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The Benefits of Using High-quality Ingredients in Breakfast Dishes

We all know that feeling when we sit down to a delicious breakfast that just hits the spot. That's the magic of food - it can simultaneously fill our stomachs and nourish our souls. And starting your day right by using fine ingredients in your breakfast sets a positive and health-conscious mindset, influencing your dietary choices throughout the day.

Let's dive into why high-quality ingredients make your breakfast truly amazing.

Not All Breakfast Ingredients Are Created Equal

Not all ingredients are created equal, especially regarding breakfast dishes. That’s why opting for high-quality ingredients in breakfast dishes brings multiple advantages. With quality ingredient choices, you enjoy tastier meals, gain essential nutrients, support local producers, foster kitchen creativity, and not to mention - elevate your mornings.

So, sourcing your breakfast ingredients from trustworthy suppliers who offer the best is crucial. From unique and artisanal finds to homemade preserves and exquisite coffees, high-quality ingredients transform your morning routine into a delightful adventure of taste, creativity, rich aromas, and robust textures to create a satisfying breakfast.

The Importance of Quality Ingredients in Breakfast

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the food blew you away? Chances are, the chefs used the finest ingredients in their dishes. They understand that sourcing the best ingredients is the key to making unforgettable meals. Using fresh and artisanal ingredients gives your diners a taste experience they won't soon forget.

Using high-quality breakfast ingredients is crucial for one main reason: superior taste! Fresh ingredients have a natural flavor that takes your dish from mediocre to exceptional. Our guests can taste the difference.

In addition to the taste, using superior ingredients benefits your health. Fresh ingredients are packed with essential nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to thrive. You'll favor your body by choosing premium ingredients over low-quality ones.

How Original Pancake House Uses the Highest-Quality Breakfast Ingredients

The Original Pancake House is a legacy of quality, service, and friendliness. Established in 1953 in Portland, Oregon, our delicious pancakes have delighted generations. We opened our first Denver location in 1996 and have been serving some of the best breakfast anywhere since then.

You can indulge in mouth-watering breakfast and brunch favorites at The Original Pancake House in Denver Tech Center and Cherry Hills. Our menu will satisfy even the pickiest eaters, from the classic fluffy omelets to the Belgian waffles and everything in between. But the show's real stars are the German-style Dutch Baby Pancake and the delicious Apple Pancake.

Don't worry if you have dietary restrictions; the Original Pancake House has you covered with gluten-free pancakes and lighter options like Greek yogurt, fresh fruits, and homemade granola. Who can resist the eggs and thick-cut honey-cured bacon or the biscuits smothered in homemade sausage gravy?

Also, let's not forget the locally made green chili, which adds a unique kick to the already excellent omelets and benedicts. And when it comes to drinks, our clients love our freshly hand-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices - naturally sweet and oh-so-delicious!

At The Original Pancake House, we make every dish with the highest quality breakfast ingredients and prepare it with special care, ensuring that each bite is flavorful. So, next time you're looking for a breakfast spot that offers superb food and consistently great service, The Original Pancake House is the answer!

So visit us, and enjoy our amazing ingredients in your favorite recipes.

Join our Waitlists Below!

DTC Cherry Hills

by OPHD1996

Original Pancake House - Exploring the different types of pancakes and syrup flavors offered at the Original Pancake House.

by OPHD1996

The History and Evolution of Pancakes

Pancakes are enjoyed around the world as a familiar favorite on the breakfast plate but have you ever wondered where this tasty morning treat originated from? In this blog, we will discuss the origins of pancakes and a brief history of how they have been enjoyed over the years.

Early History of Pancakes

Did you know pancakes are one of humankind’s oldest dishes? Knowing the exact diet of our ancient ancestors can be difficult, but scientists have pieced together some of the tools from the stone age to determine that one of the foods enjoyed by people in this time period, almost 30,000 years ago, was a type of pancake. When we think of these fluffy cakes we serve fresh in the Original Pancake House today, it’s quite a bit different than what our ancient ancestors would have eaten. These ancient flapjacks would have been made with a flower substance made from various plants and heated on a rock.

Ötzi the Iceman
You may recognize the name Ötzi the Iceman, but what does he have to do with pancakes? Upon his discovery in 1991, this frozen iceman showed scientists a glimpse of life frozen in the past. Upon inspection of his stomach, a pancake-like batter was found along with red deer, and ibex, showing the world that pancakes have been a familiar favorite for over 5000 years!

Ancient Greece and Rome
Many of the world’s influences today come from the ancient civilizations of the Greeks and Romans. Our love for pancakes is one of those. These tasty treats were commonly enjoyed at events like theater performances, Colosseum fights, and at gatherings of the ruling classes at the time. Known as Itria to the Greeks and Alita Dolcia to the Romans, they were enjoyed for the sweet taste of honey drizzled over them.

Pancake Day

While some trendy foods have a day dedicated to them for marketing purposes, pancake day has a very different origin. For those participating in Lent, the 40 day period before Easter, you may notice people often eat pancakes. This day is known as Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, and our favorite, Pancake Day! During Lent, people often did not eat animal products like milk, butter, and eggs, the key ingredients to a perfect pancake. This has evolved into a tradition over several hundred years of celebrating by enjoying pancakes on the day leading up to the start of Lent.

Enjoyed Around the World

Today pancakes are enjoyed everywhere around the world, with millions of unique recipes and ways to eat them. Every culture has its own way of preparing this delicious dish, and there are variations like crepes, potato latkes, pönnukaka, pfannkuchen, chataamari, lempeng, roti, pikelets, and so many more.

If you read this and are hungry for pancakes, stop by the Original Pancake House in Denver! We have been serving delicious breakfasts to the Denver area for over 20 years, and we would love to serve you. Every recipe we serve is made with high-quality ingredients, lots of care, and a passion for delicious food. Stop by our family-friendly restaurants today and enjoy our delicious version of a meal loved for over 30,000 years.
Discover one of our locations in the Denver Tech Center and Cherry Hills today.

by OPHD1996

How to Eat Gluten-Free at OPH

Pancakes are one of the most popular breakfast foods. But unfortunately, those who have to eat gluten-free because of an allergy or other health reasons are often unable to participate in these yummy breakfast treats. But not at Original Pancake House!  We have the most delicious, fluffiest pancakes you’ve ever had, and that goes for our gluten-free pancakes too.

Our Gluten-Free Options

Sometimes there is a misconception that plain gluten-free pancakes are the only menu option at a breakfast place like Original Pancake house.  In reality, there are a variety of ways to enjoy a gluten-free breakfast in Denver at OPH.

You can customize your gluten-free pancakes with many of our other fillings and toppings. From classic blueberry or banana pancakes to our more tropical fruits like our coconut pancakes and our pineapple-filled Hawaiian pancakes, our fruit fillings are an easy way to take our already delicious gluten-free pancakes up another level. If you’re looking for the perfect sweet and savory combo, customize your pancakes with chopped bacon. For a delicate variety in texture, try our gluten-free pancakes with Georgia pecans. And – a favorite for adults and kids alike – you can also have your gluten-free pancakes stuffed with gooey melted chocolate chips.

In addition, you can substitute any gluten-free pancake into any of our delicious combo plates! This includes most of our Hearty Egg Plates. All our breakfast meats and eggs are naturally gluten-free, so our combo plates are the perfect gluten-free start to your day! Imagine, our slow-roasted Corned Beef Hash, with two basted eggs with overflowing runny yolks, all with a stack of our iconic gluten-free buttermilk pancakes on the side. Or our crispy bacon and scrambled eggs, with homey blueberry pancakes. For a lighter, refreshing breakfast that’s still naturally gluten-free, give our Homemade Granola a try – thick-cut oats, pecans, raisins, and coconut with a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg.

When you eat breakfast or brunch at Original Pancake House, you can rest assured that your gluten-free pancakes have not only been made with gluten-free ingredients but have been prepared separately as well. While we cannot 100% guarantee that gluten-free pancakes would never come into contact with regular pancakes, we are very, very careful to keep them apart because we understand the needs of gluten-free diners. Our staff works diligently to keep ingredients and dishes separate while cooking and when bringing the food out to your table.

Try Gluten-Free Pancakes at OPH Today!

Hungry yet? Visit us in Cherry Hills and DTC today, and join our Yelp waitlist to skip the line!

Join our Waitlists Below!

DTC Cherry Hills

by OPHD1996

Highlights from our friends at Colorado Egg Producers!

Colorado Egg Producers recently made a visit to the best breakfast restaurant in Denver – Original Pancake House! Check out the highlights below:

Our chef Alex Tafoya talked about our best egg-centric dishes with our friends over at Colorado Egg Producers, who were recently on the hunt for the best brunch places in Colorado in their Summer Brunch Tour. As one of the places with the best breakfast food in Denver, they made the right decision by stopping by and chatting with chef Alex. Among the dishes from our menu they highlighted were the Apple Pancake, Dutch Baby, and Denver Omelette. Each is made with anywhere from three to eight eggs, giving you all the nutrients you need to start your day off deliciously right. Colorado Egg Producers were on a mission to find the best egg dishes in the state, and they found several of them at the Original Pancake House breakfast restaurant in Denver.

As any dietitian or nutritionist will tell you, eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. A whole egg contains all the necessary nutrients to turn a cell into a baby chicken, so it’s no surprise that they’re one of the best foods you can eat to start your day. At the Original Pancake House breakfast restaurant in Denver, we crack all of our eggs fresh in-house every day, so you can rest assured that whatever egg-centric dish you order has been made with fresh eggs.

Colorado Egg Producers also stopped by to check in with our amazing chef Guillermo and document his amazing ability to crack eggs. Guillermo can crack 180 eggs in under two minutes! It’s thanks to chef Guillermo’s skill that we can use freshly cracked eggs in all of our scrumptious egg dishes all day long. It’s because of people like Guillermo that we’re able to confidently way we make some of the best breakfast food in Denver! Come visit us today at our Cherry Creek or DTC locations today!

by OPHD1996

Get Creative with Unique Hot Chocolate Recipes

Winter’s here, which means more and more cold days and nights that demand a bit of extra comfort. And one piece of the winter coziness is none other than the classic cup of hot chocolate!

Hot chocolate is the perfect drink for the wintertime, as it not only warms you up, but you can also enjoy it with the entire family, no matter their age. It’s the favorite drink of many, but do you know why?

Because it’s very versatile. Ask anyone about their favorite hot chocolate recipes, and you’ll likely be met with a variety of options, from the simple dark chocolate ones to the intricate spice-infused chocolates.

At The Original Pancake House, we love ourselves some unique hot chocolate, so we’ve gathered a few creative hot chocolate recipes you can try out right now.

Creative Hot Chocolate Recipes to Keep You Warm

It’s easy to experiment with this drink and create your own fun hot chocolate recipes, but if you need a bit of help, here are our 5 top creative recipes to get you started:

1. Malted Hot Chocolate

This recipe is all about combining the homemade chocolate mix with delicious marshmallows. But, the secret here lies in the additional malted milk powder that gives the beverage a nice, nutty flavor and natural sweetness.

2. Vanilla Mocha Hot Cocoa

A truly creative hot chocolate beverage, this recipe packs two surprising ingredients compared to classic hot chocolate: maple syrup, and instant coffee. Combined with the cocoa, vanilla, and dark chocolate, you’ll get the perfect balance of sweet and bitter!

3. Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Peanut butter and chocolate are a winning combination in any dessert, and this recipe puts it into a warm cup of goodness. You’ll need a blender to make this one, and ensure the beverage turns out smooth and creamy!

4. White Hot Chocolate

Dark and milk chocolates are the go-to, but let’s not get stuck on these two options. This creative white hot chocolate recipe with a citric twist proves white chocolate can hold its own in the competition.

5. Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Even pre-packaged hot chocolate mixes can have powdered milk, which can be a problem for those who prefer not to eat dairy. But, give this dairy-free recipe a shot, which replaces regular milk with almond milk, and adds a fruity topping.

You can play with the recipe and opt for other types of milk, like oats or coconut to see which is the winning combination for you.

Try the Original Pancake House Recipes

Hot chocolate is everywhere this time of year, from cafes to restaurants or hotels, and the Original Pancake House is no exception!

Stop by our Cherry Hills or DTC location on the weekends or on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day from 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM. Warm up with our signature hot chocolate and enjoy some delicious breakfast while you’re at it!

Save a spot in line by joining our Yelp Waitlist or order online for pickup.

by OPHD1996

Christmas Breakfast Buffet Ideas

Christmas is just a few days away, so now is a great time to start thinking about what you want to include in your Christmas morning breakfast buffet.

We are here to help you kick off the best time of year with an amazing Christmas breakfast buffet that’s bound to make you and your friends and family very happy. Here at Original Pancake House, we’re very passionate about creativity in food, especially when it comes to breakfast, so we’ve gathered three great Christmas breakfast buffet ideas just for you!

Smoky Tater Hash

Start with this simple recipe that’s perfect for Christmas morning, especially if your go-to for breakfast food is something savory. All you need is around half an hour to make four servings of this diner-style breakfast meal.

To make it, you’ll need some frozen potato puffs, mushrooms, red peppers, onions, and the condiments you like, maybe even some herbs for an extra kick. To complete the dish, place a fried egg on top, and enjoy.

Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes

If you’re more of a sweet-breakfast type of person, then you can’t go wrong with pancakes for your Christmas breakfast buffet! But this pancake recipe actually goes the extra mile and adds a delicious strawberry topping that’s sweet, yet fresh.

Prep time here only takes a couple of minutes, and you’ll need an additional half an hour to make the pancakes (or more, depending on how many people stop by for brunch.) We love pancakes because it feels like the perfect breakfast meal to cook with loved ones around you, and it’s always a hit with the kids.

Blueberry Sweet Rolls With Lemon

This recipe is a bit more technically challenging than the other two, but the results are very worth it. Starting the day with some sweet rolls is ideal for any day of the year, but this 4-ingredient stuffing recipe seems like it was created for Christmas morning.

Because of the blueberries, these rolls have more of a fruit-tart taste, and the sweetness of the cinnamon and sugar is nicely balanced by the lemon. You’ll need a bit more than an hour to make this one, and some more attention for making the dough, but once you get the technique down this is surely the recipe everyone in your group will want to get their hands on.

  Enjoy your morning by trying these creative Christmas breakfast buffet ideas, and make some nice memories with your loved ones. It’s really the perfect day to try something new and set family traditions for years to come.

Although the Original Pancake House is closed on Christmas Day, we’ll be open for Christmas Eve and New Years’ Day from 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM. Join us for take-out or heated patio seating at our DTC or Cherry Hills location.

Happy Holidays, and Happy Cooking!

by OPHD1996

Get Creative with Breakfast this Holiday Season

The holiday season is all about laughter, family, and fun. Homes are being filled with the scent of freshly baked holiday treats and decorations have been hung with care. As the snow begins to drift in, more and more hot cocoa is shared by the fire. When your days are filled with holiday festivities, don’t forget about the joy of a holiday breakfast. Get involved this year by testing out some new creative breakfast ideas, or by creating something yourself. At The Original Pancake House, we’re all about creativity – especially if it shows up at breakfast!

Creative Breakfast Ideas

Pancakes are always a huge hit at our place (who would have guessed?) and they can be at your house too! The fluidity of the batter sets you up to an endless supply of creative ideas – all you need to bring is your imagination. Plate up some holiday cheer with festive pancakes. If you’re not sure where to begin, try a few of our favorites to get you started. From snowmen, Santa, penguins, and reindeer, to gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and elves, there’s no shortage of festive options for you to try. Follow a guide to get you started and let creativity lead the way. Not big on pancakes? These creative breakfast ideas for pancakes can be altered to incorporate fruit, waffles, muffins, toast, and any of your other favorite breakfast foods.

Creative Holiday Breakfast Ideas with Eggs

Ah, eggs. The other main breakfast food. At The Original Pancake House, we love a good creative egg breakfast. If you’re hoping to do something different and fun for the holidays look no further than a few of our favorite creative egg breakfast ideas. If you have children in the house – or if you want to embrace your inner child, we love the idea of creating emoji eggs, a fun breakfast idea that’s bound to have a few people cracking up. If emojis aren’t your game, consider mini breakfast pizzas, egg bagel bites, or ‘egg in a hole’ buns, and if you’re feeling ambitious, try your hand at eggs Florentine for a delicious top-notch creative egg breakfast.

 Warm Up at The Original Pancake House

Even if you aren’t a chef, amateur cook, or a creative person, we encourage you to have some fun and dive into these creative breakfast ideas. There’s no better time than this holiday season to get creative and try something new. If it doesn’t turn out quite right, there’s no harm done as long as you had a blast doing it -- and you can always join us at The Original Pancake House for our delicious breakfast plates and our seasonal holiday favorite, Egg Nog French Toast! Come in and sit down or order takeout this holiday season. If the festivities are keeping you busy, call ahead or save a spot in line using our Yelp Waitlist! Swing on by for some hot cocoa while you shelter from the snow and grab a gift card or special designed holiday mug. The Original Pancake House will be here to warm you up from the inside out!

by OPHD1996

DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

Let’s face it, homemade Christmas gifts are sometimes the best gifts to give (and receive). They’re more affordable and have a lot of heart and thought packed into them. You can really make your DIY Christmas gift unique because it’ll be different and unlike anything else you can find in the shops. Opting for homemade Christmas gifts allows you to get personal with the gifts as they often provide the recipient with more meaning than a store-bought gift. With Christmas just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about creating the perfect homemade Christmas gifts and we have some ideal DIY Christmas gift ideas to get you started!

Gift Ideas for Coworkers

Keep it simple, creative, and personal this year with homemade Christmas gifts for your coworkers. Coasters are a must-have for any home, and now you have an opportunity to make them quirky. Grab some Scrabble tiles from your local game shop and arrange them to create the perfect sized coaster. Bonus points if you know coworkers well enough to pick words that relate to what they like. Candles are also a great addition to any home. Pick up some wax, wicks, and tins and you’re all set! If you’re thinking you might want to get your coworkers something they can display at the office, consider gifting them small succulents or air plants that can sit on their desks. Succulents don’t require a lot of attention and can be super thoughtful when planted in a novelty planter like an elephant. Now for the coworker that you just have to buy a 6-pack for – get creative and decorate the bottles as reindeer. Find some pipe cleaners and twist them into antlers around the bottles and pop a red pompom on the sides. Voila, you have a pack of reindeer!

The Perfect DIY Gift for Mom

When it comes to DIY Christmas gift ideas, this is your moment to shine. Moms appreciate homemade Christmas gifts more than anyone else because they enjoy the sentimental aspect. She’s done a lot for you, so pamper her this year with a jar of coconut rose sugar body polish and maybe toss in some heavenly scented bath salts to give her the spa day she deserves. Maybe your mom doesn’t really enjoy baths but loves cooking. In that case, pick up some plain wooden spoons and a wood-burning kit to customize them, and she’ll be thinking of you every time she works away in the kitchen. Photos are also very sentimental for moms and we have a couple of creative ways to package them up as a gift. Get a calendar made with pictures of her loved ones or paste snapshots onto tiles for a unique coaster set.

The Gift of Conversation

Homemade Christmas gifts are very sentimental and if you want to give someone something special this holiday season, creating it yourself might be the best option. These one-of-a-kind gifts are more personal than most and can be crafted with love even on a budget. Great conversation is a gift of its own, so if you haven’t had the time to craft your gifts, treat your coworkers, friends, or family to breakfast or lunch at The Original Pancake House. Easily order online for takeout or save your spot in line using the Yelp Waitlist.

by OPHD1996