Over the past 60 years, Ol’ South Pancake House has been a favorite restaurant for many people in Fort Worth. In January 2021, the family-owned restaurant decided to open a second location, and they chose Burleson. “It wasn’t just a spot to drop a restaurant,” Dustin Riddle, the general manager of the Burleson location, said. “We were putting a restaurant in a place we knew was family oriented.”
The team at Ol’ South Pancake House Burleson strives to be mindful of the community they’re serving and to give back when they can. Unlike the flagship location, the Burleson location is only open from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. “We realized Burleson considered us a breakfast/lunch place. We just said, ‘OK, this is who our customers want us to be, that’s who we’ll be.’”
During the annual Burleson vs. Centennial football game, the Ol’ South team runs the concessions, allowing parent volunteers to watch their kids play. They enjoy helping plan events like the Honey Tour Bike Ride and the Fourth of July Parade, and making sure the restaurant is ready for the breakfast crowds afterwards. They offer private rooms for large groups such as community organizations to meet and eat. “We don’t want to just be here. We need to be part of [the community].”
From the restaurant’s namesake and the enticing aroma of syrup that hangs in the air, one would assume traditional pancakes are what Ol’ South is best known for. However, it’s their German pancakes that captured the hearts and stomachs of their customers. “We sell millions of them every year between the two restaurants,” Dustin stated. “They’re nothing similar to a pancake. It’s more of an egg souffle. Then you put that lemon, butter and sugar in there — you’re not getting anything like it!”
Dustin’s favorite menu item is the Dutch Baby Sampler. For that dish, patrons receive eight Dutch Babies, which are smaller versions of the German pancakes. Two come topped with blueberries, two with strawberries, two with cinnamon apples and two are the traditional lemon ones. “Any time I eat in an Ol’ South, even the day after working for it, the last thing that’s going to be on that meal is the Dutch Baby Sampler. That’s my dessert. Best thing on the menu.”
“We don’t want to just be here. We need to be part of [the community].”
Despite the cozy, time capsule feel of the dining room, Ol’ South utilizes technology of the future. “We have a robot,” Dustin grinned. “Bella” aids servers by carrying extra plates to tables. “One table can end up with eight or 10 plates pretty easily. Bella became a popular thing, especially with kids.”
Ol’ South also boasts its own rewards program, which can be used to earn discounts or free menu items. “Sign up for our rewards program, and the first thing we do is give you a Dutch Baby.” After signing up, all rewards members need to do is give their server their phone number, and the staff can let them know what rewards they have and apply them. “You don’t have to do anything on your own phone.”
Dustin feels proud of his team’s abilities and how they socialize with customers. He also loves getting to know the customers and seeing everyone interacting with each other. “That just personifies community engagement.”
Ol’ South Pancake House
225 E. Renfro St.
Burleson, TX 76028
(817) 989-9090
olsouthpancakehouse.com
facebook.com/OlSouthPancakeHouse
Office Hours:
Sunday-Saturday: 6:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Written by Emma McKay
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