Colorado’s Best Pumpkin Patches!
With Halloween just around the corner, it is time to pick pumpkins! We love to head out on a 
crisp fall day to one of our local Colorado pumpkin patches each year to pick a few pumpkins for our front porch. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite pumpkin patches in Colorado for you to explore and enjoy with the whole family. And of course, we highly recommend you visit us for breakfast in Denver at the Original Pancake House before you head out to the fields, you’ll need a fully belly to help you on your pumpkin search!
Anderson Farms
Location: 6728 County Rd 3 1/4, Erie, CO 80516
Dates: September 21st through October 31st, 2016
This pumpkin patch has something for every age group! With 70 varieties of pumpkins to pick, hayrides, barrel cart rides, petting zoo, zombie paint ball for the older kids, an enormous corn maze, and delicious food offerings, you could spend all day (and night!) at this family-friendly pumpkin patch. Look for the giant pumpkin a top their grain silo as you approach.
Mueller’s Little Farm
Location: 6190 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123
Dates: October 15th & 16th, October 22nd & 23rd, October 29th & 30th, 2016
Mueller’s Little Farm hosts their pumpkin patch during the last three weekends of October. This patch features free entry for the whole family, several pumpkin varieties including “jumbo crazy big pumpkins,” home-baked goods, hot coffee and cider, a magic show, toys, slides, a hay bale pyramid, and chickens to feed.
Rock Creek Farms
Location: 2005 S 112th St, Broomfield, CO 80020
Dates: September 24th through October 31st, 2016
Rock Creek Farm features over 100 acres of U-Pick-Em pumpkin fields to explore. In addition they have a hay bale maze and over six miles of corn mazes. Tots will love to check out their pigs, goats, ponies, donkeys, chickens and other farm animals and fall festive treats including caramel apples and baked goods. Moms and Dads will enjoy perusing the selection of fall decorations such as gourds, Indian corn, straw bales and more.
Mile High Farm
Location: 11 Cavanaugh Rd, Bennett, CO 80102
Dates: Saturday & Sunday from October 1st through October 30th, 2016
Mile High Farms features an antique tractor hay ride to and from the pumpkin patch, big and little kid sized corn mazes, bouncy castles, wagon and tractor tire corn pits, Grover’s Garden farm animals, unlimited barrel cart rides, and a farmer’s playground.
Flat Acre Farm
Location: 11321 Dransfeldt Rd, Parker, CO 80134
Dates: September 24th through October 31st, 2016
Douglas County’s newest locally owned and operated family farm, Flat Acres Farm includes a pumpkin patch, a giant bale maze and haunted maze, and a petting zoo. Kids of all ages will enjoy activities including giant jenga, cornhole, duck races, bouncy houses, and a giant swing set.
Happy fall and happy pumpkin picking Denver!
12 Months of Delicious Breakfast!
It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner as is the end to another year! 2018 was a good one, filled with many memorable moments shared round a table with family and friends. We feel so lucky to have the support of the Denver community through another year and look forward to what 2019 will bring! As we reflect back on the past year, we like to remember our favorite breakfasts for each month of 2018. Here they are!
January: Bitter cold January is always hallmarked by renewed devotion to healthy eating, especially after our usual holiday indulgence! For January, we love a bowl of our Old Fashioned Oatmeal with skim milk, raisins, and brown sugar!
February: Share the love! In February we always share a plate of Cherry Kijafa Crepes with someone special. Nothing says “I love you” like a delicious breakfast for two!
March: In March we begin to dream of Spring! And with Spring, all we can think of are fresh eggs. Ok, and Easter Bunnies too! In March we love to rotate through our selection of Eggs Benedict dishes, they are all so good!
April: In April, when Spring finally does arrive in the Mile High City, we can’t get enough fresh veggies! We love the Florentine Omelette, filled with fresh spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms and Swiss to celebrate the changing season!
May: We love a zesty and fresh Lemon Poppy Seed Waffle in May! It reminds us of a dish our mother’s would love - a golden brown Belgian waffle baked with lemon zest and poppy seeds, served with fresh whipped butter and homemade warm blueberry compote syrup.
June: Bring on the fresh berries! Each June we celebrate the return of fresh berry season with fresh Strawberry Crepes, fresh Strawberry Waffles, and Blueberry Pancakes!
July: With summer vacation in full swing, we can think of nothing better than a leisurely breakfast on our patio! We usually opt for French Crepes with a side of Fresh Fruit for the warmest days of the year.
August: Back to school month! For all the kids who are sad to see the end of summer vacation, we recommend Chocolate Chip Pancakes to sweeten the mood!
September: September’s golden days have us thinking about cooler weather to come! September also marks green chile season so we always opt for the Pork Green Chile Omelette this time of year!
October: With fall in full swing, we always try Sarah’s Pumpkin Pancakes! They are so delicious and really capture the flavor of the season.
November: November marks the beginning of the holidays and usually brings a bit of chill to Denver. To keep us warm, we love to order Biscuits with Sausage Gravy and Eggs.
December: ‘Tis the season to celebrate! Each December we are so excited to celebrate the return of the OPH holiday specials! The Ho! Ho! Ho! Plate and special holiday sausage links are our favorites!
From all your friends at the Original Pancake House in Denver, we wish you a very happy holiday and best wishes for the new year! We look forward to seeing you in 2019!
'Tis the Season for Pancake Cheer
‘Tis the season to spread Pancake Cheer! We’re in the full swing of the holiday season here at the Original Pancake House in Denver and are enjoying all the holiday specials on the menu! If you haven’t tried our Eggnog French Toast, our very special holiday sausage links, or everyone’s favorite Ho! Ho! Ho! Pancakes, you are in for a special treat on your next visit when you go out for breakfast in Denver!
If you are like us and are just getting started on your holiday shopping list, we want to share with you an easy idea to take care of just about everyone on your list this year. OPH gift cards make perfect stocking stuffers or easy gifts for all those hard-to-shop-for folks. For teachers, coaches, favorite yoga instructors, hair stylists, neighbors, and the mail delivery person, consider giving the gift of a delicious breakfast out. Have a persnickety in-law? No problem, give them pancake cheer with an OPH gift card! Everyone loves breakfast and you can take care of your entire list in one stop!
From all your friends at the Original Pancake House in Denver, we wish you a joyous holiday season. We hope to see you this month when you go out for breakfast in Denver so that we can extend our holiday wishes to you in person! May your days be merry and bright!
Big Batch Breakfasts to Feed a Crowd
The holidays are here! At the Original Pancake House in Denver, we’ve been celebrating the season already with the return of our holiday specials menu, you can check out all the scrumptious holiday treats we have for breakfast in Denver here! For many of us, the holiday season means we have a full house with family and friends and neighbors coming to call. So how do you prepare to feed a crowd for holiday breakfast or brunch? You go BIG and make a big batch breakfast to feed a crowd. Here are a few of our favorite breakfasts ideas that will feed a large, hungry group this holiday!
Your family and friends will love the Tex-Mex flavors in this recipe (courtesy of Southern Living Magazine). Eggs combined with milk, tortilla, peppers, onion, jack cheese and chiles make a delicious and flavorful breakfast casserole. We also love this recipe because it works best if you prepare it the night before. That means on the morning of your large holiday brunch, you just pop it in the oven with no prep or clean-up! That’s a win in our book.
Baked Eggs with Chorizo and Potatoes
Crispy chorizo and potatoes topped with eggs all baked together in a big cast-iron skillet - what’s not to love? This hearty and flavorful breakfast is sure to be a crowd pleaser and covers all breakfast staples in one big pan. YUM.
For those with a sweet tooth, this recipe is for you! Glazed with honey and topped with seasonal and nutty pecans, these breakfast rolls are delightful and work well to bring as a hostess gift or to act as the centerpiece on your breakfast table. Serve these pecan honey buns to a large group of guests with a yogurt bar and breakfast is done!
Who doesn’t enjoy a breakfast pie this time of year? Quiche are so pretty and easy to make in advance. You can even save time by using store-bought dough. When we’re preparing breakfast for a large crowd, we like to make a few different quiche options to satisfy every taste. Our favorites include classic ham and cheddar, spinach and gruyere, and bacon and potato. One of the best features of quiche is that you can put almost anything in them and come up with a delicious breakfast meal for your family and friends!
Whatever your plans for the holiday season, we hope you enjoy time with loved ones! And after your hosting duties are complete, come on by the Original Pancake House in Denver and say hi! We’ll treat you to some of our favorite holiday breakfasts!
Hometown Hero: What Should Phillip Lindsay Eat for Breakfast?
By now we all know Phillip Lindsay, one of the star running backs for the Denver Broncos. Though he is only 24, Phillip has been a standout in Colorado football for many years. Born in Aurora, Colorado, Phillip attended South High School in Denver where he became the school's all-time leading rusher with 4,587 yards. He then went on to play for the University of Colorado in Boulder where he set the school record in all-purpose yards (5,760) and yards from scrimmage (4,683). Not bad! With a record like that it is no surprise that the Denver Broncos scooped him up this year. And thus far this season, he has not disappointed local fans!
As a Denver breakfast restaurant, we are naturally curious to know what Phillip Lindsay eats for breakfast. (Phillip, if you are reading this, let us know!) Our best guess is that he’s on a fairly strict diet fit for a pro-athlete. Most athletes will start the day with a large breakfast mixing lean protein, carbs, and fats. Based on nutritionist recommendations, we have a few ideas for what Phillip Lindsay, and all those other aspiring NFL players out there, should have for breakfast!
Carbs:
All nutritionist agree that athletes need healthy carbohydrates to fuel them on the field. Healthy carbs might include fruit, veggies, whole grain cereal like oatmeal, or whole grain toast. With this recommendation in mind, we think Phillip should try our Fiesta Bowl which includes non-fat greek yogurt, homemade granola, and fresh seasonal fruit, or perhaps a bowl of our Old Fashioned Oatmeal topped with skim milk, brown sugar and raisins.
Protein:
All athletes need protein to help build muscle and provide sustained energy on the field. Great sources of breakfast protein (which also contain fats) are eggs, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, milk, cheese, yogurt and meat. At the Original Pancake House in Denver, we think Phillip Lindsay might enjoy our Vegetarian Omelette, with fresh broccoli, tomatoes, onions, and swiss, or perhaps our Mediterranean Omelette filled with fresh spinach, sun dried tomatoes and feta. Either way, he’d be getting a good serving of healthy protein and veggies. He might also enjoy adding our Turkey Sausage Patties on the side for extra energy!
To Phillip Lindsay, and all our football players out there, best of luck to you this season! If you ever need to fuel up before a game, or even a practice, we’d love to host you! Let’s go BRONCOS!
Favorite Fall Breakfasts Foods
With the first day of fall officially behind us, and cooler mornings and changing leaves to come, we are excited to cozy up with our favorite fall ingredients. At The Original Pancake House in Denver, we welcome fall with open arms, grab our blue and orange Broncos gear, and turn to our favorite fall breakfast foods - apples, pumpkins, pecans! Here are a few of our favorite fall dishes to celebrate the season!
Sara’s Pumpkin Pancakes - Is there anything that says “fall” more than pumpkin? Not in our book! Sara’s Pumpkin Pancakes are better than pie. Doctored up with rich pumpkin, molasses and pie spices, these rich fall pancakes are served with a choice of butter or homemade fresh whipped cream.
Apple Pancake - For those of us with an apple tree in our yards in Denver, we know it is apple season, and what a harvest this year! To celebrate this amazing fruit, we love to find a friend and cozy up to one of our giant Apple Pancakes. These huge culinary creations are an OPH tradition. Our Apple Pancake is oven baked to make it custardy and crisp, and is then covered with Sinkiang cinnamon sugar glazed Granny Smith apple slices. Amazing!
Pecan Pancakes - Toasty and delicious pecans remind us of cool, crisp mornings with every crunchy bite! Our pecan pancakes are a fantastic showcase for this little nut. We take our made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes and fill and top them with warm toasted pecans. We finish these fall pancakes off with a dusting of powdered sugar and homemade warm tropical syrup.
And of finally, for that first frost or snow we all know is coming, we love to order a pork green chile omelette. Our fluffy oven-baked omelette is filled with pepper jack cheese and smothered with locally made pork green chile sauce, just the thing you need to warm you on a chilly morning.
Come visit us this season for an autumn treat in Cherry Hills or the Denver Tech Center. We hope to see you next time you head out to enjoy some fall breakfast foods in Denver! From all of us at The Original Pancake House in Denver, happy fall!
Celebrate National Potato Month with Home Fries
Digging Up Goodness with Potatoes
Did you know that September is National Potato Month? Potatoes may be one of the most unassuming veggies, but they pack nutritional punch! In fact, one potato can contain nearly half of the daily recommendation for potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Not to mention, potatoes are also a good source of folate, fiber, magnesium, and other nutrients. At the Original Pancake House in Denver, we’ve always included potatoes on our breakfast plates, but with the knowledge that they contain so many health benefits, we’re happy to celebrate them as an unsung breakfast hero!
When we go out for breakfast in Denver, we always make sure to order a dish that comes with our delicious home fries. We can’t tell you our secret recipe, but here is a similar recipe to try at home! The home fries recipe below is so quick and simple that you can make it any day of the week.
Homemade Home Fries Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 medium russet potatoes
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
Rinse potato cubes with cold water, and drain well. Melt butter or margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Place potatoes in the skillet, and stir to coat with butter. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid, and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the lid, and cook for another 10 minutes, turning frequently until brown and crisp on all sides.
Be sure to order a dish with our home fries the next time you visit us in Cherry Hills or the Denver Tech Center! Or for a special potato treat, try our potato pancakes. We use ground russet potatoes with just enough flour, egg and cream to hold them together. They are then grilled in clarified butter until brown and edges are lacy and crisp and served with cinnamon applesauce or sour cream. YUM! From all your friends at the Original Pancake House in Denver, Happy National Potato Month!
Veterans Day - Honoring Those Who Serve
What is Veterans Day? Veterans Day falls on November 11 every year. Originally called Armistice Day and marking the end of World War I, the date was first observed in the US on November 11, 1919 on the first anniversary of the end of the first World War. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution to change the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day which is the national holiday that we observe each year on November 11.
Here are some interesting facts about Veterans Day:
- Whereas Memorial Day serves as a day of remembrance for those who died in service, Veterans Day is a day to honor those who served honorably, both living and dead.
- Veterans Day occurs on November 11 every year in the United States.
- In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
- Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).
- In Europe and Great Britain it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11 as World War I formally ended on November 11th, at the 11th hour.
- Arlington Cemetery hosts a memorial ceremony on Veterans Day each year to honor all who died in war.
- Today there are about 24 million veterans living in the United States.
- Of those veterans, 35% served in the Vietnam War and 8% are women.
At The Original Pancake House in Denver, we are so thankful for the service of all our Veterans. On November 11, we will honor our Veterans and salute their valiant efforts to protect our country. Here’s to you, Veterans! Happy Veterans Day!
Breakfast Warmer - What will it be? Coffee versus tea!
The coffee versus tea debate has been percolating for decades - which is healthier, which should you choose, which is the best breakfast beverage? Studies show that both beverages contain many health and energy benefits, here is the break-down.
Caffeine - Coffee typically has about 100 mg of caffeine per cup, whereas tea contains 25 - 75 mg per cup depending on the variety (black teas typically have more caffeine than green teas). Depending on time of day (or just how sleepy you are feeling!) you may opt for one beverage over the over. Coffee releases caffeine in a quick burst, whereas tea is more a slow, sustained release of energy over a longer period. 
Health benefits - Coffee contains key nutrients like potassium, niacin, manganese, and magnesium. It also may protect against certain types of cancers, reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, and protect your liver. Further, coffee supports brain function and helps prevent Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and can help ward off depression. Tea, on the other hand, reduces inflammation, promotes mouth health, reduces risk for certain cancers, and improves insulin sensitivity. Tea may help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and may decrease the risk of heart disease.
Taste - Both coffee and tea come in a variety of flavors sourced from around the world. Different coffee beans will have different flavor profiles due to the unique terroir of the growing environment. Further, the brew can vary greatly depending on how the coffee is roasted and if any spices such as vanilla or cinnamon are added. Tea comes in a wide variety of flavors as well, though most are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Tea flavors vary greatly depending on how the tea leaves are processed.
Whichever breakfast beverage you favor, you are sure to get a boost of energy, many health benefits, and of course something to warm you on a cold morning. We serve both hot coffee and tea at The Original Pancake House in Denver, so the next time you are out for breakfast, stop in and let us know which one you prefer. Cheers!
How To: Make Your Own Perfect Crispy Home Fries
There is nothing better than crispy, flavorful home fries with a savory breakfast. Home fries are one of our favorite breakfast staples at The Original Pancake House in Denver - dip them in a runny egg, enjoy them with hot sauce, or just eat them straight-up! Though we can’t share our own secret recipe, we can give you a few good tips for making delicious home fries in your own kitchen! 
To start, make sure you select the right potato. We like russet potatoes as they are more starchy, like to soak up butter and flavors, and will give you a nice creamy center. Red, new, or fingerling potatoes won’t give you the same smooth and buttery center as a russet.
Next, parboil the potatoes to get the right texture. After you cube your potatoes, add them to a pot with cold water just deep enough to cover the potatoes. Bring the water to a boil and cook for just a couple of minutes once boiling. This cooking method will yield the soft creamy inside; be careful not to overdo it as boiling too long will result in mushy and crumbly potatoes.
If you like onions in your home fries, dice and cook them separately while the potatoes are boiling. Cooking onions on their own will ensure they have proper time and space to saute properly. Cook onions until they are translucent and fragrant, then set aside.
Now it is finally time to cook those potatoes! Add both oil and butter to the skillet or cast iron pan and arrange potatoes in a single layer. It is important not to overcrowd the pan as you want to make sure each potato is seared. As you are searing the potatoes, add in your seasonings. We like paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic. Once you get a nice golden brown, crispy edge on your spuds, flip them and sear the other side(s). When you have a nice crispy crust on all sides, add your onions back to the pan for a final saute and serve immediately!
And of course, next time you are out for breakfast in Denver, let us share our own homemade home fries with you! Bon Appetit!
Back to School Breakfasts
Here we go again! The kids are heading back to school and suddenly the leisurely summer mornings are replaced with rush, rush, go, go, get to school on time! But wait, we all need to eat something healthy and nutritious to give us energy for the day and to help our brains get ready to learn! We’ve compiled a few of our favorite back to school breakfasts. These are healthy, nutritious, filling, and easy to prepare in just a few minutes!
Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks
- 8 slices thick-cut Texas toast
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- Unsalted butter, for cooking
- Maple syrup, for serving
Directions:
Cut each slice of Texas toast into four sticks. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla. Dip each piece of bread in the egg mixture, turning to coat it on all sides so that it's well-saturated with the custard.
Shake off any excess and place the coated bread on a large plate or baking dish. Repeat the dipping process with the remaining pieces of bread.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, place several of the coated sticks in a single layer in the pan. (Do not overcrowd the pan.) Cook until golden brown on one side then flip and continue cooking until the sticks are golden brown and slightly crisped on all edges. Serve immediately with maple syrup for dipping.
No Bake Breakfast Balls
- 1/4 cup of almonds
- 1/4 cup of cashew pieces
- 1/4 cup of dried fruit (we used dried cherries, but I bet any dried fruit would work)
- 1/4 cup of almond butter (+ 1 teaspoon of coconut oil – omit the coconut oil if you decide to substitute with peanut butter).
- 2 Tablespoons of dark chocolate pieces
- 1 cup of toasted granola
Directions:
Throw all the ingredients except for the almond butter and the granola into the food processor and chop finely. Mix in the granola and the almond butter and coconut oil (or butter). Make sure that everything is well coated, then put the bowl into the fridge for about 3 hours. You want the nut meal to soak up some of the healthy fats from the almond butter. Once chilled, form batter into balls and either eat immediately or store in the fridge or freezer for a morning on the run!
Potato Omelet Breakfast Bites
- Frozen Tator Tots
- Ham, Sausage or Bacon
- Red or Green peppers (or substitute other veggies)
- 8 eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- Shredded cheese for topping
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and make sure you grease your muffin tins really well, making sure to get both the sides and bottom Throw your tater tots in the microwave for a couple minutes to thaw. Then, place 3 in each standard size muffin tin. Take a small cup and squish them flat into the bottom of each tin. Bake your tater tots for 10 minutes.
While you are waiting for them to cook, you can gather and chop up your breakfast meat of choice and veggies of choice. If you don’t like peppers, you can substitute with spinach, mushrooms, onion, tomatoes, basil, zucchini, squash, etc. Just be sure to pre-cook or purchase pre-cooked meats. After removing your tots from the oven, lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. Sprinkle your toppings over each cup. Whip together 8 eggs and 1/4 cup milk with a fork. Pour egg mixture in and sprinkle cheese mixture on top of each cup. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until the egg is cooked through. Enjoy!
Good luck this school year, Denver! And don’t forget to visit us at The Original Pancake House when you want to go out for breakfast in Denver on the weekends!
Peachy Keen!
August is National Peach Month and we’re loving all the delicious peaches coming into Denver from Colorado’s western slope. If you went peach picking in Palisade, or your local farmer's market, you may be wondering how you can incorporate peaches into every meal, including breakfast! Here are a few of our favorite ideas for a peachy breakfast in Denver.
Peach, Banana & Pecan Pancakes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 and 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 medium banana - mashed
- 1 medium peach - peeled and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls. Combine both wet and dry to form batter and cook on a frying pan or griddle using the same methods as traditional pancakes.
Tropical Peach Smoothie
- 1 large ripe peach - sliced
- 1 cup coconut yogurt
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- Ice to taste
Combine all ingredients in a blender and enjoy! You can add more fruit such as banana or use different yogurt such as vanilla or peach to create variations to this recipe.
Peach Pecan Muffins
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter - melted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 medium peaches - peeled and diced
For The Topping:
- 1/2 cup pecans - chopped
- 1/3 cup brown sugar - packed
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons butter - melted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease and flour 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin cups. Combine topping ingredients until mixture is crumbly; set aside.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together butter, milk, and egg in a separate bowl. Stir milk/egg mixture into the flour mixture and blend just until moistened. Fold in diced peaches. Spoon into muffin cups; sprinkle evenly with topping mixture.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan.
Happy peach season Denver!