Broncos Breakfast!
How do the Denver Broncos stay in top shape for a winning season? They start each day with a healthy well-balanced breakfast! The Denver Broncos team nutritionist helps each player, from defensive stars such as Von Miller to quarterback Trevor Siemian, choose healthy and well-balanced options for their morning meal. Bryan Snyder, the Broncos Director of Team Nutrition, recommends that his players build their breakfast plates around lean proteins such as scrambled eggs or an omelet, and turkey bacon or ham. Included in the meal should be high quality carbohydrates such as whole wheat toast with peanut butter for added protein, fresh fruit or fruit juice, or yogurt. The mix of lean proteins, high quality carbohydrates, and fresh fruit will jump start any Bronco’s metabolism and create an optimum energy mix for their coming work out or game day.
At the Original Pancake House in Denver, we start each Broncos game day with one of our Broncos breakfast specials!
The Mile High Salute:
A Denver scramble with peppers and ham over our home fried potatoes smothered in Tillamook Cheddar Cheese and Pork Green Chile sauce. Served with three Bronco Orange pancakes topped with our fresh whipped cream and blue sprinkles.
Go Broncos Plate:
Three of our made from scratch Bronco Orange pancakes topped with our fresh whipped cream and blue sprinkles. Served with two strips of Pigskin (bacon).
On the morning of the next Broncos game, join us for breakfast in Denver and try the Mile High Salute or the Go Broncos Plate. Go Broncos!
Are the Best Breakfast Places in Denver Locally Owned?
When it comes to the best breakfast places in Denver, are they all locally owned? Do you think that there are any chain restaurants that make the list? Denver is a city where people really appreciate locally owned businesses and locally sourced ingredients. We know that supporting our local economy is very important. So when you look for the lists of the best breakfast places in Denver, it only makes sense that a lot of those places are locally owned.
Of course you can get a fantastic breakfast at many chain restaurants. Just because an establishment is corporately owned doesn’t mean that they don’t do a great job. In fact, the state of Colorado has seen the birth of several different restaurants that went on to become successful national chains. And besides this, it's good that people have a lot of choices.
The Original Pancake House is a homegrown family business from Portland, Oregon that grew to be a successful national franchise. Both of our Denver locations are locally owned and operated by the great niece of the franchise co-founder. We’re proud to carry on the tradition our great food and warm hospitality (and of course our fantastic pancakes) in Colorado. We’d love to have you join us for breakfast soon!
Fall Feast - Celebrate the Flavors of Fall!
September 22 marks the fall equinox and the official beginning of the new season. We’ve all seen the return of pumpkin spice lattes over the past few weeks, but there are so many other flavors, fruits, and veggies that are iconic of the fall season. When planning fall meals and celebrations, don’t forget these delicious seasonal treats!
Apple: The fall apple harvest means hot apple cider, apple cinnamon donuts, caramel apples, apple pies…there are so many ways to incorporate this delicious seasonal fruit into your next meal and gathering. Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger and these sweet and delicious treats will warm you on those first chilly evenings!
Pomegranate: This little fruit comes into season each fall with celebratory red colors and bright flavors. Not to mention, pomegranates are packed full of vitamins! Try adding pomegranate to your morning yogurt and granola, or spice up a seasonal salad with these delightful little berries.
Pear: Pears are also in season during the fall months and make any meal sweeter. We like to add them sliced thin on sandwiches, or mixed in with a fall garden salad, and of course a pear tart with cinnamon and ginger makes for an enchanting fall desert!
Maple: At The Original Pancake House in Denver we enjoy hot maple syrup year round at our breakfast table, but maple is a great flavor to add to any dish this time of year. We love to make maple pound cake and maple muffins for a yummy fall treat.
Butternut Squash: We love this little gourd even more than pumpkin! A warm bowl of butternut squash soup on a cool evening is a heavenly comfort meal. We always season with a bit of fall spice such as ginger, nutmeg, and a dash of cinnamon.
The next time you are out for breakfast in Denver; try some of our fall favorite menu items at The Original Pancake House. Our Apple Belgian Waffle and our Apple Pancake are chock full of fresh granny smith apples, with flavors of cinnamon and maple. And Sara’s Pumpkin Pancakes are not to be missed with rich pumpkin, molasses, and pie spices. Happy fall Denver!
September is National Biscuit Month!
Did you know September is National Biscuit Month? We can think of no better way to celebrate the coming of fall than a warm plate of biscuits and gravy. They’re comforting, homey, and such a satisfying way to start the day. At The Original Pancake House Denver, one of our favorite hearty breakfast items is our Biscuit with Homemade Sausage Gravy and Eggs. We serve up a buttermilk biscuit, split and smothered in our homemade gravy, with two eggs and home fries on the side. Now there is a breakfast that will get you going in the morning!
For those of you who would like to try to make your own biscuits at home this month, here is one of our favorite recipes:
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
Makes 10 biscuits
- 2 cups White Lily self-rising flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup chilled shortening, cut into pieces
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Melted butter
Preheat the oven to 425°F and position the oven rack slightly below the center of the oven. Lightly butter a round cake pan or cast-iron skillet.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, sugar and salt. Snap the pieces of shortening with your fingers until the shortening pieces are no larger than peas. Make a well in the mixture and pour in the cream and ⅔ cup of the buttermilk. Using your hands or a rubber spatula, sweep in the flour and turn the dough until the dry ingredients are moistened and the dough resembles cottage cheese, adding enough of the remaining ⅓ cup buttermilk to reach this consistency.
Sprinkle the rolling surface with flour. Turn the dough out onto the surface and sprinkle the top with flour. With floured hands, fold the dough in half and pat the dough into a ⅓- to ½-inch-thick round, using additional flour as needed. Flour again if necessary and fold the dough in half a second time. If the dough is still clumpy, repeat the folding process for a third time. Pat the dough into a 1-inch-thick round. Dip a 2-inch biscuit cutter into the flour and cut out biscuits, ensuring you do not twist the cutter.
Place the biscuits in the pan, sides slightly touching. Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until light golden brown, rotating the pan 180°F after 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush the biscuits again with melted butter.
Recipe curtesy of Tupelo Honey Cafe: New Southern Flavors from the Blue Ridge Mountains by Elizabeth Sims with Chef Brian Sonoskus, Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2014.
Be sure to stop in and try our biscuits and homemade gravy if you are out for breakfast in Denver this month! Happy Biscuiting!
What’s for Breakfast in Denver, Colorado?
What breakfast favorites do the locals turn to time and again?
If you asked the locals what is their favorite breakfast in Denver, Colorado, what do you think you would hear? Do you think the residents of the Mile High City are starting their day off with cereal? Or maybe they turn to the ever popular eggs. Don’t forget that Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the country, so lots of Denver residents are eating healthy choices for breakfast, such as oatmeal and fruit.
It’s probably safe to say that what people eat for breakfast in Denver, Colorado is different depending on if it is a weekday or a weekend. Just like most Americans, Denver residents are often rushing to get out the door and start work on a weekday, so they’re probably going to pick something easy and portable. Enter the breakfast burrito! Yes, that’s right we LOVE breakfast burritos in Denver and everybody has their favorites. Just like the burrito, breakfast sandwiches are also a popular choice. And if they’re made on a bagel or a big fluffy biscuit it’s even better.
Breakfast in Denver, Colorado on the weekend may be a little different. We love to go out for breakfast and brunch in this city so you’re probably going to see a lot of people enjoying classics like Eggs Benedict and pancakes, as well as hearty meals like hash and skillets filled with potatoes, breakfast meats and eggs.
Whatever it is that you enjoy for breakfast, we’re making it fresh every day at The Original Pancake House. Come visit us soon at one of our two locations in the metro area.
Cooking With Apples!
One of our favorite harbingers of fall is the August apple harvest. Apples are such a versatile, delicious, and nutritious fruit and work well in all sorts of sweet and savory dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! At The Original Pancake House, we love to incorporate apples into our breakfast and brunch dishes, for example our Apple Pancake – stacked high with fresh sliced Granny Smith apples and cinnamon glaze – can’t be beat! And our golden brown Belgian waffle with fresh minced Granny Smith apples baked inside and lightly dusted with pure Sinkiang cinnamon sugar, whipped butter and warm homemade apple syrup is a memorable apple treat.
Here are a few of our favorite fall apple recipes to try out this season:
Slow Cooker Apple Cider – Perfect for that first cool fall afternoon!
Ingredients:
- 64 oz. apple cider
- 6 chai tea bags
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla bean, split
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- Apple slices for serving
- Cinnamon sticks for serving
Instructions:
Combine apple cider, chai tea bags, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean in slow cooker. Cook on low 3 to 4 hours. Discard tea bags; stir in lemon juice. Serve warm with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
Gruyere and Apple Tarts – These savory little tarts combine all the best flavors of fall with the perfect combination of sweet apples and savory cheese.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 small Yellow Onion
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
- 2 large Braeburn apples
- 4 oz. Gruyère
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Sauté onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, on a work surface, roll out puff pastry to a 13 by 10 inch rectangle. Cut dough into four 6 ½ by 5 inch rectangles. Using a sharp knife, score 4 lines to create a ½ inch border all the way around each tart. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking pan.
- Divide half of onion mixture among tarts. Layer apples in 3 slightly overlapping rows on each. Top with remaining onion mixture and cheese. Dot with remaining butter. Bake tarts until apples are tender and cheese is golden, about 20 minutes.
Candied Yams & Apples – This warming side dish goes perfectly with any fall supper and couldn’t be easier to make!
Ingredients:
- 3 lb. yams
- 1 lb. Granny Smith apples
- 2 medium onions
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
- ¼ c. Honey
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss all ingredients in a large bowl to combine. Transfer to a baking dish and bake, stirring occasionally, until yams are tender, about 1 hour. Increase oven to 500 degrees and bake until liquid evaporates and yams are browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
Happy fall, Denver! We look forward to seeing you for breakfast in Denver soon!
Do you Dine Alone at Denver Breakfast Places?
Dining out is generally a social activity. We love to go out with our friends and loved ones and socialize over a great meal. But not always, some people really enjoy going solo to restaurants. Others may do it only when necessary, like when traveling for business. Do you ever dine alone at Denver breakfast places? If so, do you look for certain things in a location that make it more suitable for the solo diner?
The option to sit at the counter is a big consideration for those who eat alone at Denver breakfast places. After all, that’s exactly what the counter is there for. It can feel awkward to some taking up an entire booth or table when you’re by yourself. But not every restaurant has them so the intrepid solo diner must confidently tell the hostess, “Table for one, please!”
Televisions are also a welcome offering for anyone dining alone. It’s comforting to be able to sit and watch the news or the game while enjoying the meal by yourself. What about the atmosphere of the restaurant? Is it better for the place to be crowded and noisy so you can just blend in and eat unnoticed? Or do you think it’s better when the restaurant is quiet and you can relax with your thoughts?
Does the type of restaurant or the meal you’re having make a difference when you dine alone? Would you never go out to dinner at a fine dining place along? Or is breakfast at a casual diner is the most comfortable meal to enjoy solo? Wherever you go and no matter what you eat, The Original Pancake House tips our hat to the independent spirit of those who dine alone!
Why You Should Never Skip Breakfast in Denver
You probably heard this line a lot growing up, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” You may think that it’s just a quaint saying, but starting your day with breakfast is always a great idea. Countless studies have shown the many benefits, especially for children. If you’re still feeling skeptical, here’s some great information showing why you should never skip breakfast in Denver, or anywhere else for that matter.
Eating breakfast sets us up to make healthier choices for the rest of the day. When we skip breakfast we get hungrier and eat progressively more at subsequent meals, and unfortunately we aren’t picking the good stuff. According to information collected from Massive Health’s Eatery iPhone app, people who eat breakfast are 12.3% healthier throughout the day than those who don’t, and people who don’t eat breakfast eat 6.8% more food throughout the day. If you skip breakfast daily, all those extra calories can really add up over time. According to Statistic Brain, 22% of people who skip breakfast are obese.
When it comes to teens, skipping breakfast has shown to have to have similar dramatic effects on the health. Studies by the Institute of Food Technologists found that those who skip breakfast consume 40% more sweets, 55% more soft drinks, 45% fewer vegetables and 30% less fruit than those who do.
The numbers speak for themselves, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, for all of us. Do yourself and your family a favor, join us at The Original Pancake House for breakfast in Denver and start your day off right!
Back to School Breakfasts!
Gone are the lazy days of summer and leisurely breakfasts. With the kids heading back to school, most families find themselves scarfing down a few bites of a hurried morning meal before rushing out the door. But just because the new school year might mean less time in the morning, it doesn’t mean you can’t make sure those few quick bites are nutritious and delicious! Here are a few of our favorite easy breakfast ideas to start your day.
Monster Green Smoothie
This easy breakfast recipe is so simple; it may become your go-to for mornings on the run. And not only is this smoothie quick and yummy, but it will start everyone’s day with a big boost of healthy fruits and veggies!
Combine in blender or food processor:
- 2 cups liquid of choice (orange juice, milk, yogurt, etc.)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1-2 frozen bananas
Pour mixture into to-go cups for those days when you are running late and enjoy on the ride to school and work.
Nutella & Banana Sushi
Moms and dads can quickly wrap up this breakfast while simultaneously helping with forgotten homework and brushing teeth. Simply spread chocolate Nutella in a thin layer across whole wheat wrap. Place entire (peeled) banana in center of wrap and roll wrap around banana. Slice “roll” to make individual “sushi” bites. You’ll love this breakfast as it is easy to pop in a baggy and take in the car on the way to school for those days you are running late!
Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
This recipe is another quick and easy breakfast that you can either make ahead or pop in the oven for a quick treat. And of course the kids will love the idea of eating “cookies” for breakfast!
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup plain quick cooking oats OR 2 packets low-sugar strawberries in cream oatmeal
- 2 very ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (if using plain oats)
- 2 tsp Stevia®, or your favorite sweetener (if using plain oats)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix oats and mashed bananas. If using plain oats add in cinnamon and sweetener. Using a spoon, spoon small amounts of oatmeal mixture onto cookie sheet to form bite size cookies. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container.
And of course, for those weekend days when you have time to go out for breakfast in Denver, be sure to stop in and say hi to your friends at The Original Pancake House! We’ll be happy to do all the breakfast work for you so that you can enjoy a well-deserved morning off!
Kids in the Kitchen!
As long summer days stretch on, your kiddos might start getting a little bored with their usual activities. At The Original Pancake House, one of our favorite things to do with the kids during the dog days of summer is to have a little fun in the kitchen. Cooking with your kids can be a great activity and of course is very rewarding for everyone as the whole family will enjoy eating the culinary creations.
We’ve come up with a few of our favorite recipes to cook with the kids. And best of all, these easy food recipes for kids work well for a breakfast or snack on the go all year round!
Donut Hole Breakfast Skewers
These little skewers are easy, quick, and fun for little hands to assemble! Plus, they make for a great breakfast-on-the-go for busy mornings or when the kids head back to school this fall! In this example we used strawberries and blackberries, but any fruit will work. Try a variety of different fruits and see if your kids can make a rainbow!
Ingredients:
Donut holes
Strawberries
Blackberries
Skewers
Directions:
Have kids assemble fruit and donut holes skewers according to preference. Try serving with salted caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, and shredded coconut for an extra fun treat.
Honey Nut Cheerio Snack Bar
We love these little bars because they are fun and easy for kids to help make and we end up with a great stash of healthy snack bars for an afternoon at the pool or a quick breakfast! Try substituting with any type of fruit, nut, or cereal for this recipe to mix it up.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup creamy unsalted butter (half of one stick)
1/4 cup honey (light-colored corn syrup may be substituted and will keep the bars firmer at room temp than using honey)
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
1 cup raisins, optional (1 cup honey-roasted peanuts, 1 cup chopped almonds, or 1 cup trail mix may be substituted)
1/2 cup chocolate-covered sunflower seeds, optional
Pinch of sea salt or Kosher salt for sprinkling, optional
Directions:
- Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil leaving overhang, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, and heat on high power for 1 minute to melt.
- Stop to stir. Mixture will be on the granular side, this is okay.
- Return bowl to microwave and heat for 1 more minute on high power. Stop to stir
- Return bowl to microwave and heat for 1 more minute on high power. Stop to stir. On this third and final burst, mixture will become quite bubbly and foamy; use caution when removing from micro because this is boiling hot caramel and can cause burns.
- Stir in the vanilla using caution because mixture could bubble up.
- Stir in the cereal.
- Stir in the optional raisins (or nuts).
- Turn mixture out into prepared pan, packing it down firmly with a spatula and smoothing the top.
- Optionally, sprinkle evenly with sunflower seeds and salt (the salt cuts some of the sweetness and I recommend it).
- Cover pan with a sheet of foil (to prevent fridge smells), and place pan in fridge to set up for at least 2 to 3 hours, or overnight, or until bars are completely set before lifting out with foil overhang, slicing, and serving.
- Bars will keep airtight in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. I recommend storing them in the fridge rather than room temp because they soften and get loose.
Bon appetite and enjoy cooking with your kids!
Celebrate National Blueberry Month!
Did you know? July in National Blueberry Month! One of our favorite fruits to top any breakfast, blueberries have it all. Blueberries are native to the United States and are grown in 35 out of 50 states with Maine producing more blueberries than any other place in the world. In fact, the United States supplies 95% of the world’s blueberry demand. That’s a lot of blueberries! Blueberries are also known for their amazing health benefits and are rich in antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin C and may slow cognitive decline and improve brain function. There are so many reasons to love and celebrate these little blue wonders this month.
At The Original Pancake House, we love to include blueberries in many of our signature dishes. The next time you are out for breakfast in Denver, we recommend you try our Blueberry Belgian Waffles or our Blueberry Pancakes. You’ll find both these breakfast favorites chock-full of plump, delicious blueberries and served with powdered sugar, whipped butter, and our warm blueberry compote syrup.
And if you’d like to create a delicious blueberry breakfast at home, we recommend this recipe for blueberry muffins:
Ingredients
1⁄2 cup butter at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1⁄2 cup milk
2 1⁄2 cups fresh blueberries or 2 1⁄2 cups frozen blueberries
Instructions
Heat oven to 375°. Grease 18 regular-size muffin cups. In a large bowl, mix butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla, baking powder, and salt. With a spoon, fold in half of flour then half of milk into batter; repeat. Fold in blueberries. Spoon into muffin cups and bake 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch.
From our kitchen to yours, happy National Blueberry Month Denver!