
cherry pancakes
Originally uploaded by ericandkatherine
It's something I've kind of lost track of over the past year or so, mostly because (a) I make so many repeat visits to the same list of cities, (b) I've been just about everywhere, so its rare that I hit a new city (and it's pancake houses), or (c) in the cases where there is something exception to be had, I tend to stick with my favorites and not seek out newbies.
But that all changed this past week when I was in San Diego. I knew fate was about to teach me an important lesson when I got into a cab at the airport, and on the back of the driver's seat was a small container of flyers for a restaurant called Richard Walker's Pancake House. At the bottom of the ad, it read "The Pinnacle of Pancakes."
Being a flapjack aficionado, I wasn't about to let a claim like that go by quietly. Luckily, the restaurant was just a 10-15 walk from my hotel, so you bet I was there the next morning.
What greeted me--and I don't say this lightly--was probably some of the best pancakes I've ever eaten, anywhere, at any time. Though I am still ablush with new love, I'd have to say that Richard Walker's would definitely rank somewhere in my top 3 pancake houses of all time. Richard Walker's rivals the Original Pancake House and the LBI Pancake House for top honors, and leaves my beloved Clinton Street Baking Company in the dust.

richard walker
Originally uploaded by ericandkatherine
I had a baked cinnamon pecan pancake the first day (here you can see a picture of my friend Chantal having one the next day). The next morning I went back and had the cherry pancakes (pictured above)--which were tart and sweet but very subtle. On a third visit, I had the blueberry pancakes, which were also just stunning.
I tried to go back over the weekend for some final flings, but the line was out of control. It literally wrapped around the block. This must happen often, since there were periodic printed signs saying that the wait was XX mintues from that point, just like for amusement park rides. If I had waited, I would have been in line for at least 90 minutes just to get in the door. Those are some popular pancakes.
Their regular pancakes are spongy and moist, but substantive. They are pleasant tasting without being doughy or too sweet. They are complimented by their accessory flavors. Just amazing. Even the side dishes (we tried hand-cut bacon and delicous scrambled eggs) were show stoppers on their own.
Richard Walker, you have lived up to your claim. Residents of San Diego, you are truly blessed.


