NorCal’s Black Bear Diner Arrives In Katy

Katy’s dining scene is expanding rapidly this year, and it’ll see yet another out-of-state import when Black Bear Diner opens its doors.

The California export at 24600 Katy Freeway presents itself as a comfort food eatery in a family-friendly “bear-themed atmosphere,” which makes a lot of sense for its origins in Northern California’s mountains where bears are ubiquitous. It’ll be interesting to see how the lodge-like interiors with bear statues are received in an area where crawfish is king.

Nevertheless, the spacious 5,400-square-foot, 150-seat diner has a franchise deal to expand into Texas in the coming years. The Katy store will be the brand’s 109th location across 10 states, with outposts in Austin, San Antonio, and another Houston-area restaurant on the horizon.

Diners will find straightforward menus with items like burgers, sandwiches, salads, meatloaf, chicken fried steak, and grilled salmon and trout. Breakfast is served all day, and diners can look forward to egg scrambles, bacon-infused pancakes, and, not surprisingly, bear claw pastries in the shape of a paw.

“We are thrilled to not only open our first diner in Katy, but introduce the entire Lone Star State to Black Bear Diner, as well,” Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Bruce Dean said in a statement. “This new restaurant is an important step in our eastward expansion, and we are eager to bring our home-styled comfort classics – and our trademarks bears – to local residents and visitors.”

Black Bear Diner opens on Monday, March 19 and will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.