The Pancake Shop

At The Pancake Shop, we pour our hearts and souls into every moment we share with you. For many of us, this is not just a business; it’s our beloved home. From the moment you step through our doors, we want you to feel embraced and cherished, as if you were a guest at our own family table.

If you find yourself joining us for breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning, you may encounter a brief wait for a table. But fear not! Our gracious host will guide you next door to The Savory Pantry, where you’ll be welcomed with steaming coffee, uplifting tunes, and delightful samples of specialty foods from across the globe as you wait. Our friendly team is more than happy to share recommendations for after your meal—be it a scenic walk in the national park, a visit to our vibrant art galleries, or a soothing thermal bath. Downtown Hot Springs is a treasure trove of experiences, and we’re here to help make your time unforgettable!

Once you walk in, prepare yourself for an extraordinary dining adventure. We take pride in our traditional methods, and our menu has remained lovingly consistent for over 70 years. Your orange juice will be freshly squeezed just for you. Our pancakes, crafted from scratch, will be served with rich butter and warm, inviting maple syrup. Our homemade sausage and award-winning ham are sure to delight your taste buds. Your eggs will be cooked to your liking, and each breakfast is prepared with care—no fast food here! We’ll refill your coffee cup as many times as you wish. Our mission is your happiness, and we can’t wait for you to return, bringing your friends along!

Who You'll Meet

At The Pancake Shop, we boast a devoted staff, many of whom have been with us for decades! They are seasoned pros, dedicated to ensuring your experience is nothing short of wonderful. From the moment you arrive to the final goodbye, our team stands ready to make your visit special.

It has been a true blessing to welcome so many incredible individuals through our doors over the years. The most rewarding part is seeing them return! If you visit Hot Springs at the same time each year, as many of our guests do, you might just spot a familiar face or two seated next to you at The Pancake Shop.

Over the years, we’ve also had the honor of hosting a number of celebrities, with their photos proudly displayed on our walls. If you’re here in the spring during the thrilling races at Oaklawn Park, you might encounter legendary trainers and jockeys. In June, world-class musicians join us as Hot Springs celebrates the Music Festival. And during the October Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, we proudly serve filmmakers from all corners of the globe.

Our History

Since 1940, The Pancake Shop has been dedicated to serving breakfast exclusively. As one of the oldest family-owned and operated restaurants in the state, we carry a rich legacy of crafting home-style breakfasts for our cherished family of customers.

Originally owned by Albah D. Mason, our restaurant began its journey as Mason's Pancake Shop, located at 133 Central Avenue, right across from our current site, which now houses The Spring Hotel. If you look closely, you’ll still find the original menu from Mason's Pancake Shop hanging proudly on our wall. Back then, a cup of coffee was just a nickel!

In the 1950s, the restaurant was acquired by Chuck and Olive Conway from Chicago, who renamed it The Pancake Shop and relocated it to our present address at 216 Central Avenue. This space has seen various restaurants and businesses through the years, including The Liberty Café, a souvenir photo shop, and for many years, The Italian Kitchen, run by the Italian immigrant Amedeo Ritenuti. A recent guest shared a nostalgic story of delivering Italian delicacies from Chicago to Amedeo's Italian Kitchen as a young boy.

On May 15th, 1966, my parents, Tom and Ruth Ardman, took over The Pancake Shop when I was just six years old. My father became the face of our beloved establishment until his health began to decline in the late seventies. When he passed away in 1980,