Running Bear Pancake House — Rustic lodge breakfast with fluffy

Pancake house exterior in Yellowstone National Park with a bear mural on a brick wall.

The Grizzly Bear bites back with a tender chicken-fried steak and thick, peppery gravy that clings to eggs and hashbrowns. Cinnamon Roll Cakes puff up fluffy and swirled with frosting, like a breakfast carnival in your mouth. Walleye Tacos snap with crisp fish and a jalapeño-creamy kiss, while huckleberry lemonade cuts any grease with bright, tart notes. This place wears its diner DNA on a bear-mascot sleeve and never pretends to be fancy—just real, hearty breakfast and lunch heat.

A brown bear perches in the rafters of this low-key spot serving up classic breakfasts & lunches.

Quick facts

Establishment Type: restaurant
Cuisine Type: mexican
bbq
breakfast
coffee
Meals Served: Breakfast
Lunch
Signature Dishes: Grizzly Bear; Cinnamon Roll Cakes; Walleye Tacos

What to order

Establishment Type: restaurant
Cuisine Type: mexican
bbq
breakfast
coffee
Meals Served: Breakfast
Lunch
Signature Dishes: Grizzly Bear; Cinnamon Roll Cakes; Walleye Tacos
Local Specialties: Huckleberries featured in lemonade and pancake toppings; grilled boneless trout and eggs
Popular Items: Grizzly Bear; Cinnamon Roll Cakes; Walleye Tacos
Menu Recommendations: Grizzly Bear and Cinnamon Roll Cakes for breakfast; Walleye Tacos for lunch; huckleberry lemonade or Jailhouse Rock Latte for beverages
Dietary Options: Vegetarian

Prices & reservations

Price Range Symbols: $ to $$
Price Specifics: Two Eggs w/ Meat: $14.95, Cordon Bleu Skillet: $14.95, Boxed Lunches: $12.95 - $14.95, Coffee: $2.95, Latte: $3.95
Reservations Policy: Walk-in only; no reservations
Typical Wait Times: Walk-in only; waits vary with season, but fast-friendly service helps keep lines moving
Payment Methods: Cash
Credit Card
Cash Only: 0

Hours & seating

Operating Hours: Monday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Seasonal Hours: Open year-round
Parking Details: Street parking or nearby lot in West Yellowstone; expect tighter spots during peak season
Accessibility: On-site parking includes a designated wheelchair-accessible space; street parking and a private lot are also available for guests.

Visit strategy

Best For: Families with kids
Hungry travelers
Early risers
Not Ideal For: Travelers seeking quiet dining or laptop-focused work
Service Type: Table service
Service Speed: Fast-friendly
Vibe: Casual
Family-friendly
Homey
Noise Level: Moderate to lively due to family-friendly diner
Busiest Times: Peak during typical meal hours, especially weekend mornings
Best Visit Times: Arrive at opening 6:00 AM to beat the crush
Tips Advice: Hit Grizzly Bear and Cinnamon Roll Cakes for breakfast; they define the menu.
For lunch, Walleye Tacos deliver crisp fish with a bright jalapeño cream.
Takeout via Toast lets you dine where you want; grab huckleberry lemonade for a zingy counter-balance.
Peanut alert: Jailhouse Rock Latte contains peanut butter and bacon; Snickers drinks also carry peanuts.

More details

Park Area: West Yellowstone, Montana, near the Yellowstone West Entrance
Takeout Available: 1
Delivery Available: 0
Delivery Details: Takeout via Toast; Delivery via Uber Eats
Dress Code: Casual
Beverage Program: Espresso drinks including Jailhouse Rock Latte and Snickers Mocha; coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot cider, lemonade
Tasting Flights: 0
Tours Available: 0
Bottle Sales: 0
Parking Available: 1
Dog Friendly Patio: 0
Wi-Fi Available: 0
Family Friendly: 1
Family Friendly Notes: Kid-friendly with high chairs and a children's menu; bustling atmosphere
Bar Seating: 0
Seasonal Rushes: Peak season waits up to 30-60 minutes
Live Music: 0
Has Gift Shop: 0
Unique Attractions: A brown bear perched in the rafters
Unique Factor: Bear figure in the rafters; hearty diner classics at park gateway
Nearby Facilities: West Yellowstone amenities and parking near the entrance
Recent Updates: Menu stable; no notable recent changes
Best Time To Visit: Open 6 a.m.–2 p.m. daily. Arrive at opening (6:00 a.m.) to beat weekend lines; peak times hit during typical meal hours, especially mornings.
The Order Strategy: Skip the generic breakfast; get Grizzly Bear and Cinnamon Roll Cakes; for coffee, Jailhouse Rock Latte; for non-coffee, choose huckleberry lemonade
The Vibe Check: This is a family-diner HQ: casual, bustling, and welcoming; not a place to grind on a laptop
The Crowd Factor: Weekend mornings bring more families; lines grow as the sun climbs
Eat Here If Skip If: EAT HERE IF: you want a hearty, park-gateway breakfast or lunch. SKIP IF: you need a quiet, solo meal or a formal scene
Distance From Park: approximately 28 miles from park entrance
Review Summary: Pancakes are light and fluffy; chicken-fried steak tender with rich gravy; generous portions and friendly service; prices align with value