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