Pancake heaven!

From USA Today:

10 great places to flip over pancakes

It's winter — eat pancakes. Need another reason? Celebrate National Pancake Week, Feb. 22-28, by stopping at your neighborhood pancake place. "We like those cheery, charming, often-bustling cafes, all easy on the pocketbook," says regional American food expert Cheryl Alters Jamison,who, along with her husband, Bill Jamison, is a three-time James Beard Award winner and author of A Real American Breakfast (Morrow, $35). The book includes more than two dozen versions of great American pancakes. Their next book, Chicken on the Grill (Morrow), arrives in May. "When it comes to pancakes," Cheryl says, "we like buckwheats and buttermilks with equal enthusiasm, and we keep a jar of sourdough starter in the refrigerator for serious pancake cravings." Here, the Jamisons share favorite pancake houses with USA TODAY's Shawn Sell. "Don't plan on reservations at any of them, and expect a wait on weekends," Cheryl says.

		Mmm ... pancakes: Bananas have a creamy texture and appealing flavor that can compliment fresh pancakes for breakfast.
		Heather Martin Morrissey, GNS

Tecolote Café Santa Fe

"We'd wager our hometown has more great breakfast spots than just about anywhere in the country. When it comes to pancakes, we opt for perky Tecolote, always jammed with locals and tourists alike. The cafe offers up a true taste of Santa Fe with its distinctive plate-size blue corn-piñon (pine nut) pancakes." 505-988-1362.

Chez Zee Austin

"This spirited family-style cafe, where we love to chow down with our kids and grandkids, offers a buttermilk pancake platter. The plate is hefty, but the pancakes are feather-light. Just make sure that someone in your group also orders the amazing baked French toast." 512-454-2666; chez-zee.com.

Bluebird Café New Orleans

"When most people think of morning food in New Orleans, they think of the city's lavish brunches. When you want a humble stack of hotcakes though, you can't do better than the 'Bird. All-nighters, early risers — even Emeril — they all meet Uptown at this diner, near Tulane and Loyola, an easy few blocks off the street-car line." 504-895-7166.

Ella's San Francisco

"This attractive neighborhood café in Presidio Heights, a lovely breakfast spot, offers its pancakes with abundant good cheer and imaginative breakfast beverages," such as tasty Ginger Orange Juice Punch or a Virgin Madras Fizz (cranberry juice, seltzer and orange juice). 415-441-5669; ellassanfrancisco.com.

Lynn's Paradise Café Louisville

"Happy, kitschy and downright playful, Lynn Winter's cafe is serious only about good food. You can get giant cornmeal and whole-wheat flour pancakes loaded with crunchy granola, peanut butter or chocolate, among other possibilities, all served all day." 502-583-3447; lynnsparadisecafe.com.

Original Pancake House Portland

"The original of the 'Original' collection of pancake houses across the country, this is still among the very best. Choose among buckwheats, sourdoughs, silver dollars and pigs in blankets, but make sure someone at the table gets the poofy, fluffy Dutch Baby, aloft under a blanket of confectioner's sugar." 503-246-9007.

Walker Brothers Original Pancake House Wilmette, Ill.

"Another original that has sprouted branches, Walker Brothers offers a wide range of choices, but our favorite is the amazing apple pancakes," so tender they literally melt in your mouth. 847-251-6000.

Al's Breakfast Minneapolis

"Surely this is the smallest restaurant in the Twin Cities. Hardly big enough for its own busy griddle, Al's serves up big taste with its buttermilk pancakes laden with all kinds of additions, both savory and sweet." 612-331-9991.

Skyway Jack's St. Petersburg, Fla.

"It's no longer located by the namesake Skyway Bridge (and Jack has passed on), but the homey spot he created remains as popular as ever. Jack never thought small, as his pancakes prove. For something different, order them with a side of smoked mackerel." 727-866-3217.

Polly's Pancake Parlor Sugar Hill, N.H.

"In the heart of maple country, Polly and her husband began cross-merchandising back in the 1930s, selling pancakes out of a carriage house to promote their maple products. Another generation of the family still serves their own maple syrup, maple sugar, and buttery maple cream to spread over your flapjacks, especially good dotted with blueberries in New England fashion." 603-823-5575; pollyspancakeparlor.com.