Original Pancake House in Columbia — Breakfast and Lunch Classics in Five Points

What to expect at Original Pancake House

Original Pancake House in Columbia's Five Points neighborhood serves breakfast and lunch in a casual, family-friendly setting. The restaurant is known for its made-to-order pancakes, omelets, and griddle items — the kind of place where the kitchen cooks your food after you order, not from a heat lamp. The space has wood booths, a counter with stools, and the visual and sound signature of a working breakfast kitchen: griddles going, coffee being poured, plates moving.

The menu centers on pancakes in various styles, along with eggs prepared multiple ways, hash browns, bacon, sausage, and toast. Crepes appear on the menu as well, fitting the category you arrived from. Lunch items include sandwiches and salads, though the restaurant's identity is built on breakfast. The restaurant does not take reservations, so timing matters during peak hours — typically Saturday and Sunday mornings, and weekday mornings between 7 and 9 a.m.

Key Takeaways

• Original Pancake House is located in Five Points and serves breakfast and lunch daily, with no reservations taken.
• The menu features made-to-order pancakes, omelets, crepes, and griddle items cooked to order rather than held under heat.
• Peak wait times occur on weekend mornings and weekday mornings before 9 a.m.; arriving after 10 a.m. typically means shorter waits.
• The restaurant accepts cash and card payments and has street parking available in the Five Points area.

Location and hours in Five Points

The restaurant sits on Harden Street in Columbia's Five Points district, a neighborhood known for locally owned shops, restaurants, and a walkable street layout. Five Points is roughly 15 minutes from downtown Columbia and easily accessible from I-20. Street parking is available along Harden Street and nearby side streets, though spaces fill quickly during busy breakfast hours.

Original Pancake House opens early — typically at 6 or 6:30 a.m. on weekdays and slightly later on weekends — and closes in the early afternoon, usually between 2 and 3 p.m. Hours vary by day and season, so calling ahead or checking their current posted hours is worth doing if you are planning a specific time. The restaurant is closed on certain holidays.

The pancake menu and how it works

Pancakes are the centerpiece. The restaurant offers classic buttermilk pancakes, but also versions with pecans, blueberries, chocolate chips, and other mix-ins. You order your pancake style, and the kitchen makes it fresh. A full stack typically comes with your choice of meat — bacon, sausage, or ham — and toast or hash browns. Portion sizes are substantial; many people split a stack or take half home.

Beyond pancakes, the menu includes omelets (cheese, vegetable, meat, or combinations), eggs cooked any style, French toast, and waffles. Crepes are available with both sweet and savory fillings. The griddle items — hash browns, home fries — are cooked to order as well. Lunch offerings include sandwiches, burgers, and salads, though the restaurant's reputation and traffic center on breakfast.

Crepes and other griddle specialties

Crepes at Original Pancake House come filled with options like ham and cheese, spinach and cheese, or fruit and whipped cream, depending on the day's offerings. They are thinner and more delicate than pancakes, made fresh to order. The crepe menu may rotate seasonally or by availability, so asking your server what is currently available is a good habit.

The restaurant also makes Dutch baby pancakes — a puffy, oven-baked pancake that arrives at the table still rising — if you want something different from the griddle. These are often ordered as a shared item or a special-occasion breakfast. All griddle items come with sides and are plated hot.

Timing your visit and managing wait times

Weekday mornings before 9 a.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday mornings draw crowds. If you arrive between 8 and 10 a.m. on a Saturday, expect a wait of 20 to 45 minutes depending on the season and weather. Weekday mornings after 9 a.m. typically move faster. Arriving after 10 a.m. on any day usually means you can be seated within 10 to 15 minutes or less.

The restaurant does not take reservations, so you arrive, give your name, and wait for a table. During very busy periods, the wait list can extend out the door. If you are visiting with a large group, calling ahead to ask about current wait times is reasonable, though they cannot hold a table for you. Lunch hours (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) are typically quieter than breakfast hours.

Parking and neighborhood context

Street parking is available on Harden Street and surrounding Five Points streets. Spaces are free but can be hard to find during peak breakfast hours. The Five Points area is walkable if you are staying nearby, and the neighborhood has other shops and restaurants within a short walk, so arriving early and browsing while you wait is an option some people use.

Five Points itself is worth exploring if you have time. The neighborhood has been a Columbia gathering spot for decades and hosts local businesses, a farmers market (seasonal), and other dining options. If you are planning a Five Points morning, you might combine Original Pancake House with a walk around the neighborhood.

What to bring and payment

Original Pancake House accepts both cash and card. The restaurant is casual — no dress code — and families with children are common. If you are visiting with young children, the casual atmosphere and booth seating make it manageable, though busy times can be loud and the wait may test patience.

Portions are large, so coming hungry or being prepared to take food home is typical. The restaurant does not have a liquor license, so it serves coffee, juice, soft drinks, and water. Coffee refills are standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation?

No. Original Pancake House operates on a first-come, first-served basis. You arrive, give your name to the host, and wait for a table. During busy times, the wait can be 30 to 45 minutes, so arriving early or going during off-peak hours (after 10 a.m. on weekdays) shortens the wait.

What time should I arrive to avoid a long wait?

Weekday mornings after 9 a.m. and lunch hours (11 a.m. onward) typically have shorter waits. Weekend mornings are busiest between 8 and 10 a.m. If you go on a Saturday or Sunday and want to minimize waiting, arriving before 7:30 a.m. or after 11 a.m. is your best bet.

Are crepes available every day?

Crepes are on the menu, but specific fillings and availability may vary by day. Asking your server what crepe options are currently available is the best way to know what you can order on the day you visit.

Can I pay with a card?

Yes, Original Pancake House accepts both cash and card payments. There is no minimum for card transactions.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is available on Harden Street and nearby Five Points streets. Spaces are free but can fill up during peak breakfast hours. Arriving early or going during quieter times makes parking easier.