The Original Pancake House

Written by mojdeh on January 28, 2016 in I Eat Seattle, I Eat...Out with 0 Comments

(originalpancakehouse.com) – Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington

How I heard of this place: While it took a good friend recommending it, over a decade after I’d lived in Seattle to get me in the doors, I have always – from the first drive-by – remembered the cute chef flipping a pancake on the sign.

Type of cuisine: Breakfast and lunch: omelettes, pancakes, waffles and lunchtime sandwiches.

“The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. Drawing upon their many years of experience in the culinary field, and their extensive working knowledge of authentic national and ethnic pancake recipes they were able to offer without compromise this unique and original menu which has gained national acclaim. The Original Pancake House is a second and third generation family business, which takes great pride in maintaining the high standards that make our food so outstanding. We now have over one hundred franchises from coast to coast, which have won local and national acclaim. Our recipes demand only the very finest of ingredients, such as 93 score butter, pure 36% whipping cream, fresh grade AA eggs, hard wheat unbleached flour, and our own recipe sourdough starter. Our batters and sauces are made fresh in each restaurant’s kitchen.

Our signature items include the Apple Pancake, a single large pancake smothered with sautéed apples and cinnamon sugar baked to perfection. To create a deliciously rich cinnamon sugar glaze.

Another signature item is the Dutch Baby, an air filled delight oven baked to golden perfection and served with lemon, whipped butter and powdered sugar to create a mouthwatering blend.

Our unique omelets, including the mushroom omelet topped with homemade rich mushroom sherry sauce, are rolled in a skillet and then oven baked to give you a splendidly light, moist delicacy. Our gourmet crepes include the cherry kijafa crepe, a blend of tart cherries and sweet Danish cherry wine. Our continental crepe is rolled with sour cream tempered with orange liqueur and served with our famous tropical syrup, made from a delectable blend of citrus fruits. We often feature the finest fresh fruits of the season. Our signature coffee is specially blended, roasted and ground for The Original Pancake House to complement your meal.

It is our constant objective to serve you the finest pancakes available, and to give you pleasant and courteous service. Our menu items are delicious at anytime. Click on the location map to find out more about the Original Pancake House nearest you. Thank you for visiting our website and we look forward to seeing you at the Original Pancake Houses.”

Ambiance: Wood-paneling on the walls, and tables and chairs to match, dark carpets and a strange newness in this old space make one feel strangely comfortable and at home.

A lobby space as an entry-way gives freedom to awaiting patrons to take a seat under the shelter of a covered patio.

Windows allow for natural light throughout the large interior, both to the left as you enter,

The Original Pancake House Main Seating Looking Front

as well as to the right and towards the kitchen.

What I ordered: My first time at most breakfast/brunch joints has Eggs Benedict on my radar. This was no exception.

The Original Pancake House Eggs Benedict

A fresh toasted English muffin, topped with thick sliced Canadian bacon and two poached eggs covered with rich Hollandaise sauce, served with a side of home fries and three buttermilk pancakes.

The Original Pancake House Eggs Benedict & Pancakes

My dining companion ordered a pastrami on rye with a side of fruit and of potato salad.

The Original Pancake House Pastrami on Rye

What I loved: The home fries, which turned out to be hash browns. The eggs were perfectly poached without any remnant of goopy whites, the Canadian bacon was the thickest I’ve ever seen and the Hollandaise wonderfully tart.