Every winter, Pittsburgh morphs into pancake paradise. From February 25 to March 4, 2025, the city celebrates National Pancake Week—a time when even die-hard oatmeal fans surrender to towering stacks drenched in maple syrup. But why settle for basic buttermilk when Pittsburgh’s chefs are flipping pancakes into edible masterpieces?
1. Pittsburgh’s Pancake Pantheons
- Dor-Stop Restaurant (Dormont): Their cinnamon-apple-walnut pancakes are a rite of passage. This retro diner, endorsed by Guy Fieri, serves portions so hearty you’ll need a post-meal nap.
- Pamela’s P&G Diner: President Obama couldn’t resist their crepe-thin, crispy-edged strawberry hotcakes. Pro tip: Pair them with bacon and bottomless coffee.
- Joe’s Rusty Nail (Bellevue): A hole-in-the-wall gem serving pancakes “like grandma made.” Order the blueberry stack—the berries burst like summer in every bite.
2. Pancakes for a Cause: IHOP and Beyond
March 4 marks National Pancake Day, and IHOP gives away free short stacks from 7 AM to 8 PM. But it’s not just PR: Since 2006, the chain has raised over $10 million for children’s hospitals and food banks. This year, IHOP aims to break the world record by flipping 20,000 pancakes in 8 hours at Santa Monica Pier.
Local Hack: Skip the lines and hit Del’s Ristorante in Bloomfield. Post-Restaurant Wars glow-up, their menu blends Italian flair with American comfort—try ricotta pancakes drizzled with local honey.
3. From Shrove Tuesday to Steel City: A Bite of History
Pancake Week traces back to 15th-century England, where Shrove Tuesday meant using up rich ingredients before Lent. Pittsburgh’s twist? Making pancakes a reason to gather, feast, and celebrate community.
Fun Fact: The English town of Olney still hosts “pancake races”—women sprint in aprons while flipping skillets. In Pittsburgh, the only sprinting happens to snag a table at Pamela’s.
4. Chef Secrets: How to Up Your Pancake Game
- Kevin Sousa (Salt of the Earth): The 2012 James Beard Award nominee swears by cornmeal for crunch.
- Tom Baron (Big Burrito Group): “The griddle should feel like July sunshine—hot but not scorching.”
The Takeaway:
Pancake Week isn’t just about indulgence. It’s heritage, charity, and a taste of Pittsburgh’s soul. Grab a stack at Dor-Stop, support IHOP’s cause, or whip up a batch using a 500-year-old recipe. And remember: As they said in 1619, “Flip it high, so it doesn’t die.”
P.S. If you end up on Food Network like Del’s, invite us to the tasting!