Matt Kershner
If you want a very good home cooked country breakfast then look no further than The Hungry Bear in Burlington, Iowa. The food here is absolutely delicious and made with genuine homemade ingredients. The flavor and seasoning in and on the food is absolutely amazing . Oh and don’t get me started on the portions of the food. They give you so much you will be taking leftovers home I can tell you that unless you’re really hungry than you can probably handle the huge portions.
It’s a nice little place tucked away in the downtown part of Burlington. The staff and waitress is very friendly and always checking in on you for a refill on your beverage and to make sure the food is good. Better get there early on the weekends because it does get busy but for good reasoning that food is something everyone wants. So go check it out you will enjoy each bite you take for sure.
… morePam A-G (islandstylin)
Perfect spot for a home-cooked breakfast! The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was absolutely delicious. I’m usually an espresso person, but the coffee here paired perfectly with the French toast. We also had the bacon and the stuffed omelette — they definitely didn’t skimp on ingredients, everything was flavorful and satisfying. Highly recommend and will definitely be back!
… moreChris Woehl
Tucked away in the heart of Burlington, Iowa, is a hidden gem “Hungry Bear”that serves up the perfect country breakfast. From the moment you walk in, the smell of sizzling bacon and fresh coffee welcomes you like an old friend. The cozy, no-frills atmosphere makes you feel right at home, with friendly staff who greet you with a warm smile and treat you like family.
A classic, hearty breakfast that hits all the right taste buds. From the fluffy and buttery biscuits, smothered in rich, homemade sausage gravy, eggs cooked just the way you like them, paired with crispy hash browns that have the perfect golden crunch, you’re bound to start your day off right.
Beyond the food, the service is small-town hospitality at its best. Refills on coffee come without asking, and the staff genuinely care about making sure you leave happy and full. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Hungry Bear is the kind of place that makes you want to sit, savor, and stay a little longer.
If you’re looking for an authentic country breakfast that reminds you of home, Hunger Bear is your place.
It’s cash only, so bring your old style pocket book and enjoy your home cooked breakfast!
… moreDevin Hoffie
The Hungry Bear is exactly what a road-trip breakfast spot should be: small, friendly, and caffeinated. Coffee never hit the bottom of the mug, staff moved like a well-rehearsed band, and the food was big, hot, and honest — my ham-and-cheese omelet was packed with real ham, and the pancakes are truly bear-sized. The vintage Hungry Bear sign being raffled off to support the local humane society says everything about this place: feed people well, then feed the community. Loved the visitor map by the door too — we got to add the first pin from Sioux Falls. Our breakfast was hosted, but the praise is earned.
… moreKendahl Hammel
I stopped by Hungry Bear this morning after my shift, wide awake and craving some breakfast. I decided to go alone, planning to read, but ended up people-watching instead—
I’ve been to Hungry Bear once before, about a year ago, and thought it was just okay. I had hoped things might have improved, but unfortunately, the food remains excessively greasy. I get it—it’s a classic diner/cafe—but for me, it’s a bit much.
That said, the atmosphere here is something special. Regulars chatting, older generations catching up, everyone knowing each other on a first-name basis—it really captures that old-school diner vibe. There’s a sense of community here that’s rare these days, and I genuinely love that about this place.
It’s just a shame the food doesn’t quite match the charm of the atmosphere. If it were a bit less greasy or a little more refined, I’d be completely sold. Still, if you love classic diners and people-watching, this spot has a lot to offer
… moreKelly Davison
My husband and I totally love this place. Our first time there and so cozy and they’re very friendly. Food was excellent.
… moreKelly Carver
Great food at outstanding prices! Hours are a little wonky, but you won’t be disappointed in the food or your bill! (Edit prices have gone up significantly as of February 2023)
… moreSavannah Archer
10/10 hands down absolutely amazing! great atmosphere, friendly staff and regular guests, very neat place with outstanding food! also good prices. we did a day trip trying restaurants up the Mississippi. 1st stop was here and at the end of our trip we determined this was the best place we went! all around amazing! Side note- portions are huge go hungry leave full!
… moreMichelle Lynch
We used to dine here quite a bit in the past, unfortunately it has gone downhill since then. The food is okay, not really worth waiting 22 minutes for 2 omelettes and the appetizer but tasty none the less. My husband ordered the Mess with gravy and I got a ham and cheese omelette. Depressingly, the only cheese was a slice of kraft on top. We got charged for refills even though we didn’t ask for refills. $22 for 2 people isn’t a bad price. The service could be way better. We weren’t even greeted by the waitress, couldn’t tell you her name, she didn’t give one or have a name tag on. We were there for 45 minutes and she never asked how our food was or offered boxes. Just slapped our check down and went out to smoke. Even the food couldn’t make up for her bad service.
… moreChatfield II
Good breakfast, prices can’t be beat, and service was awesome as always. Good place for a quick bite. Not a lot of parking. ONLY TAKES CASH, just as a heads up.
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