The Battle for Pancake House Supremacy in Gatlinburg: Tourists Taking Sides

Gatlinburg evokes a wide range of feelings in people. Pancake Houses are just one aspect of the Smoky Mountain region sparking a friendly—and sometimes heated—discussion of who is the best. I have just ranked my recent Top 4, which has given me a front row seat plus plenty of fire directed my way. Opinions are just one person’s experience, but some can’t understand why everyone doesn’t agree with them. I’m going to elaborate on why people feel a certain way about 2 particular breakfast classics in Gatlinburg: Pancake Pantry and Log Cabin Pancake House.

I picked them and not a few others because I’ve posted a great deal of content on pancake breakfasts in Gatlinburg, and there’s no question in my mind these are the two most loved by visitors. I don’t have hard data, but you’ll just have to trust me on this one.

The History

Anyone who’s visited Gatlinburg for at least ten years—and some many more—can tell you Log Cabin Pancake House and Pancake Pantry are steeped in multi-generational tradition. You can be eavesdropping, getting a friendly conversation with a waitress, or a look at the handwritten check of your order; it’s easy to see the history on display. Pancake Pantry has only recently started accepting cards, and Log Cabin writes out your order for each individual person and adds it up before you take it to the register to be totaled.

Some regular visitors over the years even have a favorite or recognizable server that has worked there for a commendable length of time. It amazes me every time I hear these stories on social media and from people I’ve met in Gatlinburg. It’s fully representative of the hospitality and overall appeal that carries on in the present. History never seems too far away when you visit either of these two establishments.

I don’t want to rehash the entire story of how they began, but Pancake Pantry was the first pancake house in Gatlinburg, spawning many others in the area and cementing the impressions of people near and far. Log Cabin Pancake House started doing business about fifteen years after the Pantry started serving breakfast, but has survived for a reason…or probably a few reasons.

The Food

I’m not going to get too opinionated about the Pantry and Log Cabin, because I’ve stated mine recently. Let’s compare and contrast, based on the facts. Both have an impressive assortment of pancakes and crepes; both have Pigs in a Blanket; both serve limited lunches, and both have all the traditional breakfast items, including waffles, which is another argument altogether.

The differences are part of what divides the patrons. No biscuits are offered at Pancake Pantry, and that has been a head-scratching omission I would love to know more about, since it’s as Southern as it gets. While both serve lunches, Pancake Pantry has more to offer, and it sets them apart, according to many who desire more than just a filling breakfast.

People’s opinions about the food from both places are the central issue. This is where sides are taken, feelings are hurt, and arguments are started. I’ll start with the pancakes. Really, it’s difficult to go wrong with either. One of the more popular dishes on the entire menu at LCPH is the Pancakes Royale. They have a French Toast version, but it’s the same “Royale Sauce.” None of the individual pancake dishes stand out as far as overshadowing the others. They all seem equally loved, although I’m sure the workers know what their guests most often order.

The Others

Presentation is secondary, but looks are everything in pictures. I know, because I’ve received bad comments about food that tasted delicious, but didn’t look the part. Pancake Pantry excels at this. Big plates with pancakes or french toast presented professionally. Log Cabin isn’t bad at it, but it just looks different. This is from my experience.

Both have lines that stretch out the door, but everyone notices the Pancake Pantry’s, because it’s in a high traffic area outside the most beautiful and unique place in the shopping areas of downtown Gatlinburg. Now I’ve never been in one of those long lines, unless you count the small one before the Pantry opened, but everyone seems to agree the move quickly. And that’s due to the size of the restaurants and the efficiency of churning out food to customers.

Parking, as some of you are fully aware, is a major issue in Gatlinburg. Log Cabin Pancake House has the rare free parking in their lot, while Pancake Pantry only benefits from those that arrive early to get a spot on the Parkway before the 9 a.m. cutoff for vehicles.

Conclusion: My Thoughts

I think it’s wrong to berate anyone for having an opinion on any breakfast in Gatlinburg. They are all good to extremely delicious, and I believe bad experiences are fairly infrequent at both Pancake Pantry and Log Cabin Pancake House. We’ve eaten at both, and while I have opinions about both, it’s sometimes hard to decide which one to choose. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with some, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing as long as we respect someone else’s opinion.

I’m also not a fan of bad-mouthing a restaurant on social media. Telling people not to go somewhere because they had one bad experience feels tacky at best. Yes, both will survive and prosper if someone is swayed in one direction by a review online, but the proper way is to be honest without being indecent and incredibly disrespectful. And that also goes for businesses that respond to reviews from customers in a negative manner. You are not helping, and you’ve just lost your chance at ever getting repeat business.

I didn’t write this to say it’s a problem that people have dug in on their favorite breakfast. At times, I find it a little amusing, but there is a line. I will conclude by saying I understand the feverish love for both, so this just clears the air. While I may have these two fine restaurants in my Top 2, there is a clear choice for a fair portion of patrons; mine is a little more nuanced. I love them both for the same and different reasons. Sound complicated? Maybe. But I’d be happy to stand in both their corners at the same time if it were physically possible.

Thanks for reading, everyone! I’m hoping you will consider being a subscriber, because it will help me continue to grow this publication by helping you with your Gatlinburg vacation. That is the ultimate goal. Have happy and safe travels to the Smoky Mountains. New post coming soon!