Best Ways To Celebrate National Pancake Week In Minnesota
The thin, flat, round breakfast cake is known practically everywhere. In the United States, pancakes, also referred to as hotcakes, griddlecakes or flapjacks, are one of the most beloved starts to the day. You betcha there are varieties throughout the land of 10,000 lakes, but here's a rundown of the absolute must-haves.
Maria's Cafe
1113 E. Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-9842
www.mariascafe.com
Maria's Cafe has been serving the Twin Cities community for over 20 years. This Colombian cafe made a successful fusion of North and South American cuisines, which has made it into a successful enterprise. The menu comes fully loaded with variety for the savoring taste buds. You can choose traditional pancakes, ripe plantain pancakes, raisin and walnut pancakes, fruit pancakes and the cafe's signature corn cakes (referred to in Spanish as cachapas venezolanas). If you're looking to experience something unique and different, your belly will be filled with the greatest delight.
Keys Cafe & Bakery
114 S. 9th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 339-6399
www.keyscafe.com
Keys Cafe & Bakery opened its doors for business back in 1973. The restaurant founders had a clear vision about service that prides itself on creating an unforgettable dining experience. For those with a serious sweet tooth, this establishment has a complete lineup of pancakes including buttermilk or buckwheat, specialty pancakes (blueberry bran, banana pecan, granola and more) and portions 'as big as manhole covers.' It's a cozy place that makes you feel right at home.
Uptown Diner
2548 Hennepin Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 874-0481
www.uptown-diner.com
Uptown Diner serves a busy area of Minneapolis and is considered all old American classic fast food joint. With its lively atmosphere from the after-hour parties during the weekends, the service is great and the food portions will leave you satisfied. The pineapple upside down pancakes are essentially two buttermilk pancakes with sweet pineapple smothered in vanilla creme and cinnamon butter. On the flipside, the chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes come compact with delicious cookie dough sprinkled with sweet chocolate and whipped cream. Finally, you can always go old school by ordering the old fashioned pancakes.
Al's Breakfast
413 14th Ave. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 331-9991
www.facebook.com/Als-Breakfast
Al's Breakfast has been a Dinkytown icon and staple since the 1950s. This is an old, warm and comfortable venue to enjoy a great meal. Al's has an unusual feel to it, but you become quickly acquainted with the staff along with its notorious cook. Al's has failed to modernize to the digital age, but in this case, it's perfectly justified. Its a small building that used to be occupied by a hardware store many decades ago, and nowadays serves a simple yet affordable breakfast spot with blueberry pancakes as the must try. The chef can cook up a delicious variety of pancakes on the spot, so sit tight. There is a tendency to give up your personal space because of the close proximity of people sitting side by side.
Victor's 1959 Cafe
3756 Grand Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 827-8948
www.victors1959cafe.com
Victor's 1959 Cafe is an iconic Cuban restaurant in South Minneapolis. Bringing a different twist with its quirky tiny building, Victor's overall ambiance brings out the spirit of Havana, Cuba. A tropical, packed-full decorative style definitely makes enjoying pancakes in the cooler months much more enjoyable because of the brutal weather. The choices for pancakes include corn, blueberry, wild rice, banana, buttermilk and probably everyone's personal favorite, the mango pancake. The prices are cheap and the food is healthy so come in to enjoy a Caribbean feast for pancake week.
Related: 2012 Tasted Good: Best New Restaurants That Opened in Minnesota
Anthony Carranza is a freelance writer covering all things Minnesota related to tech, social media, news, and local happenings around the Twin Cities. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
