Pancakes are easy to make in your home, but there is just something about getting a plate of pancakes at a restaurant that is very satisfying. From chocolate chips to fruit and nuts, you can top your pancakes with just about anything and know that you’ll walk away from the table satisfied. These are some of the best places in Orange County to satisfy your craving for hotcakes.

Stacks
34255 Pacific Coast Highway 110
Dana Point,  CA 92629
(949) 429-2222
www.stackspancakehouse.com

If variety is what you’re looking for, Stacks is the place to go. In addition to the regular and whole wheat pancakes, you can get seven other varieties here including macadamia nut (with or without bananas), strawberry and Oreo. You won’t leave here hungry. The short stack (pictured) is three big pancakes and the regular stack is five pancakes. You won’t leave Stacks broke either with the most expensive regular stack priced at $7.95. Stacks has indoor and outdoor seating, but it is limited so don’t be surprised if you have to wait.

Harbor House
34157 Pacific Coast Highway
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 496-9270
www.harborhousecafe.com

Sometimes food is great because of when it’s available. This diner is always open, so if you’ve had a night of drinking and you want some pancakes at 3 a.m., Harbor House is the place to go. You certainly won’t get cheated with the selection or the quantity. You can get chocolate chip, blueberry, blueberry-banana, banana-nut, or pancakes with walnuts or pecans. If you order the regular pancakes, you can get a short stack or regular. If you order any of the other varieties, you’ll receive four pancakes with your choice of sides. Of course, even if you haven’t had a night of drinking, this is a good place to get your pancakes for an affordable price.

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Break of Dawn
24351 Avenida De La Carlota
Laguna Hills CA 92653
(949) 587-9418
www.breakofdawnrestaurant.com

Think pancakes aren’t classy enough to be prepared by someone with a background at a five-star resort? Think again. That is the case at Break of Dawn, owned and operated by Dee Nguyen, former Executive Sous Chef at the Ritz-Carlton. As you might expect, these aren’t your standard buttermilk pancakes. The pancakes here are made with white cornmeal with two of the following: blueberries, guava-coconut, chocolate chips, pecans, or almonds. Yes, these are a little more expensive than buttermilk pancakes, but they’re worth it.

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Heroes
125 W. Santa Fe Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 738-4356
www.heroesrestaurant.com

If it’s a challenge you’re looking for, Heroes is the place for you. Every Sunday, the pancake challenge is available until 2 p.m.. The challenge is simple: You get six 10-inch pancakes, with sides and if you can eat it all, your meal (normally $10.95) is free. Make sure you arrive hungry if you take this challenge. You sure won’t leave hungry even if you don’t finish all six pancakes.

Pancakes R Us
329 E. 17th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 642-9424
www.pancakesrus.com 

You’d expect variety from a place that specializes in pancakes, and you’ll get it at Pancakes R Us. You can get nut and grain pancakes (the most expensive pancakes here are $8.99) topped with fruit if you’re looking for a somewhat healthier option. Pancakes R Us also has a stack of four buttermilk pancakes that you can top with any of five fruit toppings. You’ll also find potato pancakes, pigs in blankets, and pancake sandwiches among other options. If you can’t satisfy your pancake craving here, you probably can’t satisfy it anywhere.

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Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.