Best Return of a Franchise
Original Pancake House
Back in the Nineties, an outpost of this Portland, Ore.-based franchise existed at Spicewood Springs and Mesa (where the very fine Mirabelle lives now). It quietly closed, and we never did stop missing it. But the Original Pancake House returned to us in July 2004, this time up on Parmer Lane. It's the home of the so-called "World's Most Copied Menu," so you might think at first you've landed in a clone of that "other" major pancake house, but the difference is obvious – excellent recipes and top-notch preparation rule at OPH. Although they're a little low on whole-grain options, OPH still boasts more than 20 varieties of pancakes, waffles, and crepes, including the rarely offered Dutch Baby, a baked pancake served in an individual-sized skillet, which arrives all puffed up (it deflates when it cools). Egg dishes stand out here as well, and perhaps in a nod to local tastes, they offer a great homemade salsa. And we swear they serve the best-tasting bacon and sausage anywhere in town.
Original Pancake House
1700 W. Parmer, 512/873-7200
www.originalpancakehouse.com