Does PJ’s Pancakes really top the stack of Nassau’s impressive pancake selection?

If you’re craving a sweet treat for breakfast, it’s hard to miss the four restaurants serving up fresh pancakes in town. If that’s what you’re craving, but you’re struggling to take your pick, here’s a comprehensive breakdown.

J.S. Foodies

J.S. Foodies Tokyo is tucked away next to Princeton Record Exchange, known for its Instagram-worthy fluffy Japanese-style pancakes. At 1 p.m. on a Saturday, the restaurant was pretty full, but service was prompt. Upon entering the store, customers are greeted by the bright atmosphere, filled with a diverse array of houseplants and contemporary Japanese-style chairs and tables. The restaurant recommended ordering right away — there were several signs around the store warning of 30-minute wait times.

Nevertheless, the first flavor, matcha, came only six and a half minutes after ordering. On top of the quick service, the pancakes were visually stunning. The three thick pancakes were stacked with pillows of whipped cream and toppings. Upon first bite, the pancakes melt in the mouth with a cloud-like light and airy texture. The matcha flavoring tasted authentic and powerful, with three distinct matcha-flavored toppings piled on top: matcha cream, matcha sauce, and matcha crunch. 

The strawberry-flavored pancakes were, according to the waiter, the most popular order. They arrived another 20 minutes after the matcha, layered like a cake rather than a usual stack of pancakes, with strawberry jam and cream layered in between each pair. But on its own, the pancake tasted more like unseasoned scrambled eggs.

The cozy atmosphere of J.S. Foodies is welcoming and homey, but the pancakes are more of a feast for your eyes than your stomach. While the toppings were delicious, the pancakes themselves seemed more designed for a photo-op than a satisfying breakfast. These were also the most expensive of the bunch, with each plate ringing in at $19. While breakfast at J.S. Foodies is an experience, it might not be one worth your money. 

Jammin’ Crepes

Jammin’ Crepes is another spot for non-traditional pancakes. Customers order their choice of crepe at a register, then make their way to the charming seating.

Jammin’ Crepes had a noticeably warm, rustic barn-like atmosphere; the lighting was much darker than J.S. Foodies, and the dark wood complemented the ambiance nicely. Service took about seven minutes. 

The Toasty Cinnamon crepe, which rang up at $7.25, is just as warm and comforting as it sounds. The flavor of the crepe shone through without many toppings; the butter and cinnamon layered throughout complemented the natural sweetness of the dough.

The Smokey Apple and Brie, which costs $12.75, was definitely a more adventurous choice, with a mixed flavor profile that was simultaneously sweet and savory. The turkey and brie balanced out the sweetness and textures of the apple, and the added turkey and arugula made this crepe more filling. The wide selection of crepes makes Jammin’ an easy choice for breakfast or lunch.

PJ’s Pancakes 

PJ’s Pancake House is a familiar fan-favorite; it’s been serving up pancakes to hungry diners for more than 50 years. At 11 a.m. on a Sunday, despite the long line, it only took around 15 minutes to be seated. The interior has a cozy tavern feel, but some may find it a little too loud with chatty diners and several TVs playing sports. 

PJ’s offers an option to pick three flavors in a stack, which cost $19.95 and arrived about 10 minutes later. PJ’s doesn’t emphasize presentation nearly as much as J.S. Foodies, as the three flavors were loosely put together on the plate. But these are classic pancakes: fluffy, buttery, and comforting. The tiramisu flavor was the most notable of the three. It somehow tasted just like the dessert, creamy and rich. But the other flavors were less than impressive — the chai-flavored pancake was too subtly chai-flavored and the banana caramel foster flavor just consisted of bananas piled on top of their plain pancake. 

PJ’s Pancake House serves up comfort, both in their pancakes and in the ambiance of the restaurant, making it great for classic breakfast fix.

Nassau Diner

The Nassau Diner has an extensive menu with accompanying photos, making it the easiest ordering experience of the lot. The Diner was also notably spacious, resembling a classic movie set with its vintage decorations and photos. It is pretty difficult to go wrong with a simple stack of chocolate chip pancakes, and thankfully, these did not disappoint.

At 12:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, the Diner was empty, and the pancakes came out after 10 minutes.  They were full of chocolate chips, covered with powdered sugar, and came with a generous serving of butter and maple syrup. Although the Diner was the most expensive per pancake, with two pancakes costing $16, they were also the most filling. They were super fluffy and perfectly sweet, with the saltiness of the butter balancing the sweetness. It felt very nostalgic — like homemade pancakes on a Sunday morning. 

Final Thoughts

When considering flavor, restaurant ambiance, and price, PJ’s Pancake House wins again and again. It offered a true taste of home and nostalgia, while keeping the flavors new and innovative with tiramisu, chai, and banana caramel foster; and although not every bold attempt at experimental flavoring was successful, the effort was still admirable. The comfort and flavor from PJ’s combine the highlights of pancakes from other restaurants. If you’re looking for a wider range, Nassau Diner is probably your best bet, but each location has something fun to offer. From the comforting, traditional pancakes at PJ’s and Nassau Diner to the adventurous pancakes at J.S. Foodies and Jammin’ Crepes, Nassau Street is truly stacked with some delicious pancake options!

Larkin Macosko is a member of the Class of 2028 and a contributing writer for The Prospect. She can be reached at lm4788[at]princeton.edu.

Ella King is a member of the Class of 2028 and a contributing writer for The Prospect. She can be reached at ek4416[at]princeton.edu.

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.