Top OPH Menu Items to Get You Ready for Fall
At The Original Pancake House, we’re known for our broad selection of delicious breakfast items, some of which have been crafted from recipes dating back to the 1950s! From a huge selection of pancakes and omelets to egg plates, benedicts, French toast, Belgian waffles, and numerous side plates, we have something for everyone to enjoy. As the summer comes to an end and the cooler weather washes over the mountains, lots of families begin looking or seasonal bites to help them stay cozy. We love the changing of the seasons here at The Original Pancake House, and we are always looking for ways to introduce exciting meals. Our talented chefs have put together some scrumptious fall breakfast items that are sure to give you that warm fuzzy feeling and make you feel right at home.
New Fall Breakfast Menu Items
- Apple Pancake. Tradition is important, and we’ve brought back this custard crisp fall breakfast favorite with cinnamon-sugar-glazed Granny Smith apple slices. Yum!
- Apple Belgian Waffle. Minced Granny Smith apples give these waffles a unique crunch with whipped butter and apple syrup completing the enticing ensemble.
- Sara’s Pumpkin Pancakes. These aren’t your grandmother’s pancakes! We use pumpkin and molasses to give these a fall breakfast flavor that will satisfy your annual pumpkin craving.
- Cinnamon Almond French Toast. Sourdough bread with sliced almonds and cinnamon sugar topped with whipped butter make this the perfect fall breakfast on a chilly day!
- Pork Green Chile Eggs Benedict. Smashed avocado, tomato, and chorizo sausage create an ensemble of mouthwatering flavor atop a grilled English muffin coated in pepper jack cheese. Then comes the pork green chile sauce from this year’s harvest to add another dimension to this savory fall breakfast.
- Georgia Pecan Pancakes. Switch out the summer fruit for decedent toasted pecans! These buttermilk pancakes are dusted with icing sugar and smothered in tropical syrup.
On top of these fall breakfast menu items we have a selection of seasonal drinks to warm up your nose! Swap out the cool summer drinks for a nice warm mug - a piping hot coffee or soothing hot chocolate.
We’re Full of Fall Breakfast Menu Items at OPH
The fall season brings a lot of change, and a lot of seasonal meals, drinks, and treats to keep you both warm and festive. From caramel apples and pumpkin spice lattes to roasted squash, mac and cheese, and simmering slow cooker meals, it’s the season to focus on enjoying hearty food that will warm your belly. At the Original Pancake House, that’s our goal! We want to help your family come together to enjoy well-thought meals and try some of our fall breakfast ideas. You can either call ahead or save your spot by using our Yelp Waitlist so you can skip the line, sit down, and dine! Visit the Original Pancake House today and dive into our fall breakfast favorites!
Spooky Treats for Halloween
Halloween is the perfect time of year to unleash your passion for haunting decorations, unique costumes, and spooky treats. As the day draws near, many homes are adorned with fake spiders, creepy sound effects, tombstones, caution tape, and more to create the perfect Halloween vibe that is sure to spook the neighborhood children just enough to make the evening an event to remember. Kids line the sidewalks dressed in costumes depicting their favorite heroes or most feared monsters. Adults take part in festive parties and take their families to haunted houses. The only things missing from this spooky time of year are some spooky Halloween treats to complete the picture!
Spooky Halloween Food Ideas
As a holiday with a lot of range, there are thousands of creative, spooky Halloween treats that you can make at home to liven up the party and keep everyone engaged. Some are simple and easy for all ages to craft, while others can be so complex that it’s a shame to eat them! There are options for any age, and we’ve found some all-time favorites.
- Scary Hairy Caramel Apples. A whimsical homage to the traditional candy apple, these are more on the fun side of spooky treats!
- Frightening Fingers. Dismembered fingers? Ugh! These are classic spooky Halloween treats that are sure to suit the mood of any late-night party.
- Vampire Mouths. These cream cheese filled spooky treats are definitely unique and will be the talk of the night (if they don’t get eaten too quickly!).
- Bat Cupcakes. Chocolate, chocolate, and MORE chocolate! These cupcakes are a favorite for kids and adults alike and can add a flair to your spooky Halloween food.
- Mini Pretzel Pumpkins. Coated pretzels are already delicious, but here they’ve been sprinkled with orange sugar and topped with green gumdrops to resemble the popular festive squash.
- Coffin Ice Cream Sandwiches. If you’re looking for a cool treat, these decorated ice cream sandwiches offer a satisfying bite that will freeze your brains!
Visit the Original Pancake House (and Bring Your Costume!)
Halloween is a fun time for all, and a great opportunity to be creative and make some unique and spooky Halloween food for everyone to enjoy. At The Original Pancake House, we’re always crafting up something delicious, and Halloween is no exception! We use high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes that have satisfied hungry customers since 1953 and it is always our pleasure to welcome your family to dine with ours. Be sure to visit us soon and try some of our signature pancakes, crepes, French toast, omelets, waffles, and more to start your day with classic mouthwatering breakfast food. You won’t even have to wait in line as you can use our Yelp Waitlist any day of the week and show up when your table is ready! Stop by this Halloween with your costume and appetite, and The Original Pancake House will serve up some spooky Halloween food for the whole family to enjoy.
Last Minute Summer Trips
Warm weather will be over before you know it. End summer vacation with a bang by getting in a last-minute summer trip before the kids head back to school! Will you head for an exotic foreign locale or stick close to home?
The Centennial State has a lot to offer when it comes to historic places, gorgeous scenery, and exciting things to do. Not only that but exploring Colorado's many offerings won't break the bank, either! Even if you live here, there are probably plenty of enjoyable activities and breathtaking sites that are new to you.
Wherever you go, Jetsetter suggests going late in the summer. If you plan your vacation for the last half of August, you'll generally find improved availability, thinner crowds, and lower rates. See, there are perks for planning a late summer vacation! Below, you'll find a few of our favorites.
Exploring the World
Are you itching to go exploring outside the USA? Maybe you have a foreign destination or two on your bucket list and you'd like to cross one off this summer. Here are some popular destinations you may want to consider. We'll start up north, head south, and then it's off to the east.
Nelson, British Columbia
Lift-access to hiking trails, glass-bottomed gondola rides, and world-class mountain bike terrain. What else could you want from a relatively small mountain town tucked into the stunning Selkirk Mountains?
Mexico City, Mexico
Surprisingly, Mexico City stays at moderate temperatures (the mid-70s) all summer. That makes it an ideal late summer destination for those looking for a taste of Mexican culture, history, and cuisine.
Portillo, Chile
Who says you can't ski in summer? Not the many World Cup ski teams who practice on Ski Portillo's world-class runs! This rustic resort lies nestled between the awe-inspiring Andes Mountains and Inca Lake.
Curaçao
Beautiful white sand beaches and stunningly clear tropical waters are part of the allure of Curaçao, one of the Caribbean's ABC islands (Aruba and Bonaire are the other two). You'll want to take lots of photos of its charmingly colorful Dutch Colonial architecture!
Kraków, Poland
What do you get when you combine the world's largest remaining medieval marketplace, impressively beautiful Old World architecture, and some of WWII's most poignant and heart-wrenching history? You get Kraków, Poland, and the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.
Meanwhile, Back in Colorado...
Check out these top Colorado vacation destinations! You may recognize most of them as winter hotspots, but trust us, there's more to them than just skiing. The natural beauty hidden beneath that snow for much of the year is simply breathtaking when you experience it in all its summer glory.
Aspen
Spectacular scenery and world-class food (maybe you've heard of the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen?) draw visitors from around the world to this mountain village.
Breckenridge
A rich history of silver and gold mining, vintage Victorian charm, breathtaking biking and hiking trails, and friendly people. Have we forgotten anything? Only the awe-inspiring night sky studded with brilliant stars!
Garden of the Gods
Visit spectacular Garden of the Gods Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs and hike its renowned trails. Just don't forget to take plenty of photos so you can answer those who ask, "You hiked where?"
Rocky Mountain National Park
This stunner is one of the most popular national parks in the country. Enjoy the spectacular scenery from your car as you travel the Trail Ridge Road or take a family hike for a more up-close view of its beauty. It's also a great place to enjoy a last-minute camping trip to celebrate the end of summer.
Steamboat Springs
Gondola rides, fishing and camping, mountain biking and hiking, restaurants, art galleries, and mineral pools. What more could you want from a small mountain town set amidst working ranches?
Telluride
This Colorado mountain town is small in size but huge in its friendly atmosphere, natural beauty, and outdoor adventures. Maybe that's why U.S. News & World Report listed Telluride as its #1 pick for "Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA"!
Vail
Explore Vail's iconic mountains in the summer to experience top-notch hiking and mountain biking trails, whitewater rafting, and epic trail rides. There's just nothing else like experiencing these mountains from the back of a horse!
Wrapping Up Your Summer with a Last-Minute Trip
Whether you live in Colorado or are just visiting, you're sure to enjoy its abundant natural beauty and expansive list of outdoor activities. No matter where you're going on your end of summer hurrah, or who you're going with, enjoy your vacation! And stop in at OPH so we can fuel you for the journey. Our Yelp Waitlist makes any meal quick and easy!
Visit the Stanley Marketplace
Have you finished a scrumptious breakfast and now you're looking for something fun to do in the Denver area? Try heading east to Aurora, Colorado. This Denver suburb is home to the Stanley Marketplace — one of the best places to visit in Denver!
Visiting the Stanley Marketplace
Part food court, part urban bazaar, the Stanley Marketplace is an entity all its own. This unique community gathering place is located at a former aviation manufacturing facility (the Stanley Aviation Corporation) that was once adjacent to Denver's original international airport. Stapleton Field may be long gone but the Stanley is here to stay!
The Stanley Marketplace is a go-to destination on the border between Aurora and Denver. It attracts shoppers, diners, partiers, and those just looking for a cool place to hang out with friends. There are more than a dozen independently owned shops, a beer hall, and nearly a dozen bars and restaurants to frequent at the Marketplace. All told, there are more than fifty local, independently-owned businesses at this 140,000-square-foot much-loved community center!
Add in the fact that there's an event center (appropriately called 'The Hanger'), yoga studio, and co-working space, and you might be getting a feel for the vibe here. There's also an early learning center and gymnastics studio in case you're wondering how family-friendly it is.
The History Behind It
It all started with beer. Former social worker Mark Shaker was lamenting the lack of a place to hang out in the neighborhood. That desire for a beer hall eventually turned into an opportunity to save a historic factory and unite two disparate communities. Oh, and a great place to hang out, drinking beer with your friends!
Stanley Marketplace Events Abound
That's right, there's always something fun or exciting happening at the Stanley! After all, that's part of the 'Stanifesto' that makes the Stanley Marketplace so great. As these guidelines for the Stanley point out, "Every day is an opportunity to put goodness into the world." Events that bring the community together to experience joy do just that!
Spring and Summer at the Stanley
Celebrate Mother's and Father's Day with your family. Enjoy food tastings or pick up fresh produce at the Farmer's Market. Attend art events and concerts. Join in one of the fitness gatherings so you can make the most of your summer.
Fall Festivities
Do some fancy pumpkin carving. Don your best costume to try to win a prize at the costume contest and then attend the spooky Halloween festivities. Celebrate your Thanksgiving blessings with family and friends.
A Winter Wonderland
Get into the holiday spirit with homemade holiday cards and caroling. Enjoy gingerbread houses, festival wreaths, and joyous people celebrating holiday happiness at the Stanley Marketplace!
Stop in for Breakfast on Your Way to the Stanley
Our Yelp Waitlist lets you call ahead and save your space in line. We'll have you all fueled up and ready to hit the Stanley in no time. Once there, you'll be extra thankful for taking the time to eat a good breakfast before you went. After all, there's a lot to see and do at Aurora's unique Stanley Marketplace!
Family Hiking Trips
The Best Family Hiking Trips in Colorado
The weather is beautiful, the trails are open... It's time for a family hiking trip! Taking your family hiking in Colorado is easy. After all, we're surrounded by gorgeous scenery, fabulous mountains, and some of the best hiking trails in the country. The hardest part of hiking in Colorado might be deciding which scenic trail to hit first!
Gorgeous Viewpoints Abound in Colorado
Stoke up with a hearty breakfast and then head out for a day of exploring Colorado's scenic beauty. You may want to start with a day hike up Pike's Peak, the views from which inspired the beloved song 'America the Beautiful'. From breathtaking views to quiet mountain meadows, from strenuous climbs up a challenging fourteener to family-friendly backpacking trails, Colorado has something for everyone!
Colorado offers an abundance of hiking opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. There are several beautiful State Parks to explore, as well as National Parks like spectacularly scenic Rocky Mountain National Park, awe-inspiring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and the incomparable Uncompahgre Wilderness.
Family-Friendly Hiking
Getting outside with your family to enjoy some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise is good for everyone's mental and physical health. You might want to start with a non-intensive hike to get everyone warmed up before planning a more extensive family hiking vacation.
Some of our favorite family hikes near Denver are easy enough for families with young children but interesting enough for the whole family to enjoy. They include the Bear Creek Trail at Lair o' the Bear Park, the Evergreen Lake Trail, and the trails at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center.
Travel a little farther afield and you can enjoy some more great hikes at Emerald Lake in beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park, the renowned hiking trails at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, and Sedalia's Devil's Head Lookout Trail, which ends at the historic Devil's Head Lookout.
Family Backpacking Trips
Did your family whet its appetite on the easy trails we listed above? If so, it might be time to tackle something a bit more adventurous! There are several 2 to 4-day backpacking trips that are great for families looking for something a little more exciting than a simple day hike.
Chicago Lakes - Echo Lake Trail
Located near Idaho Springs, this trail is just under 10 miles long and only gains a couple of thousand feet in elevation. That makes it perfect for beginning backpackers or families with pre-teens. Make a 2 or 3-day adventure out of it so you have a better chance of seeing the elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats that inhabit the area.
Abyss Lake — Guanella Pass Trail
This trail near Georgetown offers sweeping views and spectacular vistas. The roundtrip is just over 17 miles with around 3,000' in elevation change. The scenery, wildlife, waterways, and diverse terrain make it well worth a 3-day backpacking trip!
The Four Pass Loop
This 28-mile loop near Aspen gains 8,000' in elevation, so it's definitely more challenging than the day hikes we've listed! Plan on spending 3 or 4 days crossing the four mountain passes along this trail.
Are You Fueled for the Trail?
The next time you're getting the family ready for a full day (or 3!) of hiking, stop by OPH first. Save your spot in line with the Yelp waitlist and we'll have you well-fed and ready to hit the trail in no time!
Red, White and Blue Brunch
Enjoy a Red, White and Blue Brunch on the 4th!
It's almost time to combine two longtime American favorites — the 4th of July and a delicious brunch! Kick off the festivities by inviting friends and family to join you for a celebratory brunch. We've rounded up a few creative recipes to help you incorporate the red, white, and blue into your July 4th brunch favorites.
Summer berries are a natural for creating a colorful patriotic display. You can also show off your creativity through colorful parfaits, tasty blueberry muffins, festive pancakes, decorated waffles, and a whole range of other tasty treats.
Fabulous Fruity Decor
There are plenty of fruits arrayed with our national colors. Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, red grapes, apples, bananas, blueberries, purple grapes, and blackberries are perfect choices to represent our flag. Here are some of our favorite fruit-filled 4th of July brunch ideas.
American Flag Cake
This is a moist vanilla cake studded with raspberries and blueberries. It's frosted with a light, delicious mascarpone whipped cream and topped with more raspberries and blueberries laid out in an edible stars and stripes pattern.
Fourth Of July Parfaits
Layer vanilla yogurt with red and blue fruits for a healthy parfait to start your brunch. Try blueberries and raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, or blueberries and chopped cherries.
Looking for a decadent finish to your brunch or an après fireworks treat? Replace the yogurt with vanilla ice cream and add a dollop of whipped cream on top. Yum!
Independence Day Flag Waffles
Decorate your favorite waffles with blueberry 'stars' and raspberry and whipped cream 'stripes' for a perfectly patriotic brunch! The small berries nestle into the waffle crevices while the whipped cream skims across the surface.
Patriotic Fruit Skewers
Alternately layer banana slices, raspberries, and blueberries onto wooden skewers. Insert the skewers into a watermelon half for even more fruity fun! Tip: Dip the banana slices into fresh orange juice to prevent browning.
Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Stacks
Mini pancake stacks are layered with whipped cream, blueberries, and banana slices. Then they're topped with more whipped cream and garnished with a whole strawberry. Use about a tablespoon of batter for each pancake and don't forget to dip the banana slices to keep them from browning.
Red, White, and Blue Strawberries
Dip plump, ripe strawberries in white chocolate and immediately sprinkle with decorative blue sugar.
Yankee Doodle Berries
Slice just the bottom tip off of large strawberries so they stand up. Then remove the stem, fill the cavity with whipped cream, and garnish with a blueberry for perfectly delicious plate garnishes.
Non-Fruit Options
Don't 
limit yourself to just fruity 4th of July dishes. These delicious additions to the holiday menu give you a more diverse array of dishes to offer your guests.
4th of July Pinwheels
These festive and tasty patriotic sugar cookies look almost like fireworks with their vibrant swirls of color!
Star-Shaped Pigs in a Blanket
What a cute finger food! Children and adults alike will love these adorable savory treats made by wrapping hot dog slices between star-shaped layers of puff pastry dough.
Red, White, and Blue Soda
This deliciously refreshing sparkling drink turns purple as the red and blue Kool-Aid ice cubes slowly dissolve into the lemon-lime soda.
Any Day Is a Perfect Day for Brunch at OPH!
Use our handy Yelp waitlist to save your place in line, then check out our tasty brunch options. We have some colorful and fruity dishes of our own!
Did Someone Say Parfait?
A parfait is delicious at any time of the year, but summer just seems to call out for a light, tantalizing breakfast parfait. Layer after layer of creamy yogurt, crunchy goodness, and summer fruit just bursting with juice... The best part about a homemade parfait is that you can make it as healthy (or decadent!) as you like.
Easy breakfast parfaits
These yogurt parfaits are as easy as it gets — your favorite yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit layered in a glass or cup. Start with a bottom layer of yogurt, add fruit, and top with the granola. Any additional toppings you choose to add just up the 'yum' factor.
Berry Parfait
Start with vanilla yogurt and add your favorite berries alone or in a combo (we especially like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries together). Top with granola and repeat the layers until your cup is almost full. Drizzle with a bit of honey if you prefer a little extra sweetness.
Halo Delight
This one starts with cubed Halo segments on the bottom. Top with granola, plain yogurt, and shredded coconut. Keep layering until the cup is full.
Strawberry, Banana, and Chia Seed
Mix chia seeds into banana yogurt and combine chopped strawberries and banana with the granola. Start with the yogurt/chia mix followed by the granola/fruit mix. Repeat until the cup is full and enjoy immediately.
Getting creative with parfaits
Who says parfaits are just for quick, healthy breakfasts? Some of these homemade parfaits are sweet enough to make them perfect for dessert! Try some of these exciting parfait recipes and then step out of your comfort zone and see how creative you can get with parfaits.
Frozen Yogurt Parfait Bites
Instead of a heavy muffin, enjoy a breakfast on the go in the form of a frozen parfait bite. Just like that muffin, these delectable breakfast bites get their shape from a muffin pan. We suggest using silicone muffin liners to keep things neater.
Line your muffin pan and fill each cup with banana slices, Greek yogurt, and your favorite cereal. Top with fresh berries and freeze for at least two hours. Store any extras in a sealed airtight container in the freezer.
Peach and Pecan Brown Sugar Parfait
Peaches, pecans, and dark brown sugar are made for each other, so of course, they make a delicious Southern parfait!
Mix plain Greek yogurt with vanilla bean paste and honey to taste. Break a small handful of pecans into small chunks. Slice and then cube a fresh peach. Put a layer of peaches, pecans, and a sprinkling of dark brown sugar in the bottom of a cup or glass. Top with the yogurt and then finish with another layer of peaches, pecans, and dark brown sugar.
Chocolate Almond Butter Breakfast Parfaits
Breakfast, snack, or dessert... This delicious gluten-free parfait is delicious whenever you eat it!
Simply layer Greek yogurt and banana slices with almond butter, toasted old-fashioned oats, cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs. The slightly bitter cocoa nibs lend this simple parfait a sophisticated flavor that's perfect for dessert.
As you can see, there are endless possibilities for creativity when making fruit parfaits. Just remember the essential components — something creamy, something crunchy, and something deliciously fruity!
Visit OPH for your favorite sit-down breakfasts
At the Original Pancake House, we have all of your breakfast favorites on hand for those mornings when you want someone to fix you a delicious, sit-down breakfast. Save your space in line with our handy Yelp waitlist and come see us for breakfast!
Brunch Around the World
The Wide World of Brunch Choices
The best part of world travel is all the local customs you get to experience along the way. Food is a big part of every culture and many travelers' favorite memories revolve around the foods they've experienced during their travels. Eating your way around the world sounds delicious, doesn't it?
Even a meal as 'classic' as brunch is unique in every country. The next time you're traveling, why not check out the different types of brunch you encounter and see what you think? You might find a new favorite!
Let's start with brunch right here in the United States and then work our way around the world heading in an easterly direction.
America: Brunch here usually consists of egg dishes like omelets or eggs Benedict, bacon or sausage, and pancakes. Plenty of Mimosas or Bloody Marys help ease the pain from the night before!
Kingston, Jamaica: Brunch in Kingston is as delightfully unique as the island itself. It's a hash or stew made from salt fish, cooked ackee fruit, and fiery Scotch bonnet peppers. It's usually accompanied by fried dumplings, boiled plantains, and breadfruit. Sometimes it's served with rice and peas, traditionally made with white rice and (despite the name!) kidney beans cooked in spicy seasoned coconut milk.
Jamaicans wash this fiery feast down with a refreshing, bright pink hibiscus ginger punch made by combining fruity hibiscus tea with ginger, agave syrup, and rum.
London, UK: A traditional 'full English' is a hearty meal, for sure! This fry-up usually consists of... wait for it... back bacon, bangers, fried sunny-side-up eggs, grilled fresh tomato halves, sautéed mushroom slices, fried bread, baked beans, and black pudding. Whew!
Back bacon is very similar to Canadian bacon, bangers are large sausage links, and black pudding is, um, blood sausage.
To do it right, the beans are usually eaten on top of the toast and the meal is served with British brown sauce. This monstrous meal is washed down with a few Buck's Fizzes, which consist of orange juice mixed with champagne.
Paris, France: Parisians' favorite brunch dish is Oeufs en Cocotte au Saumon Fumé. It's a small, savory casserole containing eggs, garlic, smoked salmon, and crème fraîche. Of course, torn chunks of baguette are an essential accompaniment!
The drink of choice is a Bloody Mary, popularly believed to have originated in Paris in the 1920s.
Hong Kong, China: Mmm, dim sum. These delicious steamed and fried dumplings are generally filled with seafood or pork and vegetables. If you're feeling adventurous, try chicken feet or 'phoenix claws' as they're known in China. They're one of many non-dumpling versions of the ever-popular dim sum.
The Hong Kong brunch drink of choice is yuan yang, a blend of Ceylon and Pu'er tea with evaporated milk. Enjoyed either hot or over ice, it's the perfect wake-up call after a long night.
Cancun, Mexico: A favorite brunch item in Cancun, huevos divorciados consists of two fried eggs topped with both red and green salsa. It's usually served with tortilla chips and sometimes a side of refried beans and cotija cheese.
Quench your thirst (but not the fire!) with a Michelada. This savory cocktail combines chilled Mexican beer, fresh lime juice, chilies, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco.
Brunch right here in Denver: Well, now that you've had a 'taste' of brunch around the world, what do you think? Which one would you like to try first? While you're making up your mind, stop in at the Original Pancake House and try our delicious brunch offerings!
Pancake World Records
The Original Pancake House: A Scrumptious Array of Pancake World Records
Pancakes are more than just a delicious breakfast staple. They're also fun! It's almost as easy to create pancake art with the batter as it is to make it. Maybe that's why this easy breakfast treat is so popular among people looking for creative ways to set a world record.
The world's largest pancake
Have you ever made a colossal pancake? You know, the kind of pancake that would probably lap over the edges of a turkey platter... If you could get it out of the pan! Sadly, it's pretty hard to produce the world's biggest pancake using an ordinary household griddle and flipper.
For those monster pancakes that can feed a town, pancake makers resort to specialized tools and pans. Like a 50' steel pan, a tanker to pour the batter, and a pair of giant cranes to flip it. Yep, that's what it took to make the monster that holds the Guinness world record for the largest pancake ever. This massive morsel was 49'3" across, an inch thick, weighed 3 tons, and took hours to cook!
The Co-operative Union Ltd organized this amazing engineering feat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England on August 13, 1994. Once it was finally done, it was divided into 15,000 portions and sold off to benefit local charities.
Other pancake world records
Surprisingly, the 'world's largest' isn't the only pancake listed as a Guinness World Record. People have gotten really creative at figuring out ways to elevate this humble breakfast staple into world record stardom.
The largest serving of pancakes
JSC MAKFA (a Russian flour company) set this record on February 25th, 2017 to celebrate Russian pancake week. An astonishing 12,716 pancakes were made from batter prepared the evening before. It took 16 professional chefs nearly 8 hours to set this record!
The tallest stack of pancakes
Chefs James Haywood and Dave Nicholls made and stacked 213 pancakes to create a tapering tower that reached 3' 4" high. They completed their pancake tower on February 8th, 2016 in Rufford, Newark, England. Hope they had a few gallons of syrup on hand!
The longest line of pancakes
Kenwood Ltd lined up 429' 3" of pancakes at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London to set this record on February 25th, 2020. They even signed their name (in pancakes, of course!)
The highest pancake toss
The highest pancake toss took place right here in the States at the Walden Galleria Mall in Cheektowaga, New York, on November 13th, 2010. Dominic Cuzzacrea beat his previous record by 11'8" with a mighty toss of 31' 1".
The most tosses of a pancake in one minute
Australian Brad Jolly managed an astounding 140 tosses at Martin Place in Sydney on February 21st, 2012.
Most people tossing pancakes
The University of Sheffield in Sheffield, England organized this event that took place on February 15th, 2012. A total of 930 people participated but 40 of them were disqualified because they either dropped their pancake or didn't finish in time. That still leaves a respectable record of 890 pancake-tossing people.
Set your own record
You may not be quite ready for a world record, but you can certainly set a personal record for how many of our deliciously fluffy pancakes you can eat! Set it by the hour, day, week... We'll happily help you meet your goal when you visit the Original Pancake House.
Hint: Use our Yelp waitlist to save your spot. There's no use wasting valuable pancake-eating time waiting in line. Especially when you have a record to beat!
The Fascinating History of Crepes
Ooh, tender, delicate, delicious crepes... Just the idea of eating these enticing morsels is enough to start your mouth watering! There are crepe options suitable for every meal but breakfast crepes are obviously the best.
We all know how delicious crepes are, but where did they come from originally?
The origin of crepes
The history of crepes dates back to 13th century Brittany, France. It seems a housewife there accidentally dribbled some thin porridge onto a hot, flat cooktop. Since people back then weren't inclined to waste even their smallest cooking mistakes, she ate it. The rest, as they say, is history. Of course, this might just be the French equivalent of an urban legend but it does make for a pretty good story.
Another interesting history of crepes concerns hearty, earthy buckwheat crepes. Like the other story, thin buckwheat porridge spilled and became a thin, crispy crepe instead. What a delightful change in texture that must have been!
Traditionally, buckwheat crepes are served with savory fillings while the more delicately flavored wheat crepes are served with fruit and other sweet fillings. Want another interesting historical fact about crepes? Whenever milk was in short supply during the Middle Ages, intrepid crepe lovers used a mixture of wine and water as a substitute!
A crepe by any other name
These delicate pancakes are known as 'crêpes' in France. Their name comes from Old French 'crespe' which traces back to the Latin 'crispa' or 'crispus' which means curled. This probably refers to their often slightly ruffled edges. A French café that specializes in crepes is known as a crêperie. In Brittany, they still prefer crepes made with local buckwheat flour and use the slightly derisive 'crêpes de froment' to refer to crepes made with white flour.
The day of the crepe
In France, that day translates to 'le jour des crêpes' and it occurs every February 2nd. Historically, this day was known as the Virgin Mary's Blessing Day or La Chandeleur ('the return of the light') and celebrated the coming return of spring. Now, it's best known as the day when everyone eats crepes!
In case you want to emulate the French, make sure you fold your crepes rather than rolling them like we do in America. Folding your crepes keeps the toppings inside where they belong. That's important since there are as many street corner crepe vendors in France as there are hot dog vendors in America!
Sweet, savory, or plain?
Lemon and sugar were the traditional simple filling used in sweet crepes. Now, you'll find them with an amazing array of fillings. Nut spreads, jams and preserves, berries, nuts, cream cheese, whipped cream, ice cream, salted caramel, and poached pears drizzled with dark chocolate are all popular fillings. At Original Pancake House in Denver, we particularly like cherry Kijafa, fresh strawberries or sliced bananas with a warm pecan praline sauce. Yum!
The traditional ham, egg, and cheese filling in savory crepes is still popular. However, now you'll also find asparagus, avocado, spinach, mushrooms, bacon, chicken, smoked salmon, steak, turkey, Swiss cheese, goat's cheese, and a variety of other vegetables, meats, and cheeses filling crepes.
Of course, a plate of paper-thin and elegantly simple plain crepes are also delicious in all of their not-so-humble glory. They are still crepes, after all! That's why we offer them for our customers who enjoy the simple goodness of perfectly prepared crepes.
The next time you're in the mood for breakfast crepes, head on over to The Original Pancake House. Use the Yelp waitlist to save your place in line so you can dig into our delicious crepes as soon as possible. Bon Appétit!
Pancake Fails
Cooking can be challenging, from getting the ingredients just right to using the right recipe to getting the temperature and timing correct. It’s not easy making sure every dish comes out the way it’s supposed to, especially when you have to flip something. Whether it’s burgers, omelets, or pancakes, the flip can be the hardest part. Are you good at flipping, or are you flips usually flops? When it comes to breakfast food, pancakes are always a hit, partly because there are so many ways to make them, with so many wonderful flavor combinations. The great thing about pancakes is that they are not only delicious, they’re also really easy to make … usually. Whether you’re making the batter from scratch (we admire your bravery!) or using a mix from a box, mistakes can still be made. Sometimes they don’t taste right, come out dense and flavorless, and sometimes the flip just doesn’t go down the way you picture it happening in your head.
We understand. We’ve been there, done that! But we’ve learned a few pro tips along the way and today we’re here to share our hard-won expertise with you, in the hopes that your next batch of flapjacks will have your family doing backflips. Here are some of the most common pancakes fails and how to avoid them. If nothing else, maybe seeing how dreadful some pancakes have turned out will give you hope and make you feel better about your own pancake fails.
Common pancake making mistakes:
Adding too many eggs/ forgetting the eggs. The recommended ratio when making pancakes is one egg for every one cup of flour. Add too many and your pancakes won’t come out right. Forget them altogether, and they definitely won’t come out right.
Overmixing. You may need some practice to discover how much mixing is enough and how much is too much. Too much mixing will overdevelop the gluten in the flour, and could definitely cause you some trouble as it will make the pancakes tough and chewy. Chewy is for bubblegum, not pancakes. It's best to leave some lumps in your batter to help it rise, but you don’t want huge clumps or leftover flour in the bottom of the bowl.
Here’s a pro tip for the perfect pancake: add some dry cereal (yes, we said cereal) or granola to the mix to help with the lump factor. The cereal will provide the right amount of texture to incorporate a little air into your batter and will absorb the moisture in the pancake batter until the two become one. Your family will never miss that ½ cup of frosted flakes! Don’t worry, there’s no extra charge for this pro tip.
Pushing down on the pancake. We cannot stress this enough – DO NOT PRESS THE PANCAKE DOWN IN THE PAN! Restrain yourself or you will regret it. Many people do this, but it is definitely a no-no in the rules of the pancake world. Yep, it’s right there on page one of the Perfect Pancake Making Manual. Violate this cardinal rule and the Pancake Police will come knocking at your door. Pressing the pancake will leave you with a dense, boring pancake as it presses all the air out, which is essential to ending up with a light, fluffy, edible pancake. You don’t want your family falling asleep over your pancakes, so avoid boring as much as possible
Pancakes Sticking to the pan and/ or Burning the pancakes. Burnt pancakes are No Bueno. Are all of your pancakes coming out burnt? Chill out (literally) and calm down on the heat. Turn your dial to medium/ high (350 for an electric griddle). Melt a good amount of butter (or you can use coconut oil for a wonderful flavor). Your pan needs to be moistened with some type of oil in order for your pancakes not to stick to the pan. Skipping this step will leave you very unhappy. Test for readiness with a teaspoon of batter; if it sizzles around the edges and starts to cook immediately, you’re golden to go ahead and pour enough batter for your first pancake.
Flipping too soon. You must remember to be patient on turning your pancakes. Wait for it…when you see bubbles start to form and slowly pop around the edges, you should be good to go with the famous pancake flip. Don’t be shy – the flip must be done with the confidence of a bullfighter facing the bull. He who hesitates is lost, and his pancake will be less than stellar. Ready, set, flip that flapjack!
Flapjack Fails Happen. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, pancake pandemonium happens. Pancakes stick, burn, come out gooey, ugly, tough, tasteless, or just plain disastrous. Anything is possible, even if you play by all the pancake rules. Achieving the perfect, fluffy, flavorful pancake may be more difficult than you think, especially if you are trying a new recipe or something creative, but don’t give up the ship (or in this case, the pan). It takes a certain skill to make a perfect pancake every time, but if you persevere in your quest for the perfect pancake, you and those you cook for will be rewarded with pancake perfection.
During this time of quarantine, due to COVID-19, our doors are shut so the pancake professionals sadly won’t be able to serve you. But this is a great time to practice your own pancake skills and become the master of the pancake. We also enjoy seeing some funny pancake fails so feel free to post your own photos of your abject flapjack failures on our Facebook page!
COVID-19 Public Response
We at The Original Pancake House in Cherry Hills and DTC feel a duty to enact a meaningful public response to the COVID-19 health threat. We are taking the following immediate actions to keep our restaurants as virus-free as possible.
We have always strictly followed all food safety and sanitation standards specified for Arapahoe County by the Tri-County Health department, which closely reflect Federal FDA standards. Now we are redoubling sanitation by adding the following actions:
- Each and every table, chair and booth is sanitized after each dining party, using a specialized anti-viral liquid sanitizing solution
- Glass containers of salt, pepper and sugar are also sanitized after each dining party
- Sugar substitute packets are provided upon request and unused packets disposed
- We have removed our regular menus to eliminate repeat handling, and instead are providing single-use paper menus which will be disposed of after use or may be taken home
- We have removed multi-use check presenters – your ticket will be placed directly on the table
- Multi-use communal children’s toys have been removed
- Complementary self-serve coffee while waiting on weekends has been removed
- Our Community Table will be designated for one large party at a time
- Guest bathrooms are sanitized every 30 minutes
- We have reemphasized to all employees their standing orders not to report for work if they feel ill to any degree, and we now speak to every employee as they arrive to verify they are feeling well
- We also perform a visual handwashing check of every employee as they start their shift, and we alert all employees to wash hands every 30 minutes throughout their shift, in addition to any regular washing their specific duties require
We have always practiced top notch sanitation and food safety procedures, and now we will perform these additional actions as long as government health departments declare COVID-19 a threat in our community. We stay updated with information from the Tri-County Health Department, Colorado Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association, CDC, and our local news.
We greatly value the trust we have earned from our community over the years and we are committed to this extra effort to help keep customers and employees healthy and safe.
Sincerely, Sara Hueneke Ernst, Owner