Brunch culture in America is part ritual, part performance, and part comfort food therapy session — and this place understands all three.
Set in Salt Lake City, UT, The Original Pancake House has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.
Order coffee black and let the kitchen do the rest — French toast made with thick-cut brioche, dusted with powdered sugar, and crowned with seasonal berries.
Menu highlights
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at The Original Pancake House. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.
- Avocado toast on grilled sourdough with chili crisp and a soft egg
- Chicken and waffles with hot honey and pickled jalapeño
- Steel-cut oats with brown sugar, toasted nuts, and stewed fruit
- Huevos rancheros with corn tortillas, refried beans, and salsa verde
- Croque madame with béchamel, gruyère, and a fried egg
- Bottomless mimosa flight (90-minute limit, weekends only)
- Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and seasonal cold-pressed juices
- Eggs Benedict with house-made hollandaise on a toasted English muffin
The decor is part diner nostalgia, part modern bistro — vinyl booths, ceramic mugs, and small ceramic vases of fresh flowers on every table.
Order the pancakes and you'll get a stack tall enough to make you reconsider lunch — fluffy, lightly tangy from buttermilk, and finished with a generous pour of warm maple syrup.
If you're a group of four or more, call ahead. They sometimes take small reservations for parties of four-plus, even when the website says walk-in only.
Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Salt Lake City, The Original Pancake House is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. Whether you're a tourist with one weekend in town or a local with a Sunday ritual, this is a place that earns its reputation plate by plate.
Tips from the regulars
- If you're walking from public transit, the closest stop is a short stroll away — a small price to pay for the breakfast burrito.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free diners have real options, not just sad fruit cups.
- Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
- Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
- Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at The Original Pancake House.
Hours
Specific opening hours rotate seasonally — call ahead to confirm, especially around holidays. Most weekend brunch service runs from late morning through early afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What time does The Original Pancake House open for brunch?
Specific hours rotate seasonally, but The Original Pancake House typically opens for brunch service in the morning and serves through early afternoon. Call ahead on holidays.
Does The Original Pancake House take reservations?
Most brunch spots in Salt Lake City are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.
Is The Original Pancake House kid-friendly?
Yes — The Original Pancake House welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.
What kind of cuisine does The Original Pancake House serve?
It's classified under breakfast, pancake — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Salt Lake City.
Is there outdoor seating at The Original Pancake House?
Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.
Location
Located at 790 East 2100 South. Coordinates: 40.7252, -111.8684. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.