. . . the perfect pancake breakfast.

Tuesday was “National Pancake Day” and I am missed it! To make amends, I want to post about my love for a good pancake.

Around here there are only a handful of places to go and get a pancake breakfast. I used to adore the International House of Pancakes. There was an IHOP open 24/7 within walking distance of my home where I grew up, although as teenagers we rarely walked anywhere – it was not cool to be seen walking. You must have a ride, a sweet ride, and a fuddy duddy parent’s car was just one level above walking. God forbid you ever rode a bus!

My group of friends would hang at the IHOP.  I didn’t even have to read the menu – I ordered the Rooty Tooty with milk. Until I got razzed about drinking milk. I admit – peer pressure at 16 forced me into ordering and drinking my first cup of coffee. At IHOP. With lots of sugar and cream to ease the bitterness.

The only IHOP around me now is too far for a quick stop. There is a Waffle House at every interstate exit, but I don’t want a waffle – I want pancakes. The Shoney’s locations have been closing and although there is one near my house, they don’t serve breakfast all day, and the last 3 times I went for breakfast they weren’t putting out much food on the buffet. The good stuff was gone by the time my turn in the long line got up to the hot plate where the pancakes used to be.

That pretty much leaves me with Cracker Barrel. They serve breakfast all day and make great pancakes. The line to get a table is always long, but if you are desperate for food, you can call ahead for take out and push through the crowd to pick up your order sitting behind the checkout counter with your name on it.