Pancake Tacos in Burgaw? Yes please!

By George Wilmington, NC

Look, if you haven’t been to Burgaw lately, first of all, why? And second of all, you’re missing the absolute glow-up happening downtown.

The ribbon was finally cut on Patty’s Place this week, and honestly, it’s about time. This isn’t just some random greasy spoon; it’s the grand prize of that "Own Your Own" culinary smackdown we’ve been hearing about for a year. Chef Khristen Hunter—the only local to make the finals, by the way—is officially running the show at 106 Courthouse Ave.

The tea? The original winner from Colorado apparently couldn’t handle the heat (or just didn't want the commute) and stepped away in early 2024. Khristen stepped up, took that million-dollar renovation budget from Richard Johnson, and turned the space into a vibe.

We’re talking family recipes from her mom, Patty, but with a "don't-call-me-basic" twist. The menu has "pancake tacos" (scrambled eggs and bacon inside a pancake, drizzled in syrup—I mean, hello) and French toast bites that are basically begging to be on your Instagram story.

But wait, there’s more drama—the good kind. The runner-up from the competition, Vinny Mangual, didn't go home empty-handed either. He opened Junior’s Deli right around the corner on West Fremont. So basically, this one competition just single-handedly turned Burgaw into a foodie destination while the rest of us were still trying to figure out how to air-fry a bagel.

Patty’s Place is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast and lunch. So, if you want to eat like royalty and support a local queen who actually won her throne, get down there. Just don’t expect me to share my pancake tacos