Podcast Summary: All Of It – "The Best Pancakes in New York (Small Stakes, Big Opinions)"

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Alison Stewart (A)
Guests: Sonal Shah (B), New York City editor at The Infatuation; Willa Moore (C), staff writer at The Infatuation

Overview

This episode of All Of It dives deep into one of New York's most beloved comfort foods: pancakes. In a lively, wide-ranging conversation, Alison Stewart is joined by The Infatuation’s Sonal Shah and Willa Moore to discuss their just-published list of the best pancakes in New York City. From classic diner stacks to innovative masa-based creations and viral TikTok trends, the episode explores what makes a great pancake, why we’re so attached to them, and where to go for the ultimate pancake fix. Listeners also chime in with their memories, preferences, and favorite spots.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pancake Preferences: Fluffy, Thin, Sweet, or Savory?

• The debate kicks off with the age-old question: thick, fluffy pancakes vs. thin, crepe-like ones.
  • Sonal Shah: “[Cocina Consuelo’s masa pancake]...thick, fluffy. It’s just one pancake...an inch thick...drowning in a glaze of honey butter.” (02:29–02:43)
  • Willa Moore: “Hellbender in Ridgewood...heirloom masa pancakes...really changed my mind. They have this custardy inside with a cornbread texture outside.” (02:51–03:24)
• Both guests firmly believe pancakes are not just breakfast food:
  • Moore: “I think you can eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dessert. Dinner. Dessert.” (01:33–01:50)

2. Noteworthy Pancake Spots & Styles

• Cocina Consuelo (Harlem) – Masa-based, super thick, gluten-free, honey butter-glazed single pancake. (02:25–02:43)
• Hellbender (Ridgewood) – Heirloom masa pancakes with rich, custardy center and cinnamon butter. (02:51–03:24)
• Shopsin’s (Essex Market) – “Playing jazz with pancakes,” from classics to Mac & Cheese, white chocolate cashew, and the infamous “slutty pancakes” with unexpected fillings. (05:36–06:24)
• Golden Diner (Two Bridges) – Famous honey butter pancakes, known for their fluffiness and lemon zest. (06:59–07:54)
  • Shah: “They are the first really thick pancakes where you almost can’t tell the difference between the honey butter and the pancake.” (07:37–07:54)
  • Moore: “They have a little bit of lemon zest on top, which does a lot to cut through all the richness.” (07:54–08:01)
• Golden Hoft (Uptown) – Mini version of the Golden Diner pancakes, “easier to get a reservation” – a pro-tip for seeking the viral taste without the wait. (06:59–07:21)
• Chez Ma Tante (Greenpoint) – Cast iron skillet buttermilk pancakes, super crispy outside, soft and buttery inside, fried in ghee. (12:06–13:38)
• Breakfast by Salt Cure (Multiple Locations) – Oatmeal griddle pancakes, moist enough that “they don’t serve them with syrup.” (14:42–15:53)
• Croft Alley (West Village) – Almond flour, gluten-free, crispy on the outside and soft inside, “personal layer cake” style. (16:00–16:25)
• Naks (East Village – Filipino) – Pancake covered in salted egg yolk cream and calamansi citrus butter, described as “the sun, but in pancake form.” (22:00–22:39)
• Listener Shout-outs: Belly Cake Pancake House (Bayside), Krupa Grocery (Windsor Terrace), Flippers (Japanese soufflé style), and nostalgic mentions of Perkins and the Royal Canadian Pancake House.

3. Chain vs. Local Diner Debate

• Some texts defend chain pancakes like IHOP and Denny’s:
  • Moore: “There is something so special about diner pancakes...a classic stack with a side of butter and dish of maple syrup.” (04:58–05:20)

4. Pancake Creativity: Fillings & Toppings

• Talk of unique toppings and fillings: blueberry, chocolate chip, lemon ricotta, even Mac & Cheese and hatch chilies.
• Discussion of savory pancakes, including listener’s homemade versions with onions, chilies, cilantro, and Indian uttapam.
• Shah: “What she was describing sounds like a South Indian uttapam…Willa’s the real savory pancake fan.” (09:02–09:14)
• Curds add a tartness that balances sweetness (e.g., lemon ricotta pancakes with lemon curd at Locanda Verde in Tribeca). (11:15–11:40)

5. Pancake Trends: TikTok, Viral Styles & More

• Social media trends like “spaghetti pancakes” and “cereal pancakes” (mini pancakes in milk) haven’t yet taken deep root in NYC:
  • Shah: “I have not yet seen them in the wild in New York City. But I will keep an eye out...let you know if I spot any.” (10:20–11:06)

6. International & Vegan Pancakes

• Listeners ask about Swedish (thin, eggy, with lingonberries) and Russian buckwheat pancakes (with eggs, caviar; Russian Tea Room).
• Vegan pancakes: The hosts promise research and an upcoming Infatuation writeup for those on the hunt. (16:35–17:14)

7. Pancake Nostalgia & the Emotional Connection

• Many callers reminisce about pancake memories—associations with family, comfort, and home.
  • Barbara: “That Pancake House...helped me get through college...so light and thin, they melt in your mouth.” (19:34–20:34)
  • Shah: “The perfect little package of nostalgia, you know? Seems innocent and innocuous...a little bomb of butter and flour and sugar.” (20:52–21:31)

8. Pancake Rituals & “Pancake for the Table”

• Discussion of pancake rituals, like “Pancake Tuesday” (Shrove Tuesday).
• Strong advocacy for ordering a “pancake for the table” so everyone can share.
  • Moore: “One of the best ways to eat pancakes.” (23:50–24:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On New York pancake diversity:
  “They’re really like playing jazz with pancakes over there” – Alison Stewart on Shopsin’s (05:57)
• On why pancakes matter:
  “The perfect little package of nostalgia...a little bomb of butter and flour and sugar...you get to eat it and you feel happy.” – Sonal Shah (20:52–21:31)
• On the ultimate hack:
  “The Golden Diner team has another restaurant uptown called Golden Hoft, and they do a mini size of the honey butter pancakes...super easy to get a reservation at.” – Willa Moore (06:59–07:21)
• On pancakes for dinner:
  “Breakfast for dinner. Why not?” – Sonal Shah (03:35–03:40)
• On toppings:
  “They have a little bit of lemon zest on top, which I think does a lot of work to cut through all the richness.” – Willa Moore on Golden Diner (07:54–08:01)
• On pancake presentation:
  “Their pancakes are gluten free...a little personal layer cake. And what I like about them is they are sealed in this crispy layer all around top and bottom.” – Sonal Shah on Croft Alley (16:00–16:25)
• Listener wisdom:
  “The best pancake is the pancake that’s made at home.” – Emily, Brooklyn (11:57–12:03)
• Inventive international takes:
  “That sounds like a South Indian uttapam, which you can get at any good breakfast South Indian restaurant.” – Sonal Shah (09:02–09:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Pancake Mood: 00:09–01:33
• Cocina Consuelo (Masa Pancake): 01:59–02:43
• Hellbender, Ridgewood (Masa pancake): 02:49–03:24
• Diner pancakes & chain pancake debate: 04:28–05:20
• Shopsin’s (Wild pancakes): 05:36–06:24
• Golden Diner (Viral pancakes): 06:24–08:11
• Savory pancakes & homemade versions: 08:27–09:36
• TikTok pancake trends: 10:20–11:06
• Objective ‘best pancake’ at home: 11:47–13:38
• Breakfast by Salt Cure: 14:42–15:53
• Croft Alley (Gluten free): 16:00–16:25
• Vegan & international pancakes: 16:35–18:22
• Nostalgia: Perkins, Royal Canadian: 19:34–20:34
• Pancake emotions & meanings: 20:34–21:31
• Other spots: Krupa Grocery, Naks: 21:31–22:39
• Pancake Tuesday & “pancake for the table”: 22:55–24:05

Conclusion / Final Thoughts

The episode blends culinary expertise with lived experience—whether you’re seeking trendy viral pancakes, creative savory versions, or old-school diner stacks, New York has you covered. Pancakes, as the guests and listeners attest, are about more than breakfast: They’re nostalgia, comfort, innovation, and often a communal joy. As Stewart concludes, the best way to enjoy pancakes might just be sharing a plate in good company.

Guests:

• Sonal Shah, New York City editor at The Infatuation
• Willa Moore, staff writer at The Infatuation

“We’re so lucky in New York to still have a bunch of old places like that...but pancakes just make people happy.” – Sonal Shah (21:31)

For more information (and to search for those elusive vegan pancakes), check out The Infatuation’s latest pancake guide.