Black Bear Diner vs First Watch: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
First Watch is the cheaper of the two. Of the 4 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, First Watch is cheaper on 3 of them, by an average of $1.13 per item.
Make Black Bear Diner and First Watch at Home
Whichever of the two wins on price, cooking the favorites at home beats both. These are the sauces, mixes and kitchen tools that get closest to the real thing.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Black Bear Diner
- Bigfoot-size plates are easily enough for two; sharing one $19.99 Bigfoot Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs costs far less than two breakfasts.
- The senior menu brings the pot roast dinner down from $18.49 to about $13.99 and a country breakfast to about $10.99.
- A whole pie to go at about $24.99 is cheaper than four slices in the restaurant ($27.96) and serves eight.
First Watch
- Two Eggs Your Way at about $9.99 is the cheapest complete plate; adding a single pancake ($4.99) still costs less than most skillets.
- Project Sunrise coffee is bottomless at about $3.99, so a coffee drinker pays less here than for two cups at a coffee chain.
- Instead of a Million Dollar Bacon entrée, order a $10.99–$12.99 plate and share one $5.99 side of Million Dollar Bacon at the table.
Black Bear Diner vs First Watch — FAQ
Is Black Bear Diner cheaper than First Watch in 2026?
First Watch is cheaper on most matched items — 3 of 4. Across the whole menu First Watch is the lower-priced of the two, at $11.49 for a typical item against $13.99 at Black Bear Diner.
What is the price difference between Black Bear Diner and First Watch?
On matched items the average difference is $1.13, or about 22% overall. Black Bear Diner averages $13.22 across 39 priced items; First Watch averages $10.32 across 43.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Black Bear Diner or First Watch?
Black Bear Diner starts at $3.99 (Hash Browns) and First Watch at $3.99 (Breakfast Potatoes).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.