Chefs recommend the restaurant chains serving standout pancakes and bacon.
Few breakfast combinations are as dependable as pancakes and bacon. Fluffy, syrup-topped pancakes bring the sweetness, while crispy or smoky bacon adds the salty contrast that makes the whole plate work. Whether you prefer a classic stack or a more creative take on pancakes, these restaurant chains give you plenty of ways to order the two together, according to Eva Filer, home chef, recipe developer, and food blogger at My Rad Kitchen.
IHOP
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When pancakes are the main event, IHOP is one of the most recognizable names. Its menu gives breakfast fans plenty of room to stick with a straightforward stack or build a more substantial meal around it. “IHOP is an obvious choice when pancakes are the priority, with its signature buttermilk pancakes serving as the foundation for everything from classic stacks to more indulgent specialty versions,” says Filer. There are several options for pancakes and bacon, but if you’re in the mood to go big, Filer suggests the Have it All Breakfast. The dish features one slice of the Classic Thick ‘N Fluffy French Toast & two buttermilk pancakes, two strips of hickory-smoked bacon, two pork sausage links, two pieces of thick-cut ham, two eggs and hash browns, per IHOP’s website.
Cracker Barrel
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Cracker Barrel leans into the kind of hearty, sit-down breakfast that makes pancakes and bacon feel right at home. Its broad breakfast menu also means you can round out the plate with eggs and other familiar morning favorites. “Cracker Barrel’s made-to-order buttermilk pancakes are golden on the outside and fluffy inside, served with butter and 100% pure natural syrup,” Filer says. “Momma’s Pancake Breakfast pairs a stack of three with eggs and thick-sliced bacon for an old-fashioned country breakfast that checks all the boxes.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
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Perkins has been serving breakfast for decades, and pancakes remain an important part of its menu. This chain also has plenty of choices for pancakes and bacon–you can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. “Perkins started as a pancake house, and they remain a big part of the chain’s breakfast identity today,” Filer explains. “Its fluffy buttermilk pancakes paired with Applewood-smoked bacon deliver a simple, classic combination, while the extensive breakfast menu offers plenty of ways to customize the rest of the plate.”
Denny’s
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Denny’s makes it easy to turn pancakes and bacon into a full breakfast, with multiple ways to customize your order. Its menu is also a good fit for diners who want to choose between a familiar classic and something a little more indulgent. According to Filer, “Denny’s Super Slams make it easy to get pancakes and bacon together, whether you stick with classic buttermilk or choose one of the chain’s more decadent specialty stacks.” She explains, “The Applewood-smoked bacon adds a salty, smoky contrast that helps balance sweeter pancake toppings and syrups.”
First Watch
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First Watch takes a fresher approach to the traditional breakfast menu, making it a good choice if you want pancakes and bacon with a little more variety.
“The chain’s rotating selection of pancake options gives the classic pairing a more contemporary feel,” says Filer. “Currently, First Watch has Multigrain Pancake and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, and Million Dollar Bacon is available separately.”
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