Original Pancake House

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DK1123

Joined 4 years ago

Really good food. If you want a good breakfast, this is the place to go.

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tastebuds1

Joined 5 years ago

Just OK!. I started dining here about 8 years ago and thought they were great. I recently went and they have changed so much. The pancakes have gotten so small you cannot hardly see them on your plate. The turkey sausage is disgusting. The cornbeef hash, which used to be made with real bits of corned beef or so it looked, now looks like it is made with corned beef from a can! The wait is always long in the morning. Before this sad experience, I did not mind waiting for breakfast, but now, I can stay at home and cook it myself. This place has become mediocre.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Made-to-order breakfasts---including over a dozen unique flapjacks---stack the odds in this restaurant's favor.. In Short
Founded in Oregon circa 1953, this simply-furnished spot owes its success to its creative menu and fresh ingredients. Batters are made on the premises; a special "sourdough starter" keeps treats from tasting overly sweet. Patrons choose from eggs, waffles, crepes and oven-baked omelets, as well as signature plates like blueberry pancakes (served with or without compote), giant cinnamon-glazed apple pancakes, thin and chewy "49-ers" and the air-filled, lemon-and-sugar-topped "Dutch Baby."

Doesn't Recommend

TheSpoon

Joined 5 years ago

Don't let the location, or lines, fool you. So average, if that.. Considering this place always has a line, I expected a real breakfast experience. Highest quality food, exceptional service. It had been years since I have been here (the wait is ridiculous for breakfast) but went with the entire family after a morning get together. Let me start by saying that the pancakes are delicious. Can't reall go wrong there but honestly, they taste like any other pancake. You can get great cakes at the corner diner...and alot cheaper. The coffee is good but nothing to write home about.

My omelet was basically a baked shell with soup in it. Completely runny and for $8.99, I would've expected something edible. I sent it back and asked for a side of bacon instead. I've worked in enough restaurants to know that if you send back your food, don't order anything that require cooking. Just because it's in "posh" Birmingham doesn't mean they don't mess with your eats.

Back to the $4.00 bacon, it was thick sliced but so fatty. The toast was good, though. A family member ordered Corned Beef Hash and it came in a small crock with eggs. Funny whenever anyone tries to tell me that the food is "fresh". Some people obviously can't tell fresh. This was fresh from a can. No flavor, dry. He ate the eggs but didn't want to send it back because unlike me, he doesn't complain. The whole dish remained full, sans the eggs and the waitress didn't even ask if there was an issue. Let me break it down for you. If the Birmingham address is the reason this place has a line out the door on the weekends, and I have a sneaking suspicion it is, then there are alot of people out there who have no idea what good breakfast is all about. You are better off hitting Alex's on 12 mile in Berkley, Cozy Cabin on 12 mile in Warren or if you think you need to be "trendy" while eatting pancakes, go to Toast on Woodward in Ferndale. These 3 joint know fresh breakfast, give you actual value for your buck and the service if FAR superior. Unique breakfast? Suckers.

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RMillerRH

Joined 5 years ago

Best place for breakfast!. Forget other restaurants that specialize in dinner but dabble in breakfast. The Pankcake is the place to go for breakfast (no matter the time of day). The food is great, always served warm, and the juices are fresh.

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marpop

Joined 6 years ago

Must-try for breakfast. If you can't make it on a weekday morning, you'll have to tolerate a 30- to 45-minute wait ... but it's well worth it. This is one of those tried-and-true breakfast spots that locals love -- the bacon is crisped to perfection, the pancakes fluffy and the oj pulpy and freshly squeezed. I've eaten here a handful of times (mostly because I dont like waiting so long) and haven't been disappointed. The decor is cute and sort of nostalgic but I still think the prices are a bit high.

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bgb43

Joined 11 years ago

Good food. My favorite is the Spinach and Cheese Omelette with the mushroom sauce. Any pancakes served there is tasty. Pro: good food. Con: Be ready to wait in line because it is a local favorite.

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cdotn

Joined 7 years ago

yes!. this place is wonderful! try the garden dutch baby with sausage added and a side of salsa. it's heaven!

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tasha99

Joined 7 years ago

I LOVE THIS PLACE BUT..... I love this place, don't get me wrong. The food is so good

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haasb712

Joined 7 years ago

Best pancakes & omelets in town. This is NOT your typical diner breakfast; it IS a place where breakfast fare is taken seriously and done with pizazz. Bacon is maple-cured and thick. The apple and German pancake are masterpieces: fluffy and chewy, baked to perfection and spiced right. The omelets are baked and fluffy, stuffed with real quality ingredients. There are no shortcuts, down to the hearty arabica coffee and real cream. The wait can be infuriating and crowds heavy, but if you can get in, by all means - do so.