Dottie's Famous Pancakes from Dottie's True Blue Café

M. Ladd

At the end of a painful wait, it just might be possible to console yourself.

Number 38: Dottie's Famous Pancakes from Dottie's True Blue Café

This is the TenderNob diner known as much for the long lines of hopefuls trying to get in under the 3 p.m. closing as for its comfort food classics. The breakfast-all-day scene is crowded into a homey space that attracts both locals and out-of-towners of all stripes. The daily queue for house-baked goods and omelets starts at 7:30 a.m., packed with the sweatshirt-wearing and backpack-toting, some of whom even manage smiles, sometimes, though the waits are excruciating. Then again, they should be smiling: Dottie's isn't exactly serving Krusteaz drowning in fauxberry syrup. Instead, Dottie's Famous Pancakes (whole-wheat flapjacks with pure maple ― no dreaded syrup surcharge here) come with a whiff of ginger and cinnamon you catch a second or two before the plate lands in front of you. This is precisely what "from scratch" means: sweet, orangey beauties rich enough even without extra butter. Of course, feel free to indulge your inner 4-year-old and add at least one pat before syruping up.

Dottie's True Blue Cafe 522 Jones (at Geary), 885-2767

Craving more? Check out these previous links to our countdown:

No. 92: Cracked Half Dungeness from Swan Oyster Depot
No. 91: Pastrami Sandwich from Orson
No. 90: Coconut Bun from Out the Door on Bush
No. 89: Brown Sugar-Black Pepper Biscuits from Little
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No. 87: Indian Pizza from Zante
No. 86: Tamales from All-Star
No. 85: Chilaquiles from Nopalito
No. 84: Poc Chuc from Poc-Chuc
No. 83: Chocolate Beignet from Arlequin Cafe
No. 82: Scallop Crêpe from Ti Couz
No. 81: Gin and Tonic from Pizzaiolo/Boot and Shoe
Service
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No. 78: Emperor's Pancake from Suppenküche
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