Black Bear Diner, Cracker Barrel Open in Far East El Paso

Want to feed your inner bear a huge plateful of pancakes or a massive chicken fried steak? There’s a place for that now on the Far East side.

The California-based Black Bear Diner, known for serving up big portions of home-style comfort food classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has moved into the Petro Travel Center on Horizon Blvd in the space that was previously occupied by Iron Skillet for almost five decades.

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Bears, Bears Everywhere

The bear-themed family-friendly restaurant might sort of remind you of a Cracker Barrel without the Country Store inside and the rocking chairs outside. Its emphasis on comfort food is also similar, but Black Bear definitely has the competitor beat on portion sizes and the number of menu items.

The menu, The Black Bear Gazette, is made to look like a small-town newspaper, and the dishes offered are extensive.

Breakfast options consist of pancakes, waffles platters, omelettes, “scrambowls,” and egg combos. Lunch and dinner include burgers, salads, sandwiches and home style comfort food classics like homemade meatloaf, slow-cooked pot roast, and chicken fried steak.

Black Bear Diner is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cracker Barrel Opens in Eastlake

After various delays attributed to construction and permitting, the El Paso area’s newest Cracker Barrel has opened.

It's been nearly 30 years since the first location opened its doors on Remcon Circle in west El Paso, and now those who live and work in Socorro, Eastlake, Horizon City, Clint, and Fabens can also enjoy Cracker Barrel’s signature Southern fried chicken dish, meatloaf, Country Fried Steak, and Old Timer’s Breakfast on their side of town.

The new 10,000-plus square-foot restaurant, including the Old Country Store and widely recognized front porch with rockers, accommodates 170 hungry guests.

The newest Cracker Barrel is located in the Eastlake Marketplace off Interstate 10 and Eastlake Boulevard. It's open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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