Gilbertson's Pancake House

The restaurant is part of a larger maple syrup operation and store and the new building is a marvel of wooden beam construction. Set on St. Joe's island, which is a pretty place in its own right, the restaurant offers plentiful breakfast food at a reasonable price. The pancakes (and of course the SYRUP!) are excellent and very large ... so be advised! Service is friendly and efficient as they move a lot of people through most weekends. Worth the trip and yes, I'd go back!

After many years of anticipating a trip to a sugar shack, I finally thought I'd made my dreams come true. How wrong was I? The place was packed when we got there around 10:30. We were told it would be a two hour wait. Two hours?!? For pancakes? The dining room had loads of space and not enough tables. They could easily squeeze in more. When we finally did sit down and ordered food, it took a good 15-20 minutes for the food to be served. I understood then why we had to wait two hours. I ordered pancakes which were very disappointing. They fell apart and were too fluffy which is a sure sign that they use too much leavening in their mix. I was really surprised that a restaurant who mainly makes pancakes to go with their syrup do not know how to make pancakes. The rest of the food was good. None of it was remotely reasonable in price. The butter tarts were $2.50 and a litre of maple syrup was a whopping $24.00. Costco sells a litre of Canadian Grade A maple syrup for $12.00. You may have thought you would might get some value after driving for hours to get there but you would be sadly mistaken.We unfortunately did not believe we would be waiting 2 hours and did not take the tractor ride around the property to see the maples in their sap sucking glory. By the time we finished eating, it was too late as it had taken 5 hours out of our day between the drive there and back and the long wait to eat and be served.The property itself was pretty. Thats it. Why everyone is enamoured of this place is beyond me. I've had much better--at a fraction of the price--pancakes at a Cracker Barrel in the States.

Came here to celebrate our anniversary. Easy to find with the signs on the highway and definitely worth the ride out! Arrived around 6 and didn't have to wait for table and were served promptly. Our waitress was very friendly as was all the staff working. I had a pancake, french toast and sausages and they were all amazing! I left feeling full and happy. Price point is great too, for the two of us to eat plus a few goodies in the store, it came in under 35$. Loved browsing the store too. We picked up some of the maple candies (a MUST) and some Maple Balsamic Vinegar. Check it out before the season is over!

If you want to avoid the busy morning and lunch crowd, arrive about 1:30. The menu is pancake, waffle, maple focused! With grilled cheese, eggs and items for the non pancake fan! Home cooked beans, sides of bacon, sausage, peameal bacon! This year a great addition Maple Flavoured Coffee! Loved it! The pancakes are light and fluffy, delectable French toast, and everything was served hot, and fresh! Lovely staff and all makes for a nice little adventure.This is an annual visit, sightseeing, viewing the deer in the fields, and buying some maple treats! Maple sugar candy, syrup, maple condiments such as mustard, salad dressings, balsamic vinegar and lovely fudge, etc.Open 8-8 during the Maple Syrup Season. Closed Sundays!

Gilbertson pancakes and breakfast are worth the drive. Don't miss this seasonal delight. I just wish they were open longer during the summer.