Call ahead, we’ll save you a spot in line!
Our holiday gift to you Denver - now you can call ahead and save a spot in line at The Original Pancake House in Denver! Starting Monday, December 11th, you can now call ahead and we’ll put your name on the waiting list.
Its as easy as…
- Call when you are on your way!
- We will let you know the current wait time and add you to our waitlist.
- Check in when you arrive and we’ll update you on the status of your table.
We now offer our call ahead wait list every day of the week. Because less waiting means more time to enjoy breakfast with friends and family!
Be sure to add our two locations to your phone:
The Original Pancake House Cherry Hills - University at Orchard Road
Call: 303-795-0573
The Original Pancake House Denver Tech Center - 8000 E. Belleview Ave.
Call: 303-224-0093
We hope to see you soon, Denver! Happy holidays!
The Syrup is Flowing at Pancake Restaurants Near Me
All breakfasts are not created equal but you can count on maple syrup on the table at pancake restaurants near me.
What do all the pancake restaurants near me have in common? Well, pancakes are the obvious answer. But what about maple syrup? What would our pancake breakfast be without this sweet, tasty topping? Not nearly as delicious, that's for certain.
Indigenous people living in northeastern North America were the first to tap trees and produce maple syrup. This practice was continued by European colonists. Somewhere along the line some ingenious person had the idea to pair the two, and now pancakes with maple syrup is an iconic combination. It would be a challenge to find near pancake restaurants, or anywhere around the globe, that isn’t serving maple syrup.
Here are some maple syrup fun facts to ponder over your next stack at The Original Pancake House in Denver.
- 75% of the world’s maple syrup is produced in Quebec, Canada. In the U.S. New York and the New England states also produce a large amount.
- It takes 40 GALLONS of raw sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
- “Sugaring season,” when sap is harvested and made into syrup, only lasts for about six weeks in late winter and early spring.
- The building where the sap is boiled down to syrup is called the “sugar shack.”
- The Sugar Maple is the best tree for producing syrup.
- The tree must be 10 inches in diameter and 40 years old before it can be tapped to collect sap.
- Once a tree has been tapped, that same hole can’t be used again. Trees have a natural healing process called “walling-off” that prevents a hole from being used a second time. The tree can be tapped again, but in a new spot.
- Tapping a maple tree does not harm it and some have been tapped for more than a century.
- Maple syrup has more calcium than milk (per unit volume) and more potassium than bananas (per unit weight). It also contains manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, and iron, as well as several vitamins. How about that for a healthy breakfast!
‘Tis the Season to Give Thanks
With the holiday season in full swing, we want to take a moment and give thanks for all the people who touch our lives
through The Original Pancake House. We could not celebrate our many years of serving breakfast in Denver without our amazing customers and staff.
First, we’d like to thank our staff. From our chefs, to our line cooks, to our dishwashers and everyone behind the scenes creating the breakfast magic, we are so grateful for your talents and for the delicious food you help prepare each day. We also thank our servers, hosts and hostesses, managers and assistant managers for your friendly smiles and hard work to ensure each customer has a pleasant experience at OPH from the moment they
walk in our doors.
To our customers, we’d like to express our gratitude for your loyal support over the years. Your patronage helps us keep the tradition of
serving delicious breakfasts going year after year. We have developed
friendships with many of you over the years, and we are so happy to share our mornings with you all. Thank you for bringing joy into our lives each day.
From all the staff at The Original Pancake House, we wish you a very happy holiday season, Denver!
Is Coffee Your Favorite Dish at Breakfast Restaurants?
Is a cup of joe your go-to dish at breakfast restaurants?
Is coffee breakfast in the truest sense, or just a companion to it? While it is generally agreed upon that eating breakfast is the best way to start your day, many might argue that the best dish at breakfast restaurants or at home is a mug of hot coffee. The numbers seem to agree with this idea when you consider that that 65% of the total coffee consumption in America takes place during breakfast hours. The first literary reference to coffee being consumed in North America was in 1668 and the rich, aromatic beverage quickly became the drink of choice.
It is no secret that Americans are addicted to coffee. We spend $18 billion dollars a year on specialty coffee in this country. Not only do we love the caffeine kick-start, the drink has become a ritual and experience all on its own. The popularity of coffee in restaurants USA wide shows just how deeply this habit runs. Just how much do American love coffee? Here are a few statistics to think about while enjoying a cup at breakfast restaurants, at home or on the road.
- 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee every day
- The average drinker consumes 3.1 (9-ounce) cups per day
- 30 million daily drinkers consume specialty beverages (latte, mocha, etc.)
- 60% of American coffee drinkers claim to need a cup to start their day
- 54 % of coffee drinkers say it makes them feel more like their self
- 68% of coffee drinkers have a cup within the first hour of waking up
- 30% is consumed between meals
- $4 billion a year is spent importing coffee into the United States
- 65 % of coffee drinkers add cream and/or sugar
Veterans Day - Honoring Those Who Serve
What is Veterans Day? Veterans Day falls on November 11 every year. Originally called Armistice Day and marking the end of World War I, the date was first observed in the US on November 11, 1919 on the first anniversary of the end of the first World War. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution to change the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day which is the national holiday that we observe each year on November 11.
Here are some interesting facts about Veterans Day:
- Whereas Memorial Day serves as a day of remembrance for those who died in service, Veterans Day is a day to honor those who served honorably, both living and dead.
- Veterans Day occurs on November 11 every year in the United States.
- In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
- Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).
- In Europe and Great Britain it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11 as World War I formally ended on November 11th, at the 11th hour.
- Arlington Cemetery hosts a memorial ceremony on Veterans Day each year to honor all who died in war.
- Today there are about 24 million veterans living in the United States.
- Of those veterans, 35% served in the Vietnam War and 8% are women.
At The Original Pancake House in Denver, we are so thankful for the service of all our Veterans. On November 11, we will honor our Veterans and salute their valiant efforts to protect our country. Here’s to you, Veterans! Happy Veterans Day!
Breakfast Warmer - What will it be? Coffee versus tea!
The breakfast tea vs coffee debate has been percolating for decades – which is healthier, which should you choose, which is the best breakfast beverage? Studies show that both beverages contain many health and energy benefits, here is the break-down.
Caffeine - Coffee typically has about 100 mg of caffeine per cup, whereas tea contains 25 - 75 mg per cup depending on the variety (black teas typically have more caffeine than green teas). Depending on time of day (or just how sleepy you are feeling!) you may opt for one beverage over the over. Coffee releases caffeine in a quick burst, whereas tea is more a slow, sustained release of energy over a longer period. 
Health benefits - Coffee contains key nutrients like potassium, niacin, manganese, and magnesium. It also may protect against certain types of cancers, reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, and protect your liver. Further, coffee supports brain function and helps prevent Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and can help ward off depression. Tea, on the other hand, reduces inflammation, promotes mouth health, reduces risk for certain cancers, and improves insulin sensitivity. Tea may help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and may decrease the risk of heart disease.
Taste - Both coffee and tea come in a variety of flavors sourced from around the world. Different coffee beans will have different flavor profiles due to the unique terroir of the growing environment. Further, the brew can vary greatly depending on how the coffee is roasted and if any spices such as vanilla or cinnamon are added. Tea comes in a wide variety of flavors as well, though most are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Tea flavors vary greatly depending on how the tea leaves are processed.
Whichever breakfast beverage you favor, you are sure to get a boost of energy, many health benefits, and of course something to warm you on a cold morning. We serve both hot coffee and tea at The Original Pancake House in Denver, so the next time you are out for breakfast in Denver, stop in and let us know which one you prefer. Cheers!
Joe’s Special: The Breakfast Dish You’ve Never Tried?
Joe’s Special is one of those breakfast dishes that shows up on just about every menu, but you might not have tried it before. It’s not quite as universally known and loved as pancakes, a Denver omelette, or Eggs Benedict, but it seems to always be around and definitely has a dedicated audience of fans. Many people may have grown up eating this dish at home, rather than in restaurants. It’s quick and easy to prepare, affordable, filling and can even stand in as dinner. So, what do you know about Joe’s Special and where it came from?
This simple and tasty dish is basically a scramble made with ground beef, spinach and eggs. Some variations add mushrooms or onions. An Italian Joe is made with sausage, so if you've ever ordered a joe's special with italian sausage, that's exactly what you were getting (that's how we make it) and a Mexican Joe is made with chorizo. The dish originated in San Francisco at a popular restaurant called Original Joe’s. The restaurant opened in 1937 and served classic Italian-American fare. Joe's Special became a popular dish at many local restaurants, and with home cooks, but the original joe's special at Original Joe's is known as "famous" thanks to a proclamation by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. In 2007 the restaurant closed due to a fire. When it re-opened in a new location the mayor commemorated the event with the proclamation.
Join us at The Original Pancake House and try our Joe’s Special, we know you’ll join the proud ranks of fans.
How To: Make Your Own Perfect Crispy Home Fries
There is nothing better than crispy, flavorful home fries with a savory breakfast. Home fries are one of our favorite breakfast staples at The Original Pancake House in Denver - dip them in a runny egg, enjoy them with hot sauce, or just eat them straight-up! Though we can’t share our own secret recipe, we can give you a few good tips for making delicious home fries in your own kitchen! 
To start, make sure you select the right potato. We like russet potatoes as they are more starchy, like to soak up butter and flavors, and will give you a nice creamy center. Red, new, or fingerling potatoes won’t give you the same smooth and buttery center as a russet.
Next, parboil the potatoes to get the right texture. After you cube your potatoes, add them to a pot with cold water just deep enough to cover the potatoes. Bring the water to a boil and cook for just a couple of minutes once boiling. This cooking method will yield the soft creamy inside; be careful not to overdo it as boiling too long will result in mushy and crumbly potatoes.
If you like onions in your home fries, dice and cook them separately while the potatoes are boiling. Cooking onions on their own will ensure they have proper time and space to saute properly. Cook onions until they are translucent and fragrant, then set aside.
Now it is finally time to cook those potatoes! Add both oil and butter to the skillet or cast iron pan and arrange potatoes in a single layer. It is important not to overcrowd the pan as you want to make sure each potato is seared. As you are searing the potatoes, add in your seasonings. We like paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic. Once you get a nice golden brown, crispy edge on your spuds, flip them and sear the other side(s). When you have a nice crispy crust on all sides, add your onions back to the pan for a final saute and serve immediately!
And of course, next time you are out for breakfast in Denver, let us share our own homemade home fries with you! Bon Appetit!
What’s on Top? America’s Favorite Waffle Toppings
At The Original Pancake House we are all about the toppings. Whether it’s our famous pancakes or our crispy Belgian waffles, the meal is made so much more tasty with a variety of toppings (and ingredients cooked inside, for that matter). When it comes to most popular waffle toppings, butter and maple syrup are the king and queen of breakfast. Those deep pockets in the waffle are just made for pooling up the good 
stuff. Whipped cream and strawberries are the classic choices when it comes to Belgian waffle toppings. But what else are Americans putting on their waffles? The website National Today surveyed 1,000 Americans to discover their top 10 most popular waffle flavors and here is what they found.
- Maple Syrup – 62%
- Butter – 10%
- Fresh Fruit – 8%
- Peanut Butter – 4%
- Fruit Sauce – 4%
- Nutella – 4%
- Chocolate – 3%
- Honey – 2%
- Jam/Jelly – 2%
- Apple Butter – 2%
If you’re making waffles at home (try them for breakfast or dinner!) and looking for some unexpected and delicious toppings, here’s a few you may want to try.
- Cream cheese and jam/jelly
- Lemon curd and fresh blueberries
- Peanut butter and bacon
- Ice cream
- Avocado, tomato and onion
- Poached eggs, Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce
- Turkey and gravy
Back to School Breakfasts
Here we go again! The kids are heading back to school and suddenly the leisurely summer mornings are replaced with rush, rush, go, go, get to school on time! But wait, we all need to eat something healthy and nutritious to give us energy for the day and to help our brains get ready to learn! We’ve compiled a few of our favorite back to school breakfasts. These are healthy, nutritious, filling, and easy to prepare in just a few minutes!
Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
- 8 slices thick-cut Texas toast
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter, for cooking
- Maple syrup, for serving
Directions:
Cut each slice of Texas toast into four sticks. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. Dip each piece of bread in the egg mixture, turning to coat it on all sides so that it's well-saturated with the custard.
Shake off any excess and place the coated bread on a large plate or baking dish. Repeat the dipping process with the remaining pieces of bread.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, place several of the coated sticks in a single layer in the pan. (Do not overcrowd the pan.) Cook until golden brown on one side then flip and continue cooking until the sticks are golden brown and slightly crisped on all edges. Serve immediately with maple syrup for dipping.
No Bake Breakfast Balls
- 1/4 cup of almonds
- 1/4 cup of cashew pieces
- 1/4 cup of dried fruit (we used dried cherries, but I bet any dried fruit would work)
- 1/4 cup of almond butter (+ 1 teaspoon of coconut oil – omit the coconut oil if you decide to substitute with peanut butter).
- 2 Tablespoons of dark chocolate pieces
- 1 cup of toasted granola
Directions:
Throw all the ingredients except for the almond butter and the granola into the food processor and chop finely. Mix in the granola and the almond butter and coconut oil (or butter). Make sure that everything is well coated, then put the bowl into the fridge for about 3 hours. You want the nut meal to soak up some of the healthy fats from the almond butter. Once chilled, form batter into balls and either eat immediately or store in the fridge or freezer for a morning on the run!
Potato Omelet Breakfast Bites
- Frozen Tator Tots
- Ham, Sausage or Bacon
- Red or Green peppers (or substitute other veggies)
- 8 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- Shredded cheese for topping
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and make sure you grease your muffin tins really well, making sure to get both the sides and bottom Throw your tater tots in the microwave for a couple minutes to thaw. Then, place 3 in each standard size muffin tin. Take a small cup and squish them flat into the bottom of each tin. Bake your tater tots for 10 minutes.
While you are waiting for them to cook, you can gather and chop up your breakfast meat of choice and veggies of choice. If you don’t like peppers, you can substitute with spinach, mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, basil, zucchini, squash, etc. Just be sure to pre-cook or purchase pre-cooked meats. After removing your tots from the oven, lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. Sprinkle your toppings over each cup. Whip together 8 eggs and 1/4 cup milk with a fork. Pour egg mixture in and sprinkle cheese mixture on top of each cup. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until the egg is cooked through. Enjoy!
Good luck this school year, Denver! And don’t forget to visit us at The Original Pancake House when you want to go out for breakfast in Denver on the weekends!
Peachy Keen!
August is National Peach Month and we’re loving all the delicious peaches coming into Denver from Colorado’s western slope. If you went peach picking in Palisade, or your local farmer's market, you may be wondering how you can incorporate peaches into every meal, including breakfast! Here are a few of our favorite ideas for a peachy breakfast in Denver.
Peach, Banana & Pecan Pancakes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 and 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 medium banana - mashed
- 1 medium peach - peeled and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls. Combine both wet and dry to form batter and cook on a frying pan or griddle using the same methods as traditional pancakes.
Tropical Peach Smoothie
- 1 large ripe peach - sliced
- 1 cup coconut yogurt
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- Ice to taste
Combine all ingredients in a blender and enjoy! You can add more fruit such as banana or use different yogurt such as vanilla or peach to create variations to this recipe.
Peach Pecan Muffins
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter - melted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 medium peaches - peeled and diced
For The Topping:
- 1/2 cup pecans - chopped
- 1/3 cup brown sugar - packed
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons butter - melted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease and flour 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin cups. Combine topping ingredients until mixture is crumbly; set aside.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together butter, milk, and egg in a separate bowl. Stir milk/egg mixture into the flour mixture and blend just until moistened. Fold in diced peaches. Spoon into muffin cups; sprinkle evenly with topping mixture.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan.
Happy peach season Denver!
On Cloud 9 With Cloud Eggs!
We are loving the latest Instagram trend - Cloud Eggs! Have you seen your (millennial) friends post pictures of beautiful cloud eggs for breakfast? They are, in our opinion, some of the most photogenic eggs out there! And they are very simple to make.
Here is the basic run down:
- Heat oven to 450° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Separate egg whites and egg yolks, placing the egg whites in a large bowl and the yolks in a small bowl.
- Season the egg whites with salt and pepper. Using a whisk or a hand mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in Parmesan, ham, and chives. Create 4 mounds of egg whites on the prepared baking sheet and indent the centers of each to look like nests. Bake until slightly golden, about 3 minutes.
- Carefully add an egg yolk to the center of each egg white cloud. Season yolk with salt and pepper. Bake until the yolks are just set, about 3 minutes more
Easy! And as a result you’ll get beautiful, photo-worthy eggs to enjoy for breakfast or as a savory addition to salads or grains. Of course, if all these separate steps sound a bit much for your breakfast repertoire, or you prefer classic versions of your favorite breakfast in Denver, we’d be happy to make you your favorite eggs to order next time you visit us at The Original Pancake House in Denver. Happy eating!