A Gluten-Free Road Trip: The Original Pancake House

As much as I love living in Rosemount, there are times when I am a bit frustrated. The city doesn't have a lot of dining choices in general, and when it comes to dining gluten-free the choices are even more limited.

Which is why there are times when I pile the kids in the car and head off for a gluten-free road trip. The Twin Cites metro area has some great places to dine gluten-free and last Sunday I was in the mood to try one.

I miss eating pancakes in a restaurant. I make them a lot at home, but there is something about having them in public while sipping some coffee that can't be replicated by an amateur cook.

I have had several people suggest to me that that a trip to The Original Pancake House would be a very good idea. I knew in the abstract that they offered some gluten-free choices, but I wasn't sure what to expect.

Oh, why did I wait so long to try this place?

We visited the Edina branch of the chain, which is the closest one to Rosemount. They've been open since 1977 and in 1994 thy were bought by former Green Bay Packer receiver Max McGee and his family. On their web site, they describe themselves as like "Cheers with pancakes." Weirdly enough, based on my first visit that description seems to fit pretty well.

First of all, a warning about their hours. They're only open for breakfast and lunch on Sundays and from what I can tell, there is a substantial wait anytime you go. But they do a good job of managing the crowds and our 20-minute wait went by pretty quickly.

If you're trying to eat gluten-free, The Original Pancake House is a revelation. They not only offer gluten-free pancakes but also a variety of crepes. You can also order a gluten-free version of their Roseti, which is a Swiss-style has brown dish.

Unlike many gluten-free options available at restaurants, these dishes were as tasty and amazing as any of the regular versions you might try at your local diner. I ordered a strawberry crepe that was so sweet and delictable it almost made me cry. My son ordered a stack of bacon pancakes (shown in the photo) that left him so excited he insisted I order another stack to take home for the next day.

The wait staff was not just attentive but also very familiar with their gluten-free menu. It was one of those experiences that you dream about when you're eating gluten-free. The chance to eat great food in a place where you're not worried about cross-contamination is a treat and if they were located a little closer to Rosemount I would be eating there every few days.

I can't recommend this place highly enough. I loved every moment of my meal and can't to go back.