Top Ten Pancakes

We've done another Top-Ten list for Epicurious.com, this one about pancakes. Wow, it was tough limiting the list to just 10; there are so many contenders. On the other hand, in the pancake world, mediocre ones so greatly outnumber good ones that a list of the 10 WORST would be even more challenging. Here's a link to the story:

http://eat.epicurious.com/restaurant/sterns/index.ssf?/restaurant/sterns/pancakes.html

Never had any of them!Guess i've got a long roadtrip to do.huh? But i can say that i would have to add Aunt Martha's Pancake house in Springfield Ms---went there on Bushies rec---4 of us for breakfast---3 of us had different varieties of pancakes--all where great,with the southern cornmeal pancakes being my favorite--with a side of wonderful, bone in ,marrow rich, country ham!!!Been trying to come up with a reason to back to Springfeild ever since!

I haven't been to any either. Michael, have ya'll ever tried any of them at Myrtle beach ? Just wondering, because there seems to be a plethora of them down there ! I have eaten at several, can't quite remember their names at the moment, but they were good !!

I would love to try the ones on your list, they all sound great !!

A very good family friend of mine (known her for 34 years now) used to be the dessert chef at Pasqual's .. though I've never been...

Polly's Pancake Parlor in New Hampshire is the best !! So glad it made your newest list, Michael & Jane !

The only one that I have been to that is on your list is Polly's Pancake Parlor. We found that in your very first Roadfood book. I can testify that the pancakes are superb but what makes it special to me is that they use REAL maple products! I have seen many a great pancake ruined by the dreadful stuff that is available to put on them.

A very favorite and most unusual place for great pancakes is at DeLeon Springs in Florida. They have a place at the state park called "The Old Spanish Sugar Mill" which is in a beautiful setting and the restaurant is great. You sit at tables with built in griddles and cook your own "all you can eat" pancakes. They bring you pitchers of homemade pancake batters (both a stone ground mixture of five different flours and an unbleached white) and you make your own as you sit there. One can also order any number of things to put on or in your pancake as you cook it. Blueberries are a special favorite. They have three kinds of syrup on the table but we always bring our own real Maple Syprup with us which always gets "ooh's and ahh's" from the managment. They also serve sausage, bacon and eggs to go with your cakes and even have homemade bread for toast.

They have a very small store where you can buy their wonderful homemade breads and a few other things.

The more I write, the more I am wondering why Jane and Michael have not been here yet. It is truly a great "Roadfood" adventure!

The pancakes at the somewhat nearby (and Stern-praised) Family Diner (in White Haven, PA) would rank way up towards the top of my list, but it's been awhile.

I was there last summer and noticed more limited hours---possibly a management change??? Hey, sounds like an excuse to do some research!

I went to the Original Pancake in Oregon, the one on the list there, on a road trip from Colorado.

Well.....being kind of a dope, and not much of a traveler, I was unaware of how they would have pitchers of malt vinegar on the table as well as other condiments. Thinking I was picking up syrup, I proceeded to pour vinegar all over my pancakes.

I ate them anyway, after adding syrup. It was very...interesting. Really, not as bad as you might think.

I am "udderly" surprised to see that neither of Vermont's finests: Sonny's Blue Benn Diner or Dot's are on the list!

I have been to Al's and can attest not only to the ambiance, etc., but to the walnut blueberry pancakes. What they call "wally blues." They are rich and delicious. The nuts add just a bit of crunch and with some syrup the sweetness is just right.

I look forward to a return visit sometime.

WJ: the Blue Benn and Dot's were among the most painful to leave out; but between us, one of the problems with a list like this is that it has to have some kind of geographic balance. Otherwise, if we did a list, for example, of America's top ten barbecues, there would be only two states represented!

And Chezkatie, I've heard of that place in DeLeon Springs, and it sounds great. We need to go!

Where is DeLeon Springs? That sounds like a lot of fun.

Great list. I've had the pleasure of sampling many of the entries. Some of the writeups attest to a belief of mine that once you cross the Rockies, you enter a sort of pancake exotica zone, where all manner of grains, fruits, and unusual ingredients are tossed into the mix. You can bump into this in the East, but it's much, much more common out West. And I completely agree with the earlier comment about the value of pure maple syrup.

I'd also like to give a shout out to the blue corn pancakes served at the El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon.

Glad to see Pancake Pantry made the list. My wife and I had two wonderful breakfasts there. Although the Pancakes are the star of the show, the home fries there should not be missed. Abandon hope all ye low-carb dieters who enter here!

Locally, Nifty Fifties makes a very nice, fluffy pancake which is better than IHOP or Bob Evans in a pinch but, alas, is not list-worthy.

OK, this is when you know that you spend too much time on Roadfood. Leaving for CA in two days and will have to check out the CA pancakes!

quote:

Originally posted by signman

Where is DeLeon Springs? That sounds like a lot of fun.

It is the most fun way to spend a morning. Deleon Springs is located about 8 miles north of Deland, Florida.........in a rural area and in an absolutely beautiful setting! One of my fave places in Florida......a great way to see "old time Florida"!

The sampler at Polly's is the best. After all that sweetness and maple, washed down with coffee, we were silly enough to ride that red pony on the lawn. Just down the road a piece is Harmon's country store, that has some great cheese. In case you're still hungry.

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

Never had any of them!Guess i've got a long roadtrip to do.huh? But i can say that i would have to add Aunt Martha's Pancake house in Springfield Ms---went there on Bushies rec---4 of us for breakfast---3 of us had different varieties of pancakes--all where great,with the southern cornmeal pancakes being my favorite--with a side of wonderful, bone in ,marrow rich, country ham!!!Been trying to come up with a reason to back to Springfeild ever since!

I dearly love southern cornmeal pancakes and use the recipe from the Fannie Flagg cookbook (Fannie Flag Buttermilk Pancakes). Does anyone have a particularly good cornmeal pancake recipe to share? The Fannie Flag recipe in posted in one of the forums (where we discussed buttermilk and baking).

quote:

Originally posted by JimInKy

quote:

Originally posted by tiki

Never had any of them!Guess i've got a long roadtrip to do.huh? But i can say that i would have to add Aunt Martha's Pancake house in Springfield Ms---went there on Bushies rec---4 of us for breakfast---3 of us had different varieties of pancakes--all where great,with the southern cornmeal pancakes being my favorite--with a side of wonderful, bone in ,marrow rich, country ham!!!Been trying to come up with a reason to back to Springfeild ever since!

I dearly love southern cornmeal pancakes and use the recipe from the Fannie Flagg cookbook (Fannie Flag Buttermilk Pancakes). Does anyone have a particularly good cornmeal pancake recipe to share? The Fannie Flag recipe in posted in one of the forums (where we discussed buttermilk and baking).

Fannie Flagg cookbook!----i do believe i need that book!

I rarely get above the chain diner level for breakfast. About the best blueberry pancakes I have had there are at Bob Evan's. Made with good blueberries mixed into the batter unlike most places where they just pour some berries in blue syrup on top. I also like the pancakes and sausage at Crackerbarrel, one of the few chains that has served a small bottle of real maple syrup with them.

Walker Bros.(www.originalpancakehouse.com) in Highland Park has delicious pancakes, thick crispy bacon, and the finest coffee with real cream. We drive in from Wisconsin on Sundays to enjoy their food.

Glory Be! Carbs aplenty. I am so sick of seeing people wander about with chunks of cheese like mice in the morning.

The Ohop closest to our house burned several years back and never arose, Phoenix-like, from the ashes. In Atlanta, we have to drive for miles and wait in line now for really good b'fast food-one of the great theings about going out west is the breakfast selection

quote:

Originally posted by Martha-Girl

Glory Be! Carbs aplenty. I am so sick of seeing people wander about with chunks of cheese like mice in the morning.

The Ohop closest to our house burned several years back and never arose, Phoenix-like, from the ashes. In Atlanta, we have to drive for miles and wait in line now for really good b'fast food-one of the great theings about going out west is the breakfast selection

Martha Girl, Where do folks around Atlanta like to go for a truly great breakfast?

In Lexington, Alfalfa's, a whole foods restaurant stands above the rest.

Shakertown, about 30 minutes away, used to have a stunning breakfast buffet (baskets of 2 or 3 fresh, homemade hot breads were brought around to the tables). For years I would take company there for the 9 a.m. Saturday morning seating. I haven't been in a long time so cannot provide an update.

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Originally posted by pogophiles

I am very fond of Pancake Pantry, but (as Chumley noted above) their hash browns are superb. I urge you to try them if you come to the Pancake Pantry -- pecan pancakes, country ham and a side of hash browns is a tremendous meal!!

Two of the mentioned menu items would lure me there, but the third almost guarantees a visit and I live 4 hours away. Thanks, Pogo, for adding your endorsement.

Since this thread began on Thursday, I've had two meals of homemade waffles and crispy bacon. The perils of Roadfood.com!

A tip: To fully awaken refrigerated pancake/waffle batter, dissolve 1/2 to 1 teaspoon baking powder in 1 Tablespoon water, and stir into the batter. If batter is still too thick, add 1 or 2 Tablespoons milk.

>>Original Pancake House<<

We have a few of these in Detroit. Fantastic.

The Big Apple and the German are indeed the "showstoppers," but there's so much more...

The omelets are one-of-a-kind, with a light, fluffy texture (baked?) that literally melts in your mouth. Also, the 49'er flap jacks - rich, thin, and gooey, almost like crepes - are sublime.

P.j.

Jim-
We still go to the Ohop-its just not as convenient.

When we have to be down near the airport at breakfast time (which we try to avoid, generally), the Barbecue Kitchen in College Park is pretty good, but the breakfast potatoes just don't quite do it for me...Since I don't do eggs, I look for good breads/potatoes/breakfast meats in a breakfast place.

And of course, Atlanta is the home of Waffle House, and there's one on every corner and when they're busy it's mesmerizing to sit at the counter and watch the show.

tiki, I posted the Southern Buttermilk Pancakes recipe in the forum: Flapstix. In this traditional recipe, well-beaten eggs are folded into the batter and whole buttermilk is used. This recipe makes people very happy.

It's hard to believe, but aside from the one and only apple pancake dished out by the Original Pancake House and Walker Bros. at locations around town, the best pancakes I've had in Chicago come from another chain: The Golden Nugget. Hard to believe, because the place is only average otherwise and it's not a "roadfood" type place at all, but the pancakes are definitely worth a try. (I've only been to the one on North Clark Street in Lincoln Park, so I can't vouch for the rest). Still, no restaurant can cook pancakes quite like my mom - and she uses Bisquick! She somehow makes them so that the edges, and just the edges, get slightly crisp and golden brown. I haven't had breakfast at my parents' place for years, so I really miss those.

I'm a real pancake junkie but have found very ffew eateries that make good ones. They are usually flat and rubbery and either over or under cooked. This top ten list will comme in handy, especially next week when I'll be in Nashville. I will check out Pancake Pantry for sure.
Does anyone know of other good eats in Nashville. i have tried all the ones on the list so looking for something else.
Also, can anyone suggest a good pancake in Ohio? I have found none that I'd try a second time.

Thanks,

Katmaan

When I lived in Berkeley CA back in the '90s there were 2 places to go to for great Sunday breakfast. First was Fat Apples (formerly Fat Alberts but I think they ran afoul of Bill Cosby) for wonderful pancakes, waffles, sausage links et. al. Long line to get in but worth it. Second was the Homemade Cafe. More low key but fantastic breakfasts. Haven't had breakfast like that since I left.

Just back from a week in Nashville and I did get a chance to try the Sweet Potato Pancakes at the Pancake Pantry. They were truly great and I liked the place. Will definitely return there the next time I'm in Nashville.
Thanks for the tip.

Katmaan

I don't like thick, doughy, yeasty pancakes. Lund's Swedish Pancake Mix is sold in retail stores and produces a thin tasty pancake. Just add water, milk, and an egg. I prefer mine with butter and pure maple syrup.

quote:

Originally posted by KATMAAN

Also, can anyone suggest a good pancake in Ohio? I have found none that I'd try a second time.

Have you been to[url='http://www.cliftonmill.com']Clifton Mill[/url]? I recollect they had good buckwheat cakes.

Someone mentioned real maple syrup. The importance cannot be understated. At any breakfast restaurant I go to, I always check to make sure they have the real thing, and if they don't, I don't go back. I never can understand why someone would use a substitute (I see dozens on supermarket sheleves). Certainly it's no healthier. Must be the price. But then, why would you ruin your pancakes to save money?

quote:

Originally posted by danimal15

Someone mentioned real maple syrup. The importance cannot be understated. At any breakfast restaurant I go to, I always check to make sure they have the real thing, and if they don't, I don't go back. I never can understand why someone would use a substitute (I see dozens on supermarket sheleves). Certainly it's no healthier. Must be the price. But then, why would you ruin your pancakes to save money?

It is the price.................you can buy a couple of gallons of cheap imitation stuff for what it would cost you to buy a half gallon of pure maple syrup. The difference in taste is unreal!

I read an article on the cost of making real maple syrup. When you buy the real stuff, it is expensive but from the process described and the amount of sap that it takes to make one gallon, It appears to me that if they charged what the prduct deserved, nobody could afford it. Apparently a gallon of sap yields very little usable product. I was in Maine last fall and I bought some syrup and it seems to me it was around $8.00 for a pint.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I was in East Amana, Iowa which I believe is the largest of the colonies. I had breakfast at a German restaurant where they served these huge thin pancakes. I am not sure what they were, but they were great. The owner was there and he was a very vocal individual and the food was great.

I love the crafts there along with the wine, furniture and food.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

I read an article on the cost of making real maple syrup. When you buy the real stuff, it is expensive but from the process described and the amount of sap that it takes to make one gallon, It appears to me that if they charged what the prduct deserved, nobody could afford it. Apparently a gallon of sap yields very little usable product. I was in Maine last fall and I bought some syrup and it seems to me it was around $8.00 for a pint.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

We have a number of sugar houses in Western Mass, and the whole process of gathering the sap is amazing. On the larger "farms" hundreds of trees are connected by a network of miles of clear plastic tubing, which runs dowhill to the sugar house. Naturally, the smaller sugar houses still go out from tree to tree with their buckets. By the time it gets to market, it is no surprise why real maple syrup costs so dear.

Sam's Club has a good price on real Maple Syrup. Best price I've found and it's good.

When buying maple syrup, keep in mind that when you buy cute little shaped bottles or tins, a lot of the cost is for the packaging. My local food co-op carries maple syrup in bulk. I bring in my own bottle to refill and the cost is quite reasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by Tristan Indiana

When I lived in Berkeley CA back in the '90s there were 2 places to go to for great Sunday breakfast. First was Fat Apples (formerly Fat Alberts but I think they ran afoul of Bill Cosby) for wonderful pancakes, waffles, sausage links et. al. Long line to get in but worth it. Second was the Homemade Cafe. More low key but fantastic breakfasts. Haven't had breakfast like that since I left.

Fat Apple was great,but actually the name chgange was the result of a divorce---she got the business---He got the name.Its still worth the wait on weekend ams----but easier to get in at 9;30 on Tuesday!

On maple syrup---if you are ever IN maple country at sap time--IF you can get your hands on any "First run" syrup--DO!!! Its usually much lighter in color then the "Amber" maple that is available most places--sometimes almost clear--and the flavor is wonderful. Also--as a guy who grew up making his opwn maple syrup and loving it alot--i must admit that it is very expesive and actually-sorghum is good--cane syrup is great--and lots of places make good local fruit syrups that work for me just fine---maple may be my fisrt choice-but its not my only! Sorgum butter on fresh biscuits or good southern style corn meal pancakes!!!!!Wonderful!!

I've been to Myrtle Beach several times and also notice the plethora of pancake houses along the main drag(17)--there must be close to fifty over a 3 mile stretch. Most are frequented by Canadians who are tourists, have time-shares there, or retired in the area. I hear all of them are pretty good, but not being a breakfast or luch person I haven't tried one yet.

quote:

Originally posted by stanpnepa

The pancakes at the somewhat nearby (and Stern-praised) Family Diner (in White Haven, PA) would rank way up towards the top of my list, but it's been awhile.

I was there last summer and noticed more limited hours---possibly a management change??? Hey, sounds like an excuse to do some research!

I live about five miles from the whit haven diner but rarely eat there, did you stay for lunch and have the hamburger it's huge

I grew up eating Howard Johnson's pancakes at the HOJO in Gastonia, NC. I've never had another pancake that could soak up as much syrup. They were light and fluffy and had a distinct taste. I used to make mom buy the pancake mix from there, so I could have them at home. I've tried to find the recipe, with no luck.

Now I eat pancakes practiaclly every morning at Kiser Restaurant (know as Fred's to locals) in downtonw Kings Mountain, NC. 1 pancake with sauasage every morning. The great thing about their pancakes (and the reason you have to eat them more than once) is that they don't have a set recipe for the batter. They come out tasting different every day. Sometimes fluffy, sometimes flat.......but always good.

My local favorite is the Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown,MA
Sour cream is added to the mix-also nice thick French Toast, great coffee and even greek sausage if you prefer.
DaveM

quote:

Originally posted by chicagostyledog

Walker Bros.(www.originalpancakehouse.com) in Highland Park has delicious pancakes, thick crispy bacon, and the finest coffee with real cream. We drive in from Wisconsin on Sundays to enjoy their food.

Walker Brothers is on Green Bay Road (the CNW commuter line parallels it) north of downtown Wilmette, Illinois. If only I knew someplace that made an apple pancake like that in or near San Francisco!

We were out of maple syrup last weekend so I tried honey on my pancakes. I figured it tastes great on waffles, so why not? But one bite convinced me it was a bad idea, so I ate the rest plain. I've determined that maple syrup and pancakes are one of nature's all-time combinations. Can't imagine one without the other.

I was really pleased to see DeLeon Springs mentioned. I used to swim there as a child -- a really lovely place to swim with the cold fresh water bubbling up below you.

I swam there again about 5 years ago and also had pancakes there -- a real RoadFood find!

I visited an Original House of Pancakes restaurant last month in Petoskey, Michigan. Very disappointed to find that they had no Sourdough pancakes.

But I did have their 49ers, which were great -- I wish I could fine the recipe!

Doug

The Original Pancake house is Bay Harbor (community of Petoskey), Michigan is great. They have buckwheat, potato, buttermilk, sourdough, blueberry, bacon and too many more to mention. The only flaw is it costs extra for real maple syrup.

Betty's Restaurant in Boyne Falls, Michigan is a little hole in the wall place but their pancakes are yum! I know of people who have driven 300 miles to subdue their craving for Betty's pancakes.

Penny's Restaurant in Clifton Heights, PA... great tasting short stack that will complement any breakfast (even a pancake breakfast).
YUM!!!

We just discovered Uncle Bill's in Manhattan Beach, CA. Terrific pancakes of all kinds, waffles, and some of the best corned beef hash I have ever had. I got the blueberry buckwheat pancakes, which were tender and chewy and fluffy all at once, and full of tart, real blueberries, and my husband got chocolate chip pancakes the 1st time,and said they were thoroughly chocolately and good. The 2nd time he got a strawberry waffle, with fresh strawberries (apparently they only serve this in season) and mounds of real whipped cream. Heavenly! Plus you can walk on the beach afterwards to try to burn it off...

Pancakes are great at these San Diego places… The Big Kitchen….Whoopie Goldberg worked there as a waitress before becoming famous….Hash House A Go Go has super breakfast with great flapjacks… I’m wondering if they call it a flapjack does it taste better? http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/breakfast.html

If you make it down this way try Aunt Emma’s Pancake house in Chula Vista. They are a decades old local hole in the wall that serve a couple dozen different type of pancakes.

The Cameo Cafe in Portland makes outstanding pancakes. And the Acre pancake is huge. There is also a pancake filled with veggies. The owner is Korean and I understand the veggies and pancakes are Korean style. Definitely worth a try.

Does any one know of a good breakfast place in the Hudson Valley where I can get Buckwheat pancakes? It seems not many places make them anymore.
Mike

Definitely off the beaten path but the Banana Macadamia Nut panacakes (with Coconut syrup) at The Gazebo in Napili, Maui are incredible.

In my opinion the very best pancakes are served at Original Pancake House in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Just east of Detroit.

The original link doesn't work anymore and I can't seem to find the article on the epicurious site. Anyone had better luck?

Luxor Pharaoh's Pheast Buffet

Marberthenad-
Try this link. Hopefully, it will work better:

http://www.epicurious.com/restaurants/best_eats/pancakes

I have actually been to nine of the ten places on the list, missing only Dwyer's Cafe in Lafayette, LA. But, I know for sure that I did not have pancakes at Musso & Frank's or the now closed Hopkins Boarding House. For me, Pancake Pantry in Nashville is the gold standard.