BLACK BEAR DINER: Quality And Service Still Exist In Redding!
- Cheryl Sanchez
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
My husband, Jerry, and I gave up our crowded Southern California lifestyle in 2000 after passing through the pleasant small towns of Yreka, Mount Shasta, and Weed in Northern California. We were returning from a trip to Portland, Oregon, to visit relatives. The contrast with living in the North State versus So-Cal felt good. The lifestyle was compelling, and we returned in a few months and bought a house on a golf course with a full view of Mount Shasta (and not many people!) That is where we lived, and we loved it for 11 years, both working for local companies. It’s called the “good life”, and it was.
One of our favorite spots to eat in our new “town” was the Black Bear Diner in both Yreka and Mt. Shasta. The first Black Bear Diner was opened in Mt. Shasta, with a population of 3,600, by Bruce Dean and Laurie and Bob Manley in 1995. Their shared dream was to create a place where friends and family could get together and enjoy great food and service at a reasonable price. Huge platters piled high with quality food became their signature, and they continue to deliver on that promise, building a solid reputation for locals and travelers alike.
After 11 years in paradise in Lake Shastina, the winters eventually got a little harsh for aging adults, with the occasional snow and icy roads, so we moved to Redding, CA, in the Spring of 2011.
Of course, one of our all-time favorite spots in the North State was the Black Bear Diner—both the original in Mt. Shasta and the one in Yreka. So we were happy to see one in Redding. We haven’t really eaten out much in the past several years, but we were driving east on Cypress Avenue a few days ago and passed by the Black Bear Diner and decided to stop for early afternoon breakfast /lunch - what a wonderful surprise!
Black Bear Diner’s off-street parking was adequate even for a crowd. There was accommodation not only for casual diners but for groups as well. My first observation of the dining area was the cleanliness of the whole venue! Windows surrounded the dining area, seating was not crowded, and the hospitality and attentiveness of the staff were amazing in this day and age. We were greeted at the door and promptly seated. Our server, Morgan, greeted us, provided menus, and was an amazing waitress. The General Manager, Monique Cabrera, personally welcomed us, even taking a picture with Jeff Parker, a Redding resident who’s been a Black Bear Diner customer not only in Redding, but also in Willows, Mount Shasta, and Yreka…for 40+ years!
This was early afternoon, so Jerry ordered pancakes and some add-ons (which included 2 eggs, avocado slices, and a 6-oz steak) just to try them out, and I ordered a Cobb Salad with chicken. We could hardly believe the quantity and quality of the food! Of late, many restaurants have had to cut back the quantity and size of servings, trying to maintain the price. Our food was served on a “platter” and was more than “adequate”! We both ate vigorously for a half an hour and took a good portion of our food home for dinner!
We are retirees, and dining out these days has not been high on our list of “things to do,” but we will definitely return to the Black Bear Diner! This experience was not only nostalgic but encouraging that a restaurant offering a substantial amount of great food for a realistic price can still exist. Thanks to all of you at Black Bear for this memorable visit. We will definitely return and we will definitely spread the word!
Something you may not know: Black Bear Diners serve 143 communities in 14 states, and that number continues to grow. (Visit BlackBearDiner.com for exact locations.) The Original Black Bear Diner in Mt. Shasta is still alive and well and serving their community. If you’re lucky, it’s also where you just might find Bruce and Bob sitting in “their office,” otherwise known as corner booth #1.
Cheryl Sanchez – Redding, CA
