Since 1960, when the Pancake Pantry became Tennessee's first pancake house, visitors to Gatlinburg have made dining with us a tradition. What keeps them coming back? It's the real butter, the honest-to-goodness fresh whipped cream and everything made from scratch. And it's also the warm atmosphere of century-old brick, rich oak and rustic copper. You'll note many pancake houses in the area, and the reasons are uncertain. Pancakes did not originate in America, but have long been a breakfast staple. Native Americans shaped a soft batter in their hands and called it "nokehick," meaning "it is soft," transformed by white settlers into "no cake." Possibly, it's the humbleness of this food that made it a custom of the region. Calling for basic ingredients, it was affordable to pioneers of Gatlinburg's earlier days, and to prepare only a griddle and a fire were needed. Some settlers even fried them on their hoe blades over fires, which is where the name "hoecakes" originated.
For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Pancake Pantry directly.
