Running Bear Pancake House

On a quiet street in West Yellowstone, Running Bear Pancake House is an ideal spot to fuel up before or after a day at the park. I recommend breakfast because the portions are huge, so you’ll likely have leftovers. If not, you can get a box lunch on your way out.

What to eat at Running Bear Pancake House

The breakfast menu has something for everyone. Do start with a house-baked pastry. The cinnamon roll, dotted with pecans and served warm, is not too sweet: a great breakfast appetizer, especially good with coffee made using local Hell Roaring espresso beans.

Trout is a big deal here; it is caught in the rivers flowing through the park. A beautiful pink color, it’s served simply, with a touch of salt and pepper. Add a few over-easy eggs and you’ve got a healthy way to start the day.

The seafood omelet is packed with shrimp and shredded crab and held together by melted Swiss. The eggs are fluffy, and the plate also holds a little cup of sour cream — unexpected, and delicious. Hash browns are fresh and buttery, but could be crisper.

Drizzled in a rich, savory gravy, moist meatloaf packs just the right amount of onion: an uncommon breakfast choice.

Buckwheat pancakes are thick and hearty, presented with a big dollop of whipped butter on top. Buttermilk pancakes are fluffier, served with maple syrup and what seems to be pourable huckleberry jam. The latter is delicious, and a little goes a long way. You can get the pancakes in singles, doubles, or triples. If you’re really famished or want to share, go for the Hungry Bear: a stack of four.

A family-run restaurant since it opened in 1965, Running Bear is simple and charming. The space is covered in stuffed, painted, and framed bears — an homage to the black bear who accidentally locked itself in the back room one evening in the 1960s.

Our waitress, Vivien, was busy and bubbly, happy to accommodate a few special requests and excited to hear we were traveling by RV. She has her own fifth wheel, lovingly called a “dollhouse,” and wished us the best on our journeys ahead.