The Black Bear Diner, Federal Way, WA.

If you are ever in Federal Way WA. you have to have breakfast at the Black Bear Diner.  Actually, you should have breakfast, lunch and dinner there, but if you are only going to have one meal there, make it the one that starts your day.

On my last trip to the Sea-Tac area, I stayed in Federal Way, and when I'm there, I always make it a point to eat at least one breakfast at the Black Bear Diner.  This time I had time for two breakfasts :)

The furnishings and décor in the restaurant stays true to their theme of a country hunting lodge.  The menu is even printed like a little local newspaper, which I thought was a nice touch.

I always have trouble deciding what I'm going to want there... a stack of pancakes with maple syrup or a full breakfast platter with all my favorites.  My first breakfast was the Hickory Smoked Ham Combo.  This includes a huge over 1/4 inch thick ham steak, country potatoes and 2 eggs... any style.  I had mine scrambled this time, and they were light and fluffy and perfect!  We added a side of bacon, because I wanted to try that too.

The bacon was done perfectly, or at least how I like it, just on the right side of crispy.  Like the ham steak, the bacon was thicker than expected, almost as thick as a slice of beef jerky... and tasted... well.. it was bacon!!!!  The country potatoes are mixed with onions and peppers and definitely one of my favorites. 

Due to the great "over medium egg debate" (about which I may at some day go into greater detail), for my next breakfast there, I ordered eggs over medium on the link sausage combo.  The eggs were dead on truly over medium.  This time I got the hash browns, cause I like to use them to sop up the egg goodness, and again, they were just how I like them; crispy on one side and tender on the other.

I wish I had not waited so long before writing this blog post, because I'd have much better descriptions of the food... especially these sausages.  Exact memories fail me now, but I remember truly enjoying these sausages.  I guess I just need to make my way up there again and take notes... but that would be impossible... I'm not doin' nothing but eatin' when I'm at the Black Bear... that food puts me in the zone!!!