Running Bear Pancake House

When visiting West Yellowstone, my family and I enjoy stopping at Running Bear Pancake House. 

It is a smaller, quaint, family-style restaurant that is absolutely perfect for breakfast on a cold morning or before hitting the trails. They are definitely known for their pancakes, but their menu has a lot more to offer than that. 

I will say one of my favorite things is to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee (they grind it there) first thing in the morning. And aside from the food, the people here are great, too. 

The building itself is older, and I believe it’s been there for 40 years. The Thompsons opened the location in 1965, though the building has seen lots of updates since then. The restaurant served those who lived and worked in the area for a long time, usually in the summers. 

In fact, after speaking to the staff, I learned that two teachers started the location, but it changed hands a few times after that. Mike and Dixie Klostrich owned it in 1980 and then sold it to their daughter and son-in-law Kelly and Matthew, who currently own it. 

And while the Running Bear Pancake House is small, it isn’t too small, and they can definitely handle larger groups, too. 

It’s certainly worth stopping in to check out the menu before starting your day! 

Vibe

It is such a chill, easy place to sit down and enjoy good food. Great for families with kids of all ages.

The staff is very positive and seemingly welcoming people. They will talk and share stories with you as if you have known them for years. You’ll feel like you’re at home while you’re here.

Running Bear Pancake House: Menu & Drinks

The menu has a lot of classic diner foods on it. 

But to start, if it is cold outside, I recommend the Snickers Hot Chocolate, but they also have hot apple cider and caramel apple cider, too. These will beat any coffee shop drink you can find. For hot days, the huckleberry lemonade is perfect. They also have shacks (the Funky Monkey Shake is great, with chocolate, banana, and peanut butter. It’s a dessert in its own right.)

They do have a lot of specialty coffee drinks, too. That includes mochas, lattes, and chai. Of course, you can also get some classics here that are always fresh.

Then you have the pancake menu, which offers lots of options, including buckwheat, buttermilk, crepes, and cinnamon roll pancakes. Choose your toppings, or keep it simple. 

They also have omelets that are super filling, lots of means on the side, and booked goods. That includes muffins, quick breads, and cinnamon rolls. Choose one of their breakfast specialties. I enjoy the Cordon Bleu Skillet with the hollandaise sauce.

If you don’t get up early enough or want something other than breakfast, they do have a number of lunch features, including a Monte Cristo, Chicken Strips, and fish and chips. However, I love the Homemade Meatloaf Sandwich because it is so filling. And they have veggie options throughout their menu, along with soup and salad options.