It’s funny how some chain restaurants are notorious while others get a free ride. The other day we went to the [Original Pancake House](http://www.originalpancakehouse.com), which is the kind of place that earns honorary non-chain status from its fans. Although, looking at their web site, I see that although it now boasts 90 locations, it started in Portland, Oregon, so maybe the one we went to when I was a kid was the original Original.

Also noted on the web site: a prominent link that says WHAT ARE PANCAKES?

Anyway, my mom was taking us to the pancake house, and Iris was very excited. I’d been talking about ordering a short stack.

> **Mom:** Iris, what are you going to eat at the pancake house?

> **Iris:** A short stack!

> **Laurie:** How about some blueberry pancakes?

> **Iris:** No, just a blueberry short stack.