What To Expect At The New Black Bear Diner In Morris, IL

A once-famous truck stop diner just off I-80 in Morris, Illinois, is back in business, but it's not quite how longtime fans of the OG might remember it.

R Place Got National Buzz as a Top Truck Stop Diner

Originally called R Place, this was an old-school road joint that got some major publicity in 2022 after Food & Wine referred to it as one of the best truck stop restaurants in America:

Walk past the display cases of antique toys, games, and Disney figurines and into hamburger heaven at this all-night standby just an hour or so out of Chicago on a relatively quiet stretch of I-80. A half-pound burger might not sound like a lot to a really hungry person, but try finishing one — say, the bacon cheeseburger, with onions and mushrooms (extra, but worth it). You’ll be lucky if you have any room left for the surprisingly good desserts — try the cream puffs and eclairs — made right on premises, good enough that locals come here to buy their birthday cakes.

Then, out of nowhere, R Place was closed.

R Place Reopens as Black Bear Diner — With Mixed Reactions

So it sat closed for some time, then, out of nowhere, just as it had closed, it reopened as Black Bear Diner. If that name sounds familiar to you, that's because it's a chain truck stop diner with plenty of locations across the United States. Black Bear Diner is known for its monster-sized breakfasts, bear-themed decor, and a menu that's not as down-home as the old R Place. That doesn't mean the food is bad, or does it?

What Diners Are Saying About the New Spot

Since the restaurant opened, some patrons have said that the fresh coat of paint and large portion sizes are fabulous, while others haven't been as impressed. One review mentioned the pot roast sandwich ruined their "whole weekend," which sounds drastic, but I guess that's their opinion. Another person remarked on the pancakes and California Benedict, while others complained about the wait time and loud music. I'm not sure what kind of loud music is blaring through a diner, but that would annoy me.

Is It Worth the Trip? That Depends on What You’re After

Despite everything, the question remains: is Black Bear Diner worth the trip for people who once ate at R Place? Well, that depends on your very own levels of expectations. If you're looking for nostalgia, you'll be disappointed because it doesn't quite live up to the same standards, but if you're hungry and craving a big old plate of bacon and eggs near a truck stop, this might be your spot.

Then again, if you want burgers and you want them on the road, check out these top burger chains across America.