The year is 1960.
The Beatles – then known as the Silver Beetles – were touring Scotland and had yet to set foot in Hamburg, much less America.
For much of the year, John F. Kennedy was a senator from Massachusetts hoping to be elected president.
And a pair of tourists from Indiana decided to bet their futures on a specialty pancake restaurant in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.
Sure, peddling pancakes to tourists seems like easy money now, with pancake places popping up all through the hills and hollers of Sevier County. With dozens of imitators dotting the map, getting into the lucrative flapjack game seems like a no-brainer.
However, there wasn’t a single-specialty pancake palace in the whole state of Tennessee 60 years ago. But June and Jim Gerding were Hoosier visionaries determined to start a hotcake revolution.
Tennessee’s first and only pancake house
When the Pancake Pantry opened in 1960, it was Tennessee’s first and only pancake house.
The Pancake Pantry still stands out today, both for the quality of the menu items, as well as the 1970 Willy Wonka-esque European-style architecture.
Jim oversaw the remodeling of the Pantry himself in 1975, and today the slate roof, gables, large windows and white oak interior remain unique among the Gatlinburg skyline.
The Pancake Pantry sits adjacent to the Village Shops which carry that European style throughout, making for an Epcot-like getaway within the getaway.
Still, all the fancy architecture in the world isn’t going to matter if the pancakes aren’t up to snuff.
A review of Pancake Pantry’s cuisine
Happily, I can report that the Pancake Pantry lives up to the billing. Locals and visitors alike love the Pancake Pantry.
These great pancakes are the best I’ve ever had. And they come in hearty, generous portions of five per plate.
I once asked a friendly staff member how often she sees a guest finish their plate of five to which she responded: “Most of the time, they give up around the two and a half mark.”
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, closing in the afternoon at either 3 or 4 pm, depending on the time of year. The breakfast menu is robust, with many options for those who don’t want pancakes.
Why are there so many pancake restaurants in Gatlinburg?
The likely answer probably has something to do with the Pancake Pantry’s success as a specialty pancake restaurant. The other part of that answer is that Tennesseans love a big breakfast.
And let’s be honest, they aren’t hurting for business.
Read Also: Who has the best pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg? Our top 7
Now, you may be thinking to yourself that as a red-white-and blue pancake house in the heart of the Tennessee mountains, the Pancake Pantry might stick to American-style pancakes. Certainly, the sweet potato pancakes are of the Southern ilk.
But, oh ho, hold on. You would be wrong, my friend. The Pancake Pantry is truly international excellence.
Pancakes come in a cornucopia of styles worthy of the United Nations.
Are there Parisienne pancakes, you ask? Bien sur.
There are also Austrian, Swiss, Swedish and Caribbean varieties … but I don’t speak Austrian, Swiss, Swedish or Caribbean so I can’t make any clever quips.
Now, I hear someone saying, “What if I want something that’s very much like a pancake but isn’t quite a pancake?” It’s not a problem.
We’re talking waffles, french toast, crepes and blintzes.
You want something pancake adjacent, the Pancake Pantry has you covered.
And if you’re not in the mood for breakfast foods, they have a nice variety of gourmet sandwiches, salads and burgers in addition to the many varieties of pancakes.
The lunch fare all looks very good but I can’t vouch for it because I have a personal policy that if I go to a restaurant with a food in its name, I order that food no matter what.
Joe’s House of Hummus and Escargot? I’m getting the snails and garbanzo bean dip, brother. Momma didn’t raise no fool.
Where do you park for Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg?
Unfortunately, parking can be an issue.
If you can swing it, try to find a spot along River Road. Or, you can park in the garage by Ripley’s Aquarium.
Read Also: Parking tips in Gatlinburg: Prices, maps and free parking tips
Insider tips for the Pancake Pantry
I don’t have a lot of insider tips here. Go. Order some pancakes. Eat. It ain’t rocket science.
The one thing I will tell you is that after 60 years, the Pancake Pantry remains incredibly popular and rightfully so.
If patrons are not there when the doors open at 7 am, there’s a chance you’re gonna have a long wait. Long lines are par for the course.
The Pancake Pantry does not accept reservations or call-ahead seating. It’s first-come, first-served and guests are usually asked to queue up outside while waiting for a table.
Sixty years ago, a couple of Hoosiers came to East Tennessee with little more than a spatula and a dream. Now, that dream is a Gatlinburg institution. If you ask me, it’s worth the wait.
Top 5 things to order at the Pancake Pantry
Pancake Pantry offers great food no matter what you order, but if you would like some suggestions, try one of these:
5. Wild Blueberry Pancakes
I like my blueberries like I like my women, wild and covered in syrup.
4. Caribbean Pancakes
Bananas, nuts, coconut and powdered sugar, just a great flavor combination.
A word of warning, if you try and order this using a bad Jamaican accent, your server is empowered to slap you upside the head with a whole wheat pancake. It’s the law.
3. Any flavor of waffle
Your mileage may vary here but there’s something very satisfying about saying the word “waffle”. I like a dramatic pause before really joyously enunciating the double F like Eddie Murphy in “Shrek”.
Also, they taste good and have little square syrup traps. Waffles are great.
2. Parisienne Pancakes
When I was Paris (adjusts beret), I actually preferred savory crepes. Ham, Swiss and mushrooms, maybe some egg with salt and pepper. Lovely.
The Pancake Pantry’s version of Paris is no less tasty but exceptionally sweet with whole strawberries and whipped cream. Bonus points that when I order these, I get to wax poetic about going to Paris – see my opening sentence.
1. Western Omelette
As I said above, I’m more of a savory guy and I love good Western omelets. But John, what about your rule about eating the food in the name of the restaurant?
It’s cool, baby. Western Omelette comes with three buttermilk pancakes. It’s the best of both worlds, just as Jim and June Gerding would have wanted.
The Pancake Pantry is located in downtown Gatlinburg along the Parkway.
Visit them online to see the breakfast menu or the lunch menu.
Have you been to the Pancake Pantry Gatlinburg? Does it live up to the hype? What was your Pancake Pantry experience? Let us know in the comments below!
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Order the Apricot Lemon Delight crepe. Best pancake creation on the menu.
Don’t overlook Strawberry Delight ,amazing. I had the pleasure of being one of their suppliers for many years.They were meticulous in product development and ingredients for all items. Do try the lunch .Each item is from scratch just like the breakfast selections.
Been eating there since ’64. Never a disappointment. My personal favorite is the “Georgia Peach” crepes. Just the right amount of sweet and the absolute lightest crepes. Oh, and the peach compote and whipped cream, too!
Could be wrong, but I bet this is the only pancake place in the US that offers black walnut pancakes with orange syrup!!! The flavor explosion in your mouth of earthy black walnuts and citrussy orange is worth standing in a long line to experience. Absolutely delicious!!
I’ve been coming to Gatlinburg ever since I was a baby, with my family. Now my husband and I return each year – usually in the Fall – ever since our Honeymoon, 31yrs this October. The Pantry is a must-stop for my beloved buckwheat pancakes!!! and since I need a lil savory with all that sweet, I opt for the bacon and cheese omelette. oh. my. gracious . . . .
Maybe the best pancakes ever served up with plenty of southern hospitality. Stand in line and watch happy diners exit and when it’s your turn…AHH! Dave, Robin,Amanda and all the staff treat you like family-good-natured gibes included.