Mouthful: Pancakes
January 3rd, 2009 by Jennifer Zyman in Gossip, Restaurants, mouthful
GATO BIZCO CAFÉ: It is easy to overlook this tiny spot with that winged biscuit franchise in such close proximity, but in-the-know locals head here for the homey ambiance and cozy comfort food. The sweet potato pancakes draw raves, but this purist orders the plain pancakes for their pitch-perfect density, fluffiness and subtle sweetness that isn’t cloying when syrup is added to the mix. 1660 McLendon Avenue. 404-371-0889.
JAVA JIVE COFFEE HOUSE & CAFÉ: People love this Ponce de Leon breakfast hangout for its retro kitsch, gorgeous biscuits, house blended coffee, and wonderful waffles. But the pancakes, ranging from plain to sweet potato to those made with nutty wheat germ, rarely get the praise they deserve. They look and taste as a pancake should – not too brown, big or gummy. 790 Ponce De Leon Avenue. 404-876-6161.
THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE: This classic chain earns props for longevity and its incredible breadth of offerings. No matter what kind you crave, OPH has you covered from tiny silver dollar pancakes you can dip in syrup, to pigs in a blanket, to the dutch baby—a pancake cooked in a cast iron pan until it resembles a mushroom cloud before it deflates into a sunken surface blanketed with powdered sugar. 2321 Cheshire Bridge Road. 404-633-5677. www.originalpancakehouse.com.
(photo by Jennifer Zyman)
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
I have maintained, for the 9 years I’ve lived in this city, that Gato Bizco is an sweet jewel in this town.
Those pancakes….and believe you me, I KNOW pancakes…there are none to compare in this town. Ria’s are good but too sweet, Thumbs Up are also good but too dense, I say the same for Flying Biscuit. Jackson’s staff get them right every damn time. They remind me of my mom’s. They are amazing. I will miss them very much when I move.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I adore pancakes cooked in a cast iron skillet, so thanks for posting these links!
January 6th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
What about Ria’s Bluebird? They have the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten in my life.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Java Jive? Seriously? We ate there once about two years ago, and we’d never go back. The food was terrible, and the service was lackluster. J. Christopher’s next door is much better.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I will premise my reply with the admission that I’ve never been to Gato Bizco, but I have to say I really do like the cakes at Thumbs Up, WAY better than the Bluebird (though I like Ria’s as an overall restaurant). as far as sweet potato cakes, I had them at highland bakery recently and all I can say is DAMN! man, they were good, so I’m anxious to try Gato Bizco if this is truly were the best pancakes in the city reside
January 11th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Wow, if you think J. Christopher’s is good eats, then…WOW.
The fiance and I had breakfast there this past summer and all I can say was that it was bloody inedible.
Hey, tell me how that Mickey D’s burger is compared to Rathbun’s…