Bear Paw Cafe
Photography by Lacey Jane Pappas
It’s December 1 already—just the beginning of the really cold times that, for we Northern Utahns, mean months of yearning for warm drinks and warm weather. Next time you let your inner snowbird fly south for the weekend, treat yourself to breakfast at Bear Paw Cafe (and Coffee Company) in Utah’s Dixie.
If the line extending the door on Saturday morning didn’t already tell you, this off-the-Denny’s-path eatery in St. George is a favorite of locals and not-so-locals, alike. You don’t come here for the atmosphere and service as much as the menu: an extensive list of old-time favorites and indulgent spins on classics like waffles, pancakes and French toast. And drinks? Yes, there are plenty of those, too.
You might want to start with hot chocolate made with imported Belgium cocoa or any number Italian coffee blends—or maybe a yogurt- and banana-infused cranberry frappe is more your thing. Smoothies are in the house, too. Follow yours up with something as simple-sounding as “Grandma’s Oatmeal,” and you’re already on the path to tastiness.
Served with its own pitcher of steamed milk, these made-to-order oats come with granola, pecans and brown sugar. If you’re up for something on the sweeter side, try a vanilla, pecan, blueberry or apple-spice waffle. The Bear Paw French Toast is always a pleaser since it comes stuffed with vanilla or chocolate brule cream and battered in cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar.
And for you savory types, you can also choose from plenty of omelets and quiches—huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos, too. As for sides, don’t pass up Bear Paw’s home fries. Theirs are cooked-potato perfection.
Bear Paw has options for lunch, too, but breakfast is where it’s at. If you like to skip straight to dessert, a breakfast item like the Forgotten Baked Apple will do the job: large Granny Smiths seasoned and then packed with granola, cranberries and almonds, and baked in tin foil. To top it off, this pretty is served with ice cream.
{Think Pawsitively}
Bear Paw Cafe and Coffee Company
75 N. Main Street
St. George, Utah
(435) 634-0126
Open 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily
www.bearpawcafe.com
December 1st, 2008 at 12:04 pm
oh my…i live for their creme brule stuffed french toast!!!
December 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I swear that whoever it is that writes up these restaurant reviews is a kindred spirit. You always pick these places that I love and have sentmental value for me.
My family would go to the Bear Paw Cafe every year around Christmas when we would go down to St. George(admitedly it’s been awhile). I loved their Belgian Waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.
Thanks for reminding me of this gem.
December 1st, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Hands down, this is the best breakfast place I’ve ever been to. Their lunches are great, too (HUGE salads). It is definitely worth the wait (I swear there is always a line). Once you get your food, you won’t care how long you waited or if the service is good. The food is heaven sent! You just have to try it out!
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
That is one of my favorite breakfast places in the entire world (or at least what I’ve seen of it).
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:14 am
I heart the Bear Paw!!! ALWAYS ALWAYS get the home fries :)
December 8th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I’m from St. George and always miss this place. Where to have good breakfast in Utah County??
January 28th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I have to say I live a few blocks from this gem, and it opens bright and early for the locals out for a good start to the day, and their is always a line out the door until around noon on the weekends, however, it does not take long for this great experience.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:31 am
[...] like Blue Plate Diner, Ruth’s Diner, and Caffe Niche in Salt Lake City, not to mention Bear Paw Cafe in St. George—if you’re heading south for the weekend. But we’ve never focused on [...]