Take The Giant Pancake Challenge At This Longtime Neighborhood Cafe In Southern California
By Natasha Kayes|Published July 24, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Who doesn’t love a good food challenge? When it comes to most food-eating contests, I tend to prefer watching and cheering on, but when the challenge involves delicious pancakes, I may feel a bit differently. Well, not pancakes, plural. This challenge involves one giant pancake. And while we cannot say it is the biggest pancake in the world (apparently the record was almost 50 feet wide!) but it’s probably safe to say it is the biggest pancake in Long Beach, CA, and quite likely in the state. Are you hungry?
The unassuming Potholder Cafe is “The Un-Disputed King of Breakfast,” if they do say so themselves. After one meal here, chances are you will agree.
It is hard to find a time when the restaurant is open and NOT busy. Locals - and visitors in the know - cannot get enough. In fact, it is so loved that there are now a total of four locations.
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And here it is, the star of the show. A pancake so big that it has to be served on a pizza pan rather than a plate. At 18 inches in diameter, this massive pancake is known as “Mac Daddy Frankie.”
And by the way, it is served with two eggs and two slices of bacon or sausage, as if it were not enough on its own! (You can also get it covered in strawberries.)
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Ready for the Mac Daddy Challenge? If you can finish the entire breakfast in one sitting, you will receive a free T-shirt. Well, that and bragging rights!
Of course, there is far more on the menu than pancakes (and yes, you can order *normal* sized pancakes, if you are not up to the challenge.) Another popular house specialty is the Flaky French Toast which is dipped in cornflakes and stuffed with a strawberry cream cheese or apple cinnamon filling.
For the littles, the menu offers Flintstone French Toast, dipped in colorful Fruity Pebbles instead of cornflakes.
If you love a little extra spice, try one of the Mexican specials which include numerous dishes including breakfast tostadas, enchiladas, burritos, Chile Verde, Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros, and more.
Here for a nice leisurely brunch? Enjoy a Mega Mimosa, Hibiscus, Michelada, or Bloody Mary with your meal. Not your speed? The fresh coffee and fresh-squeeze fruit juices are great, too.
Breakfast kebabs? We say yes, please. I mean, it’s French toast, tropical fruit, and sausage, but it is so much more fun like this! Whatever your breakfast or lunch mood, there is something on the menu you will love, including omelets, waffles, Benedicts, burgers, chicken and waffles, sandwiches, and chicken fried steak.
Speaking of which, if that last item catches your attention, take it to the next level by ordering The “D-Fib” - chicken fried steak wrapped in bacon and jalapeños on a biscuit covered in country sausage. If even the thought of that puts your heart in “D-fib,” don’t worry, there is a full menu of dishes on ‘The Healthy Side.’
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? Well, at this diner, it is also the biggest! Have you been to this neighborhood breakfast spot in Long Beach? Would you take on the Mac Daddy Challenge? See the full menu on the Potholder Cafe website and keep up with specials and events by following Potholder Cafe on Facebook. There is so much to do in Long Beach, CA. Looking to get a little activity and work off one of the biggest pancakes you have ever eaten? Why not take a fun self-guided bike tour around the waterfront district?
Are you a foodie always on the lookout for new spots in Southern California to try? We have tons of unique and delicious dining ideas to share – be sure to check them out!
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