Fiji Airways Pancakes: Mini Review

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On the way back from some of the best pancakes of my life, I was happy to get the chance to try the pancake breakfast option on Fiji Airways. Though the previous (coach) meals on Fiji Airways had actually been pretty good, I was not expecting a lot from the pancakes.  

They were, in fact, mediocre pancakes. The real problem was that they had the taste of being reheated in the microwave too long, where some bites were too dense and hard to chew.  But I was ready to accept any small form of joy on this 11 hour flight and there were some notably good things about them. First, they came with mini blueberries which are always a joy to have in pancakes. Second, there were surprise blueberry layers in between the pancakes, which delighted me in between seat kicks from the child sitting behind me. 

JUST THE STACKS – 5.5/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Blueberry-ish.

Mouthfeel: Microwave-chewy texture but only in some places.

Size: Cute sized stack.

Presentation: A little grim, as you can tell from the poorly lit photos. 

Price: The cost of a round trip plane ticket from LAX/NAN/SVU.

Location: www.fijiairways.com

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Namale Resort and Spa: The Ultimate Pancake Date 

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All the mouthfeels at once!

Namale Resort and Spa, located in Savusavu, Fiji has some of the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted. It didn’t hurt that I ate them on a private deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a lush jungle background all around me, next to my favorite pancake date.

The pancakes are served in cute stacks of two or three, with a scoop of sweetened coconut crumbles on top. One bite and I was in heaven. They were slightly sweet with a soft undercurrent of vanilla and coconut. The outside edges were just slightly crispy and they had the perfect inside fluff factor. I added a small amount of syrup and butter for a truly decadent experience.

Namale also serves waffles, which have the same delightful coconut vanilla taste as the pancakes. They were a touch too dense for my liking (if I were going to critique one thing) but still delectable. Served with a light and sweet coconut cream and crisped coconut chunks, these had a playful texture.

I would have eaten pancakes every morning I was there, had the rest of the food not been so delicious as well. Thinking back, the 15 hour travel time it took to get from Los Angeles to Savusavu, Fiji was a small price to pay for these unforgettable sumptuous stacks.

JUST THE STACKS – 10/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Magnificent, magical, luscious.

Mouthfeel: Fluffy, sweet, soft, and slightly crispy. All the mouthfeels at once!

Size: Just right whether you get them in stacks of two or three.

Presentation: Perfect pancake colors, perfect use of coconut.

Price: All inclusive means I ate as many pancakes as I physically could.

Location: Vanua Levu, 1 Hibiscus Hwy, Savusavu, Fiji

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Jiggly Pancakes: When the Hype Doesn’t Match the Bite

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“Like biting into a memory foam mattress.”

In the heart of Pasadena, CA (with a second location in San Gabriel), lies Motto Tea Café—a haven for tea enthusiasts and seekers of Japanese souffle pancakes. Their menu boasts an extensive selection of teas and beverages, as well as a variety of souffle pancakes. While they warn that the pancakes may take 20-30 minutes or longer during peak times, my visit on a late Saturday afternoon rewarded me with a relatively short wait of about 10 minutes at most.  

Japanese souffle pancakes may best be known (at least on social media) for their jiggle. These ultra-light and ultra-fluffy stacks are made by incorporating whipped egg whites into the batter. This, along with cooking the pancakes at a low heat, gives them their signature airy texture and wiggle. 

I took along my pancake tasting partner and we ordered two kinds: Nutellamisu Mousse Souffle and Matcha Strawberry Pancake. 

Both stacks were served with a small amount of fresh fruit on the side and a large amount of sauce poured over top. Visually, they were fun and good looking and whimsical. And yes, they had a very satisfying jiggle. Taste-wise, the pancakes were a little disappointing.

They were a little bland, and very eggy, and very light. While the eggy element wasn’t unpleasant, it lacked the richness found in Dutch baby pancakes (also eggy). They resembled a mildly flavored eggy cheesecake, though without the expected burst of taste. The Nutellamisu Mousse Souffle arrived half-deflated, which isn’t anyone’s fault. It’s just that as soon as these pancakes come off the heat, you only have so much time to take your Instagram Tik Toks before you lose the fluff-jiggle effect. They were also overly drenched in Nutella sauce and Oreo crumbles. I admit this was my fault as I had been swayed by the social media videos of the sauce all over them, and I wanted to experience the pancakes the way they were portrayed.
I do not recommend this. Get the sauce on the side so it doesn’t overpower the lightness of the pancake.

The second stack, Matcha Strawberry Pancake, was significantly fluffier and looked exactly like it did online, sauce and all. Nestled between the pancakes, was a delightful surprise of crushed blueberries and a light cream. This souffle stack was much tastier. The matcha sauce, with its delicate flavor, complemented the souffle’s own delicateness. Though we both liked this one better, there is just something about the souffle texture that didn’t appeal pancake-wise. Unfortunately, I would not come back here for the pancakes but I would come back here for the massive tea menu.

JUST THE STACKS – 6/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: A little boring. 

Mouthfeel: “Like biting into a memory foam mattress.”

Size: Tall and thicc.

Presentation: Cascading sauce and a nice jiggle, the presentation is the high point for these pancakes. 

Price: $15.50-$16.95

Location: Pasadena and San Gabriel, CA

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The Pancake Spott: Bring A Pancake Truck to Work Day

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If whimsy were a mouthfeel these would be the definition of it.

As the return-to-work debate lingers on, many employers have turned to creative work perks to encourage employees to return to the office. One of the best things to come out of this pretty stupid circular discussion, was that I had the opportunity to bring in a pancake truck to one of my former workplaces. 

There is no shortage of pancake trucks and mobile pancake stands in the LA area that specialize in mini pancakes. I reached out to several via social media and ended up hiring The Pancake Spott. 

The Pancake Spott pulled up in a neon pink and purple trailer, decorated with giant mini pancakes all over. I know I’m not rating truck designs here, but it really set the pancake mood. 

Because this was a catered event, each person could order, in theory, as many pancakes as they wanted. Unlimited mini pancakes! Served in portions of ten mini pancakes, toppings included nutella, caramel sauce, dulce de leche, chocolate sauce, oreo crumbles, strawberries, bananas, fruity pebble cereal, and ice cream.

The pancakes were slightly sweet on their own, like little whimsical puffs of deliciousness. Something about mini pancakes (presumably their size) allows for the perfect bite-sized bit of fluff factor in the middle. 

I am usually a pancake topping minimalist at heart but in the name of pancake research, I wanted to try the full array of toppings. For my first round I chose nutella, strawberry, and banana, which is a guaranteed trio of deliciousness. The fruit was fresh, and in large enough quantities that you actually felt like you were getting a hearty serving. The nutella topping was well portioned and didn’t overshadow the pancakes themselves.

For my second round, I started with the same winning topping trio and added oreo crumbles, dulce de leche, and a scoop of ice cream. Too many pancake toppings can definitely overwhelm pancakes, but even with my second heavily topped serving, it was somehow the perfect symphony of sweetness and decadence. 

My favorite part was that The Pancake Spott set up a gorgeous platter of pancakes, using the rest of the pancake batter they had portioned for this event. Sprinkled with fruity pebble bits and a strawberry center, I wished I had a pancake party to take it to. 

JUST THE STACKS – 10/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Mini bursts of deliciousness.

Mouthfeel: If whimsy were a mouthfeel these would be the definition of it.

Size: Tiny masterpieces, bite-sized wonders.

Presentation: Ten of the cutest pancakes, topped with whatever your heart desires, as long as it has been previously stocked in the pancake truck.

Location: https://www.instagram.com/thepancakespott/?hl=en

Traveling in the Wilmington, CA area, also available for catering.

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Breakfast Bliss by the Bay: Sandusky Bay Pancake House

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The best of both muffin top and pancake worlds.

The best thing about the middle of winter in Sandusky, Ohio is Kalahari Resorts – one of the largest indoor waterparks in the US. The very next best thing is the Sandusky Bay Pancake House, conveniently located just down the road. 

This place takes their pancakes seriously. They have stuffed potato pancakes (three kinds including pot roast!), vegan pancakes, oatmeal cream pie pancakes, and even a giant bloody mary that comes with a pancake. After careful deliberation (pancake triage), I ordered the Blueberry Muffin Top Pancakes and the Pigs in a Blanket Pancakes. 

The Blueberry Muffin Top Pancakes, made with blueberry muffin tops crumbled into the pancake batter, were divine. This was a pancake combination I hadn’t encountered before, a surprising feat in itself. Served as a spread out stack of three reasonably sized pancakes, drizzled with powdered sugar and blueberry frosting, it was the best of both muffin top and pancake worlds. The crumbly muffin texture paired perfectly with the fluffy pancakes.

The Pigs in a Blanket Pancakes, for all my meat eating readers out there, are exactly what they sound like – sausage rolled inside a pancake, served with powdered sugar on top. Also served in reasonably sized sets of three, these were a winning combination of sweet and salty, the perfect merger of meat and pancake. More foods should be rolled up into pancakes like this.

JUST THE STACKS – 9/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Buttery blueberry muffin pancakes and savory sausages inside a pillowy pancake base with slightly crisped edges, what more could you ask for?

Mouthfeel: Melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Size: Not too big, not too small – AKA Goldilocks style.

Presentation: Spread-stack vs the traditional tall stack, allows for more universal coverage of the powdered sugar plus toppings. 

Price: $10+

Location: 4710 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870

Bonus quote presented without context by my pancake companion: “A cool day in hell when I eat a bite of pancake without any syrup on it.”

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Costco Pancake Samples: Mini Review

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A pure delight amid crowds of people staring at shrimp platters 

Costco samples are back in full force and that means pancake samples! Mini pancake samples! If there is anything that can soothe spending a weekend afternoon braving the Costco crowds, it’s mini pancakes gently soaked in syrup. My local Costco was serving up Kodiak Cakes brand instant pancake mix (Original Buttermilk), which is one of my most highly rated and favorite protein pancake brands. Costco was able to expertly serve these in a grab and go style sample. A pure delight amid crowds of people staring at shrimp platters (including me).

JUST THE STACKS – 9/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Really good, Kodiak Cakes works well as any size pancake.

Mouthfeel: So cute, so sweet, so uplifting.

Size: Mini.

Presentation: Single mini pancake dredged in syrup. Not the most photogenic, but one of the most delicious mini bites out of all the Costco samples. 

Price: Free with membership.

Location: At a Costco near you, hopefully!

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Eat Local: Dutch Baby Travel Edition

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Nestled in Prescott, Arizona among a sea of ponderosa pines is the restaurant The Local. If you visit in the winter you could be treated to a gorgeous snow cover and winter wonderland aesthetic that most people are unaware Arizona is capable of. 

No matter when you visit The Local, you can experience some of the best fucking Dutch Baby Pancakes I’ve ever had. These might have been the first Dutch Baby Pancakes I’ve had, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are the best. 

Dutch Babies, also known as German Pancakes, are baked rather than pan fried, and their sides rise up in the oven like a popover. The batter is made with eggs, flour, milk, and sugar, and is poured into a hot cast-iron skillet and baked in the oven until puffed and golden brown. The texture is slightly crispy on the edges and soft and custard-like in the middle. Their taste, if done correctly, is somewhere between a custardy crepe and a pancake.

The Local definitely gets the Dutch Baby done right. Appearing as an unassuming menu item, their menu describes the “Dutch Cake” as a baked light fluffy pancake served with fresh lemon curd. I loved that it was lighter than a standard pancake with an emphasis on a sweet eggy flavor. The lemon curd accompaniment elevated the Dutch Baby to a delightful level. They also offer old fashioned pancakes and blueberry spelt cakes, but I don’t think I could branch out beyond their Dutch Cake, it’s just too good to stray from. 

JUST THE STACKS – 9/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Slightly sweet, slightly eggy, overwhelmingly delicious.

Mouthfeel: Surprisingly light, luscious, and scrumptious.

Size: Medium-large, which turns out be just right, Goldilocks-style.

Presentation: Golden yellow eggy center with delicately browned edges, powdered sugar on top, and a side of creamy lemon curd and fresh fruit. 

Price: $13.75

Location: 520 W Sheldon St, Prescott, AZ 86301

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Jacob’s Pickles: Fried Chicken With a Side of Pancakes

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New York City is known for a lot of fun food things: bagels the size of your face, pizza that people argue about, and delicious corned beef sandwiches. They are not known for their pancakes. But that didn’t stop me from trying to quench my pancake cravings. 

Jacob’s Pickles was a restaurant name that came up when I asked about pancake/breakfast recommendations. I read several rave reviews and saw they had pancakes with fried chicken, a seemingly elusive menu item that I think should be much more common, and so off I went. 

Visually, Jacob’s Pickles pancake platter did not disappoint. Two luxuriously sized pancakes were covered in honey and heavily sprinkled with bacon bits. They were topped with two beautifully crispy pieces of fried chicken on top. This was a stunning plate you couldn’t help but admire. 

The fried chicken was hands down delicious and the clear star of this dish. It was crispy, juicy, and meaty – everything you want in fried chicken. (Nighthawk could learn a lot from this place.)

The pancakes on the other hand were just ok. They were soaked in honey, which created a weirdly cloying sticky taste in my mouth that I didn’t care for. I think that had the pancakes been served by themselves, they would have scored even lower on the Tasty Stacks scale. The plate was so well presented it made me want to give these a higher rating but I just couldn’t. I would definitely come back here for their fried chicken and any number of other delicious items on their menu, but would likely not repeat a pancake order here. 

JUST THE STACKS – 7/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Amazing fried chicken, mediocre pancakes.

Mouthfeel: Sticky and slightly confusing. 

Size: Two huge pancakes topped with two huge pieces of fried chicken.

Presentation: Beautifully adorned with buttermilk fried chicken, bacon bits, and honey (but too much honey).

Price: $17

Location: 509 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

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Petit Soleil: Central Coast Delight

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If you were to take Amtrak’s Pacific Coast Starlight (or Surfliner) train from LA up the coastline to San Luis Obispo, you too might find your face in front of some of the most delicious melt-in-your-mouth pancakes you’ve had in a long time. You would also have to have booked a room at the delightfully charming bed and breakfast – Petit Soleil, where if you are lucky enough or maybe mention your penchant for pancakes, they will whip up a batch of banana chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

My pancakes were served as a modest stack of two regular sized pancakes, with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar on top. One bite and I was hooked. The pancakes had an almost creamy texture, likely due to the perfect melting of chocolate chips and bananas baked inside. I can’t even recall another place that has done banana chocolate chip pancakes (with a strawberry bonus) on top as well as this. 

They received an equally high complement from my dining companion, who doesn’t even like any “detritus” on his pancakes. Some might say he is a pancake purist, so when he likes a pancake with three different ingredients all up and around the pancakes, you know this is a strongly positive review.

Bonus points: If you happen to be here celebrating a special occasion, they might give you a complementary tiny bottle of prosecco and colorful glass of juice for a mimosa with your breakfast.

I often think about skipping work and hopping a train back to this place, just to get these pancakes again. 

JUST THE STACKS – 10/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Sweet, creamy, and delicious. 

Mouthfeel: Fucking luscious. 

Size: Two modestly sized pancakes.

Presentation: Charming, delightful, mouthwatering.

Price: Included in your stay.

Location: 1473 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

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Does Crunchy Food Belong in Pancakes?

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Marmalade Café, a local chain whose El Segundo location I visited, has a variety of interesting sounding pancakes: Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Pineapple Upside-Down Pancake, 7 Grain & Almond Granola Pancakes, and Buttermilk. My gut told me to go with the pineapple pancakes, but since I had recently had pineapple pancakes at Shoop’s (pancake mecca), I opted to go for the 7 Grain & Almond Granola pancakes. They are described in the menu as being “Smothered in crunchy granola & sliced bananas.”

I don’t think anything crunchy should ever (with very rare exceptions) go on top of or inside a pancake. It ruins the dream of pretending the pancake you’re eating is a fluffy pillow of deliciousness. Pillows aren’t crunchy. But for some reason I wanted to challenge myself and was curious how this pancake interpretation would play out. 

The pancakes arrived as described, with a heap of granola scattered on top, and a large sliced banana. A questionable presentation decision was made by whoever sliced the banana but I wouldn’t hold that against them. The pancakes smelled like freshly baked banana bread hot out of the oven. 

All in all they were soft, fluffy, mildly sweet, and pretty good. The granola was not crunchy but had softened up under the heat, which was good for me but I actually think a little more crunch contrast would have been nice. The granola also had raisins, which did not thrill me.

If I had not taken half of the pancakes home for later the TastyStacks rating would likely be better. They became very dense and heavy pancake discs. I warmed them up and they were almost slightly soggy, and no one likes a soggy pancake. Still, I would go back here to try the pancakes that caught my eye in the first place. 

JUST THE STACKS – 6.5/10 TASTY STACKS

Overall Taste: Fluffy and mildly sweet, strong banana bread aroma.

Mouthfeel: More dense as more time passed, beginning bites were nice.

Size: The short stack has 2 sizable pancakes.

Presentation: Nice display of granola sprinkling, questionable banana tip display.

Price: $10.99 – $16.99

Location: Multiple, I visited the El Segundo location: 2014 Park Pl, El Segundo, CA 90245

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