National Pancake Day - Too Good To Be True?

February 26, 2006 4:45 AM

National Pancake Day. Free pancakes at IHOP. Yes, it's real. Happy Shrove Tuesday.
posted by fixedgear (44 comments total)

Somewhere there's a rabbit that's very happy.
posted by fungible at 5:31 AM on February 26, 2006

You know, besides the fact that I hate IHOP's pancakes, I would feel pretty embarrassed coming into one just to get some for free.
posted by Target Practice at 5:38 AM on February 26, 2006

All we ask is that you consider making a donation to a great charity like First Book or other local, worthy cause.

posted by Marianne at 5:41 AM on February 26, 2006

correction, fungible: somewhere there's a rabbit who will be forced--unethically (enslaved?)--to balance "free" pancakes on his head. The shame of it, the shame. And then photographed (when we know the how such images will shake the Leporidae family). This too was in Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba's report.
posted by josephtate at 6:23 AM on February 26, 2006

Great post, but free crappy food is still crappy food. From the IHOP FAQ page, " We do not maintain nutritional data on our food." Nice.
posted by Fat Guy at 6:58 AM on February 26, 2006

I like pancakes.
posted by disclaimer at 7:01 AM on February 26, 2006

Might as well go in uniform...
posted by Smart Dalek at 7:14 AM on February 26, 2006

Quit whining, you're giving me a headache.
posted by substrate at 8:02 AM on February 26, 2006

"From the IHOP FAQ page, " We do not maintain nutritional data on our food." Nice."

What are you, a Nazi? How come you hate America's pancakes?

I don't know anyone who's gone to IHOP expecting nutritious food. IHOP means carbs and grease and sugar, and everyone who goes there already knows it.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 8:18 AM on February 26, 2006

National Pancake Day?

WTF?
posted by nowonmai at 8:25 AM on February 26, 2006

Why would somebody with the handle "Fat Guy" care about nutritional content in the first place?
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:31 AM on February 26, 2006

He wants to be known as 'the guy formerly known as Fat Guy.' Disclaimer: We're related.
posted by fixedgear at 8:40 AM on February 26, 2006

Anyone who shits on free pancakes deserve a good, long hard look in the mirror. Do it. Look at yourself. You just criticized free pancakes. Whatever the circumstances that have led you to this particular point, that's where you are now. That person in they mirror - yeah, they're a hater of free pancakes. Do you even remember joy? Happiness? Warmth?

Regroup. Take stock. Deep breaths. Go have some pancakes.
posted by billysumday at 9:00 AM on February 26, 2006 [8 favorites]

Well said, billysumday. More than once I've been accused of having no soul, but not even I criticize free pancakes.
posted by Faint of Butt at 9:38 AM on February 26, 2006

If you don't want to go to IHOP, then stay home and make your own. Here's my recipe: Incredibly Easy, Mighty Tasty and Still Somewhat Healthy Pancakes.
posted by grabbingsand at 9:41 AM on February 26, 2006

Come for the free pancakes. Stay for the chicken fajita omelette.
posted by Foosnark at 10:44 AM on February 26, 2006

thanks for the info. i'm going to ride my bike there to take pictures
posted by srs at 12:15 PM on February 26, 2006

Thank you for reminding me it's pancake day on Tuesday, though. I usually forget all about it until a humorous news report reminds me when it's far too late.

So I intend to have them for lunch on Tuesday, probably following Delia's recipe.

Thanks again.
posted by Grangousier at 12:24 PM on February 26, 2006

I'll be there with bells on. Bells made of syrup.
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:50 PM on February 26, 2006

Something tells me I need to whip up some pancakes for dinner tonight.

Seeing as I won't be making it to IHOP come Tuesday.
posted by anjamu at 1:18 PM on February 26, 2006

Or, if IHOP isn't quite how you're looking to spend Pancake Day this year, here is a variety of activities for the whole family.

Be sure to tell others about this glorious day.
posted by sambosambo at 1:27 PM on February 26, 2006

Thought you guys might like this:

Officer Placed On Leave After Fatal Shooting
Driver Faces Charges

POSTED: 5:04 pm EST February 25, 2006
UPDATED: 5:30 pm EST February 25, 2006

Email This Story | Print This Story

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- An Alexandria police officer has been placed on administrative leave after shooting and killing a teenager at a restaurant parking lot.

Police said the officer was working off-duty as a security guard at an I-HOP restaurant on Duke Street at about 3:40 a.m. when an employee told him that a group of customers had left without paying.

Spokeswoman Amy Bertsch said the officer attempted to stop the customers from fleeing in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and that he fired at the vehicle when it traveled toward him.

Bertsch said Aaron Brown, 18, of Springfield, a back seat passenger, was hit by a bullet and died at the scene. Three other people in the Jeep were not hurt.


Stephen Smith, 19, of Alexandria, who was driving the vehicle, has been charged with driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana.

news story
somethingawful forum thread
posted by kjh at 1:27 PM on February 26, 2006

Billysumday gets two stacks.
posted by user92371 at 1:33 PM on February 26, 2006

Do homeless people get in? Or are they kept out on some sort of "no shirt, no shoes, no service" rule? Seems this would be a great opportunity for any homeless person to get some free food.
posted by chef_boyardee at 2:07 PM on February 26, 2006

how many are in a shortstack anyway?
posted by MonkNoiz at 2:50 PM on February 26, 2006

Anyone who shits on free pancakes

Lost my appetite.
posted by evilcolonel at 3:07 PM on February 26, 2006

Ummm..wrong kind of pancakes.
Shrove Tuesday pancakes are crepe-like and dusted with sugar and bit of lemon juice.

Trust IHOP to get even that wrong.
posted by madajb at 3:32 PM on February 26, 2006

I, for one, enjoyed Fat Guy's anti-eponysterical comment.
posted by youarenothere at 3:39 PM on February 26, 2006

would it be "anti"?
posted by IndpMed at 5:47 PM on February 26, 2006

I can't let this post get beat by the 9/11 hoax thread....this one deserves more attention. Pancakes are fun.
posted by skepticallypleased at 7:09 PM on February 26, 2006

National Pancake Day has a rich history that stretches back centuries and has always been a time of celebration. National Pancake Day always falls on Fat Tuesday and this year it will be a celebration at IHOP.

mmm...rich buttery history.

almost as good as free pancakes: eating them on Fat Tuesday. I hope they'll run this promo again on Lard-Ass Thursday.
posted by ericbop at 7:59 PM on February 26, 2006

I'll be in school till 2:10, ultimate bummer. Although maybe I could travel to another time zone... are there IHOPS in Alaska?
posted by Citizen Premier at 8:22 PM on February 26, 2006

Pancake day in my house is nearly every Sunday, exceptions for hot weather. These days, I quit the chemicals and mine are yeast-risen. Very nice! Simply substitute half the liquid with water, add yeast, and let the batter double in bulk. Thin the batter with water (or bubbly water) for crepes.
posted by Goofyy at 9:31 PM on February 26, 2006

Crap...a day late and a pancake short.
posted by mrmojoflying at 5:39 AM on February 27, 2006

I'm glad someone has finally taken the initiative to commercialize the lesser-known holidays.
posted by MasonDixon at 8:10 AM on February 27, 2006

Argh! The whole point of Fat Tuesday pancakes is that you're trying to finish off all the extra butter and lard and sugar and bacon and sausage you've got left in the house before Lent starts when you'll be fasting and not eating any of that stuff.

Going to a restaurant to eat pancakes on Fat Tuesday is like making Mardi Gras a bigger party than Easter.

In other words, it's a lost cause. So lets go chow down on some free pancakes.
posted by straight at 9:26 AM on February 27, 2006

second in significance to waffle house
now accepting credit cards...
posted by Hesychia at 1:53 PM on February 27, 2006

i called our nearest IHOP and they said its a free short stack of pancakes. no purchace necessary. You're free to donate to childrens hospital fund outside the door.
posted by obeygiant at 2:11 PM on February 27, 2006

I, for one, enjoyed Fat Guy's anti-eponysterical comment.

Interestingly enough, when I googled "eponysterical" (because I have no idea what it means), all the links lead back to metafilter.
posted by iron chef morimoto at 5:56 PM on February 27, 2006

Pancakes are dry, floppy, flour-based shit Frisbees inflicted on the public through a conspiracy of poultry and pork industry, so as the average Joe will yearn for a hearty breakfast of greasy pig skins and two chicken periods sunny-side up.

Now waffles...breakfast of the Gods.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 6:01 PM on February 27, 2006

Who here likes pancakes? I love pancakes.
posted by grouse at 5:42 AM on February 28, 2006

Is Fat Tuesday not the same as Mardi Gras? I mean, Mardi=Tuesday and Gras=Fat.
posted by arcticwoman at 9:06 AM on February 28, 2006

Yes, arcticwoman, exactly the same. And also, because I don't think people were paying enough attention the first time...

National pancake day? W... T... F?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday
posted by nthdegx at 1:20 AM on March 2, 2006

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area, the Crepevine chain of restaurants serve excellent, substantial Swedish oatmeal pancakes.
posted by slackbp at 4:11 PM on March 17, 2006