Without a doubt, the quaint Americana charm of diners is unparalleled. A great diner should feature vibrant vinyl booths, nostalgic tunes drifting through conversations and, of course, delicious burgers and milkshakes. Bearden’s is nothing short of authentic.

“We don’t really have to try because everything is authentically from that time. These are our pictures and the original colors we used for the booths. That is the same logo we’ve used for years and years and years.” Director of Operations Stephen Storch says, “It’s so easy for us because it is us– there’s no faking it.”

Rocky River locals are no strangers to the old-school diner fare of Bearden’s, a local joint serving steakburgers good enough to make you wanna hand jive. Originally, this lakeside classic was a combination drive-in and dine-in restaurant called Jackson Limited, which specialized in fried clams.

Although the building has existed since 1934, Bearden’s was born as a creation of Ross Bearden and the Orange brothers, Bill and James, in 1948. The Orange family retained ownership until 2010 when Bearden’s saw a brief closure before being purchased by Jim Griffiths and his team. In October 2011, Bearden’s officially reopened and has been thriving since.

“There’s been so many stories of people coming in and saying that they remember coming here with their mom or grandma. I truly appreciate when people share their memories with me, and I love hearing their stories.”

Like Cleveland’s very own set of Grease, Bearden’s has been a gathering place for locals. From teenagers in the 1950s asking each other to prom over vanilla shakes to bringing their children here decades later, it has remained a cherished spot across generations.

Every part of the building represents a piece of history that endures. Pictures are scattered throughout the dining room, featuring the old cooks and—my personal favorite—a swanky dishwasher with a cigar dangling from his lips. And, if you hear that famous toy train trailing the dining room, it has been chugging laps around diners since Jackson Limited.

“A lot of things in the building are still here. Our back prep room, which used to be part of the dining room, has all of the old, original wallpaper,” says Storch. “And then downstairs in the basement is where they used to grind the meat by hand, make the patties and then bring them upstairs.”

These patties have always been made from a proprietary blend of fresh (never frozen) meat that you won't find anywhere else. Classics like the Big Bear, which features a double patty, triple bun and signature "Bear Sauce," and the Western Bear, topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce and homemade onion rings, are among the best-sellers.

For those intrigued by new flavors, the Peanut Butter Bear is a must-try. This burger features the famous steakburger smothered in a rich layer of peanut butter and topped with sweet pickles. At first, it may sound peculiar to some, myself included, but one bite will have you sold.

My personal favorite? The Western Bear. The sweet barbecue sauce coating the salty, hand-battered onion ring on top of the juicy steakburger is pure perfection. Wash it down with an Oreo Milkshake.

(Pro tip: ask for pickles on the burger, you’ll thank me later.)

Bearden’s not only offers your favorite flavors, but it also keeps things exciting with new burgers each month and creative, seasonal milkshake flavors. If you visit before the end of the month, you can try the specialty PB&J burger, which pairs perfectly with a chocolate-covered strawberry milkshake.

Want a bit of mid-week fun with your burger? Look no further! Every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., Bearden’s hosts trivia where you, your family and your friends can test your knowledge to win gift cards and other special prizes.

“Sometimes, it’s themed, but it’s always our great family atmosphere. You know, whether it’s grandmas, aunts, uncles, kids- everyone loves coming here.”

Bearden’s is fundamentally about family and community. It is a cornerstone establishment in Rocky River, supporting local initiatives like Little League teams and the Rocky River High School Yearbook. They are always eager to give back and lend a hand (or a burger) whenever possible.

“Community is super important, and just being that go-to staple will always be here, hopefully, for years and years to come,” Storch says. “We’ve been open since 1948, and we hope to be open until 2048 and beyond.”

 

 

 

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19985 Lake Rd, Rocky River

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*The owner of Bearden’s, Jim Griffiths, recently bought the old Bucca di Beppo in Westlake. Though it won’t be another Bearden’s concept and, no, Bearden’s isn’t going anywhere, keep an eye out on our page to see what’ll come from it! 

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