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This Old-School Columbus Diner Claims to Have the Best Pancakes in Town… And By Golly, They’re Right

Brunch, Eat & Drink

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Written by Step Out Columbus
Published on March 12, 2025
Photos courtesy of HoneyDip Donuts & Diner and Step Out Staff

There are few things in life I take more seriously than breakfast. And when a diner loudly and proudly claims to have the best pancakes in town (it’s posted outside the building and all over their website), I take that as a personal challenge. I’m a harsh grader, so I was eager to prove their claim wrong.

Enter HoneyDip Donuts & Diner, a hidden gem on Kenny Road that’s serving up some of the fluffiest, most soul-satisfying pancakes in Columbus.

The Pancakes That Changed My Mind (And My Life)

Now, I’ll admit — I’ve historically been more of a waffle or French toast person. My rankings go 1a. Waffles, 1b. French Toast, 2. Pancakes. So HoneyDip is working at an extreme disadvantage already.

But HoneyDip’s pancakes? They completely wrecked my rankings.

These aren’t just any pancakes. They’ve got this perfect texture — fluffy and light but with a buttery biscuity interior that makes them stand out from your standard diner flapjacks. The homemade batter is subtly sweet, just enough to let the rich syrup shine. And speaking of syrup, they serve it in an old-school metal canister that keeps it warm. Every bite gets better as the pancakes soak up that golden goodness. It’s nostalgic. It’s comforting. It’s dangerously good.

And yet, somehow, the pancakes aren’t even the best thing on the menu.

The Secret Off-Menu Item That Deserves Its Own Fan Club

If you love a good sweet-and-savory combo, buckle up. HoneyDip is hiding an off-menu masterpiece that will blow your mind: the Donut Breakfast Sandwich.

Most places that serve a donut sandwich slice one donut in half for the buns and call it a day. Not HoneyDip. They go all in, using two full homemade glazed donuts as the buns. In between? A hearty stack of fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and melty American cheese. The contrast of warm, pillowy sweetness with the salty, savory goodness of bacon and cheese? Unreal.

It’s the kind of thing that sounds excessive until you take one bite and realize that, actually, this is what breakfast was always meant to be.

Photos by Step Out Staff

A True Old-School Diner That Deserves More Love

HoneyDip has been holding it down for years with a devoted customer base, but it still flies under the radar in Columbus. The atmosphere is classic, the service is friendly, and if you stop by early enough, you might even catch the true donut experts — aka Columbus’s police officers — grabbing their morning fix.

So if you love discovering hidden gems (and the best pancakes in town, to boot), make your way to HoneyDip Donuts & Diner at 4480 Kenny Rd, Columbus, OH 43220. Order the pancakes, try the donut sandwich, and prepare to question everything you thought you knew about breakfast.

And maybe pop an Aspirin before your visit…

If you need more places like this in your life, be sure to check out our free newsletter here because we’re uncovering the best under-the-radar spots in Columbus every day!

Photos courtesy of Step Out Staff and HoneyDip Donuts & Diner

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