A local offers tips on what not to do at Gatlinburgโs popular pancake spot
The Pancake Pantry is an iconic Gatlinburg institution. It was born in 1960 when a pair of Hoosiers decided to move to the mountains and open the first pancake palace in East Tennessee.
They were quickly able to acquire the building and the land and then remodeled it to fit a European-style design. Today, guests can choose from a variety of pancakes and pancake-adjacent dishes from around the world as well as a selection of breakfast and lunch menu items.
The Pancake Pantry is certainly a favorite breakfast destination. That said, there are also some important things not to do at the Pancake Pantry:
1. Donโt show up late
While there are many places to get a good pancake, the Pancake Pantry is one of the more popular dining destinations on the strip in Gatlinburg. Serving a variety of delicious breakfast and lunch items, the restaurant is open from 7 am to 3 pm. That means youโre not having Pancake Pantry for supper unless you get a to-go box. It also means that if youโre not there when the doors open, youโre risking a wait. Now, the various pancakes, crepes, waffles and blintzes are certainly worth the wait. But crowds and wait times tend to swell usually starting about 8 am through noon. You can get lucky showing up at 9 or 10 am, depending on the day and season. However, just know a wait of up to an hour or more is in play, where youโll be standing in line waiting for those delicious pancakes.
2. Donโt leave your table unattended
My wife and daughter got breakfast at the Pantry during a girlsโ weekend.ย They both stepped away from the table to use the facilities. When they returned, their table was bussed despite having only started their breakfast. This may be an extreme example, but the need for turnover in the busy season is so great that they bussed the table to make room for the next guest. I donโt know if this is a common occurrence at the Pantry, but we havenโt left a table completely unattended since.ย
3. Donโt be in a hurry
While the staff of the Pancake Pantry is often quick in turnaround mode (see above), that doesnโt mean you have to be. We spend our lives eating a litany of forgettable breakfasts from cereal bowls to a cup of coffee on the run to something from one drive-thru or another. However, on the rare occasions that we are presented with breakfast excellence, we should enjoy it and savor it. What would I recommend you savor? The Wild Blueberry pancakes are simple yet divine. The Marvelous Blintz pancakes, with pecans and raisins and a ricotta-cream cheese filling, then topped with powdered sugar and warm orange blueberry syrup โ are also divine. You also canโt go wrong with the French Toast, Georgia Peach Crepes or the Banana Pineapple Triumph Crepes. If youโd like a savory breakfast, thereโs also a variety of omelets, eggs, bacon and more.
4. Donโt skip the Village Shops
A collection of quirky shops in European-style buildings, The Village is a charming change of pace from much of the rest of the Gatlinburg strip. I donโt know that everyone will appreciate The Sock Shop or Bonediggity Barkery and Gifts. But there is a little something for everyone. If youโre a cook, be sure to check out Zi Olive โ which specializes in artisan olive oils and spices. If you have an interest in Celtic, Scottish or Welsh culture, Celtic Heritage at the back of the Village has a variety of items from across the pond.ย
5. Donโt forget about lunch
While I have a hard time going to the Pantry and passing on the pancakes, the lunch menu is very good as well. Lunch offerings include a handful of hamburgers, gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups. The Polish Aristocrat, which has layers of Swiss cheese, corned beef and cole slaw between slices of rye, is a fun play on the classic Reuben. The French Royale Club is another favorite. It features a three-layer combination of bacon, lettuce, turkey, cheese and ham with just a hint of bleu cheese and 1000 Island dressing to give it zest.
My go-to, however, is the sandwich and soup combo. My favorite sandwich is a special grilled treat combining melted Swiss cheese, finely chopped bacon and chopped onion (no substitutions). You can choose from a variety of soups, but I highly recommend the split green pea, one of the worldโs greatest soups. The Pancake Pantry is located at 628 Parkway in Gatlinburg.
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