bee + spool

A Sacramento institution on the corner of Broadway x 21st.  I always longed to go to Pancake Circus in my youth, but my parents always, always assured me that I wasn’t missing anything.  We’d end up going to Denny’s (either the one on Florin Rd. or the one a few blocks down from the Circus on Broadway), Shari’s (Florin x Greenhaven Dr.) or, hell, even IHOP (Florin x Hwy. 99). 

Finally, sometime last year, I bet my mother hard money that the pancakes there would be satisfactory if not downright delicious.  So, we finally went.  My second visit ever in my life occurred this week, from a dull prompt coming from me, seated in the backseat of their car: Okay, I’m hungry now; let’s go to Pancake Circus.  We were in mid-town anyway.  Dad took a left turn toward the not-particularly-circusy beacon (see photo, above left).  I had won the bet last year.  Still, they only go at my request.  Love my parents.

A wooden cut-out clown instructs, Please Wait to Be Seated.  Maize and pumpkin colored animal cut-outs that are reminiscent of already-copyrighted cartoon animal characters adorn the otherwise drab restaurant.  Open 6AM to 3PM.  I wonder what dinner-life was like in its heyday.  Waitstaff are substantially comprised of a few feisty octogenarians.  The drabness of the photos cannot be blamed on the low-quality cam-phone I took these with–the place is that drab.  But, still, in an inviting kind of way.

Various online reviewers will, of course, mention the circus animal cutouts, the waitresses, the ice-cream-scoop size butter that accompanies the pancakes.  But one real interesting feature of the place is that each of the tables is lacquered with full-color advertisements from local businesses (e.g. insurance agents, plumbers, etc.).  Considering the restaurant is a million years old, I wonder what of these businesses?

On the menu:  A “No. 1″ which consists of 2 eggs as you call it and 4 pancakes (buttermilk or buckwheat) is $4.85.