. The weirdest part was someone came to our table 4 times, (not our server) and reached in and GRABBED the plates we were literally eating off of…apparently trying to clear them for us. We had to move them to the inner edge of our table and then physically defend our plates to get her to stop bc she just kept coming back and reaching in. We assume this was their way of rushing people out once they’ve been served because as soon as we had plates on the table she was trying to take them. “You’re done I take” was her demand each time she appeared. Save yourself the disappointment and go to Sams #3, they serve portions that are worth paying for and the food is always delicious for everyone instead of just tasteless...

2023 Still in our choice when craving diner food so, have been here every so often.

This was a Friday afternoon visit and was seated immediately.

Ordered: Roast Beef Salmon with Pesto (To-go) Bread Pudding Burger

Bread Pudding was dense and therefore, very dry in my opinion. Although it came with a container of caramel/nutty (?) sauce, it was so little that it helped for about a few bites. Thus, the 4-star rating.

Service is something I really value and I would like to bring up something. We were served by Paulina who, was EXCELLENT! She was very professional yet, very warm and friendly. She got us all settled with our food, coming back to ask if everything was okay and, anything else we needed. As she brought us our bill, she wished us a great night and hoped we enjoyed our meal and explained, her shift was over. Let me again say, she, was 5-⭐! Here's what I want to bring to Mgt.'s attention.

As soon as we were done, another server, Savannah came with another set of bill, this time, with her name as our server, informing us, since Paulina was already OFF, we had to use the new bill.

As my friend and I were rushing to beat the Friday evening traffic, we just got the new bill. It was later, that I felt, Paulina should have been given the credit (and the tip) for her excellent work. Savannah NEVER even dealt with us except for giving us the new bill.

I feel that if indeed, the rule is to issue a new bill if original server is already OFF at time of payment, the rule should be reviewed to ensure server deserving of credit still gets the credit.

I hope this gets Mgt.'s attention.

On the other hand, we still love coming back here.

2021 This branch opened during the COVID months and our first few visits were take-outs as was the norm.

Now many visits after (both dine-in and still, take-outs), one can deduce we like Black Bear!

Their Fsh and Chips, Waffles and Meatloaf is our go-to. Personally, I am not a French Fries person but, theirs is one I love (so are their onion rings and coleslaw!).

BTW, have to mention their pies. We always are full after dining but, never forget to take home a few of their pies.

OUTSTANDING dining staff service always! Have to commend them on how it is always a pleasure to dine there.

Decor and theme is all out bear-y diner.

Parking is no...

Way, way overpriced! You can get the same quality breakfast at Denny’s or IHOP and pay half the price. I had the biscuits and gravy and biscuits were huge but the gravy was not proportioned for the size of the biscuits and gravy was kind of cold. The waitress was a very nice lady and very good although she did forget to bring the fruit with my wife’s breakfast and had to be reminded. The coffee was OK but again the prices are way too high. If the food quality match the price it wouldn’t of been bad but it does not. I will never eat there again.

Return trip to Black Bear diner. When I first went to the Black Bear diner I said it was way way overpriced and I still agree with that first statement. But after we spent $32 for breakfast they wanted us to come back and gave us $20 in Bear Bucks towards our dinner. Well we went back and the food was better but we did not order breakfast because of our last experience. I had the chicken avocado club sandwich and it was good and they give you tons of fries with it, my wife had fish and chips but substituted the fries with onion rings and yes they were good. The coleslaw was a little different. The weird thing about the fish is when they gave her tartar sauce there was a lump in it and it turned out to be a fried potato. I worked in a restaurant business before and I can only figure out a couple of different things and how a potato got in there and I’m not going to assume so I don’t look like an idiot, but you figure it out. I have been on the road for over 32 years with my occupation and I have eaten in a lot of restaurants so I feel that I am qualified to write a review and I know one thing, we will not return. You can get the same food across the street at a place called Rosies for about $10 cheaper on the total ticket. Next time we’re going back there. Thank you staff of black bear diner and the waitress again was very good but I don’t go back just for the service but for the all around experience and price. Below is a picture of the potato we found in a tartar...