Black Bear Diner Torrance — Restaurant in Torrance

Not sure where these positive reviews come from. It was a quite dreadful experience on all fronts. In 2021 we coincidentally ended up in a BBD in Arizona and it was great: good food, plenty of options, huge portions and sharp prices. Visited another in Texas in 2023 and it was very disappointing, but that could have been a fluke. Unfortunately this last visit confirmed it wasn't. There was no "warm greeting" at the door ( didn't see any sign of this "Mama Bear" the other reviewers keep mentioning, maybe that's why). In general, the BBD vision of a typical cozy all-American diner requires some deliberate effort, which was definitely not there: all staff was Hispanic, mumbling quietly in barely understandable English at our table, not exactly an All-American diner vibe... (this is not a critique on these hard-working folks, but a comment on their branding issues). We visited during the weekend at dinner time, and the mood was like at a funeral (maybe because of all the ICE raids in the area...). The food was also very disappointing, clearly less options than years past, no more huge portions and generally low quality. Also they kept getting the basic things wrong: beer was warm, ice cream came out in a piping hot bowl straight from the dishwasher and burger was partially raw. The manager (?) was the only one trying to keep a sense of upbeat normalcy and quality service, but I could tell he knew also he was just trying to keep a smile on a sinking Titanic...In any case, for sure not enough for us to ever return to a BBD. Their core audience now seems to be sickly looking elderly people shuffling about and not families. "Bob & Bruce" might have had a vision when they created the first BBD, but they have either done a horrible job maintaining quality consistency throughout the franchise, or there has been a corporate decision in past years to water down the quality in an effort to keep the same pre-inflation prices. I am guessing the latter. Personally I would have gladly paid more for an enjoyable experience than this sad affair we...

Great restaurant, I really like the style, restaurants like this is hard to find now. I've been eating at this Torrance location for a while now and I've never had any issues until this time. First we never were given enough silverware and when seeing another table receiving theirs and I asked if we can get ours too, he literally took the other customers silverware and gave it to me. How rude, I apologized to those customers even though I wasn't at fault but I still felt bad. So for a restaurant that prides themselves for their breakfast is a huge disappointment. I received my hashbrowns completely burnt, black burnt like the cook forgot about them and still had it in their mind to think a burnt brick was edible and raw warm bacon with pancakes that you need a steak knife to cut with and the inside still raw batter because somehow they only overcooked the outside. I ate the ham, sausage and eggs that I'm regretting because I came home vomiting from both ends. I'm glad the server took my meal off of the bill with an attitude, also asking if he can get me something else but reluctantly. I get you were busy but if you can't handle working in that industry or even have a cook that knows how to cook properly, go find a job that won't hurt your sensitive feelings or won't make customers sick. I won't be returning ever again. I'm sure that won't matter to this staff working at this time, they had no genuine care. Then to see them serving other customers burnt food as I was leaving is just pathetic. I guess when other customers don't complain and just accept terrible cooking, staff like this will never care to change. I guarantee if a response is given from this staff, I'm probably the jerk for...

Well known restaurant BLACK BEAR DINER in California. This location on Hawthorne Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway was my 1st visit. The parking lot has ample spaces including handicap ♿️. Entrance door easy-to-use for wheelchair ♿️. Various pictures showing different types of bears in the wild. Front of the building a carved wood statue of a bear, where you can stop take a photo. The staff was greeting everyone that entered with a smile and verbal hellos or welcome. I was there on a week day..arrived about 10AM. Interior was impressively large the atmosphere was like being in the forest wildlife dining clean. I like the way the tables made of wood seating for 4 people ot booths for those who wanted or smaller booths for 2 or 1 person. There was no waiting however to my surprise the place was busy. I had no wait, escorted to a table for 2 cozy spot it was just me. After being seated immediately a staff member laid a 'newspaper like menu" saying " good morning " asked me what would I care to drink said my choice he left and returned less than 10 seconds with drink in hand. I was impressed how attentive he was. Asked me is this my 1st time and questions about the menu. Nice table service. Reading my newspaper menu huge selections from Breakfast to lunch or dinner to ' bearclub desserts. The patrons were talking, laughing, families dining with toddlers the place was busy. I place my order you will see the photo of shredded cornbread hash with sourdough bread with egg whites. It was tasty. It was hot and three types of seasons Papa Bear extremely hot Mama Bear was mild then Baby Bear was just that! (See photo). Paid my bill. Upon exiting there was a crowd of people coming into the...