The beauty of a lakefront village, fresh mountain air, and a slower pace than a big city is the perfect change you need for your next vacation. You’ll find everything you’re looking for to make a vacation to remember when you take Big Bear trips. It has many fun and exciting activities that will work up your appetite and have your stomach rumbling. There are an array of restaurants offering different cuisines to satisfy that hunger.
Dubbed “the best Mexican restaurant in Big Bear,” you can sample their delicious offerings any time of day. Choose from Mexican breakfasts like the Mexican omelet, breakfast tamale, chilaquiles, and more. Come back for lunch or dinner and sample appetizers like fish or shrimp ceviche, raw shrimp or fish marinated in lemon juice with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro, and many other dishes. There are an array of soups and salads to choose from, as well as their house specialties including garlic shrimp prepared with Mexican gulf shrimp, filet of tilapia, and more.
Start at one of the best restaurants in Big Bear with breakfast dishes like chorizo and eggs, chilaquiles, or huevos rancheros, all served all-day long! In the afternoon and evening, enjoy homemade soups like menudo served with all of the traditional garnishing or albondigas – a meatball and vegetable soup made with homemade meatballs. Pick from traditional Mexican combos like shrimp tacos, chimichangas, or the fajita burrito combo, all served with beans and rice. Take the staff’s advice and order one of the house specials like traditional Mexican carnitas prepared with lean pork and the cantina’s secret ingredient, or their arroz con pollo, another traditional Mexican dish that includes seasoned chicken, green tomatillo sauce, and melted cheese. If you’re really hungry, step up and attempt the “Big Juan Burrito,” a seven-pound burrito stuffed with four different meats, a selection of cheeses, beans, and rice. Finish it in 45 minutes or less and earn bragging rights, and a T-shirt declaring your win.
Start your mornings out right with a breakfast to warm you up and fuel you up for fun days on your Big Bear getaways. From eggs and omelets to waffles and pancakes, there’s something for everyone. Try a “south of the border” breakfast special like Machaca – two scrambled eggs with shredded beef, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes with hash browns and corn or flour tortillas, or a breakfast burrito. There’s classic French toast, or the breakfast staple can be made with cinnamon raisin bread. Come back later and warm up with homemade soup or chili. Choose any of the 100% Angus beef burgers like the avocado bacon burger, the teddy bear burger, or the bear burger, their double-meat/double-cheese burger.
One of the most popular brew pubs in Big Bear, Whiskey Dave’s is a hot spot for music, pool, spirits, beer, and delicious food. Their food is all about accompanying their famous brews. Small plates include loaded potato skins, BBQ pork cheesy fries, nachos, bacon wrapped jalapenos, and more. Choose from tacos, fish and chips, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, or any of their half-pound black Angus beef burgers. Or opt to bring food back to your long-term rentals in Big Bear. They serve over 32 beers, many of them from local and California breweries, as well as domestic and imported brews. If it’s not beer you’re looking for, they have a variety of cocktails, as well as spirits including whiskey, tequila, rum, and more, or sit back with a glass of wine. Please note Whiskey Dave’s is always a 21 and older establishment.
There is a myriad of dishes to choose from, including starters like steamed clams or artichoke, the jumbo shrimp diablo, or the raqu of fresh mushrooms sauteed in butter with fresh garlic and white wine. Enjoy jumbo shrimp scampi or shrimp teriyaki. Go to “the market place” for crab or lobster, or choose from a variety of fish.
Land lovers will love steak from top sirloin to New York Strip and filet mignon. There’s also slow roasted prime rib or choose a make your own surf & turf when you combine any two dishes. Market prices apply to all meat and fresh seafood dishes. Or take your meal to-go back to your vacation rentals in Big Bear.
Starters like roasted Brussels sprouts, ahi poke, and more will whet your appetite for the goodies to come. Choose from a variety of soups and salads, pulled pork sliders, fried calamari, and more to start. Order a specialty pizza or a variety of flatbread options. Opt for something lighter and try any of their sandwiches, including truffle grilled cheese and Waldorf chicken salad, or the spicy Santa Fe chicken sandwich. Satisfy larger appetites with delicious burgers or go for one of the pasta dishes. There are vegetarian options as well, like the Korean beef bowl or teriyaki chicken bowl, both made with meatless soy-based vegetarian selections. Make Oakside Restaurant & Bar a go-to on your Big Bear trips.
Whet your appetite with roasted Brussels sprouts, ask about soup of the day or opt for the restaurant’s signature New England clam chowder. There are several pork, chicken, steak, and lamb dishes to choose from, like chicken Marsala, or the roasted five-spice pork tenderloin topped with brandy-Dijon cream sauce. Opt for charbroiled rack of lamb, or their ‘surf n’ turf’ meal of a 6 oz. Filet mignon topped with garlic-herb butter and served with a 7 oz. lobster tail. Some pasta dishes may be available with gluten-free pasta, upon request and can be easily reheated in your Big Bear townhome rentals. There’s also a gluten-free and vegan kale mushroom ravioli topped with vegan pesto cream sauce, Roma tomatoes, and roasted pine nuts.
Start your meal with the tom yum soup, a popular Thai soup bursting with lemon grass, lemon leaves, galanga, mushrooms, carrots, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. Choose the golden tofu salad – fried tofu with lettuce and cucumber and served with peanut sauce, or the green salad of fresh mixed greens, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots. There are a variety of curries, including “Jungle Curry” – a red curry paste with assorted herbs and vegetables, or pineapple curry featuring red curry paste, coconut milk, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, and pineapple. If you’re in the mood for stir fry, try their sweet and sour, cashew nut, or eggplant tofu – a stir-fry bursting with fried tofu, chili bean paste, jalapenos, carrots, zucchini, broccoli bell peppers, and Thai basil.
Taste the cuisine of Nepal and India right without leaving Big Bear. Enjoy a variety of soups and salads, plus main dishes including aaloo govi – a mix of potatoes and cauliflower sauteed with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, ground coriander, turmeric, and cumin seeds. Tofu saag features tofu cooked with pureed spinach and an array of spices. Enjoy some Thali specialties, including vegetable Thali, your choice of any two veggies Thali with rice, lentil, naan, and salad. There are so many dishes to choose from, you’ll have to come view their extensive menu and make the choice yourself.
You came to the area on a vacation full of fun and exciting activities and attractions to escape the stresses of everyday life. Extend that fun to your accommodations and book a vacation rental with Big Bear Vacations. Try your hand at making your new favorite meal in the unit’s fully equipped kitchen. Gather together with drinks and loved ones on the couch and watch your favorite movie or spend some time outdoors by the lake with a cold one in your hand.
Choose a cozy one-bedroom Big Bear Lake cabin rentals for your solo or sweetheart retreat, all the way up to sprawling, five-bedroom Big Bear vacation home rentals for a large family reunion full of delicious Big Bear food.
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When Memorial Day Weekend comes around,you know that summer is just around the corner. Make sure to plan for the best start to your summer by booking a stay in Big Bear, California. You can find a variety of exciting offerings including Memorial Day-only events. Here are some incredible events to check out during this year’s Memorial Day Weekend:
Perhaps the most exciting and famous Memorial Day event going on this year is the annual Grill & Chill KC State BBQ Championship. Each year some of the best amateur and professional chefs put forth their specialty BBQ for two full exciting days of delicious food and fun. This year’s Grill & Chill will be absolutely free to attend for guests of all ages. Grill & Chill is one of the few grill-offs that is fully sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ State Championship Competition. With more than $10,000 in cash prizes up to grab you can expect unbelievable BBQ and more. The kids will enjoy the Kids Dino Land where they can meet their favorite dinosaurs up close. Adults can relax in the craft beer, wine, and cocktail garden. Either way,there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Grill & Chill KC State BBQ Championship. This year’s event will take place from 10:00am to 5:00pm on May 25th and May 26th.
Big Bear Mountain Resort is ready to kick off the annual Bike Park Opening this Memorial Day weekend for tons of fun. This family friendly event features all of the necessary activities for an incredible time such as live music, vendor booths, free giveaways, and giant-sized back yard games including corn hole, ladder golf, and beer pong. Attendees can even get discounted $25 lift tickets if the snow is still around. Come celebrate the opening of Bike Park this Memorial Day Weekend from 10:00am to 5:00pm that Friday through Sunday.
For the best Memorial Day experience in Big Bear, make sure to choose one of our exclusive vacation rentals in the area. Each luxury cabin will keep you feeling comfortable throughout your stay that no other lodging company can offer. Be close to these exciting Memorial Day events and more when choosing Big Bear Vacations. Call today to see what rental is waiting for you and your family today.
Big Bear is home to endless opportunities. The first thing that comes to the minds of many visitors is the unparalleled opportunity for recreation that you have while here. This is true, but perhaps the greatest opportunity comes with the incredible food that you can find throughout this beautiful town. The community is not very big, but they sure make a lot of amazing food! This is on full display through some of the community’s wonderful Big Bear food festivals coming up.
This is one of the most interesting events in Big Bear as it brings a bit of friendly competition together with a day spent relaxing. The Kansas City Barbecue Society is throwing this event for the first time on May 25th and May 26th. Competition entries are open to everyone, so if you think the world needs to taste one of you family’s recipes, get your team together and reserve yourself a spot in the competition. If you are not so much a cook as much as an eater, then you can forgo the competition and just explore the festival. Obviously, there will be plenty of amazing foods, but there will also be music, drinks, and activities to compliment it. The festivities are happening at 630 Bartlett Road.
When this amazing holiday comes together with great food, there is really something to celebrate. You will find a very food-centric celebration of the 4th of July in Big Bear at the Marina Resort. Reserved seats and amazing meals are served as you enjoy live entertainment along with games and activities for the kids. Once you have eaten your fill and had some fun, the fireworks cap off the evening starting at 8:45 pm.
This festival brings comfort food at its finest, with the main event revolving around a variety of the best chili recipes in the area. There will be over 40 cooks vying for the title of best chili in Big Bear, and you can taste all of the chili you want! But there is also plenty of other awesome foods, drinks, live entertainment, and a play area for the kids. Bring an appetite and have an amazing time at this year’s chili cook off. The festivities will take place at the Bartlett Activities Area in mid-July, although the 2018 dates have yet to be set, so check back at www.bigbear.com.
These are some of the more interesting culinary events coming up, but there are so many more that you are bound to love. Check the city’s schedule of events to find just one more reason to visit Big Bear!
Restaurants near Big Bear Mountain Resorts
You’ll certainly work up quite the appetite after a long day of skiing or snowboarding in Big Bear. Some of the best shredding in Southern California calls for some of the best food. We believe choosing any of these restaurants after a successful day on the slopes will please your stomach.
Big Bear Lake Brewing Company
Big Bear Lake Brewing Company is quickly becoming one of the favorite spots in
Big Bear. The gastro pub offers a large selection of beer that is brewed onsite, and a full menu of delicious pub food. The stuffed Avocado Bombs have quickly gained notoriety for their combination of unique presentation and great flavor.
Saucy Mama’s Pizzeria
There’s an old-school ambiance with the fun and flair of a newer pizza joint at Saucy Mama’s. The pizza here is from a recipe that has been passed down from great grandma, the original Saucy Mama. Sauces and dough are made from scratch daily, so your pizza is always going to taste fresh. Saucy Mama’s is also the only hand-tossed pizza in Big Bear – this is the spot for pie lovers.
In addition to delicious pizza, there’s also beer and wine served at Saucy Mama’s. They want you to unwind after a long day on the slopes. What better way to do so than to dive into a pizza on the patio with a glass of craft beer on the side?
572 Social Kitchen & Lounge
The name of this place nearly tells it all. Aptly titled for its address and what’s inside, the 572 Social Kitchen & Lounge is another ideal spot for a meal during your bachelorette party. The restaurant focuses on modern dishes, but also features some American classics that will make your mouth water. The Cali Burger is loaded with applewood-smoked bacon, avocado, onion, lettuce, tomato and Tillamook cheddar cheese. Accompany the burger with a cocktail of your choice for the full 572 experience. The outdoor patio is perfect for a summer lunch in the Village.
