Blue Bear Ellison Bay

Hannah Mohelnitzky

2024-04

Wow. Wow. Wow. Totally worth the drive. The food was top notch, everything so fresh, so good, we can’t wait until the outside wine bar opens. The owners were fantastic with explaining all the awesome menu options. We had the blue bear Benedict and omg the ham. Never had ham better than that EVER! It’s hand pulled, fresh so good. We also ordered the sweet potato hash with the homemade chicken sausage — also so good! Bloodies and expresso — everything was trendy, fresh and so good. Dinner menu looked awesome and truly Italian! We will be back. Worth a stop and worth the drive!Kid-friendliness: We brought our toddler, and it was fine! There is no kid menu but plenty of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and yummies for anyone to order for kids!

Ashley Ellefson

2024-03

I said to my partner last night — I feel like you can either get bar-type food or supper club food around here. Where’s the creative/fun cuisine that’s still in a classy atmosphere. Then, this morning, we walked into Bluebear. It was exactly what I had been saying I was missing. When I say this is the best breakfast I’ve ever had out — it was creative, thoughtful, artistic food. Truly, what a pleasure.

Charlene Avery

2024-05

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Eric Bishop

2024-05

This little gem in Ellison Bay is well worth the drive. There are PLENTY of options for breakfast all over the Peninsula but nothing like Blue Bear. They have some very well thought out ideas, a fresh fusion and flair of food, and really punch a brunch place into high gear with their menu items. Everytime I go, I always have a hard time selecting from their Garbage Pile, Blue Bear Benedict, Power Bowl, Eggs and Hash, or their lemon blueberry buttermilk pancakes! When I go, I ALWAYS get their bourbon glazed cinnamon bun-it's the size of my head and made fresh daily. They also have some strong door county coffee, and I am here for it on a day north filled with adventure to get out and take on Washington Island or Rock Island. Absolutely a must-see and a place to stop and try out for yourself when passing through Ellison Bay!

Lynda Drews

2024-05

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Rachel Ruzevich

2024-04

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Kerrie Berry

2024-05

As seasonal residents in Ellison Bay often driving to another town for a bite to eat can be cumbersome. So imagine our delight when Blue Bear opened up! It’s become our staple every time we’re up here. We are admitted foodies and have yet to have a bad experience. Everything is fresh and delicious. The staff is very friendly and attentive. When Della Porta opened we raced right in. Same thoughtful menu, food and service. We are so excited to support these local establishments and hope others are motivated to try such an experience.Kid-friendliness: Our son never has a problem picking one of their creative menu items. The staff is attentive and remembers him upon our visits. The atmosphere is comfortable, so he can come dressed as is.

A Piper

2023-05

Very good place. I would recommend some sound tiles on the ceiling or the walls. Having the bar in the same area as the seating area is very loud as they are breaking up I've or going in the refrigerators. I think it would really help the atmosphere a bit as it is pretty loud and echoes very well. The food was also good and my wife enjoyed having different vegan options to choose from. The Americano that we ordered was a little different and pretty light as well.

Jennifer Hagen

2023-09

I preferred this place when it was a casual diner type restaurant. The chips were so salty I couldn't eat them and neither could my mom. We said something to the waitress and she told the kitchen but she said "they never listen to me". The chicken wrap was okay but the bacon was really really hard and there was a bitter tasting herb I did not care for. The decor inside is a little bland and the chairs uncomfortable. Outside seating was beautiful. Caters more to breakfast, especially eggs, which I don't care for. Not my cup of tea, don't plan to return. Especially at those prices.

Cindy S

2023-05

We went to Blue Bear twice for breakfast. The food was amazing and I would highly recommend you check it out. I had the Blue Bear Benedict which was so good that I craved it the second time we went. The shredded ham, that topped the potato pancake, was such an incredible pair; but then adding the brilliant combination of the poached egg, Gouda cheese sauce, and caramelized onions was out of this world. I loved everything about this farm-to-table experience and will certainly be back on our next trip north. Thank you for a great experience!

Grant Langbauer

2023-06

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L T

2023-05

Nice, clean local restaurant! Server was very good. I heard great things about Blue Bear so I must have picked the wrong dish for breakfast. The Blue Bear Benedict was not what I was expecting. I have never seen ham that is actually pulled pork. I thought I had the spare ribs Benedict, but I was told that ham is pulled pork because it is a Berkshire Ham. News to me. The smoked gouda cream sauce was just a thin line. The eggs were very crispy and hard, as was the potato pancake the whole thing sat on.The other dish at the table was the Breakfast Power Bowl. It was very good except you must ask for the egg type you want or you may get the fried, runny eggs (which would have been better on the Benedict). The pumpkin pie latte was very good.If we go back, the grilled banana bread or the sweet potato hash looks good!

Bridget Willard

2023-05

Blue Bear is a great place for brunch/lunch in Door County. Frankly, not many restaurants are open in the off season let alone for lunch, so it is a godsend.I had the carrot cake pancakes which were lovely. They are spicy, not too sweet. Served with cream cheese something, candied walnuts, and syrup. I am a sweet tooth so I was glad for the syrup.I read some reviews before I came here and thought I would form my own opinion.The half-cup of coffee is a thing but you’re sort of glad for it because the copper cups are very good at conducting heat. They’re pretty but maybe too hot to handle. It’s fine. I used creamer.When you come here — or to anywhere in Door County — adjust your expectations. Everything is leisurely here. Cell signal is sparse. Staffing is a serious issue.So, I’d come again for sure but it is in the price range of a date/special occasion place.

Dave Bishop

2023-08

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Christian Fitzgerald

2023-05

Excellent brunch! I really enjoyed the Grilled Banana Bread (vegan) and the Salmon Eggs Benedict are amazing. We also had the Corned Beef Hash, which was very good. Everything we've tried so far has been very good so we'll be back!Vegetarian options: Many options for vegetarian/vegans. For brunch I recommend the Grilled Banana Bread with vegan whipped cream.

Richard Finger

2024-01

The Blue Bear exemplifies the difference between good food and genuine first class food. Everything is prepared with full attention to detail resulting in intense flavors, aromas, and textures. I can unequivocally recommend the quiche, the grilled chicken wrap, and the chili, which is extraordinary. A warm and inviting dining area with a gracious staff makes for a truly pleasant and satisfying dining experience.

Steve Wild

2023-07

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Andrea

2023-08

Let me begin by saying we really wanted to like this place. It’s a cute space with a creative menu, and we were excited to finally try brunch there. Unfortunately we won’t be back anytime soon. Here were the issues:1. I ordered an iced chai. They accidentally made it hot, so our server took it back to the counter and told them to just “pour it over ice.” This of course resulted in a very watery and room temperature chai. When we mentioned that pouring a hot beverage over ice doesn’t work, we were told “that’s how we make it here.” What?! That’s not how anyone makes an iced chai. Steaming the milk should for sure not be part of the process.2. Hot coffee was good, but served in copper mugs. The handle, therefore, is uncomfortably hot. My dad asked for a different mug, but was told the glass mugs are reserved for “specialty coffee drinks only.” After my mom finished her latte, she gave my dad the cup so he could drink his coffee.3. The quiche had good flavors, but was room temperature and super soggy.Redeeming qualities:The side salads were very good, as were couple of the meals ordered . The mushroom omelet and cacio e pepe eggs both got great reviews.In conclusion, if you go here you are taking a little bit of a risk. Depending on what you order, it’s gonna be really good or really bad. And if it’s really bad, there will be no effort made by staff to remedy the issues.If they worked out the problems, it could be a great spot!

Saskia

2024-01

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James Ham

2023-11

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Dana Herron

2023-07

Coffee was served half full and costed $4 (for a plain black coffee). If that wasn’t enough, it was served room-temperature and had coffee grounds in it. The food was over cooked and flavorless for a relatively premium price point ($16 for an omelet). BB breakfast (basic eggs, toast, bacon) costed $16 dollars and it was almost entirely over cooked or burnt. Server did not check in on us and was not polite. Would not recommend to anyone and would not stop again. Please just go to the coffee shop across the street, save your money.

heidi keene

2023-05

Very good food and service. Nice to see some creativity and culinary skill in a breakfast restaurant. I read some other reviews that were less than favorable and was struck that all the bad reviews mentioned price. I think one could reasonably infer that those critics were unfair due to being initially disgruntled by the prices. Furthermore, the prices are equal to or less than any decent restaurant one would find in a food savvy town. An outstanding and nearly unimaginable improvement on the dive restaurant that used to occupy the space. Thank you to the new owners!!

Maya Bensett

2024-04

My family and I had made a reservation for two tables at Blue Bear we were greeted very impolitely. The waitress had agreed to the groups earlier but once we had arrived she claimed she was busy, when in reality there was only three other people there. My grandmother who has a bad leg decided to sit down at one of the tables, the waitress had told her to remove herself. Overall bad experience terrible waitress, and for this being a tourist spot just seems like she is not good at her job she should stick to bussing tables.

Caleb Kopczyk

2023-05

My food was really tasty - I ordered the smoked pork hash and added the sourdough toast. Everything worked well together and, if you want something to be a little spicier, hot sauce is available. The Valentine coffee was great too, though the copper coffee mugs are way too hot (you have to let the coffee cool a bit before you can pick it up). Great gluten-free options if needed (not sure if a shared kitchen). This was our first visit since it was the Viking Grill, and the remodel looks nice.Dietary restrictions: A lot of good, gluten-free options. Not sure if it is a shared kitchen though.

Emily Mondloch

2023-09

Options for meat eaters, vegans, and gluten intolerant folks alike! Everything was delicious and the Salted Carmel Irish Coffee was a must! Patio seating was lovely and staff was super friendly, nice, and helpful. Recommend getting here early before it fills up. We will definitely be back.Vegetarian options: Quite a few vegetarian and vegan options.Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options! They also make everything from scratch so you can customize dishes and add meat if you want to.

Betty Cunningham

2023-05

Stopped here with my dog on my way back from a night of roughing it in Newport Beach dark sky park. I chose it because they had outdoor seating and were already open. The waitress was very nice and attentive. She brought a bowl of ice water for my dog and brought out our orders quickly. We were both starving and needed pampering. Normally I go for the healthier options on a menu, but this time I ordered what looked enticing (albeit not the healthiest). So glad I did. What a splurge for the tastebuds! I had the Blue Bear Benedict. Poached, then fried eggs covered in cheese over melt in your mouth delicious "ham" (more like pulled pork) on top of hash browns, covered in a delectable sauce. Not a speck left! I also had a coffee which wasn't strong enough so ordered the machiato, no caramel (but I think it came with it anyway, very sweet). My dog had plain scrambled eggs. That breakfast and the service was top notch! Highly recommend!!

Dan Hendrick

2023-05

Good Menu, great product, food is good. They NEED to get real coffee cups. Currently they are using Mule Cups that are copper, put in HOT coffee and burn your lips and finger

Madison Mindham

2023-09

this was amazing breakfast food. You can tell everything is freshly made. The food was delicious and the staff was quick to attend every need. they were very welcoming as soon as you walked in the door and sat us right away. The waitress checked on us every 5 minutes. Their menu was great with so many options for all types of eaters. I highly recommend this to anyone who is in door county because this was a real gem. Not only was the food amazing, but their drink menu was very impressive. I hope to come back soon!Dietary restrictions: offered gluten free and vegan options plus veggie too

Cindy Brady

2023-09

We ordered takeout to enjoy at a nearby overlook. What a great surprise! The food was incredibly flavorful—like authentically delicious!There was a wait for our food—perhaps the online ordering was a bit wonky. The wait was worth it, however, and allowed me time for conversation at the bar.We would definitely return.Definitely was a great treat!

Isella

2024-04

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