353 N. Pass Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505
Bea Bea's Online Menu
I'm baaaack! Only briefly, as I'm trying to eat responsibly, which, tragically, means far fewer pancake outings than I would like. However, I have not forgotten my quest and am happy to report that the Los Angeles area pancake scene is thriving!
I'm baaaack! Only briefly, as I'm trying to eat responsibly, which, tragically, means far fewer pancake outings than I would like. However, I have not forgotten my quest and am happy to report that the Los Angeles area pancake scene is thriving!
Today I discovered what may be breakfast heaven: Bea Bea's Cafe, which is located in a Vons-dominated shopping complex just off the 134 Freeway. So not only is it easy to find, there is ample parking. I already liked it, and I hadn't even gotten inside.
My friend, who found out about Bea Bea's while looking for good pancake places online, learned via the restaurant's Yelp page that it's a very popular weekend breakfast spot. Luckily we're both Midwestern-born early risers, so we met there just before 8 a.m. and, though it was already impressively busy for an L.A. Saturday, we had no problem getting a table.
The atmosphere in the place is great—it has high ceilings and nice, solid furniture, with tables decently spaced. I imagine it could feel cramped and loud when filled to capacity, but even then I expect it would still be pretty comfortable.
The service was great. Our waitperson was friendly and attentive without being overbearing; I was asked for my drink order within seconds of sitting down. For the 45 or so minutes I was there, I never came close to running out of coffee or cream.
The menu, as you can see if you click on the link above, is beyond decadent in the best possible way if you're all about flavored pancakes...or waffles...or French toast...or crepes. They also offer various combos, and my friend and I both ordered the "Kin's Sunshine" special, which includes a choice of pancakes/waffles/French toast/crepes plus two eggs and your choice of sausage. And you could choose any of the fancy pancakes (etc.) for a $1.00 surcharge, get egg whites only for another $1.00 surcharge and choose from among an impressive variety of sausages.
I ordered the Blue Hawaiian pancakes, which were dusted with powdered sugar and topped with blueberries, bananas and macadamia nuts. I figured what the hell and added the provided maple syrup. Oh. My. GOODNESS. I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but those were phenomenal pancakes. I don't know what they put in their batter, but even without the toppings, they were exquisite. With them...irresistible. I swore I would only eat enough to do a fair review, but I ate every last morsel along with the egg-white only scrambled eggs and the amazing chicken sausage. If I weren't trying to watch what I eat, I might have ordered another breakfast just like it, and I doubtless would have polished that one off, too, because when food is that delicious little things like "I'm full" can't be allowed to get in the way. WOW!!!
I mean, come on, look at these pancakes!!
My friend was equally enthusiastic about her Pacific Island pancake, which was topped with bananas, coconut, pineapple and caramelized walnuts. For reasons I cannot now fathom, I declined the offer to try them. I will regret this for some time to come.
The meal wasn't cheap—with tip, it was well over $20/each, which is a lot for a fairly basic breakfast, even in L.A. That said, I'm going back the next time I get a hankering for pancakes, which isn't great for the future of this blog but will certainly make my taste buds happy!
