Chesterfield's 'Original Pancake House' Is the Only One In Missouri

Chesterfield Valley's is the only one in the whole state of Missouri. It moved into town four-and-a-half years ago, according to workers there.

The chain, founded by a couple in 1953, has at least 100 restaurants all over the country, but Chesterfield's is one of the few in the surrounding Midwest states.

So I tried it out Saturday about lunchtime. It closes at 2:30pm every day.

The chocolate chip pancakes rocked. They arrived with warmed maple syrup on the side, and chocolate syrup as another side. Delicious.

Much to the dismay of my dining companion, I later used some of the delicious chocolate syrup to turn my diet Pepsi into a chocolate soda. Equally delicious. (I understand the coffee is very good at the Pancake House, but I get my kicks from Pepsi.)

The waiter was very, very hospitable and full of suggestions about what to order—Amanda Tumbrink. There is a very large selction of items to order, and combinations of items, and specialty items. 

The batters are made fresh from scratch every day.

In 1999, an Oregon version of The Original Pancake House won the James Beard Award for excellence.

When Les Highet and Erma Hueneke founded the business in 1953, they came up with the logo, and it's likely the same logo since that time. Check it out on the accompanying photo of an outdoor sign—it's a funny little cook with a big hat and big profile.