FOOD
The Wildcat
bohswildcat.com
March 8, 2013
23
BATTLE OF THE PANCAKES
Tired of The average pancake? The wildcat samples local pancake restaurants by Joseph Yim, Arts Co-Editor Photos by JOSEPH YIM / the wildcat
International house of pancakes 151 W Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton, 92832
Pancake Platter ($8.95) Four sausages, butter, three buttermilk pancakes, old fashioned syrup
Early Bird Cafe 1000 E Bastanchury Rd, Fullerton, 92835
Griddle Cake ($7.50) Strawberries, home-made whipped cream, two buttermilk pancakes, old fashioned syrup
IHOP, compared to the other contenders, served the least appealing pancakes. The diner’s homely setting gave off a welcome feeling as I entered and waited for my simple, yet expensive ($8.95) breakfast dinner: buttermilk pancakes with sausages. Sadly, this wait was the beginning of IHOP’s downward spiral as I waited 30 minutes just for a single plate of food, though we were the only customers at that time. When the pancakes finally came out, the smell was invigorating, especially since IHOP was the only diner that offered four different types of syrup: maple, boysenberry, blueberry, and strawberry. Yet, after a couple large bites, I discovered that the pancakes were incredibly thick, thus causing me to drink large amounts of water. I then thought the variety of syrup flavors were given to mask the flavorless batter mixture. In the end, I could not finish the pancakes due to its extremely doughy texture, leading IHOP to be last in my picks.
rating: Due to its welcoming ambiance and spectacular tasting pancakes, Early Bird is the dark horse winner of this battle. Located on the border of Brea and Fullerton, a modern, refurbished diner lies with its amazing Griddle Cakes (buttermilk pancakes). While waiting for a seat, the hostess was kind enough to walk amongst the waiting line offering coffee. This token of kindness immediately gave me optimism. Once I received the pancakes, I was surprised by the generous amount of whipped cream and strawberries that came along with the meal. Although my waitress did not offer syrup until I asked, I tried the combination first without it and realized why: the pancakes tasted incredible without syrup. Perfectly cooked, each bite was fluffy and left a sweet after taste. Also, the powdered sugar gave a floury, inviting texture. Early Bird was a pleasant surprise for its appealing breakfast and lunch menus, which compelled me to place this establishment as this Battle’s winner.
rating:
Original Pancake House 18453 Yorba Linda Blvd, yorba linda, 92886
Butermilk Pancake ($6.15) Melted butter, six buttermilk pancakes, old fashioned syrup
Joseph’s house Bisquick Pancake ($2.95) Melted butter, six buttermilk pancakes, old fashioned syrup
As the name of this famous establishment suggests, this diner is the original place to dive into classic options and flavors. Already an American favorite, my initial thought was that this diner would sweep its competition away easily. The old, Western ambiance of the restaurant made me feel comfortable, as if I was resting in my home. Thankfully, the wait for their traditional buttermilk pancakes was short, even though the area was filled with hungry customers. Adding to this positive aspect was the enormous portion size of six pancakes for the lowest price out of all the eateries I visited. Each bite was packed with a rich flavor that actually let me taste the pancake itself instead of a dominant syrup flavor. The batter was also cooked perfectly, giving off a distinct, appetizing light brown color. Although I could not finish the plate, I was overall satisfied by the family-style serving, thus placing this memorable diner a close second in my battle.
rating: Although different from the other contenders, I decided to compare regular pancake mix to those made in restaurants. Due to its popularity, I chose Bisquick as the baking mixture, and followed the easy, step-by-step instructions labeled. Altogether, the cooking process took approximately 15 minutes, with only milk and two eggs needed as extra ingredients. Although lacking many “fancy” restaurant garnishes like fruit, whipped cream, and powdered sugar, the taste was surprisingly satisfying. Each pancake was a perfect level of thickness when following the instructions correctly, thus providing an overall delicious end result. Honestly, if IHOP or any other diner served Bisquick pancakes, I would have not known the difference; in fact, these pancakes were more appetizing compared to IHOP’s. So if you are searching for a quick, affordable morning meal, then Bisquick pancakes will not fail to satisfy your hunger pangs.
rating:
guest contributors choose early bird’s griddle cake as favorite Spencer Rogers, senior
Andrew Hwang, senior
“The pancakes from Early Bird were by far the best of the three. In addition to the nice, sweet flavor accorded by the whipped cream, strawberries, and specialty syrup, the pancakes possessed a very appealing thickness. As our waitress claimed, the pancakes could be delightful all their own without that ‘bloated’ feeling that often follows most pancakes. I would definitely recommend Early Bird to anyone seeking a great breakfast. It has a mean BLT too.”
“Early Bird’s Griddle Cake tasted the most balanced out of all of the other pancakes. The quantity was not too much, but not too little. Powdered sugar and old fashioned syrup gave the buttermilk stack a more thick and rich flavor. The restaurant’s incorporation of sliced strawberries combined well with the overall flavor and gave the pancake a more healthy aftertaste. I would gladly revisit this restaurant to try its other recipes!”
/theBOHSwildcatnewspaper