Ellen's Danish Pancake House

We were greated with a "Good morning!" And a big smile and seated right away, being asked if we would like coffee promptly afterwards. I ordered one of the specials, Rib Eye and eggs, Mom ordered the Danish Pancakes. The food came out quickly and the waitress was all smiles and kept up with the coffee and water. My steak was cooked perfectly as we're my sunnyside up eggs and hash browns. The pancakes were also made to perfection and the toast toasted just right. 10 out of 10 would recommend!

The food was good overall with the Danish Pancakes being the best item on the menu overall. I got the country fried steak and eggs and the steak was okay, tasted more like a burger patty and the fried exterior was slightly soggy. The part that was frustrating was that they DON'T label what you pay for so your bill will just have numbers on it with no context. We definitely had charges that did not make sense on the bill, but we already paid before we noticed it. On top of that, the paper with the "items" is written really poorly so you cannot even tell what is what for some things. On top of all this, the bathroom was left with the seat up and completely clogged and smelled terrible, no fault of theirs, but when I told them they did not seem to be in a rush to fix the issue. Overall, get the pancakes and check the bill before paying!

A nice stop! A very friendly and cute restaurant. Many breakfast options available. I had a vegetarian omelet, with hashbrowns and rye bread. They also have homemade salsa served with every dish. Weekly specials as well!

I’m not one to write reviews, but this place stood out to me. The Vegatables in the Veggie Omelette was fresh, eggs were fluffy and perfectly cooked. Sausages were ordered were plump and juicy, didn’t seem like it was overly cooked and dry. Pancakes were delicious and service was very quick. We did come in on a Tuesday morning, but the one lady working there did an awesome job. She was serving a huge party of about 15 and knocked it out quick and everything seemed to run smoothly. Coffee was really good too! Will definitely come back when we are in town again.

Tried Danish pancakes for the first time. They were great!! Server was very nice and more importantly, efficient. Lack laster service is far too common in CA imo.

Best breakfast in the Santa Barbara County. If you are traveling the 101 Fwy this is a must stop. Danish pancakes are the best. Always busy. Fast friendly service. Home made jams and salsas. The best team working to feed you.

Hands down the best biscuits and gravy I’ve ever had! We stumbled upon this spot while staying at Flying Flags, and it quickly became a favorite. The menu features authentic Danish dishes—my husband tried the Danish pancake and loved it. I’ll definitely be coming back whenever we’re in the area!

the food was soooo good! we were lost with the pictureless menu but saw an order being given to a table and asked what it was, A chile relleno omelette with ranchero sauce (not hot at all) with hash brown and we got a side of french toast, which waas sooo bombbb this place was amazing, the biscuts n gravy were a lil on the plain side tho but everything else super flavorful big portions, me n my husband could have split one but it was so worth it we were super full

Delicious! Feels like grammas kitchen. Cozy and warm ambiance. Service was fast and menu has good food selection

Parking: they had a small parking lot, but also plenty of street parking Atmosphere: a diner Service: good Food: had the danish sausage pancakes, which were thin and airy, which were the perfect. Not too thick and stomach bloating like American pancakes. Overall, it's a great eatery if you want to avoid the busy tourist part of Solvang.

This is a no frills diner. I highlight "no frills" because they have a pretty good sized menu but I'd stick to the breakfast basics here. Pancakes, french toast, etc. That's exactly what we ordered and it tasted exactly like what you'd imagine diner breakfast to taste like. Like, I can't describe it but it's a familiar flavor that you get when going to any diner. It looks small, but there's a back area that's a pretty good size. The service was very nice. It worked because the wait for breakfast spots in Solvang was ridiculous. We were able to get seated immediately on a Saturday morning.

Great breakfast place! Server and staff were so helpful.and friendly! It was Sunday morning and the restaurant was hopping. It's larger than I thought with a huge back area with larger tables. Food was delish! I ordered the Danish Sausage and DPancakes. I haven't had Danish pancakes in many years! So light and flavorful. They provide the table with a basket of jams and salsa. Loved the raspberry jam so much, bout a bottle to take home. My husband ordered eggs with hashbrowns and bacon. All excellent as well, and he enjoyed both salsas! Ample street parking as well as a decent sized lot. This restaurant has Bern around for many years and a good reason why. I have only seen Danish Pancakes in the Solvang area. Unique and wonderful! Thank you for a wonderful breakfast experience.

Very friendly breakfast joint with excellent food and service. A real country diner feel. Little bit pricy but you leave with leftovers since the portions are so large. Check my pics for updated menues. There is jelly and salsas on every table. My side imcluded with my country fried steak was a biscuit and cup of gravy. I got full and it was delicious! Great country fried steak. My wife got hashbrowns, eggs, toast and bacon. It was a lot! They dont short you here.

we visited ellen's danish pancake house on our way home from santa ynez on father's day. it was packed, but there was only a 10 minute wait for 3. our waitress took a very(!) long time to take our order, and another waitress, ana, came by and assisted us when she realized we were waiting and provided great service. i ordered lunch, i tried the tlta sandwich which is like a club minus the bacon. it was huge and the perfect meal before getting on the road. my friends ordered two different omelettes, a crepe and biscuits + gravy, and they enjoyed their meals. the coffee is your typical diner quality. my sandwich was really delicious, and i loved their potato salad! i wish it came with another scoop or two, just equal to the same size the fries option would be. TLTA SANDWICH 9/10 POTATO SALAD 9/10 ellen's is a great old school brunch cafe if you're visiting the santa ynez area. ambiance: 3/5 food: 4.5/5 service: 4/5 ellen's: 4/5

Located in Buellton CA We thought to have breakfast there since we were staying in the RV park next door Facility is older and well maintained Service was good and prices a little on the high side 14.00 for each breakfast Nothing great; flavor ok. Our bacon was burnt: did not offer to make it right‍

I was looking for a breakfast place. Driving around I found this place on the side of the road. Plenty of parking can be hard to get to , I had to make a u turn to park. The place looks small but they have a back room. The bathrooms are clean. The service was great also , it is a cozy nice place to eat. Like an old Cafe. I got the country fried steak my go to , I always get this . The gravy was good and the hasbrowns. Only thing is the steak was ehhhh it didn't have a lot of flavor I was disappointed in that. I like the little jelly and Salsa carrier that wad nice and the jellys were good. I would come here again try something else. Price is not too bad also , just the steak was ehhh

Hands down the best biscuits and gravy I've ever had! We stumbled upon this spot while staying at Flying Flags, and it quickly became a favorite. The menu features authentic Danish dishes--my husband tried the Danish pancake and loved it. I'll definitely be coming back whenever we're in the area!

We thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast and the service (Samantha was our server) was excellent. We would definitely go back.

Ellen's is still a great place to get the traditional Danish pancakes or sausages for which Solvang is known. The servers at Ellen's are consistently nicer than those at Paul's, although Paul's are polite enough. Ellen's is typically less crowded than Paula's as it is not on the main strip in Solvang and rather is across the freeway. If you go early in the morning Ellen's is typically quiet up average noise level ambiance. It has red and white checkered vinyl table cloths for the country diner feel. On this visit we got the eggs, toast, and hash browns breakfast and the strawberry Danish pancakes. Contrary to popular thought, egg preparation does impact quality and Ellen's consistently has fluffy buttery eggs that are most likely made with cream--they are most definitely bad for you but taste awesome. The hash browns were fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside and buttery all like they are supposed to be when made well. The Danish pancakes tend to be dry, but with the generous amount of strawberries both on the plate and rolled in the pancakes and the whipped cream, the strawberry Danish pancakes are probably the best Danish pancakes we have had in Solvang. We definitely recommend getting them if strawberries are in season during your visit. Overall, 4 stars is about right due to rising prices vs. quantity of the items you get and because quality does vary at Ellen's (also at Paula's too). However, Ellen's is still a great place and preferable to Paula's for the Danish pancake and sausage Solvang experience. We definitely recommend giving them a try.

Samantha was a great waitress this morning. The food portions are huge might want to split the meal. I'll show mine as I got it with biscuits and gravy. The food here is original recipe I believe not can type style. Like so many bland food for the masses. Prepared with flavor and served with love. If Andersons split pea soup hadn't closed we would have never found this hidden gem

Saw the great rating here, yet was SO DISAPPOINTED. Service was fine, but my biggest problem: it's probably the dirtiest sit-down restaurant I've ever eaten at. I wish I took photos of the floor -- especially the back room -- because it was disgusting. Smashed potatoes, napkins and more all over the carpet, which was STICKY! Also, all the workers' clothes were dirty. Our waitress had confectioners sugar (?) and jam (?) all over her apron. All this made it particularly hard to stomach the just-OK food. Yes, portions are huge. But what does that matter if the food isn't particularly good and everything is dirty? We love stopping in Buellton on our trips up and down California, but I won't be back here for a meal.

When we first drove up to the restaurant, we saw a "Happy Hanukkah" sign in the window. It was such a wonderful sign to us, as we are Jewish and therefore, felt instantly welcomed. The server told us that it's there all year which warmed our hearts. Now, to the food. Everything is SO delicious but keep in mind, the portions are ENORMOUS. My 12 year old son said that the massive cinnamon roll was the best he's ever had. I couldn't decide between the biscuits and gravy and the Dutch pancake so the server suggested I try a little of both. They were equally amazing so I'm glad I got to try both. The service is impeccable and it's such a warm and homey place. A must-visit breakfast spot!

Been coming here now and again for more than a decade. It's so sad to me because this was always my go to for road trips that brought us through Buellton. The staff is always friendly and attentive. How quickly our food came to the table raised a red flag for me.. especially with meals including things such as chicken fried steak and hash browns. Clearly they have come away from FRESH cooked. All the food arrived warm, not hot. The chicken fried steak was seeping water from it, I have no problem with frozen... but this was so watery it appeared to have been boiled and the gravy was barely warm, the hash browns appeared to suffer the same issue as the chicken fried steak.. watery and not hot, the danish pancakes were incredibly dry the toast burnt. The regular pancakes were average, until a hair was discovered on my daughter's plate .. a white hair that she compared to the window sill paint. I'm afraid this was our last visit. You e turned a corner and are headed in the wrong direction. Cheers.

Another in a series of "why haven't I reviewed this before" places, Ellen's delivers in food quality, service, comfortable pleasant setting and deliciousness. The thin Danish pancakes were cooked perfectly, as were the nicely crisped hash browns and my favorite "lightly" (slightly runny) scrambled eggs (so many places won't cook them the way I like them). Also, both the Danish sausage and the kielbasa were quite flavorful. Coffee was freshly brewed and hot. It was really a prefect breakfast!

This is such a cute little cafe and the waitress are on first name basis with a lot of the customers. The food was all delicious and service was quick. We tried the danish pancakes that my boyfriend really enjoyed. The biscuits were a little dry but with the gravy they were better. Great place to go to avoid the crowds.

I found this place to be significantly over-rated. The omelet was good, but worth $25? Not really and the bathrooms were very dirty which makes you wonder about the kitchen. Also, in this day and age of restaurants going under, I would think it prudent to keep your political views at home in hopes of serving all people. I would keep driving to Los Alamos or Los Olivos, much better atmosphere, much kinder and inclusive and much cleaner. I won't be returning.

Had the chile relleno omelet and Danish Pancakes's. Hit the spot. Sat at the counter. Service was friendly and efficient. Would definitely stop here again.

Went here on a Friday morning before horseback riding. They were REALLY busy, but we sat down, ordered and got our food in a reasonable time (even if we had to call for our server a couple of times). We really liked everything that we ordered. The pancakes were delicious and so were the eggs. Really enjoyed the assortment of jellies/jam and salsa. It's a quaint breakfast diner that gives small town vibes.

Went on Christmas Eve morning with my mother in law and husband. We were served by the owner who was very delightful. Restaurant was not too busy even though they closed early at noon so parking was okay, could have been worse. Portions were huge compared to the brunch places in solvang such as the Belgium cafe or Paula's pancakes. The homemade jams were superb but although the biscuits were huge, they were slightly dry. Recommend getting sunny side up eggs like my husband's cause my over easy eggs had a runny white exterior. However, the crispy bacon is a must as well as their thick delicious hash browns.

A long favored local spot with nice staff but the food is not up to a $25 breakfast bill.

Holy crap, 3.95 for toast? 3.95 for 1 egg. Can I sub the toast for 1 egg since they're the same price? "Yes." OK, I'll take 3 poached eggs. "We can't poach eggs right now. It's 11am. We turned off the poacher." I don't understand, boiling water, salt, eggs. What do you mean they can't poach an egg? "We turned off the fryer." Mmm, okay. 15 minutes later, at the register. " How was your meal?" It was okay. Have you ever considered using non frozen potatoes to make hashbrowns? "We don't use frozen." I bet you 10 dollars that they're frozen. "I don't know if they're frozen, they make them early in the morning." Mmm, k. Go to Luminarias in Guadalupe, homemade, made to order, historic location, great prices, poached eggs and non frozen hashbrowns.

Ellen's Danish Pancake House is an excellent off-the-beaten-path breakfast spot near Solvang that should be on everyone's list. We had a massive omelette that was not only big enough for our whole family to share but also incredibly flavorful and delicious. Each bite was packed with tasty ingredients, making it a satisfying and hearty dish. The Danish pancakes were also a highlight--light, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweetness. This spot feels like a hidden gem, offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere and delicious food that makes it a must-stop place if you're in the area. If you're looking for a breakfast spot outside of Solvang, Ellen's Danish Pancake House is well worth the visit!

The vege omelet was the best I've ever had & the cinnamon swirl French toast delicious. Very friendly staff.

Ellen's is a staple !! My husband and his family has been going here for years. I finally got the chance to go and love it! It is usually pretty packed but that's a good sign that it's good. The atmosphere is relaxed and old school diner feel. The menu is large with lots of options . You have to go here for breakfast for sure. Their portions are massive so sharing is a good idea. And don't forget about their hot chocolate ! Cute with whipped cream on top. The food is fresh and comes out super quick! Highly recommend if you are in the area looking for a good breakfast or brunch spot

We went to another Danish Pancake place with a super long wait, but decided to drive here instead. It was quite busy, but we were seated immediately. The service was so fabulous. Our server was absolutely awesome. The food was also delightful, and we really enjoyed our pancakes. Overall, a lovely experience.

One of the best breakfast's in Buellton / Santa Ynez area. Been coming here since the mid 80s. I will continue to do so every time mom staying in the area or passing through. Quality food, generous portions and excellent service. For me, best part about their breakfast menu is that one can order a 5+ egg omelette at a very reasonable price.

I used to like this place a lot. I loved coming here but recently, I've had a couple of bad experiences. I asked to get bacon included in my omelette but when I got my omelette, there was no bacon and I asked the waitress, where my bacon was and she told me she misunderstood and thought I had asked for a side of bacon. I made no big deal until I saw the check. They charged me $12.95 for a side of bacon! When I complained, she simply said "bacon is expensive". I wish she would've disclosed the price of the side of bacon versus simply putting some bacon crumbs in my omelette. That was basically a whole meal. I spent almost $50 on my own basic breakfast. She's always just going really fast, not really taking the customer's input into much consideration. I am very dissatisfied and disappointed. I could have had a nice steak somewhere else for that price.

Great food. Portions were generous. Service was friendly and welcoming. Clean and cozy atmosphere.

Ate some of the Danish pancakes and liked the taste. Huge like crepes, but thinner batter. A tray of homemade jellies was on the table and I tried all. My favorite was berry. Food servings were good, we took some home. Coffee very strong-good for those who like it. Even after watering down I didn't like the taste, but that taste of coffee was served even in the hotel we stayed. The pancakes were huge and I even took the rest home for next day breakfast. The service was good, both waitress and assistant provided what we needed quickly. The restaurant was quiet and my guests liked their food.

You Can Dish it Out, But You Pancake It POV: You're staying in Solvang and have heard about these Danish pancakes that everyone is raving about. A cursory search of the Yelps brings up two very popular options: Ellen's Danish Pancake House (EPH) and Paula's Pancake House (PPH). Both have solid reviews and a 4-star Yelp average--so which one should you choose? Well, dear fellow Yelper, we've done the legwork for you so that you can make the right decision. Over the course of two days, we visited both places and ordered almost the exact same thing to do a head-to-head. Paula vs. Ellen--who's pancakes shall reign supreme?! First, our orders: Carissa and I both ordered Danish pancakes w/ some protein on the side, while her son ordered his favorite Chicken Fried Steak from both establishments. Backstory: *Both are old established businesses with long ties to the community; PPH has been in business since '86, while EPH has been around since '47 and was once located in Solvang before moving to Buelton in '85. Neither are original owners fwiw. Winner: EPH for longevity Location: *EPH is located in Buelton, which is a ±10min drive from Solvang, while PPH is located along the main drag in Solvang. Parking will never be an issue with EPH as they have a fairly large private lot, while PPH has limited parking in front, but lots of street and lot parking in the vicinity. Winner: PPH Ambiance and Décor: *PPH's employees are dressed the part of being in a Danish village, and the interior décor definitely sells it, as well. EPH is, well, to put it kindly, looks like a typical diner you'd find in Anytown, USA. Winner: PPH Service: *PPH employees are jovial, work hard, and friendly. EPH's waitress seemed to hate their lives and couldn't be bothered to crack a smile or be helpful in any way. Winner: PPH Value: *After tax and 20% tip, the total to PPH was ±$70--while EPH came to OVER $100! Yes, you read that correctly. I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. There's must've been some diamonds encrusted in those pancakes I was unaware of... Winner: PPH Food: *All-in-all, we felt like the food at PPH might've been just a skosh better, but nothing discernable. I felt like the pancakes were both about the same quality, but Carissa thought hers at PPH were a bit fluffier. As far as the Chicken Fried Steak, her son didn't really have an opinion on which was better, and said they were both "fine." *sigh* Kids... Winner: Draw Conclusion: With the food quality being the same, there's one clear winner here when it comes to value, service, and ambiance, and that's PPH. The only caveat with PPH is that they can get super busy during the breakfast rush, so my advice is to get there as close to opening as possible to avoid the crowds. Otherwise, be prepared to wait, but it's def worth it.

Ellen's is my "happy place"! In fact, there is a wood sign on a windowsill that says that! Lots of great food choices but my favorites are the cinnamon roll French toast topped with chunky applesauce and the bacon is the BEST around! The servers are friendly & attentive. Coffee is great too. I went once for lunch and had a soup & sandwich special. Pure comfort food. Of course, try the Danish pancakes, especially with homemade apricot or strawberry jam. Delicious!

BEST BREAKFAST PLACE EVER it was my partners and I first time in Buellton! We came from Los Angeles and we were looking for a good breakfast place to go eat and we came across Ellen's ! From the moment you enter you feel right at home ! I love everything about this place ! The service was spectacular and ambiance was so amazing that we came back the next day for more !!! This place will always have my heart

This place is a joke. $22 for bacon and eggs. Old, run down location. Next to RV campground. Never coming back.

Love the history of this quaint little place, and had a great breakfast here. Got in early at 8 am, so no wait. My daughter loved her Mickey Moyse pancakes with sausage and eggs. My husband and I split the Ellen's breakfast with danish sausage (flavorful and delicious spices), 2 eggs over easy, hashbrowns and English muffin. Really tasty and plenty to share. Coffee was good, and service was too. Totally recommend!

Best breakfast spot that we have found so far in Santa Barbara county! Very unassuming from the outside, pretty cramped once you walk inside but worth the limited space by all means! Fast and friendly service, amazing breakfast plates with enormous portions and tables adorned with delicious house made jams and salsas. Come early if you don't want to wait, although worth every minute! Once seated though, expect food to be ready within 20 minutes. Menu is neither big nor small, but there is always a whole board of specials, all worth choosing! I tried the chile relleno omelette. Literally a whole ass chile relleno placed in the middle of a cheese omelette. With a choice of either hashbrowns or home fries, I went with the hashbrowns and they were divine in all of their buttery goodness! When offered toast or pancakes, I righteously went with the danish pancake and then topped it with their whipped butter and homemade orange marmalade. Seriously can not wait to go back! Some other of our favorites include their chicken fried steak, spinach bacon and cream cheese omelette and the chorizo and egg scramble. Try them all!

Read nothing but good things from our Yelp community and now absolutely in love with Ellen's Danish Pancake House! Beats the crowds of Solvang and just a short drive away. Come enjoy the taste of a home cooked meal here, nothing frozen or anything like that. Very friendly environment with both indoor or a small casual patio. If you order pancakes,do yourself the favor and get the Danish pancakes instead of the American style. The picture below speaks for itself, they are slightly similar to crepes. Huge, thin, buttery and topped with powder sugar.... It's heaven with each bite. Service was great, server was very attentive in refilling coffee while we waited for our order which was quick despite being a busy Saturday morning. Have that appetite ready and give Ellen's a visit!

The food was great! Danish pancakes are delicious! The service was great. Small place gets busy so go early and enjoy!

I've been coming here for a couple years now. I need to maybe try something different but I seem to gravitate to the same menu item even though i notice other stuff looks really good. I usually get the 2 thin danish pancakes with butter and sugar and then add some of their homemade jellys that are on the table. I also order an egg and sometimes bacon too! And my boyfriend seems to always get the biscuits and gravy with hashbrowns and eggs. I guess we are creatures of habit! I might change it up one time and get the danish pancakes rolled up with some kind of filling and topped with whipped cream! The prices are really reasonable and I've never had trouble finding parking.

Debbie is so welcoming when you first arrive. She has a Beautiful aura to be around. The omelettes are yummy and different sausages to choose from for breakfast. You get homemade jams and salsa's that are already on table. A must go to. You paid a little more but it is worth the value.

In the morning my wife and I decided to Ellen's Danish Pancake House just across the street from the Pea Soup Anderson's Inn where we staying at. It's short walking distances or a quick drive to the restaurant we drove but we learn next It's better walk if your Inn or hotel is just across the street. When arrive the restaurant looks like a house when we went into It's restaurant full of people having breakfast. Then the host took us to table and the menu were on the table. We were looking at the menu to see what looks good then my wife decided to order the Danish Pancake came with egg and hash brown and also she order biscuits and gravy by the side. I order the waffle comes with eggs and bacon. The waitess brought the food looks good I took a bite of my waffle it air,crispy and very good I enjoy it very much and egg and bacon were very good especially the bacon It's long time I have bacon it was so good. My wife enjoy her Danish Pancake she ask the waitess they can put fresh strawberries in the Danish they did. She enjoy very much especially the biscuits and gravy one of her favorite. We need to come back again soon.

My favorite fried chicken on the Central Coast if I can not help get breakfast. Real bacon, along with lemon pancakes is also my favorite.

Excellent service, friendly ambience! Great food. Love eating here for the last 4 years

Stopped here during a rain storm. Coffee was HOT and good Danish pancakes were fantabulous! Service was fast and excellent However, The ham was tough and fatty throughout My medium egg was way under cooked

A really great breakfast spot & perfect alternative to the overcrowded Paula's Pancake House on the main strip in Solvang. The drive is less than 8 mins and beats the closed guest list which Paula's has(we had breakfast there the day prior). They have a private parking lot w/ a decent amount of street parking. The food came out quickly and our waitress was friendly and on top of all her tables. Chorizo scramble was delicious and the kids enjoyed their kids pancakes & hot chocolate.

Fluffy, golden perfection! Danish pancakes, offer a delightful combination of soft texture and sweet flavor. The traditional pairing with powdered sugar enhances the overall experience. Cooking them to a golden brown exterior adds a satisfying crunch. A delicious choice for breakfast or a sweet treat any time! Pancakes are a delicious choice! And enjoy it drizzled over pancakes, ice cream, or desserts!

Kids shared, we did two. After a few drinks, over 60 bucks. Almost 13 bucks for a kids meal, how? Nothing special, as the food was okay. I'd look further if given the chance, didn't impress.

Stopped in for breakfast. Cute place but pretty average breakfast and rather high prices. Pigs in blanket would not do again (~$19). Missus has biscuits and gravy--probably a mistake as decent biscuit covered in pasty gravy ($12).