Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, which can make eating it a chore sometime. But that’s not always the case, especially when there are pancakes involved.

 

This month, AY Publisher Heather Baker and KARK host Hilary Hunt are on the lookout for the best pancakes around Arkansas, using their trusty copies of AY Magazine as a guide. Fortunately for them, there’s one Central Arkansas spot that is a perfect starting point for their pancake hunt: The Pancake Shop.

 

Since the 1940s, the Pancake Shop has been serving up delicious pancakes in Hot Springs. Located in downtown Hot Springs, this shop is a local favorite and a true piece of the city’s history. Plus, they have amazing pancakes!

Hilary Hunt and Heather Baker

“Heather, I am the most excited for this month’s Bucket List because we are talking about one of my favorite meals: breakfast,” Hunt says.

 

“Right, it’s all about pancakes and French toast, and we are going to start this series off in Hot Springs,” Baker says.

 

Inside the shop, general manager Janet Ford is making sure that all the cogs and parts are running seamlessly. It’s hard work making a pancake factory run smoothly!

There’s a veritable feast being prepared for Baker and Hunt for their first Bucket List stop. They have multiple pancakes coming their way, including banana pancakes, buckwheat blueberry pancakes, buttermilk pancakes and cinnamon apple pancake. There’s also some other dishes, including farm-to-table sausage, Petit Jean ham, a vegetable omelet, and deep-fried French toast heading their way.

 

“The Pancake Shop hooked us up,” Baker says.

 

Baker’s favorite of the pancakes is the banana pancakes, which is what Hunt started her meal off with. Before she digs in, Baker recommends cutting the middle out of the pancake and pouring the syrup in, to keep the syrup from running off the plate.

Meanwhile, Baker is chowing down on French toast. While the Pancake Shop specializes in pancakes, as the name suggests, they whip up a mean French toast, too! “This is supposed to be the pancake bucket list, but I had to add French toast because I just wanted to eat it. So good!,” Baker says.

 

Both Hunt and Baker were also bowled over by the Pancake Shop’s other offerings, including the sausage and ham. Hunt, in particular, was impressed with their freshly-squeezed orange juice and their omelets. “Literally every breakfast essential, and what is breakfast without an awesome omelet,” Hunt says.

 

One of the major selling points for the Pancake Shop, other than its amazing food, is the location. Downtown Hot Springs is the perfect spot to grab a great breakfast and enjoy your day.

 

“Anyone who knows the Pancake Shop knows that it’s historic. You really feel like you’re in a slice of Hot Springs history, which I love,” Hunt says.

“I love Hot Springs. I’ve been coming for the weekend. There’s so much to do in town,” Baker says.

 

However, if you want to have some of the Pancake Shop’s pancakes, make sure that you show up early – there might be a wait.

 

“I’ve got to say sorry to all of our viewers because they’re in bed right now, wondering why they can’t have the Pancake Shop here in Hot Springs,” Hunt says.

 

“You have to get here and get on the wait because we both had to wait 45 minutes. But it is totally worth it,” Baker says.

 

Stuffed with pancakes, Baker and Hunt call it a day. But there are more pancakes to eat. You’ll have to tune in next week to find out where they go next.

 

For a chance to win a gift card to The Pancake Shop, click here.

 

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