The Original Pancake House - Boulder

This was my first restaurant review outside of New York, and as soon as I stepped inside, I found myself comparing it to IHOP. The atmosphere, sounds, and scent... read more This was my first restaurant review outside of New York, and as soon as I stepped inside, I found myself comparing it to IHOP. The atmosphere, sounds, and scents were familiar, yet this place had its own distinctive charm. After a wait of around ten minutes, we were seated on the patio, away from the hustle and bustle inside. Once settled, we received our menus, which featured a brief history of the restaurant alongside an impressive selection of pancakes, waffles, and French toast. The stunning views of the Rockies that surrounded the restaurant enhanced the overall experience. I decided to try the Swedish pancakes, which I had never had before, and I added a side of biscuits and gravy—a popular dish in the western U.S. When my pancakes arrived, I was taken aback; they were flat, oversized, and reminiscent of giant crepes! Measuring about a foot wide and a foot and a half long, they came with butter, syrup, and Swedish lingonberry sauce. Though they were certainly unusual in appearance, they were incredibly tasty. The biscuits and gravy were quite extravagant, smothered in a generous portion of gravy that tasted reminiscent of a classic béchamel with a good kick of cracked black pepper. If you could overlook the excessive amount of gravy, the buttery biscuits were a delightful indulgence, though the gravy could easily fill two bowls! Overall, I would definitely return to this restaurant on my next trip to Colorado to sample more of their unique pancake offerings. However, I might opt for the biscuits without the gravy next time!