Some people climb mountains. Others run marathons. I… try to eat 5-pound pancakes.
Welcome to Homestead Family Restaurant in Fredericktown, Ohio, a tiny town of just over 2,500 people where the only thing “small” is the population. Everything else, especially the breakfast portions, is comically massive.
Their claim to fame? A pancake roughly the size of a MacBook Pro and weighing in at a casual five pounds.
I know what you’re thinking… “so it costs $15 then?”
Nope. Not even close.
This gigantic pancake costs just $4.25, which feels like a typo in 2025. Oh, and according to the staff, only 39 people have ever finished it since the place opened. So naturally, I tried to be #40…
Oh boy.
The Pancake of Doom (and Dreams)
Let’s start with the good news: it’s not just a gimmick. The thing is actually delicious.
Golden brown on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and big enough to blot out the sun. I dumped about three-quarters of the syrup bottle on it, and it just soaked it up like a sponge, except this is the most decadent sponge you’ve ever eaten.
Let alone the amount of maple syrup I poured onto it, the amount of pancake batter that goes into making this is just absurd. I don’t know how anyone could finish the entire thing.
Halfway through, I hit the wall. The white flag went up. My fork was shaking like I’d just finished a marathon, but this marathon was made of butter and carbs.
But I’m going to train, and I’ll be back again for round two.
Why Homestead Family Restaurant Rules
Even if you’re not out to break pancake records, Homestead is worth the trip.
- The prices are absurdly good. A giant pancake for $4.25 and coffee for $1? It’s like inflation forgot this place exists.
- The vibe is pure small-town comfort. Sitting at the bar, I got to talk to regulars of all ages. This place is full of friendly faces.
- It’s family-owned and full of heart. You can tell they care about the food and the people eating it.
The menu’s packed with all the diner classics: big breakfasts, fried bologna, and enough fried food to make a cardiologist nervous.
Plan Your Pancake Pilgrimage
📍 Homestead Family Restaurant | 108 N Main St, Fredericktown, OH 43019
⏰ Open daily from early morning till mid-afternoon (perfect for breakfast or lunch).
💡 Pro tip: Bring a friend. Or two. Or three. Because unless you’ve got the stomach of a competitive eater, you’re NOT finishing this thing solo. Trust me.
My Closing Thoughts
Homestead Family Restaurant is everything great about small-town Ohio rolled into one big, syrup-soaked plate. Whether you go for the challenge, the nostalgia, or just to say you’ve seen a pancake bigger than your 3 year old niece, it’s one of those meals you’ll never forget (or finish).
If you think you’ve got what it takes to be #40, be sure to tag us in footage from your attempt on social media! Just remember to stretch first.
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