The Original Pancake House
The Original Pancake House
Written by Amy Stansbury Friday, 26 September 2008
My family loves a big breakfast, so we kicked off our Labor Day at The Original Pancake House. We arrived about 10:30 a.m. and were greeted by a busy but friendly host who took our name for the waiting list. As we sat for about 10 minutes in the foyer, I read a sign asking for patience as the food is cooked to order. I hoped it was not going to take too long because my kids were hungry, and I was desperate for my morning coffee.
As we were escorted to the dining area, I noticed the tables were not uncomfortably close, as they often are at breakfast restaurants. I also appreciated the option to sit in a booth, which is helpful for blocking in my 4 year old, so she cannot get up and run around.
I typically go to these breakfast restaurants for the standard scrambled eggs and pancakes, but this time I wanted to try something new. So I ordered The Original Pancake House signature pancake, the Dutch Baby ($7.95), which is baked, rather than cooked on a griddle, and served with a side of homemade whipped butter, powdered sugar and fresh lemon slices that you smear together to create an icing. The waitress had to tell me what to do with this unique pancake, which resembled a bowl. It was an interesting, unique treat everyone should try.
My 7-year-old daughter ordered a child’s plate and upgraded her homestyle pancakes to blueberry pancakes ($5.50). The meal could have easily fed an adult, and the pancakes, which I sampled, were delicious. My younger daughter, a meat-lover, ordered the child’s plate of bacon pancakes ($6.45), which she devoured. I stole a bite, and pieces of bacon inside a pancake was a truly great combination. Her plate came with a side, so she ordered sausage and ate both links.
My husband almost always orders steak and eggs ($10.95) when we go out for breakfast, and he was impressed with his standard choice at The Original Pancake House. The meat was tender, juicy and flavorful.
The restaurant is a locally owned franchise that Sue Jahn moved from Houston to Austin to open in July of 2004.
“Every person from the front door to the back door is important,” Jahn said. “And we know it if one of them is sick one day. We feel it when someone is not here.”
The restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine, and I was there when it was busy and when it was not.
“We have a lot of long-term employees,” Jahn said. “I know it’s cliché, but we are like family.”
What impressed me the most about the food was how the pancakes had so much flavor but were not too heavy. The pancake batter starter is old fashioned and made from scratch.
“It’s like our great-grandparents used to cook,” Jahn said. “For the pancakes, we start with potatoes and we add yeast, flour and sugar. It cultures and ferments, if you will, over a matter of five days before we even start using it.”
Jahn said making everything from scratch is a lot of work, but it’s worth it, and this is certainly proven in the quality of the food.
Made from scratch
Even though The Original Pancake House offers a dozen different kinds of pancakes, owner Sue Jahn said the restaurant is also famous for its bacon.
“We import it from Utah,” she said. “We might be the only people in town who serve this bacon. A serving is about one-fourth to one-third of a pound. Plus the flavor of it — it’s unique. It’s just the best.”
The five-egg omelettes are also impressive. Jahn said it is fun to see first-timers when their food is served because they are so surprised by the serving size.
Jahn said she buys only the best ingredients because that is what sets the franchise apart.
The Original Pancake House, Scofiled Farms Market shopping center, 1700 W. Parmer Lane, 873-7200, www.originalpancakehouse.com, Mon.-Fri. 6:30a.m.-2 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 7:30a.m.-3p.m.
0 Comments 