Written by Nicole Scopelliti | Photos by Sierra Pedro
Heaping portions of home fries, colossal omelettes and sky-high stacks of pancakes float around the room, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee covers the restaurant like a warm blanket. The diners are smiling, the atmosphere is vibrant and for the short time you’re there, you feel right at home. The employees speak to you as if you’re an old friend, whether you’ve been visiting the restaurant for five minutes or five years. The Original Pancake House has been serving the Eugene community since 1965, and it continues to be the go-to place for families and students who are looking for a piping hot stack of pancakes and a cozy place to unwind, recharge and stay a while.
It’s clear that the staff is committed to crafting the perfect dining experience for their customers by creating dishes that are not only big in size but big in flavor as well. The owner, Daryle Taylor, exemplifies the Original Pancake House’s commitment to the customer experience. Daryle has been working at the establishment for over 45 years. He began working at the restaurant as a dishwasher, while he was also enrolled as a student, and held multiple other jobs simultaneously. Daryle jokes about his earlier years at the Original Pancake House, “Here I got paid, plus I got to eat, so it wasn’t so bad.” It’s clear that Daryle stuck around for more than just the delicious food, as he has now been the owner of Eugene’s Original Pancake House for over 10 years. His twin brother, his two sons and his daughter work at the restaurant as well, emphasizing how family-oriented the Original Pancake House experience truly is. Daryle also emphasized the Original Pancake House’s proximity to the University of Oregon and how parents who attended UO themselves are eager to return to the breakfast spot, sharing with their college-bound kids a Eugene tradition. The restaurant’s atmosphere exudes a love and passion for the university, specifically in the realm of collegiate sports. Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of University of Oregon sports memorabilia. In fact, it is one of Eugene’s most expansive collections.
What sets the Original Pancake House apart from other pancake joints is not only the genuinely welcoming atmosphere, but the inclusion of natural, local ingredients as well. Daryle noted how important it is to cook with high quality ingredients in order to produce great breakfast dishes. He added, “We’ve always tried to use good ingredients. We cook with clarified butter, and we make our own syrup. A lot of our ingredients are from scratch.” When you dine at the Original Pancake House, you can be assured that you’re receiving a meal that’s locally-sourced and crafted with intention and impeccable attention to quality and detail. I recommend the Apple Pancake, which is a specialty of the house. Expect an exceptionally large pancake topped with oven baked Granny Smith apples and pure cinnamon glaze. If you’re looking for something savory, I recommend trying the Ham and Cheese Omelette, a delicious classic that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
The Original Pancake House is now offering delivery through Hungry Ducks, which means that you can get your pancake fix without ever having to lift a spatula or venture out of the comforts of your own home. Additionally, the restaurant has recently expanded their hours to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. You can find the Original Pancake House at 782 E. Broadway, conveniently located near campus and right across the street from The Hub.