The best pancake spot in every state

Edith Ann’s Taste of Home Diner is a hole-in-the-wall spot located in Huntsville, Ala., which makes its overwhelming popularity even more impressive. Pancakes only get a passing mention on the menu, but don’t let a little menu modesty fool you: these light and fluffy flapjacks are fantastic. Keep it simple and order them plain or with blueberries or bananas. If you ask nicely, you might even get chocolate chips.

When a joint uses “pancake” in its name, you know they mean business. We’ll save you some time combing through the menu at this Anchorage mainstay and suggest the ono pancakes, which are made with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and come topped with their signature peanut butter whipped cream, banana slices, chocolate sauce, and even more whipped cream. Fancy yourself a waffle instead? You can still order it ono-style.

The pancakes are obviously the draw at this Scottsdale spot (it actually has two locations), which is why the egg, omelette, scrambler, and skillet options all come with a side of their famous flapjacks. You can’t go wrong with the traditional buttermilk beauties, but can you really resist upgrading to the Oreo Cookie S’more cakes (with Oreos, chocolate chips, and marshmallow), the Wildberry Bliss cakes (with wildberries, blueberries, and vanilla mascarpone), or the Cinnamon Roll cakes? There are even gluten-free and protein-packed options!

Hot Spring’s own The Pancake Shop bills itself as offering “a delightfully different breakfast experience since 1940,” but the quality of their food has remained exactly the same, so you know you’ll always have a great meal. Expect a wait before you can sit down and order a plate of blueberry, banana, or buckwheat pancakes, but the friendly servers will guide you to The Savory Pantry section, where you can enjoy some coffee and tunes until your table is ready.

Sure, The Griddle Cafe is “trendy” and maybe even a bit pretentious, but it didn’t get that way by accident. Patrons have lined up outside this spot since the turn of the 21st Century, mostly for their enormous pancakes, which are served all day long and come in a dozen varieties, including The Golden Ticket (with brown sugar, bananas, caramel, walnuts, and streusel), Black Magic (with Oreos and whipped cream), and Red Velvet (which, along with the original, is available as a mix to take home). If you can pull your gaze away from your plate for a moment, you might even spot a celebrity at a nearby table.

It seems like another Snooze location opens every day in Colorado, California, Arizona, or Texas, but it all started in Denver only 11 years ago, thanks to brothers Jon and Adam Schlegel. In addition to supporting creativity in their pancakes (if you can dream it, they can do it), Snooze is also dedicated to sustainability and community outreach, with a portion of every sale set aside to help locals via a number of charities. Can’t decide between ordering Pineapple Upside-Down, sweet potato, Blueberry Danish, or any of their other pancakes? Just order a flight of three flavors.

Voted the best pancakes in Connecticut for nearly a decade, Chip’s Family Restaurant has five locations and an endless number of pancake options. If the 20 menu suggestions (ranging from bacon to German apple to “The Choc-a-holic”) aren’t enticing enough, feel free to create your own concoction with toppings such as pecans, cinnamon chips, toasted coconut, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, and a variety of fresh fruit.

Unless you have a problem with roasted apples, smoked bacon, and homemade salted caramel sauce, just order Drip Cafe’s famous caramel apple pancakes and call it a day. The coffee is fresh and tasty, the food is local and sustainable whenever possible, and they sling breakfast until 4 p.m., in case you want to sleep in but still go out for breakfast.

Whether you’re staying in Daytona Beach or are passing through on a road trip down I-95, stop off for a plate of pancakes at the Cracked Egg Diner. Owners/brothers Chris and Kevin Purucker will find you a table so you can enjoy a perfectly golden brown half or full stack topped with blueberries, bananas, strawberries, chocolate chips, and/or pecans. And if you’re into the whole brunch thing, be sure to order a mimosa, bellini, cranberry sparkler, or mango and champagne cocktail.

Owner Ria Pell sadly passed away in 2013, but her legacy is still thriving at her namesake Atlanta restaurant, Ria’s Bluebird. The continued success is the responsibility of manager Julie Pender, who has now worked at Ria’s for 14 of its 17 years, serving up buttermilk rounds that the New York Times dubbed “the world’s best pancakes.” Get them with toasted Georgia pecans, with caramelized bananas, or with chocolate chips...just as long as you get them.

Café Kaila has accomplished a lot in its 10 years. The restaurant routinely draw crowds that line up out the door, the company has opened two additional outposts in Japan, and the original Oahu location has won four consecutive gold medals in the Best Breakfast category of Honolulu Magazine's Hale 'Aina awards. Obviously you can’t win this award without some solid pancakes (which come with a mountain of fruit), and the best part is, you can order them all day long!

Whether you prefer buttermilk, sourdough, sourdough wheat, or gluten-free pancakes, you simply have to try one from the McCall Pancake House. We say “one” because these batter beasts are plate-sized, meaning a single one is more than enough for most people. If you can afford the stomach space, you’ll probably want to throw some mountain huckleberries on top. (After all, you’re in Idaho, the huckleberry state.) Even if you add an egg on the side, the whole thing will still cost less than nine bucks.

Chicago and the rest of Illinois has an impressive number of enticing pancake spots, but our sweet tooth has forced us to crown The Bongo Room king of them all. Someone underneath all the frosting is a thick and flavorful pancake that needs no assistance, but received a sugary boost anyway. Popular and ever-changing varieties include cranberry and orange with vanilla bean cream sauce, key lime cheesecake, white chocolate and caramel pretzel, and pumpkin spice. As you can see, it gets busy!

Although the ownership changed hands 17 years ago, regulars of Bloomington, Indiana’s Runcible Spoon Cafe & Restaurant have still been able to count on receiving a high-quality, tasty meal since the joint first opened back in 1976. The Runcible Spoon’s pride and joy are their pancakes, which are made in-house using a variety of flours, buttermilk, and fresh cream. Tuck into a stack at any time of day (they serve food until 10 at night!), and feel free to top it all with add-ons such as granola, pear, blueberry, chocolate chips, and plenty of Coombs Farm 100 percent pure maple syrup.

At Iowa City’s cozy little Leaf Kitchen, the lunch menu contains a number of equally appealing Mediterranean and other ethnic dishes from which to choose, but allow us to simply breakfast for you. Order the ricotta pancakes with caramelized organic apples, fresh berries, sour cream, and almonds...and some tea. Any tea. After that, you’re free to explore, but this simply has to be your first taste of Leaf. We’d call the restaurant the best kept secret in Iowa, but one look at the Sunday crowd will tell you that the secret has been out for a while.

Manhattan’s original Chef Cafe (locally known as “The Chef”) opened in 1943, but sadly closed in 1986. Thankfully, Kevin Harris, Kurston Harris, and Zach Filbert resurrected it two decades later, with a focus on balancing new and old, offering variety and creativity in their menu options, and the importance of family. Not only creating an environment that’s family friendly, but also treating customers as if they are family. The website even mentions some regulars by name!

But back to the menu. We’d go for the pancakes bananas foster (two cakes topped with dark rum-banana-pecan sauce and served with two slices of bacon) paired with the simple-yet-satisfying kid’s PB&J cakes, if you’ve got the family in tow.

Josie’s can get a bit busy during breakfast hours (we blame the pancakes), but thankfully, breakfast is served all day long, so those unwilling to wait around can simply sleep in and go out for a bite at their leisure. Regardless of when you order the aforementioned pancakes, they’ll arrive light and fluffy, making it easy to order a few without feeling guilty or overly full - even with the added whipped cream, whipped butter, and syrup. Plus, the prices are quite reasonable, and the kiddies can eat for half-price on Mondays after 3 p.m.

The original Ruby Slipper Cafe hasn’t even been open for a decade, yet the company has already expanded to eight different locations across Louisiana and Florida. Their pancakes are a big reason for this, and we feel confident in saying that if you don’t order the cinnamon swirl with cream cheese icing, you’ll regret it every day for the rest of your life. We know the fruit cobbler pancakes sound healthier, but life’s too short to think that way. And if you need some liquid courage, the Ruby Slipper doesn’t shy away from heavy-handed mimosa pours or suggesting an award-winning Bloody Mary. We don’t know exactly what accolade the Bloody Marys earned, but it’s probably something like “best brunch decision ever made.”

Marcy’s Diner received a bit of national news attention back in 2015 - not for its food, but because the owner once yelled at some parents who couldn’t keep their crying baby under control. However, this isn’t a reason to bolt to the diner or avoid it, it’s simply a humorous story. In fact, we will yell at you if you’re anywhere near the Portland area and you don’t stop into Marcy’s to try a plate of their blueberry pancakes. (They have other types, but you’re in Maine, so you gotta go for blueberry.) One bite, and we bet you will be the one yelling...for more pancakes!

Unless you go to Miss Shirley’s Cafe every day (lucky!), you’ll likely notice at least one new pancake addition every time you see their menu. Current or recent offerings include the Triple B (buckwheat, banana, and blueberry), the Cinnamon Danish, and raspberry white chocolate. Established in 2005 as a tribute to food professional Shirley McDowell, Miss Shirley’s now has three Maryland locations and has been praised by the likes of The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Food Network Magazine.

We feel the sight and smell of the pancakes alone are enough to hand the win to Nantucket’s The Downyflake, but skeptical diners might need a bit more convincing. To that, we would like to add that the restaurant has been in business for a whopping 83 successful years, their pancakes have been declared the best by countless publications, and The Downyflake is the last remaining shop from what was once America’s first donut chain. Oh yeah, that reminds us, you also need to order at least one of their famous doughnuts. Don’t worry, it will cost you less than a dollar (cash only).

Whether you fancy blueberry, chocolate chip, apple pie, cinnamon roll, or vegan pancakes, at Kalamazoo’s Studio Grill, six bucks will get you a trio of any flavor with some change left over. For that same amount, you can also get two child-sized orders off the Lil’ Rascals menu. Feed a family of four for less than $20? Seems like a dream...which is exactly what you’ll say when you try one of their pancakes.

Also, be sure to stick around for lunch, as the Studio Grill’s burger has been named the best in the region.

The traditional pancakes topped with blueberry, mango, banana, raspberry, pineapple or

strawberry are fantastic (especially with housemade maple syrup), but Maria’s Cafe is actually a Colombian restaurant, so you must try either the ripe plantain pancakes or corn pancakes, both of which are served with cotija cheese. Also, Maria’s is located in Minneapolis, so you must try the wild rice pancakes too. Looks like you’ll need to make a few trips here. Poor you.

There’s no other way to put it: Oxford’s Big Bad Breakfast is legendary, and so are their pancakes. They even capitalized on this fame by releasing a book and opening a second location across the border in Birmingham, Ala. By the way, BBB is owned by the same people behind the even more legendary fine dining spot City Grocery, so you know you’re in good hands.

The Clara Cakes at St. Louis’ Half & Half have been repeatedly named among the best in the entire country (Time Out ranked them No. 3 just last year), so we shouldn’t have to twist your arm to get you to try these classic cakes topped with raspberry jam, mascarpone, and granola. However, you might be more intrigued by the blueberry pancakes with blueberry butter and maple syrup - especially since a menu note suggests you “ask to have [them] cooked in bacon fat.” Well, if you insist. Java addicts will also be pleased to know that the restaurant partners with local favorite Blueprint Coffee.

It seems like huckleberries are becoming more rare with each passing year, which is why you need to order a stack of huckleberry pancakes from Steve’s Cafe if you have the chance. Although when the actual pancakes are this good, the marionberry version will be just as tasty. Eat gluten free? Don’t fret, as both can also be prepared sans the gluten. Whether you get a short stack of a full stack, you can easily add your choice of meat and a couple eggs, so be sure to arrive hungry. Steve’s also has an Idaho location, and second store in Helena that recently opened.

Praise of Amato’s has already been sung by the likes of Guy Fieri (“Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”) and Adam Richman (“Man vs. Food”), and we’re sure you’ll add yourself to the list after digging into their famous ricotta berry pancakes. You might also want to take some Italian sausage home with you. Trust us.

When in Vegas, it’s fine to gamble at the casinos, but when eating out, you should opt for a sure thing. BabyStacks Cafe serves high-quality pancakes that are sure to satisfy adults (people rave about their Red Velvet variety), with plenty of sweet options for the kids. There’s also a separate kids menu, but we think the little ones would prefer to try Orange Creamsicle, Cinnabun, Butterfinger, Rocky Road, or S’mores - among many others. And with four locations around the greater Vegas area, you’re sure to have a BabyStacks nearby.

In New Hampshire, the word “pancakes” is synonymous with Polly’s Pancake Parlor - and not just because it mentions pancakes in the name. Polly’s has been around since the beginning of time (or about 75 years), has been featured in magazines by Rachel Ray and Paula Deen, and even won a James Beard award back in 2008! Whether you order plain, cornmeal, oatmeal buttermilk, buckwheat, whole wheat, or gingerbread pancakes, they’ll be unbelievably light and fluffy, and will pair perfectly with local New Hampshire maple syrup. Add-ins include blueberry, walnut, coconut, and chocolate chip. Can’t decide? Try the sampler.

Jersey City’s Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory has both quantity and quality on its side when it comes to pancakes. They have about 30 options on their menu, including Nutella hazelnut, chocolate & peanut butter, coconut, and Pigs in the Blanket (with pork sausage baked right into the batter). They also have more than 45 years of experience and success, and can boast a visit by “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” among other accolades.

New Mexico’s Waffle & Pancake Shoppe doesn’t have a website. They also don’t have long hours, as they’re only open until 1 p.m. daily. What they do have, however, are some of the best pancakes in the Southwest - and the history to back it up. Waffle & Pancake Shoppe first opened back in 1987, and the owners - the Brockett’s - have an even more extensive resume. Come in for breakfast just once and you’ll understand why their Facebook page (yes, they do have that) is filled with photos of people holding up signs declaring: “You should be here!”

You can almost always expect a wait at the highly praised Clinton Street Baking Company. But this is Manhattan we’re talking about, so you should expect to wait entirely too long for almost anything - whether it’s the latest Broadway hit, the construction of the Second Avenue subway line, or the next Mets World Series victory. The difference at Clinton Street (est. 2001) is that the wait is finite, and it will actually be worth it in the end. The pancake selection is simple: wild Maine blueberry, banana walnut, or chocolate chunk, and each option is just as delicious as the last. We’d recommend the chocolate chunk, if only because they don’t take the meaning of “chunk” lightly.

There’s only a five-hour window each day - 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. - in which you can dine at Joey’s Pancake House, and they’re closed on Thursdays... all of which doesn’t amount to much time. But Joey’s just celebrated 50 years of business, so who are we to judge? Besides, after one bite of their golden, bacon, banana nut, Reese’s Cup, or sweet potato pancakes, and you’ll end up inhaling the rest in a matter of seconds anyway. And if you want a plate of Joey’s pancakes at any other hour, be sure to pick up some of their famous mix on your next visit.

Grand Forks isn’t a big city (although it’s the third-largest in North Dakota), yet Darcy’s Cafe is consistently packed each day from morning until early afternoon - exactly when they open and close. This isn’t a huge surprise, as Darcy’s has been named in countless “best of” lists in the state, from best diner to best breakfast to best pancakes. Try the cinnamon roll cakes and you’ll know why we’re not the first to praise them in the latter category.

You might be wondering why we didn’t include a photo of pancakes in this description of Katalina’s. Unless of course you’ve been to this Columbus, Ohio restaurant, in which case you’ll know that those are what the pancakes look like. Katalina’s famous pancake balls are made with local stone-ground Fowler’s Mill, and are filled with Nutella, dulce de leche, or Cooper’s Mill pumpkin-apple butter. Do yourself a favor and also order a side of Katalina’s Original Sweet ‘N’ Spicy Bacon while you’re there.

syrup. is an odd name for this Oklahoma breakfast spot - and not just because it’s stylized with a lowercase “s” and a period. It’s odd because most of their thick and fluffy pancake offerings are already coated in so much sweetness that actual maple syrup is an unnecessary addition. The sweet potato pancakes are served dripping in marshmallow glaze, the red velvet version comes with caramel sauce, and the cinnamon roll cakes come topped with sugary streusel - to name just a few. In the end, it doesn’t matter, of course; all that matters is the the tantalizing taste.

Portland’s Slappy Cakes has numerous tasty batter options (buttermilk, chocolate, peanut butter, seasonal, and vegan/gluten-free) and a whole host of fixins (fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, granola, coconut), but sometimes the pancakes aren’t perfectly cooked. Don’t blame the kitchen, however, because at Slappy Cakes, you are the kitchen, as you cook your own pancakes right at your table. Too much pressure? Don’t worry, you can also order a stack from the back, so they come out with just the right amount of crisp and fluff. Be sure to check out their wall of fame, which includes pancakes shaped like everything from owls and sloths to what we can only assume is Luke Skywalker battling the Rancor from “Return of the Jedi.”

“Before I answer this question, these really were maybe the best pancakes I've tasted in a very long time." Those were the words of President Barack Obama during a stop at Pamela’s Diner while campaigning in Pittsburgh back in 2008, and very little has changed at the restaurant since then. And why should it? Pamela’s has been serving the best breakfast in Pennsylvania since 1980, whether you order the strawberry, blueberry, banana walnut, or chocolate chip banana hotcakes - or anything else on the menu, for that matter.

During the cold winter months few things in Rhode Island are better than stopping at Newport’s Corner Cafe, being warmed by a roaring fireplace, and digging into a plate of pancakes. Heck, few things are better in the spring, summer, or fall either. And it doesn’t matter if you order the Berry Supreme (with blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries) or the Alpine (with sliced sausage, caramelized apples, and cheddar cheese) - you’ll get that warm, fuzzy feeling just the same.

Pass on the grits (gasp!) for now and save the barbecue for later, because breakfast in Charleston belongs to the buttermilk pancakes at Hominy Grill. They’re thick yet fluffy, and are available every day until 11:30 a.m., and 3 p.m. on weekends. (Thank goodness for brunch.) If you find you love the breakfast at Hominy, you can also return for lunch and dinner, or buy their recipe book!

If the scoop of butter atop the thick and scrumptious pancakes at Tally’s Silver Spoon looks a little colder than usual, that’s because it’s actually a scoop of ice cream. Why? Well, as the menu says, “because you can.” You might also want to ask your server to “bury” your pancake under a mountain of fresh bananas, strawberries, or blueberries for just a few bucks more. Okay, now you can add some maple syrup.

Quantity doesn’t necessarily go hand-in-hand with quality, but thankfully the two are BFFs at the Pancake Pantry in Tennessee. This spot advertises itself as having “Nashville’s best pancakes,” and we can’t argue with that, except to say they’re probably still being modest. Over the Pantry’s 56 years, their menu has expanded to include more than 20 varieties of pancakes, including cornmeal, sweet potato, Caribbean (with banana, pecans, and shredded coconut), and Chocolate Sin (filled with chocolate ganache and topped with raspberry compote, powdered sugar, and even more chocolate ganache).

Texas is a big state with many vastly differing opinions, but almost every resident can agree that the Kerbey Lane Cafe has some top-notch flapjacks. After all, it’s no accident that the company has been around for 37 years and now owns seven locations in the Austin area. It doesn’t matter if you order the buttermilk, gingerbread, apple whole wheat, blueberry, vegan, or weekly special pancakes (like the salted caramel ones pictured) - they’ll all taste great every time. And any time, as Kerbey lane stays open 24 hours a day! We can’t quite put our finger on it, but something makes pancakes taste extra good at 2 a.m.

If you visit or live near Salt Lake City (or Draper or Taylorsville), you simply cannot pass on the pancake sandwiches at Penny Ann’s Cafe. Two eggs and three strips of bacon tucked between three of their “Heavenly Hot Cakes” and served with butter and syrup? Sign us up. The aforementioned specialty cakes are made with sour cream and are perfectly light and fluffy, which explains why Penny Ann’s has won so many awards and accolades.

Arguably home of the best maple syrup in the country, Vermont has no shortage of solid spots for stacks of pancakes, but Papa Pete’s might be the greatest of all. At least that would explain why so many people drive, walk, snowmobile, and snowshoe to Pete’s every day until 2 p.m. Or perhaps they just dig big portions, as the pancakes here are as large as a dinner plate. Start with one, even though a single bite will make you want to order 1,000 more.

The original Pocahontas Pancake and Waffle Shop opened way back in 1974 and have been serving fantastic breakfasts the entire time. They even won a Food Network award for the best pancakes in Virginia Beach in 2002! That distinction hasn’t changed either, whether you order the buttermilk, fresh blueberry, “Three Pigs in a Blanket,” or any other variety. People flock to Pocahontas Pancakes from around the country to line up and try their famous flapjacks, and it’s about time you joined the flock, too.

The current version of The Maltby Cafe has been in existence since 1988 and won countless awards over the years. In fact, in 2016 alone, they were named the best breakfast in Washington by both Evening Magazine and Seattle A-List voters. As for what exactly to eat at said breakfast, we’d of course suggest the pancakes, but there’s two types: traditional buttermilk and Swedish, which comes filled with seasonal fruit and topped with Maltby’s own crème fraîche. There’s even a granola pancake option! We can’t order for you, but we can assure you that all the options are equally tasty.

A trip to Cathedral Cafe is like a religious experience - and not just because it’s housed in an old church. One bite of their famous pancakes will make you a convert to the Church of the Almighty Breakfast, which holds mass every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and hands out whole grain, sweet potato, blueberry, banana-nut, and cinnamon roll pancakes at each communion. Okay, we’re exaggerating the church motif a bit here, but these pancakes truly are heavenly, so be sure to stop by and testify.

For 55 years and counting, the family-owned Mr. Pancake has been among the best places to procure a pancake in the State of Wisconsin. It has also been the home an ever-expanding menu that now includes favorites such as peach, pecan, or potato pancakes, as well as chocolate, bacon, Swedish, Hawaiian, and Iowa corn varieties.

The mixes are the key to pancake perfection at The Bunnery in Jackson Hole. The trademarked O.S.M. recipes are made from scratch using whole wheat and granola blends based on oats, sunflower seeds, and millet from an original Bunnery recipe that dates back at least as far as the restaurant’s opening in 1980. This results in obviously thick and oddly uniform pancakes that, when stacked, look more like a traditional cake than a pancake. You won’t be able to replicate the ingredients at home, but that’s just fine, as The Bunnery sells its pancake, waffle, and bread mixes in-house and online.