by K. Louden

Created on: October 14, 2008

Settle breakfast right now. Just make the announcement to family, friends, whomever: "We're breakfasting at Pamela's Diner." You won't be sorry.

Located in Pittsburgh's Strip District at 60 21st Street, Pamela's P & G Diner offers a huge breakfast menu, and their numerous styles of pancakes offer selections you won't soon forget. (That's a strong recommendation! Right?) Yes, morning memories are made of the food concocted here.

Imagine two rather thin, crepe-like cakes, nice and brown at the edges, resembling an exquisite pastry with the edges crimped together to hold cream cheese and sour cream filling loaded with banana slices and crumbled walnuts. Yum! But that's only one choice of many. Your hankering may be for fresh blueberries and walnuts or strawberries. Oh, the choices! Don't agonize. Order one fruit in the pancakes and get the others in a bowl. If you want to avoid sugar, be aware that Pamela's cakes require no syrup. Most folks probably consider the whipped cream topping adequate, but for the shameless, syrup is available.

Not in the mood for cakes? Their eggs, omelets, French toast and even cereals are special, too. You may not be able to think of an American breakfast food that isn't available, and whatever you choose, it will rank among the best you've ever had. One pancake connoisseur with a lifetime of experience has proclaimed their cakes "the best I've ever tasted."

If you aren't too busy staring at your beautiful, wholesome food (worthy of a gourmet magazine cover), then take a look at the nostalgic photos on the walls. You are certain to find some that will make you feel warm and fuzzy about your favorite decade for reminiscing. Most of the pictures have been donated by locals, who consider Pamela's a museum of a bygone era. Indeed, all of Pittsburgh's Strip District resurrects our favorite yesterdays.

When you are feeling pleasantly warmed and fueled up for your day's outing, navigate your walking shoes down the street past the vendor's stands and specialty shops. Fresh breads, pastries, produce, handmade jewelry, scarves, shawls, pottery, photography of Pittsburgh everything on your shopping list is at hand.

No matter what your plan for the day, you'll sail along with a smile after your fine start at Pamela's Diner and you won't dream about breakfast in Belgium anymore! Thanks to Pamela, you can say it with longing: "Breakfast in the Strip."

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