Dinner At Lake Havasu Black Bear Diner

Going out to dinner in Lake Havasu City, Arizona on Christmas Day is not exactly a great idea.

For one thing, very few restaurants, fast food and sit-downs, were open. I far as we were able to tell, only Denny's, McDonalds, Carl's Jr. and Black Bear Diner were the ones open. We went to Black Bear Diner. To say that they were busy would be an understatement. 

Above, Holly and Mitch during the wait outside. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, after giving our name to the hostess immediately after arrival, we waited for about an hour before we were called to be seated. There were many people waiting. After ordering, we waited almost another hour before our meals were brought. At least we had our drinks brought within a reasonable time. But we had to wait for the silverware to be bought. 

Above, the holiday menu showing a nice plate of turkey. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mitch Geriminsky ordered the special holiday turkey dinner while his wife Holly and I had salads. 

Unfortunately, Mitch's turkey dinner did not look anything like what the menu showed. The menu had a photo of a turkey dinner with several slices of turkey that appeared to be a quarter inch thick. What he received looked like thin slices of deli turkey meat. Plus, everything was cold. It definitely was not worth the $25.99 price. 

Above, this is what was brought to Mitch. It didn't look
anything like what was advertised. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

It probably would have been better if we stayed at home and ate the leftovers from last night's dinner. 

Well, Holly talked to the manager about the service (she felt the waitress had an attitude) and the poor quality of the meal Mitch received. Our salads were just fine, no complaints. 

So, it is probably not a good idea to go out on Christmas Day for dinner in Lake Havasu City since there were so few eateries open. Lesson learned.

On The Way Home

Above, The Beast at the Fillmore KOA in Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today would have been a 12-hour long driving day if it weren't for an hour and a half visit (and lunch) with Mitch Geriminsky's grandson in Logan, Utah.

We left the Jackson Hole/Snake River KOA near Jackson at 6:00 this morning.

I hadn't seen Mitch's grandson since he was about 4 years old. We had a pleasant visit and lunch at the Black Bear Diner.

Today's drive was around 277 miles. We were caught in heavy traffic in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area on Interstate 15. After getting out of the city environs, we started looking for a campground to spend the night. I thought there were campgrounds/RV parks in the Nephi area, but there weren't. So, we ended up at the KOA Kampground in Fillmore, Utah. We arrived at about 6:00 PM. We're more than halfway through central Utah.

After the long drive, we made good use of the campground's hot tub. Now, as I write this, I am enjoying some Grand Teton Brewing's Teton Ale Amber. Not bad, but Alien Amber Ale is better.

We will probably be staying tomorrow night in Las Vegas. 

Tarzana Black Bear Diner Visit #2

Above, there's plenty of bear pictures inside the Black Bear Diner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, I gave the new Tarzana Black Bear Diner another try and it went much better than the first, service-wise.

I was immediately seated and right away, a waitress came by and took my drink order. A couple of minutes after my drink was brought, the waitress took my dinner order. I elected to try their bacon and cheddar burger. The side dish I chose was potato salad.

The food was good (and rather sizable). Still, I had enough room to try their peach cobbler for dessert. It was good, but I still prefer my Dutch oven peach cobbler.

My ratings this time: Food, 9; Service, 10.

Here's some pictures of the decor inside the restaurant and my meal:

Tarzana Black Bear Diner Opening Day

Above, the front counter and cashier area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Tarzana Black Bear Diner is now open for business and I stopped in for dinner this evening.

I was immediately seated in a booth next to a front window and given a menu that is newspaper style on newsprint.

Above, black bears were everywhere, even on the curtains. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The menu itself was on pages 2 and 3 while pages 1 and 4 were articles about Tarzana circa 1955.

However, no server came to take my order for over 15 minutes. "Opening Day jitters"? Finally, my order was taken and was given some coffee. My dinner (chicken parmesan) arrived not too long after my order was taken. The portions were big and the meal tasted good. I couldn't eat it all. On a scale from one to ten, I would rate the food 8 and the service as a 6.

Above, my chicken parmesan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The portions were so large that I had to pass on dessert, and I had my eyes on either their peach or blueberry cobblers.

I would go there again. Hopefully, the servers will be much faster next time.

Tarzana Black Bear Diner Opening December 26

Above, the main entrance to the Black Bear Diner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At long last, the restaurant building that was once occupied by Carrows, Coco's and others is about to open on December 26 in Tarzana.

Above, the Black Bear Diner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is going to be the Black Bear Diner. I have never eaten at one before, but I have been told by friends that they have good food.

Above, some of the black bear statues outside of the restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is located at 18355 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356.

They already have their trademark black bear statues around the building.

Above, the note in the door stating the restaurant opens December 26. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information, go here.